The Agonies of Adult Learning
And I’m not talking about neuroplasticity
I’m talking about the crushing blow to the ego.
Several times in the 00s, I taught Acrylic Painting 101 in a tiny town’s community arts center. The clientele was mostly retirees. Not just any retirees. These were the high performing Northern VA set who’d finally abandoned their executive careers to enjoy the hidden historic mansions along the marshy coast of the Chesapeake Bay.
They were used to success.
Watching them struggle with their first efforts at mixing paint colors and deciphering the tones of a still life was enlightening. Most took it as a shock, but good fun. For some, it was very stressful.
I am reminded of them now.
In my writing projects I anticipated the challenge. I’m crafting my first novel. I’ve expected it to be hard. My biggest frustration there is the sheer time it is taking. Of course, I could be on a third or even fifth book if I weren’t so absurd as to start with historical fiction set in 7th century Syria. But that’s a separate issue.
My empathy with my prior adult students is raised by these new adventures in art. Having finally dug out a small studio space, rather than return to paintings on paper or canvas after a ten-year hiatus, I decided I must veer into a wholly unexplored category: printmaking. Worse, “printmaking” is a vast field and I want to try it ALL!
And so I am fumbling around, making a mess, terrified, frustrated, and having a blast. I was not trained as a fine artist, so the printmaking craft was never on my radar. Ninety percent of my visual production has been some form of commission. For the first time since high school, I get to figure out what I want to do.
I may abandon printmaking in the end, but I will have learned. And if not now, when will I have this chance to explore something completely new?
Thus, I have discovered our neuroplasticity is not nearly as important as our foolhardy courage.
Love it! I know that frustration well. I've also been experimenting with some new crafts lately and have been alarmed by my ineptitude with many of them. Some things in life have come so easily to me, while others are a total struggle, and I never know which will be which until I'm up to my eyeballs in it ;-) The prints look great! Best of luck with them :-)
Sounds lime you need to write a YA Vampire novel next