Re: missing the connection
Posted by Amy C on July 22, 1999 at 17:42:04:
In Reply to: missing the connection posted by W. Raven on July 22, 1999 at 14:42:58:
W. Raven,
It's like reading my own postings from 4 or 5 months ago. I felt the same way. I would see beautiful henna patterns before my eyes as I went to sleep, but when I tried to free hand it my designs sucked. I don't know what finally got me to the point where I could make them up myself, but now I can. I think it was just relentless copying of other peoples designs. Kind of like dancing - at first you have to deliberately follow exact steps and count in your head (or out loud if you're a lame dancer like me), but soon you'll be rockin' out. If you don't like the designs you get when you try to be completely original, try starting with the basis of someone else's design, then put the picture away and expand upon it yourself. The asthetics of what is already there will suggest what sort of shapes/lines/dots you will add. All art is derivative anyway, they say. Keep practicing. Catherine once said to keep pictures of your work & that when you look back on them you'd be amazed how much you've improved. It's so true. I just looked at one I was so proud of in March and it's nothing compared to what I can do now. Good luck!