I have been drawing for as long as I can remember; from the time I first gained my consciousness to now. My life has had ups and downs all the way through. Above all, it has been uncertain, and sometimes I do not know what’s going to happen or what I’m going to do. I’m sure everyone knows that feeling well. What I do know, however, is that my imagination never ceased. Even when I stopped creating, I was still dreaming. Each thought was another potential piece, and that’s really how it starts: thinking.

You see, art is not as complicated as some people make it out to be. Many speak of guidelines to follow — and yes, while they can be helpful, they are not inherently necessary. They could even do more harm than good at times. I know they both helped and hurt me. If I were to put it simply, all you need is something to inspire you, whether it be photography, music, or writing. This, of course, applies to drawing. The medium in which you express yourself doesn’t matter as long as you start.

Inspiration is one thing, but self expression is another. Are you feeling any particular way? Happy? Sad? Hateful? Project that into your art, encapsulate your feelings in one piece — or across multiple of them! Look at it and be able to say that this is what the comforting light of the sun feels like, or the melancholy of a quiet forest is. Put it all into scenes you can create, because it all has to be uniquely you. Art can be therapeutic when given the chance.

Sometimes all you really need is a reason to create. Is there somebody in your life that you love enough to make something for them? Then they can be your muse. In art, the means always justify the ends, and what happens when it does end is up to you. Keep it or give it away, everything is a choice. It’s up to the individual, always. If you do choose to give it away, I suggest getting a photo of it first. That way, in the future, you can look back on your art and see how far you’ve come.

Progress is a beautiful thing. It is the human experience encapsulated into one word. Sometimes it’s put on hold, or even regresses because you need to take a step back, and that’s okay. Out of everything in this world, time is the only linear thing you’ll find. There’s no use trying to mitigate that fact. All you have to do is follow along. Push yourself when you need it, and take a break just the same. Creation comes naturally, so don’t let it consume you.