Monday, August 25, 2008

Old Paths Reborn

Old Paths Reborn

This is my newest Clay drawing and the process I went through to get there. Hope you enjoy.

I have come to learn that the path to relearn art is an art in itself. Several years ago I accidentally stumbled upon a site called the OFC while looking for Clay's new CD. I had no clue at the time that the CD I was searching for would not be released until Clay's version of "soon" played out so I had years to do other things.

I stumbled across blogs and bravely dove into one and posted something like this: "Clay said draw; I can do that." I was sticking my foot in my mouth. You see my version of "soon" is just like Clay's, so xxx4clay had many years to do other things, too.

Just to add, I am slow at jokes and about a year later I said to my roommate that xxx4clay was funny and always on the smut bus. My roommate said, "Duh, what do you think the xxx stands for?" I said, "Oh I get it." It just took a year or so.

Back to the subject. Finally I tried to draw Clay. I had several miserable failures and gave up many times. But then someone spurred me more. Clay's mom Faye saw my art and suggested I do some gift cards.

So off I went and busted my rear to draw them. I made three Christmas cards that were donated, and the proceeds went to TBAF. It sort of motivated me. I hoped that if I could draw Clay, and I could also share this with the Clay Nation.

The Clay Nation is the only group of people I ever met who placed no conditions for including me into their group; and, as a result, I set my own condition and that was to give back.

I never forgot my promise to xxx4clay either. So I sat down and finally drew Clay. Ok, it was not so good. I really could sense that it was not the best. I am not competitive except with myself, so I set out to "self compete." Thanks to some advice from another Clay fan, I was told to go to
Linda Huber's Site; and off I went.

I am a self-taught artist who needed a lot of help. I have never known about art supplies or proper drawing materials. I have always just used what I could find at the store. I learned much from Linda Huber's site and was able to carry that forward to my second drawing.

Here is a letter I sent to Linda thanking her for her tutorials on her site:

Hi. Linda. My name is Kathy. I am known as Aspiegirl on Clay sites. I have autism and am high functioning. Or more high functioning than when a child. I used to draw when young (around age 12 or so, not sure of exact age when I just started drawing) but stopped around 10 years ago.

I am a very visual learner and I wanted to thank you so much. I drew two Clay face sketches, and they are the only ones I have done in 10 yrs or more. I came to your site after the first one and watched your videos. I downloaded them and watched them over and over.

Autistic's learn by seeing more than hearing. I wanted to show you what I drew. The one before watching your videos and the one after. I bought a 2B mechanical pencil (after I learned what it was) and used 2B and 3B graphite, better paper, and a tissue a lot like you suggest for "smoothing out."

I used the paper pencil some but was careful because this is new to me and had some trouble with that to get it to do what I wanted it to do.

I don't do graphing. I don't know how. I just measure with a piece of paper and put little dots. Like a dot on one corner of the eye and a dot on the other to get it proportioned right. So I have these little dots all over for spacing. HEEEE!!!!

Here is the drawing I did after your advice and the one I did before. Thank you so much.


((HUGS))

Kathy/Aspiegirl

Below are the "before and after Linda Huber lesson" drawings. The first one I drew before I watched her videos, and the second one is after I watched them. Thank you, Linda; and, most of all, thank you xxx4clay for planting the seed. Thank you to Phyllis, my second mom, for bugging me every day to keep on drawing.

Clickable of my first Clay Drawing

Clickable of AIW Drawing






Kathy

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Aspiegirl you do an amazing drawing of Clay Aiken! I applaud you that you've taken your disability and overcome it! Great job!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Aspiegirl your second drawing is very good. You can really tell the difference from the 1st one. Keep up the good work! You are very talented!

Anonymous said...

Aspiegirl..........thank you for sharing your talent with us. Clay Aiken fans are the best at sharing and helping others.

Anonymous said...

What a huge difference in the two drawings. I thought the first drawing of Clay Aiken was great, but the second was amazing.

Anonymous said...

Aspiegirl, Your story of the journey you have taken with your Clay Aiken drawings is amazing! Keep up the good work. I hope that People Magazine or the OFC will have a picture of Parker Foster Aiken. Babies make great subjects for drawings.

katy said...

Aspie, you are so talented and have improved lots. You do have a good subject, Clay Aiken. ;-) You are an inspiration to all of us.

Anonymous said...

Aspiegirl, that was so interesting! Thank you for sharing some part of your life and challanges. Wonderful drawings! even your "before" is better than any "after" I could do!

Anonymous said...

Good job! You really improved a lot. The new portrait is excellent!

Anonymous said...

Aspiegirl, I'm so proud that you're a member of Clay Nation. Your post is delightful! And your latest drawing of Clay Aiken is OUTSTANDING! I certainly hope you continue with your artistic endeavors. You have a lot of talent.

billie said...

WOW, thats all I can say!!!! you you go girl.Clay Aiken is a hunk.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tale of perseverance to bring forth your vision. And Clay Aiken is certainly a vision worth capturing through art. Great picture by the way.

Deona said...

Wow! I am very impressed with your drawing. Good job!

Anonymous said...

Love your drawings of Clay Aiken-and your blogs. Thanks You!

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful to see you learning and growing as a person because of becoming a Clay Aiken fan. Your work really showed improvement just as you indicated it would. Keep on exploring your talents!

jbc4clay said...

Aspiegirl - That is amazing. I wish I did take the time to continue my art lessons. I was self taught also. I found that I did not have the time - now you may have inspired me! You are very talented!

jbc4clay said...

BTW - Clay Aiken is a great subject!

Dianajoe said...

If Clay Aiken knew the impact he has made in our lives. He would be VERY happy. You are an extremely talented lady.

Medusa said...

I am glad that Clay Aiken has inspired you. Keep working on your drawing. You are very talented.

Anonymous said...

Very impressive.

Ashes said...

Aspie you have so much skill, not only at drawing (that is AWESOME) but writing too. You are artistic in many ways :)

Anonymous said...

Kathy - you are amazing! Your dedication and determination make my cry.

And your drawings are beautiful - even the 'before' one. Just amazing.

Clay Aiken would be so very proud of you.

Anonymous said...

Aspiegirl, your drawings of Clay Aiken are very nice!

Anonymous said...

Amazing drawing! I can't draw stick people. That was really interesting to see how your first drawing of Clay Aiken came to be and after the videos what a beautiful outcome you have. Keep up the great work.

outback

Anonymous said...

Absolutley lovely drawing, Aspiegirl! And your wit isn't bad either ;)
Quote:
"Duh, what do you think the xxx stands for?" I said, "Oh I get it." It just took a year or so."
---------
BWAH!

Chitter said...

I always look at a drawing to see if it captures that something that separates us from each other, that uniqueness inside of us. It comes out in our smiles, or a twinkle in an eye,or a turned up corner of a mouth.

the first drawing was good but it didn't capture Clay but the second one - NOW THAT'S CLAY!!

You have amazing talent - keep it up.

Ashes said...

Excellent work, keep it up!

katy said...

aspiegirl: I hope to see you posting another blog. You do such great work and the fans of Clay Aiken love seeing it.

Ashes said...

Aspiegirl, you are so very talented. You drawings of Clay Aiken are remarkable.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful drawings of Clay! You've learned a lot and are talented!

Hugs from
Madaelynn