Figure Drawing (and Quartering?)

I haven't had much practice and don't have much skill at drawing the human figure so I've been looking at various approaches to learning how to do so. In Figure Drawing Without a Model by Ron Tiner, I found this exercise.


Kind of strange but it looked fun so I thought I'd try it. Reminded me of losing myself in painstakingly cutting out paper dolls and their clothes when I was a child. I didn't decapitate and dismember my paper dolls as a general rule but now that I've done this, I see what I was missing. I'm not sure I actually learned what the exercise intended to teach but some of the images are a bit...






...interesting.

Discovery and Encounter

I'm beginning a new journey. Changing directions. Stretching myself. The professional home I've been living in doesn't fit me very well any more. As a Psychologist and psychotherapist for 17 years, I've heard about trauma, anxiety, depression, loss, despair, substance abuse, anger, and much, much more. I've also heard about success, resilience, hope, and healing.

I've loved my clients and the privilege of helping them find and listen to their true selves. In therapy, we start with unformed ideas, jumbled information, and confusing or intense emotional experiences. We then work together to problem-solve, uncover, process, and illuminate options. The process is both life-affirming and perilous. Perhaps these two are inextricably related.

The very fact that we take risks that are frightening to us is what brings energy to life and keeps us growing. It's tempting to stay with the safe and familiar. This is, of course, a legitimate choice. For me, right now, however, I'm choosing risk and change. Standing at the beginning of this journey into the world of graphic design feels risky. I don't know what awaits me. I don't know what I will bring to the process.

In discussion with my graphic design sister (Sarah) -- you'll probably be hearing a lot about her as well as the other guides in my life -- I've learned that the process of psychotherapy and the process of graphic design are not all that different. From what I understand, both involve problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and creativity. David Ulrich writes about the creative process. As I review the seven stages of creativity and the guiding principles of creativity he outlines in The Widening Stream, it's clear to me that while the content of my work might change, the process might be quite similar.

I sure hope that's the case because, otherwise, I'm about to have a very rude awakening!! My goal is to post things that I'm proud of and also things that are crap. I hope you'll join me for part of my journey; that you'll read and look with compassion; and that you'll challenge and question me too. Here goes...