Quitting a Hobby

Gina many famous artist didn't get recognition for their talent until they passed away. I understand your frustration...but don't give up something that you love...just because someone else has something negative to say...what do they know anyway?

If you want to get better...take some lessons. And thumb your nose at the nay-sayers in the world. If we all quit what we wanted to do...because we didn't get enough encouragement...we might as well...just stop living all together.

Quite frankly...I find this attitude surprising coming from you. You have always struck me as someone who kept marching forward...without losing your determined pace no matter what the opposition. I don't think you should quit.

[ January 06, 2003, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]

 

I once tried to give-up playing the guitar cold-turkey because I was so frustrated that so many other people were so much better at it than I was, but I found out that I couldn't give it up. I had sold all my equipment, even gave some of it away just to be rid of it, but realized that playing guitar is something that I do, I couldn't just give it up so I bought more stuff!

Now, I am trying to do what I can with what God has given me for His glory. Sure, I still play some of the secular tunes that I learned long ago and always thank Him for letting me play what I can.

I have some trouble learning the praise choruses because they're a different "feel" that what I'm used too but they'll come soon enough. One of 'em is even called "In His Time"!

Don't give it up Gina, you'll probably regret it in the long run. Paint one just for Abba and see what happens.

 

Something similar had happened to me when I was younger. THroughout my years in high school I had always been the best in my art class. I never had a grade below an A. But reality hit when I had gone to college. There were so many out there that I thought of as better than me. I was totally discouraged, until I was told that it's not that they were better, but that we were all good in our own way.

It's not always the ability that is looked at. Creativity is also at hand. My brother showed me up the same way your husband did to you. The difference is creativity. Many can copy, but not all can retain. Find your niche and go for it. So, he's good? Use that to edify him, he'll love you for it and probably admit what he wants to prove, that he loves you for what you are. And he'll probably add that you are the true artist in the family.

Opinions are what they are, opinions. I had always looked at my work and really never felt satisfied with what I had done. I had heard that this is what keeps you driven. I'm older now, and don't paint like I used to. I have found other things that give me more satisfaction, and I feel truely happy with my work.

I'm starting to sell professionally, but what worries me most is what to do if I can't fulfill promises to customers. If your interested, let me know.

 

Gina,

I was in the same boat as you. I've been a programmer (hobbiest - but can keep up with the big boys on most things). I was working on a project for a professor and my lab partner totally blew me away with his code. He'd written it all in one long weekend (I got to debug it for him), but I saw that his work was a lot better than mine. For pure code work he was light-years ahead of me. I felt pretty small because for the longest time I was the head honcho of code writing. I decided to make this guy my best friend and learn as much as I could from him.

It was funny how it all worked out; in the end he didn't care one bit about writing code and confessed that he was jealous of my abilities. He thought that I had a better grasp of the overall use of programming while he considered himself someone that could write good code, but was not very imaginative.

Needless to say that boosted my morale quite a bit and I've been writting code ever since.

I would say to keep painting. I admire anyone that can draw or paint, it takes skill and hard work to create something from a pile of paints and a piece of canvas. I can't even draw a straight line!!

If you're looking for a new hobby try chess, it sounds strange, but it's a very rewarding hobby. I've been playing for ten years now. I keeps the brain active and actually helps keep your head clear. Don't get too caught up in it though, it can be addictive.

tw

 

Gardening is absolutely the way to go! It's one of my favorite hobbies. Try growing cool stuff, like a palm tree or something. I started a palm in 1998 from a seed I found under a 40 foot tall tree and its now about as tall as I am.

 

Gina, to address your original question.... most years I decide on something I am going to take up that year and learn about and try it out. I usually get a new hobby the next year only occasionally do the old one. In 1998, I took up DXing, listening to shortwave stations from around the world, journaling them and writing to the stations. In 1999, I got into drawing and scetching.In 2000, I took up painting, read the books on styles, etc, pained several paintings that still hang in our living room, but I don't paint now. I rode my bicycle over 1,000 miles in 2001 and last year I learned tennis and played in the Iowa Games. This year I am going to learn to golf. I enjoy learning and leaving.

 

definition of a hobby: An activity or interest engaged in primarily for pleasure or pastime.

I have had many hobbies over the years...sewing, knitting, crocketing, decorative painting, and oil painting. The only one I do now is oil painting. I love it and have probably been doing it longer than any hobby and I have sold paintings. I have taught painting and I am so happy when my students can paint better than I can. It means that they are understanding my instructions and applying them with their talent.

Maybe just a short break from your painting would be good. I usually only paint with friends. For some reason I don't paint alone. We have a Tuesday get together and paint. We just do it for fun. I feel like painting is a mini-vacation. One really can't think about problems etc while painting. I love it.

But Gina, it is ok to quit a hobby, but do it only to please yourself.