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These are the words that I often say to myself. I have some very artistically talented siblings. My eldest sister when she was young pursued a photography and film making career and was modestly successful and even had a photo exhibit that showed the many portraits she took,

My 2nd sister was gifted with golden voice and even trained under Ryan Cayabyab at one point. She had a perfect pitch and could sing any genre although ballads were here favorite. She also painted using acrylic and was very decent.

Our youngest had a knack for numbers that bordered genius level and a natural actor who loved joining declamation and speech contests. He had a natural charisma and an easy smile that people gravitated to.

Then there was me. Largely untalented, terribly shy and with siblings like that had low self-esteem issues. My parents would show off my sister's photos or ask my other sister to sing in events. My brother was like an Appolo and give a boyish smile that charmed everyone. I would be in the table eating just observing people.

It wasn't that I didn't try. I took workshops, joined classes and at one point even joined Glee Club. If I had a talent I would say it is being stubborn. Stubborn that handwork and diligence can eventually catch up to talent. Alas sometimes the gap is just too large.

So I grew up mostly saying I am not artistic. That I can't draw a straight line and that I can't draw a circle to save my life. I know rather self defeatist and negative but I finally accepted that drawing would never be a talent I can have.

I always tell @jacinta.sevilla how talented she is in drawing and how jealous I am of her skill and artistry and maybe she grew tired of people always saying that.

💢oh, you guys go ahead, I CANT DRAW💢
💢Yup, that's not for me💢
💢Can I draw a stick man?💢

She came up with this contest for Non-Artist like me and I almost did not make it. The past several days I was contemplating if I really wanted to join and showcase my non-talent in drawing. Then I just wanted to silence the voices in my head that said I can't so here we go!

STEP 1: Preparation

Found two pencils with an eraser and a sharpener!

STEP 2: Warming up with lines!

Okay I had butterflies in my stomach when I picked up the pencil started to draw lines. I nearly stopped when some of the lines were crooked. I even wrote the word Why?? at one point but I gave myself affirmations like AJA! written on the upper right part of the paper.

I made the boxes and went with the different lines. I actually had fun creating the lines and remember a childhood memory of creating these line bases in paper and the aim was to destroy the base of your friend.

You would have the pencil in an upright position and make a "shooting line: from your base till you get to the other side and Most would have not remembered with because in the advent of handheld videogames those simple games are long gone.

Lines Challenge Unlocked!!

STEP 3: Shape of you and Shading

I was feeling confident even with the lines exercise had some crooked lines but then here it was the dreaded circle. A memory again of childhood is invoked as I remember art class and we were asked to make shapes and when I made a circle in the board it was slightly oblong in nature and remember the teacher berating me and my classmates laughing. So art at such an early age was difficult for me.

Anyway no point crying over spilled milk. I began the exercise and survived it and looking at it. It's not the best but it's mine. So not bad!

SHAPE AND SHADING CHALLENGE UNLOCKED!

STEP 4 Conceptualize it and draw it

A bit harder for me because I usually visualize with words first and then an image in my mind is created. I go back to a memory of long ago. A cliff, the sea are a part of it.

So having my base image I wanted to add more elements to it. Making use of the shading and different line techniques I used in earlier steps.

CONCEPTUALIZATION AND EXECUTION CHALLENGE UNLOCKED!!!

STEP 5 Elements of style

Here we are with the finished design!!! I added a mountain, some clouds, a few birds flying, a boat in the water and a strange pyramid like edifice. I even managed to create a stick figure of me hahaha

ART CHALLENGE UNLOCKED!!!

So there we have it my first attempt to draw after such a long time and here are several things that I learned:

• It's okay to make mistakes you can use an eraser
• Don't be too hard on yourself
• if the lines are crooked, you can always repair it
• Have fun and enjoy the moment
• It's your own creation and be proud of it

Well I was so proud of it that I asked my Sister to wake my niece to show it and my China doll gave me the biggest smile and said she approves. It's pretty in her eyes. I couldn't ask for more.

Thank you to @jacinta.sevilla for hosting this contest :) Buzzer beater entry!!!