MANY of us set goals in life for ourselves, whether it’s because of ambition and drive to succeed, or pure passion for something we enjoy.
Of course, ambition can also have a negative effect. The ambition which has a sole purpose of making money and developing greed as a side effect. The ambition which aims on a higher career position by treading on people on the way up the ladder. The ambition that is to become famous, discarding true friends by the wayside.
For me, ambition is a positive drive linked closely to the passion I have for art.
I think the big turning point for me was in 2008, as a few months before my 60th birthday I developed bowel cancer. From that instance you are told, it changes your whole outlook on life. At least it did for me. Hearing the C word I thought that was it, my life was coming to an end.
After recovering, I realised I had to fill my days, concentrating on life and not death. I have to say I became more and more courageous. I wanted to get out there and do things I had only thought about. Obstacles popped up along the way, but they were bound to. Life is not always an easy ride.
When I retired in 2016 I admit I was terrified. It was the word RETIREMENT. Then I pulled myself together and began “being ambitious”. I wanted to be noticed as the bright, happy-go-lucky friend, neighbour and whatever else.
I hoped my passion and drive would rub off on my students, I wanted to give them confidence in their talent and abilities. I still take Art Clubs in schools and have three private tuition students. I enter them for everything possible, explaining never to be disappointed if your work is not chosen and just to try again.
I have had work turned down countless times in the past, but it makes me stronger and more determined.
During lockdown I used it as an opportunity to concentrate on my own paintings, finish writing a novel and still teach my one-to-one pupils via video calls. I looked forward to getting up every day and filling my day with exciting projects or simply painting in my studio. Everything was positive in a surrounding negative world.
I do my best to encourage children and young people to have the same drive and passion about art and life itself.
That is one reason I enjoy showing their work in these regular features for the T&A. I received a wonderful letter from Anna, a young lady in Kent, pictured above with her proud younger sister. I have included her painting with a few more from talented local children.
Anna, 13, says: “I like and appreciate all forms of art and techniques from pencil and charcoal drawings to the fluidity of a watercolour or acrylic painting depicting real life scenes.
My preferred mediums are painting and drawing. I particularly like painting with Acrylics, but also like drawing with charcoal pencils as it really gives contrast to the pieces I draw. I enjoy painting because it is something that I can pour my creativity into, and it allows me to concentrate yet have fun at the same time.”
* Please keep sending artwork and comments to me at red4paint@yahoo.co.uk
* Lynne Dobson is a Bradford artist and retired art teacher.
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