Yesterday I was rummaging through some of my dad's things, his art things, and I came across some very rough sketches he'd done some 40 years ago. I remembered them right away.
My father was a very accomplished artist, he provided for our family through his talent and whilst, as a 10 year old, I didn't understand the significance of it, I certainly do now. Making a living as an artist is very difficult. - But dad made it work in various ways and whilst we didn't have much, we had enough.
I remember that day; Dad showing me how to do perspective and shading, me with pencil in hand, messing everything up that he showed me. He kept trying though, patiently; Giving up wasn't in his nature.
Drawing wasn't my thing though, I was terrible at it and still am. Point in case the drawing below...I drew this yesterday...It's a bee. Terrible right?
The drawing above is probably just as bad as the one 40 years ago would have been as my artistic talents haven't improved as I got older.
What did get better though was me and my dad was a part of that. He couldn't teach me to draw, but he taught me many other things that I took away and improved, honed and developed, little by little becoming a better me.
The lessons around failure were amongst the most important I learned from him.
I remember my dad saying, each failure brings one closer to success and I completely agree. It didn't make me draw any better, however it made me a better person bit by bit as I kept standing up after each failure and trying again.
Failing at a thing means one tried, and that's what really counts. Failing again means one tried, again. Failure brings success if one fails enough times, it's a pretty simple concept.
My dad's health is failing right now; He is quite frail and suffers multiple health issues along with dementia. He doesn't recall who I am; Doesn't remember his own son. It's a pretty horrible experience for me to be honest.
He will die of course and I think I'm ready, certainly accepting of it, as the pragmatic-thinker I tend to be. At the time it might be a different story though. I'm also ready to take the lessons he gave me into the rest of my life and to honour him by being the best person I can possible be, as I have done all my life.
My dad was proud of my efforts to draw that day, he told me so, and I hope that despite the fact he doesn't know me now he would feel pride in me still.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209
P.s. If you love my bee drawing make me an offer, I may consider selling it.
