My name is Brian Smedley and I have been drawing for many years since 6th grade. I formally took art only twice. Once in 6th grade and an oil painting class. The grade school art class planted the seed left to germinate to grow into a wonderful hobby for me. I continue to grow in my drawing skills, learning thru books and videos.
I have loved and dabbled in art in one way or another since I was a child, but life circumstances always prevented me from really devoting myself to learning and practicing art until the present time. As a cancer survivor, I know that the time to do what I love is right now. As someone who also lost her husband a year ago, I know that art provides much needed healing and can add a great deal of meaning to your life. I stumbled upon the Drawing Academy website a couple of months ago and was amazed at the resources to be found there…that’s why I’m entering this competition.
Since I was a little girl I used to draw a lot. I actually attended the local art school and hated it so very bad! I think the worst thing about it was that we were told how to make art and were forbidden to express our own creative ideas. And I have to say that I hated painting most of all. If drawing was something I was good at, painting was something I really loathed.
Well, guess what, now I paint for living! Who could have thought that, right?
My name Lam, I’m from Vietnam and currently working as a project engineer in oil and gas industry. I’m a self-taught amateur artist.
For me art is a drive. It drives me whenever the feeling comes. When something captivates me, excites me and that I’m really in love with it, I’m compelled to make a painting of it. Art becomes an outlet for the passion I have over that object. Art is a friend, an interesting friend for me.
Since the age of 5 I have picked up a pencil and free what I saw. I have always been drawn to people. Facial features, how they stand, these tell the individual story of a person. It makes all of us unique.
When I grew in age and skill I became fascinated with the old masters – Leonardo and Michelangelo, then the masters to follow. I wanted to perfect their techniques and bring out that individuality that makes us unique.
Born in a rich culture and Tradition of a North Indian family, I grew up all my age as an art lover. Since childhood art has always been my keen interest and that kept me busy during all my open hours but never thought of it as a full time carrier path. After years of doing it as a hobby, came to realize this as my true desire and to take it as a fulltime carrier in my life. I started to explore Art as a serious Profession which requires an abundant practice and devotion towards the same.
The Renaissance must have been a wonderful time to live in, if you were wealthy, of course. And to live in Florence at that time meant two things. The first one was that everybody knew who the Medicis were; and the second one, the streets were full of artists, architects, sculptors in hopes that the Medicis would commission them an artwork. Indeed, the Medicis were big fans of fine art and they spent as much as they wanted in expensive masterpieces of any kind.
I’ve have been paying close attention to the Drawing Academy for over a year now. I’ve been struggling with fighting the worst enemy: myself.
I’ve always wanted to be an artist, but at the same time, I’ve always made excuses not to do it. I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to find the strength to start. I’ve tried it a few times already, but since I’ve never found a place where they teach you absolutely everything you need to know since the beginning, I always end up dropping it. And I don’t want that anymore.
I really want to be an artist!
Article by Rachael Concessio You may have never picked up a paintbrush before and know next to nothing about fine art. However, the name Michelangelo is not lost on you. To this day, he remains…
I am Clinton Artisto. An artist from kibera Nairobi. I started painting when I was in class seven. I have exhibition my work at Nairobi national museum.
