I might draw a few times a year, but I used to draw every day, several times a day. I loved drawing before I loved creative writing. Then that first love disappeared until a recent job application required a cover letter, résumé, writing portfolio, and a drawing of an octopus fighting a pirate.
My own challenge: I didn’t want to draw the most obvious thing, like an octopus wrestling the pirate while he tried to stab it with a sword. I wanted to interpret (or “concept” as they say in advertising) the assignment in a creative and unexpected way. I made some firm decisions: (1) the octopus would prevail and (2) the octopus would fight the pirate through resources and economics. You take away those things, and the pirate would be defeated. It’s how countries fight each other. They impose sanctions and make access harder to resources and supplies.
But how would I convey that in a drawing? I asked myself what was more valuable to a pirate than his treasures. And I realized his means of acquiring those treasures — the ship — was what his business depended on. That was enough creative direction for me to play with paper and ink. What you see is the result.
And what I learned is I still love to draw.
What have you learned about yourself lately? What did you used to love? What do you still love?