Speaking Arts

Thursday, July 18, 2024

I ordered a drawing pad on a whim. The cute pad connects to a computer; strokes on the pad appear on the computer screen. I thought, “Well, that sounds like fun.” After receiving and examining the pad and watching some training videos, I gathered that my scribbles are not up to the possibilities with this tool; it’s designed for skilled artists using specialized software.

I have few skills in comprehending artists’ software. That’s become apparent after years of using Photoshop. I’ve studied it, practiced utilizing image layers, and am most comfortable doing basic editing. The speed at which this new pad grabbed my attention (and money) is a mystery. I wonder what made the item so appealing that I couldn’t resist it.

Wondering about appeal and irresistibility goes beyond a drawing pad. I often think about it while selling fine jewelry, which isn’t a basic necessity but strongly draws people. Beyond the social influence of jewelry, there’s also an emotional level, reminding individuals of something they’ve loved or cared about. The artist’s pad touched a deep need inside me to draw.

Growing up in a complicated family taught me the safety of keeping my thoughts private. I began to mature with few conversation skills and wanted to become an artist. I could sit for hours drawing objects in my sight or depictions of my memories. Resistance to revealing my thoughts eventually became less, helped by a psychologist. I slowly began speaking more, and simultaneously, that slowed my drawing, and finally, I stopped drawing.

So, the pad is an emotional connection with drawing. It little matters that I don’t draw because my deep, ongoing attraction to drawing as an essence of self-expression is a hefty push.

Dear Friends: An item’s appeal aligns with hobbies, interests, and passions. Diana