Practice and effort make perfect.

Practice and effort make perfect.

​ When you think about common sense, bumblebees are bees that cannot fly because their wings are too small compared to their bodies. Aerodynamically, the wings must create a reaction force that lifts the body through repeated movements in the air. And when calculated physically, the wings must be wide enough in proportion to the body. However, this bumblebee defies common sense and flies well. The reason they are able to overcome their physical limitations and fly is simple. They fly because they need to fly to survive. They must fly because they are bees, and they fly because they know who they are. This firm will and belief in self-identity and self-direction is what makes bumblebees flap their small wings more than 200 times per second. We can see that commonly mentioned conditions, objective standards, judgments, do not tell everything.

​Likewise, what is essential when drawing is practice and effort rather than talent. Rather than thinking that you are not good at drawing, think that you have to draw and practice like Bumblebee struggling, one day you will reach that level. I am finding this case with my students. At first, my students drew pictures as if they were drawing several paper dolls on white paper in a world without space or depth. The painting had no composition, texture or precise shape. But I saw love and passion for pure and beautiful art in their paintings. And after struggling and practice and effort, I discover that they are turning into wonderful paintings with their own unique colors, compositions, and a dynamic feel. This is truly an amazing change.

Elbert

Amy

Celina

Cindy

​Every time I discover these changes, I work more diligently in the hope that students will break their limits and flap their wings higher. I strive to provide opportunities to develop and introduce new techniques to further challenge my students. I am well aware that this process is also helping me grow step by step as an artist.

​Most of all, I love seeing the sparkle in my students' eyes and energy as they learn to draw. When anyone seriously engages with art, they get these sparkling, jewel-like eyes. This is an invisible gift that art gives us.