Some days I believe I am doomed to mediocrity. Doomed to produce images which are trite or if they are different, I'll never be able to create something original again. I felt the same way in college. Art school was a dream but a really difficult one. Every day I would be in one of my classes, asking myself why I was doing this. I was rarely the best pupil and when I was it would immediately go to my head and I would create nothing but crap there after. I remember when I was having a truly cruddy day, I just couldn't get the ink brushes to work in my intermediate drawing class. I had experienced a breakthrough a few days prior, a true leap in my skills. But now I was sitting there on a bland Wednesday morning not able to get the *&6%$ brush to work in an original manner. My favorite teacher, sensing my stress came over and instead of giving me words of encouragement or telling me to take a break, punched me in the arm.

It was exactly what I needed. I yelped, laughed and was able to relax enough to draw a decent portrait.

I need someone to tell me that it's just a day or week and that I will produce a portfolio worthy piece soon. Actually, I really just need someone who has been here, who does this drawing, painting thing to give me something to laugh about, some experience to share, someone who has been there. Anyone?

Or maybe I just need another punch.