Is it normal, that i can't bring myself to do my art anymore?

72% Normal
18 Comments

A few years ago, probably spring of 2008, I enrolled in a art college that came in through the mail. At first I was enthusiastic, but it didn't take long for me to get behind. Before, I started it I was very passionate about drawing, but when I started to learn the classes I felt like my techniques were inferior. It got to the point where I had to practically be forced to do it. Then, around fall 2010, I went to art classes at community college. It turned out that my teacher there had enrolled in the same college and she told me that it really was a hard course, not just for teens but also for adults. My family found out about our conversation and ask if she could tutor me, but she couldn't. She told me to contact a art expert instead, but my family got angry at me and refused. This is where most of the trouble began.

They got me art classes with a woman. This woman was insane and worked in a art shop. She was verbally, emotionally and on one occasion physically abusive. She basically told me my work was shit, but would tell my family otherwise. She hated the fact that I did abstract & surrealism as opposed to realism. She even tried to stalk me! I didn't tell my family about the abuse, because I was scared how they would react and a part of me felt like I deserved it. I stopped going to her classes in spring 2011, but the damage was done.

Now, I find myself still behind in my art. My college said that my 4 years are almost up and that I have to try to Finish everything before then, but I know I can't do it. I know my family is disappointed in me and I didn't mean to waste their money. But they don't understand that I just can't do it... I'm too depressed. I'm starting to even lose interest in my digital art, which I love. Now my family wants me to become a photographer, but I don't have the heart for it. Is this normal?

Voting Results
72% Normal
Based on 46 votes (33 yes)
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Comments ( 18 )
  • Who_Fan4Life
    12 years ago

    Sympathies go out to you and your works that were affected by maniacs. The thing is, art is supposed to come from the inside, and an expression of oneself. She didn't have a right to criticize you for your technique, or whatever the case may be. Hell, art can be anything really.

    It seems as though your family expects too much out of you. THEY want you to do this, and you to do that. Why not go for something you love, and don't let these people get you down about it. It's YOUR art!

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      You're right.

      I can't get out of photography so, I'll go ahead with it. I'll try to finish my art lessons if at all possible. Then, focus on projects that I like:)

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Same happened to me but I only went to college, I ended up leaving because of how my art wasnt how it was "meant too look" just do what you want, maybe take some time out to figure out what that is? (: worked for me I'm going back too study nursing and midwifery in august (: x

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      I really want to finish my lessons at some point. The careers i want all have tie-ins with art. It has been decided by my family that I will become a photgrapher. So, I will try to study it and become good at my craft. Then, I'll be able to focus on my other dreams:)

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    • visualguy
      12 years ago

      if you were a true artist, your art should be able to handle a traditional art education. I teach art at a college. Only those that have no talent or strength complain like this. if you're out of art, you were never an artist. Its a life choice that dictates what you do. art isn't a part-time or a transient past time. it takes dedication and training, then do whatever individual style or technique of art you want. learning the craft isn't hard and shouldnt be overlooked or dismissed. beyond craft is art.

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      • Legion
        12 years ago

        wow, i think I figured out who the OP's abusive art teacher is!

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      • Avant-Garde
        12 years ago

        Stop your negativity. Certain factors can make a person's creative well run dry. Ever heard of Writer's Block? Some people aren't meant for art, but they shouldn't be Ridiculed about it.

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      • up-late
        12 years ago

        Those who can't do teach? I pitty your students

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  • pixie_dust
    9 years ago

    The difficulty of the communication with you and your family sounds key here. Perhaps they're just not receptive to the truth. If you had a heart to heart to them and told them exactly what you've told us here, would they just not be receptive to the info? Obviously they care about you to spend money and to worry about your future. They want to see you with a good future enough to invest in you, so you have to give them credit there even if they seem annoying and to be meddling uncomfortably in your life and your future.

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    • Avant-Garde
      9 years ago

      Believe me, I have tried so many times. None of which were worth the amount of pure hatred I received. Earlier this summer, I brought up decided to going to an art college for painting. She got mad and assumed I was referring to MICA. This is the art college that made them so disappointed with me. They told me that I was a racist for wanting to go to it. They claim that the college is racist too. Why? Because it is expensive and at the time (I'm not sure about the current percentage), the amount of black people there was extremely low. It angered them even more that there were a lot of African families living around the college and according to them, it was a shame, because black people could never afford to go there. If anything that should be racist.

      I could have never had the heart to heart to tell them the rest. I told my mother about the abuse a few years back and was met with anger. She said she was disappointed with me and that I had been raised wrong, simply for not telling them when it originally happened. She said that it was too late to press charges nd that no one would believe me if I did. When it originally happened, I was scared both of the teacher and how my family would react. I grew up in an abusive family, ironically. They don't even understand how abuse seems to work. I've always feared telling them certain things because, saying the "wrong thing" leads to an angry and nonsensical outburst. Even now, I am iffy about telling them things.

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      • pixie_dust
        9 years ago

        gosh, it sounds like you need to go to therapy with your family. the therapist would make them understand these methods of thinking, like blaming you for your rape and everything else.

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Sounds like a good plan ! I wish yoo all the best ! (: x

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      Thanks!

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  • kingsleycrowne
    12 years ago

    I wasn't sure what to vote for this. If the question was "Is it normal for other people to dictate to me what art is." I would've definitely voted no. I dropped out of art school for the same reason and have been working freelance, doing odd jobs as a cartoonist and illustrator for various projects and my own work on the side. I love the freedom and in the freedom I was able to retain my passion and master my own style. For this reason I think my work has been improving and I am more motivated to do it.

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      I've decided to go ahead and study photography. Try to finish learning art on the side and try to be a success. I'm glad you're doing what you love.

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      • kingsleycrowne
        12 years ago

        That's great, pursuing a new creative avenue like photography may be just what you need to be inspired again and find artistic motivation. Best of luck :)

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        • Avant-Garde
          12 years ago

          Thank you:)

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    • Avant-Garde
      9 years ago

      I changed my mind. I've decided to go for fashion design and painting.

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