Drawing—a forgotten delight

Yes, drawing is a forgotten delight.

I bet, if there were no android phones now, I would either be writing (I mean, just copying down words from some books) or drawing (I had to have reference though) because what choice do I have. Ah… Perhaps I will do some academics but that would be too serious. I mean, I am referring to what could have been my recreation if there were no android phones that seemed very easy to entertain us now. The last memory I had that I was enjoying drawing and taking pride that I am good with it was in grade 4. Afterwards, I can’t recall anymore moments where I delighted in it.

But the last time I took time drawing cannot be in Grade 4 because my sister said they saw some drawings of mine depicting events of Ibong Adarna and Florante at Laura. I vaguely recall drawing those that I saw on our novel books. But yes, I remember that I was satisfied with what I had seen afterwards. But the process of drawing was a blur.

Perhaps just too much things had happened that I really don’t have any feeling towards drawing. What could have happened? I could only envy those who could draw even without a reference picture. They have a picture but either it is in their minds or on nature that they draw.

Another perhaps, perhaps my young mind back then have had other focus and direction. Maybe because I was the child. Now that I have children on my own, it is hard to do more things than the basics. But of course with creativity we can insert whatever interests we have. Unfortunately, drawing doesn’t seem to surface as an interest I have that I could pass on to my children, even just the enthusiasm.

What prompted me to write this was a Facebook post that I happened to see on FB during my brief visit there. It said, the painter was going back to basics. And I felt a tinge of envy once more. Wow! I also wish I could draw. But as they say, we have to be careful what we wish for though I don’t see anything wrong in wishing I could draw or paint. But my conscience is telling me that I had to respect the things that I have like skills or talents I possess. So I’m good now. Drawing may have been a forgotten delight but I can go back anytime to crocheting. And I remember my sister’s muffler which I have yet to crochet. I time I will be handing it to her.

I tried getting back at drawing by simply sketching simple things as I played with my child. I tried flowers, stars, shapes then fishes then mountains and seas. Just those oversimplified ones. Even though is till didn’t feel anything special, I still felt convinced that one day I will have the same feelings I have when I was drawing decades ago.

Aha! So much time. So much time. So much time has passed. I still recall those rainy days when classes were suspended and no choice, we drew. My siblings and I. I would turn those pages containing any drawing then I would draw draw draw! At the very least, we weren’t impoverished with pens and papers because otherwise, I wouldn’t have drawn anything. But just that, nothing special really with my drawings but those have been delightful experiences. If only those drawings were saved, then they would have been some treasured relics. I think, my mother had no choice but to burn most of our things when they transferred to our new home. That was around two years ago.

Just maybe, years after now, I will once again find myself in the company of basic drawing tools. Pencil and crayons would do. And occasional water color. But of course, it’s a given that I will keep drawing triangles, rectangles, squares, circle, and curves. I can’t imagine a Math teacher who struggle to draw at least those. Fortunately, as long as I have a free right hand, I can manage not perfect shapes but at least they resemble those that are described in their properties. Seriously, I came across others who really can’t put a circle to paper. I’m just not so sure if that person I am referring to indeed can’t draw such. Might have been an exaggeration but according to her claim, she can’t draw a simple circle.

Just a closing, I remember myself drawing. Expecting my little uncles to be in awe. Little did I know that they were excellent cartoonists. I felt so much ashamed when they started showing off instead. Hehe.