After an unseasonably eventful winter season packed full of floods, wind storms, blizzards, car accidents and, yes, an abnormal amount of business of all things – it's usually so dead that I have to put essentials on credit and pay it off later on during the year – I needed something to get me out of the house. Something to get me off my ass and unplugged from the computer. So with a spontaneous decision Monday morning I made my way out my snowy driveway, through a springtime hailstorm so severe I had to 4x4 it over the ice-covered hills and signed up for a college course. Drawing II: only twice a week in the afternoon, off my ass and off the computer. Perfect! The class was at capacity but the instructor, Penny, a seasoned illustrator, was cool enough to sign me in.
My friend responds, but you already know how to draw.
Yes, I said, but it's spring. For one who is humble, there are no shortage of new and wonderful things to learn. Besides, I need to mix things up a bit. I need to be inspired, to nurture and challenge that creative instinct and feel alive. The computer is a powerful tool but I can become far too consumed with work, projects and entertainment on it. It begins to take the life out of me. I want sunshine. I want to get my hands messy. I want to meet new people and do new things in the real world.
It's kind of funny. I graduated from this school almost two years ago and I recognized quite a few people from then upon my return. And I thought I took my time and it's not as though anyone can earn their bachelors at Centralia College (except maybe certain teaching certs).
So I think this class will be fun, relaxing and I'm really looking forward to it. Ironically, students are required to sign into a social network site called Ning.com for assignments and other activities so I'm brought back to the computer, at least a bit. I have a page there to which I will likely be cross-posting the fruits of my labors this quarter.
