Opinions (Sunday)

Apparently, because I'm an artist, no one cares if I have an opinion.

(Yeah, looking at you!)

So, here.

ART.

Be.

Happy.

Cause you're getting nothing else.

~Allie

Worth Mentioning... (Sunday)

Again, a no-art post, but this may address an issue I'm having with creating material.

So, if you feel the need, disregard this post in all of its complaint-filled glory.

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Time put into an art-including post:

30 minutes (min): Drawing the art

30 minutes (min): Scrutinizing art so as to fix/acknowledge flaws in drawing

1 hour (approx): Deliberating whether or not the artwork meets any expectations that may be held by audience, deciding how much I care in regards to specific piece, and thinking more on whether or not this will have any negative effects on my dwindling social life.

15 minutes (min): Scanning, uploading, and writing accompanying text to round out blog post and post a link on Facebook

Time it takes to quote me on Facebook:

3 seconds (approx): Hear funny/witty phrase being said

1 minute (approx): Come up with idea to put it on Facebook and think it a good idea

1 minute (max): Typing, tagging, and hitting the 'Share' button

That moment when I realize that the quote gets more likes/comments than my blog does in a month:

....

Priceless...

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Do you see what I'm getting at here?

I'll admit, this is a bit of a shameless plug to get some attention, but come on!

Just a little acknowledgement that you actually looked at what I've been working would mean a lot.

Seriously, if you actually read my previous post (which I wouldn't know if you had), you might have come to the realization that giving your opinion could give someone (particularly beginner/amateur artists and the like) the courage to continue their work.

Sure, in the end, I'm drawing stuff that makes me happy, but all that work and no recognition, to be honest, doesn't make me happy.

Everyone wants to be told that they're doing something worthwhile.

Everyone wants to know that what they've put time and effort into, is actually being seen.

So why, even though we all want this attention, that little pat on the back, do we ignore the work of people around us?

Seriously, hit the 'like' button, it won't kill you.

And if you don't like it, comment, and try to be supportive.

At least they'll know you were looking.

Go with God,

~Allie

P.S.

Time it took to write, review this post for clarity, then post it to blog and link to Facebook:

~30 min

Expectations (Tuesday)

This is a not-very-amusing-serious-type post where I bore you to tears about my personal life.

Not really personal, but I guess I don't often make things like this public.

Eh, either way.

Expectations

I'm quite tired of people having them of me.

I don't mean, the first time someone meets me, they judge me by my appearance, but the ones who know me set expectations.

And I don't like them.

I enjoy getting compliments like, I'm smart, or talented, but they don't really help me.

Sure it hurts my pride to hear that I haven't done well enough or that I should've tried harder, but it gives me something to work for.

I can critique myself all day and night, but it really won't give me motivation to try harder.

There's something about someone else's opinion that makes it matter.

I guess it sounds weird, right?

I'm complaining that the expectations set on me are actually too low.

And it really bugs me.

Do people honestly think this is all I'm capable of?

Is this all they want of me?

You can tell me I'm wonderful a hundred times, but it would mean next to nothing compared to a critique that helped me improve.

And it's not just art I'm talking about.

It's anything I'm involved in.

I mess up in band, but the director doesn't have me go over it again.

I get congratulated for making a stupid mistake, but getting a good grade none the less.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my accomplishments, but I sometimes wonder if I could've done better if I was expected to.

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to college is the challenge.

Each professor will challenge me in a different way, and the things I get involved in will demand more from me.

I will be pushed to be the best I can be.

And I want it.

I need it.

So, what could you accomplish if people just started expecting it of you?

Honestly, what have you really wanted to excel in?

Could someone, simply by expecting a certain level of skill, push you to become better than you already are?

Now look at your own expectations of the people you know.

Are you building them up, or holding them back?

Be honest, now.

You could change someone's life.

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Go with God,

~Allie