New Beginnings

Chapter 4

"Art has been a part of our life for as long as humanity has existed. For thousands of years, people have been creating, looking at, criticizing, and enjoying art. I would like to address three questions: what is art, what is its purpose, and why has it survived for this long." He explains. "Maya Hart, in your opinion, what is art?" He pointed her.

"Well, for me the connection between what the artist means to achieve and what they achieve through their work is what I believe classifies art. If what the artist meant to say is understood by at least one person in this world, we can safely call that piece art." Maya answered.

"Good. That's very good Hart well done." He praised.

Then he started to ask other people about the purpose of art and why it has survived this long. Maya loved how her new art teacher teaches. It's very inspiring of how he talks about art; he's really passionate about it. Maya loves how he explains everything first before he lets them hold a brush or a pencil.

He brings them all deep into the art world before even letting them all actually draw or paint.

"So, today I would like you to draw something that inspires you, your muse. Things that gives you hope and make you believe. It can be a thing and it could be a person. It could be anything." He explains. "Now chop chop, paint!"

It's been half an hour and Maya could not even think of a thing to draw. She tries to concentrate on what inspires her and give her hope but for now, it was all blank. All she could think is that she had no idea what to draw. She doesn't know what's wrong with her; she's really disappointed today.

Maya raised her hand, "Yes Maya," the teacher walked to her place.

"When do you want us, to hand in our work?"

"I was hoping to see all of your work, next week, on Monday." He announced to the whole class.

"Oh okay thank you," she thanks him and he smiles as he took a peak onto her canvas and he sees nothing on it. It's still clear.

"Miss Hart, what's wrong?" he asked her. "You haven't even started yet and it's been like half an hour,"

"I don't know. I just, don't know," Her teacher could sense that Maya's mind and heart are not in the work.

"I know why you're like this," he raised his brows.

"Why?" looking at him curious.

"You're suffering an 'Artist's block'."

Maya looked at him confused. "Well, Miss Hart, Artist's block refers to the artist's inability to think of ideas for the creation of artwork. Any creative person has a time when the ideas seem to run dry, and art inspiration becomes sorely lacking. It's a common dilemma that links all of the creative fields together and plagues every artist. It can be caused by many things." He shrugs.

"I don't know what's causing these blocks," she shrugs.

"Sometimes, emotional barriers can be the cause of it. Creativity can be intense. It's not a comfortable pursuit. Facing with the unknown, you may be scared of what you'll discover or reveal about yourself. Maybe your subject matter is painful, embarrassing or plain weird. Whatever all of these fears and qualms are just different forms of conflict that lead to procrastination." He explains.

That hits Maya right through her that her chest hurts and she feels sick in her tummy. Something about what he said is true. Maybe she is scared somehow, of what she will discover through her paint. Maybe the subject might be painful or embarrassing but she just can't put it a finger on it.

Maya was lost in her thoughts before she realizes that her teacher is waving his hand in her face, "Maya?" she blinked.

"Oh sorry, I'm just thinking."