nervous

[marysia]

I am probably going to be taking some classes at the local university come january, but I have a problem and I was wondering if anyone else gets this same problem, or if it is just my nature.

I was checking out the visual arts facilities of the school and was excited because it looked fun, but also major anxiety came over me. I remember high school art class and I had the problem with being around other talented artists... it is supposed to be an encouragement, and a challenge. But for me it seems to be more of a discouragement because I feel like I will not measure up. I feel like I cant relax because I must keep up with the others, and even if (in some cases) I knew I was the better artist I still felt resentment because even the ones who only took the class becuase it was an "easy" class were relaxed and didn't seem to care.

I guess I am too much of a perfectionist or I put too much pressure on myself, but I really can't think about going in to a close-knit class, while everyone can SEE what Im painting, and feeling relaxed and comfortable.

Maybe I am making too much out of it, and I will learn to relax and open up once I have started, but right now, I am a nervous wreck!

[Craig D]

I think everyone feels this way. Some only a little and some a lot more. I know I do.

The anticipation is usually worse than the real thing though so take a few deep breaths and then try and enjoy it as much as you can.

Craig

[darkangel]

Hey, that sounds like me. I'm currently enrolled in Art College and back in High School art classes I was the best artist who didn't need to work too hard to impress others. I still have a drawing framed there, and my name twice on a Fine Arts award plaque.

But now that I'm in College, I find that I'm not the best anymore, and I do get discouraged from seeing everybody's work, and thinking of what people think of my work. I'm used to being the best, so that's not easy for me. But now that I'm here, I think it's okay. As far as I know, the other students don't do a lot of negative judging. They give a lot of help, if needed, and .. well everybody is just a big group of friends, and everybody wants everybody to get an A.

I have no idea how this could help you, or anything, but I just wanted to say that I'm in the same position and I've tried to relax and I think it's going well.

Good luck :)


Edit: Oh Craig, just noticed that you're in Edmonton. Howdy neighbour, that's where I go to school... hehe

[Craig D]

Kelly
I am actually going to school here as well (part time)
U of A Faculty of Extension has a Fine Arts certificate program I just started.

I see in your profile as well that we have the same B'day!

Craig

[darkangel]

LOL So we're in the same program (I'm in a Fine Arts certificate program as well) we go to school minutes apart and we have the same B-day. That's just funny.

I go to Grant MacEwen JP Campus of course..

[marysia]

love is in the stars... lol

thanks both of you for your encouragement!

[athwi]

Hi! It might help to know that ALL students going into a new program for the first time feel the same way. Others will be intimidated at first by you! Although it's natural--even good--to compare your work with that of others for growth potential and inspiration, you can't forget the good in your own efforts; after all, you're THERE aren't you? You didn't get here by being chopped liver.
Relax, enjoy, and show 'em the unique talent that YOU bring to the class. I can't sing like Barbra Streisand, but I enjoy the dickens out of making my neighbors cringe! You've GOT to be a better artist than I am a musician.

Enjoy that class! :clap:

[champagneharley]

I didn't paint for many years, expecting too high a standard for myself. If I tried to live up to that standard, I still wouldn't paint.
I went to art shows and wondered why my work wasn't there, as my work was at least in the top 10% of what I saw, re quality.
So even though my work isn't in top 1%, I started doing it.
We all can't be best or top at what we do, so just enjoy all for the sake of all.
Regards,
Jillian

[SuzySue]

Until three years ago I never considered taking art class because everyone else was so good. Not until I took a drawing class with the promise to myself I could quit at anytime, that I found I could actually be creative. What I have learned in art classes is to only compare your work to your previous work. It is only your progress that counts. I have seen student to good work and at the end of the semester they are still doing the same level of work.

Good Luck and don't let being nervous keep you from having fun.

Sue

[sorah17]

I'm the same way. I really hate when people watch me work. I like constructive criticism and when people help me out, but I don't like being watched, and at the beginning of my drawing class I hated putting up our sketches to look at. I eventually got over it. Only problem I have now is that I can be a perfectionist and what takes someone else 2 hours can take me 5 or more. Like my drawing final project, I chose to do silverpoint and I chose to do it in the biggest size (11" X 14"). *sigh* WHAT was I thinking? I first finished it tonight, and all 4 of my projects are due Monday when I only have one other one done. So you can see what I'll be doing this weekend. ;)

[Seraph]

Yeah, I also have that problem. Of course, that might be because I think I actually do genuinely suck, unlike everyone else here, as Ive seen.

Having to sit in a class with a bunch of other people freaks me out, Im always afraid that people are going to look at what Im doing and think Im a lost cause or something. Bad problem to have as an art student, I know.

But then usually when critique time comes around I realise that what I did is better than what a lot of other people did and then I dont feel so bad. Until the next class, that is... :rolleyes:

The best advice I can possibly give anybody else that has this problem is to try and focus on learning what the assignment is supposed to teach you and not on creating a masterpiece during every class. That doesnt always work for me, but its a great theory, so I figured that was just cuz I wasnt doing it right or something. Sigh....

