Writer’s Other Hobbies: Drawing

Writer's Other HobbiesOne would think that writing keeps me so occupied, I don’t have time for any other hobby, and in a way it does, though at this point I consider my writing more of a job than a hobby. I try to do it daily, and I still do it for fun, but also with quality in mind, and I write with a mindset of one day getting my work out there.

Therefore, since writing is a job, I should have some hobbies, right? I’ve already mentioned polymer clay, but it’s not the only creative thing I do.

Drawing is something I’ve been doing ever since I was a child, but my creations were always more doodles than anything else, and even though I’ve learned a bit about the technical side of drawing (proportions, shading, etc.), I can’t say I devoted myself to practicing it as I never saw myself going with it anywhere.

Yet, once in a blue moon I pick up my sketching pad with a determination to draw something worthwhile and most times, as you can guess, I fail. Drawing is as much a skill as writing or dancing, so without a lot of practice I can’t even start aspiring to calling myself an artist, and I don’t.

Sometimes I envy my husband, Inq, who is a real artist, the seeming ease with which he brings characters to life or designs new and eerie creatures within several strokes of his pencil. I’m humbled by his skills and reminded of how much practice one needs to achieve such level of pencil mastery. A level I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to reach.

faerie

Truth to be told, drawing brings along as much frustration at my lack of skill as it brings satisfaction when I overcome my shortfalls and create something I like. I’m still searching for my style, but even now I can tell it’s more on the comic book side than it is on the realistic one. I still have a lot to learn, but the progress I’m making (as slows as it is with my lack of regular practice) brings a lot of satisfaction. Like this fairy picture that I also got to color in Photoshop, learning a lot about the tool along the way.

I also dabble in abstract ornaments and decorations, and those doodles are what I do to relax. I don’t think much of them, but my mom loves those creations and I gifted her a print of her favorite doodle (which I call “Patchworlds”). I admit that it’s a pleasant feeling to know that this piece now decorates her living room.

My framed print in my mom's living room.
My artwork as a framed print in my mom’s living room.

I still don’t consider myself an artist, but following her persuasion and my dear friend’s JR Bee’s encouragement, I’ve decided to make my artwork available online, on Society 6. Feel free to have a look, while I go and try to draw another picture.

How about you? Do you draw? Do you enjoy doodling abstract pictures or sketching out the likeness of your characters?

Joanna Maciejewska

Joanna Maciejewska is a fantasy and science fiction author who enjoys all things SFF: books, movies, and video games. Her short stories appeared in magazines and anthologies in Polish and in English. Her epic fantasy adventure series, starting with By the Pact, is available in ebook and paperback at all major retailers.

This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. J.R.Bee

    Your writing is awesome, and so is your drawing, so I’m more than happy to help in any way I can 🙂
    What were you just saying about the ability to express oneself whilst being a writer? Looks like I suffer with it too 😀

    1. melfka

      Awww, thanks Miss Bee! 🙂

  2. portiabridget

    I draw and my speciality is copying different pieces of art as miniatures.I have a special notebook with them but I admire your skills, dear Melfka.

    1. melfka

      Ooooh, that’s a cool specialty! Will you share your creations one day? (you know my email :> )

  3. sjhigbee

    Wow! I’m so impressed… I’m basically a one-trick pony – other than my teaching, of course. But all my creative effort and work goes into the writing. But your writing is interspersed with all sorts of other creativity – and you may not regard yourself as an artist, however I LOVE your phone cases and I’d be enormously proud if I could produce anything approaching that skill level:).

    1. melfka

      Thank you for your kind words, Sarah. I have still much to learn when it comes to drawing (and having an artist for a husband both helps immensely and discourages me when I realize how meager my skill is in comparison to his 😉 ).
      Also, I think you should definitely name teaching a skill. It’s not something anyone could do, it requires a lot of creativity (especially when one or two students require different approach), and you have to love it to be good. So you’re definitely at least two-trick pony!

      1. sjhigbee

        Thank you:). I couldn’t teach full-time any more – it takes up too much headspace and the admin is insane. But I do love it and my students are a wonderful bunch.

        1. melfka

          I can imagine. I never taught full-time (working in Irish childcare was hardly “teaching”), but I remember how time-consuming was being part time.

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