Oh the Dreaded Blank Canvas!
Oh, the dreaded blank canvas! I recently went up against this familiar foe, working on some ink drawings for an event. I set out to create four Civil War drawings, and though I could feel what I wanted to express, I was afraid I couldn't bring it to life on paper. In this moment of uncertainty, I had the urge to go to artificial intelligence (AI) to help me figure out my ideas. I had explored the use of AI as a viable tool for the artist for a short time last year and resolved that while it could produce surface-level results, it sucked the life out of the art. It looked cool, but felt all wrong. Something was missing: the human factor. I was avoiding the struggle of being an artist. Faced with this decision, I considered the brave soldiers of the Civil War and the struggles they faced, and was inspired by their courage.
So I resolved to welcome the struggle and fear. Rather than setting out to create a masterpiece, I simply began to draw, pulling from my imagination or from reference photos from the Civil War. After completing one drawing, I would make notes and start again. My next attempt, rough and flawed, gave me renewed excitement in the process. I focused my attention, learned from the things that went wrong, and continued to draw, knowing the next iteration would be another exploration of the finished product. I drew until I was left with four unique pieces of my own design, no AI needed.
I count myself blessed to understand the struggle and relief in overcoming obstacles, reaping joy through discovery, and fostering curiosity for what could be. So much in our age is calculated and produced at the push of a button. What lasting purpose do those products have? While some aim to avoid the blank canvas, to make escape their lifestyle, I believe such a life will lead to ruin. My drawings and art may not be perfect, but I pray that it allows us to see that the human spirit, though flawed, carries truth and beauty in it, which is far more valuable.