~Seraph

[champagneharley]

Originally posted by sorah17
I'm the same way. I really hate when people watch me work. I like constructive criticism and when people help me out, but I don't like being watched, and at the beginning of my drawing class I hated putting up our sketches to look at. I eventually got over it. Only problem I have now is that I can be a perfectionist and what takes someone else 2 hours can take me 5 or more. Like my drawing final project, I chose to do silverpoint and I chose to do it in the biggest size (11" X 14"). *sigh* WHAT was I thinking? I first finished it tonight, and all 4 of my projects are due Monday when I only have one other one done. So you can see what I'll be doing this weekend. ;)
Do people REALLY watch you work?
I work in VERY public places, and people like to ignore me. They like to pretend they DON'T see me. Just as if i were there naked or something.
I've worked in groups, and when we take a break, there are some artists who cover their works. That's cool with me. I won't uncover it. I know some people are sensitive. I used to sit for HOURS in McDonalds, sketching. The only ones who came near me were the small children who would come and tell me that they liked drawing too! I was one of those as a child who used to go up to the grownups who were painting or drawing, and told them I was an artist too!
:)
Regards,
Jillian

[champagneharley]

Originally posted by Seraph
Yeah, I also have that problem. Of course, that might be because I think I actually do genuinely suck, unlike everyone else here, as Ive seen.

Having to sit in a class with a bunch of other people freaks me out, Im always afraid that people are going to look at what Im doing and think Im a lost cause or something. Bad problem to have as an art student, I know.

But then usually when critique time comes around I realise that what I did is better than what a lot of other people did and then I dont feel so bad. Until the next class, that is... :rolleyes:

The best advice I can possibly give anybody else that has this problem is to try and focus on learning what the assignment is supposed to teach you and not on creating a masterpiece during every class. That doesnt always work for me, but its a great theory, so I figured that was just cuz I wasnt doing it right or something. Sigh....

~Seraph
You know, as a teacher, I have always seen a quality or direction in my student's work. Sometimes I have thought, oh my God, that's not what I was looking for! Then seen a certain quality where I was able to lead them into another direction that flattered their technique, and ended up with a result that we all loved - other students were sometimes envious that an original creation had come out of a reasonably structured class.
Art is not about grabbing someone by the hand an making them churn out 'mini-mes' - I am seeking the art that the creator is proud of, and bring out something that they may have never known they had inside. I know many of my students were quite amazed at their accomplishments.
Don't ever give up. Get over your self-consiousness as it's holding you back!
Don't you think I make mistakes? I sure do. Nearly every work I do, there is a stage where I want to ditch my work in the nearest bin! Perservere - you might be surprised.
Always aim higher than you think you can - you may be surprized with something far better tahn you expected.
Regards,
Jillian
Regards,
Jillian

[israelyang]

Craig D and darkangel
how are you. I go to the U of T in T(oronto) for their Com Sci and Fine Art program. My birthday is May 21 that is 2 days apart from yours. Are Canadian art students all born in the same month?
It is different being in a university level art class and that of highschools. Teachers have higher expectation and you get to meet more talented people. I guess if you are strong enough, being with more talented artists push you further.
Whenever I dont feel like painting I go online or borrow a book of great artists and then I go right back to paint. I enjoy nice words and critiques but harsh ones make me learn to be humble.
cheers.

[pinkbubelz]

Yes, walking into the classroom for the first time can be intimidating, but it can also provide you with countless learning opportunities as well!

I try to view myself as a student each time I enter a classroom....
I also look to other students to be my student as well as my teacher... i.e. you can learn a lot by looking at each other's works as well as soliciting opinions from others.... You can also learn a lot by sharing with others your "artist secrets" and your interpretations and ways of doing things...

I figure that I'm there to learn, and if I don't take away anything new in my vision or interpretation (via my artwork), then I am wasting my time....

I used to be the same way about my music-- afraid that others would compare me to them if I played publicly. I was an okay musician in High School, definitely not the best, but also not the worst... It wasn't until I went to college and decided I missed the structure of classes and music that I gave myself "permission" to sit at the public piano in the lobby of my dorm and to play music without inhibition.... What I learned from that experience is this: 1) there are lots of people who don't play music and greatly appreciate my knowlege. 2) others who do know music are often less critical of me than I am, and they, too, appreciate my sharing of my music with them (even if I am not the best player in the world.)

This experience taught me that I should believe in my own talents-- I won't always get praise, but also, I would sometimes ask others for assistance and thus make my own music better in the long run... After all, as the old saying goes, "If a tree in the forest falls down and there isn't anyone to hear it, does it make a noise?" Sharing your talents (art, music, poetry, whatever) with others is the best way to improve and to gain confidence in your own work.... It's not always necessary to create works of art that please others... as you mature in your artwork, you'll find that in the end, you will decide to create works that please yourself, regardless of what others think!

Good luck... Sorry for the rambling, but I hope it helps!

--Iris