Life is one long process of getting tired. -Samuel Butler
I’m sick at the moment, with a cold or the flu I’m not sure. Most days I haven’t been sketching at all, but on the days that I have been sketching, I haven’t been making anything presentable enough to post. Today I am sipping hot apple cider and listening to a free world music sampler from Amazon. Soon I hope to work up the energy to pick up my sketchbook and start working again.
I always thought my relationship with floral art was a love/hate one. For a long time I was embarrassed of my fascination with flowers because various individuals used to criticize me for it, saying that I was too “girly.” At other times, I was given flowers by an abusive partner as a “goodwill” gesture, basically trying to appease me until the next time he blew up.
Even though flowers are a divisive subject for me, I’ve continued to be drawn to them. I have hundreds of reference photos that I’ve taken at various botanical gardens, parks and my own backyard. Whenever I am feeling restless and unsure of what to draw, I usually pick flowers because I find that drawing or painting them is like meditation for me. I can easily get lost in the intricacies of the petals of a rose or a daisy, like I drew here. I love the design of flowers and how they are so beautiful and varied, all the while serving a very important and special purpose in nature. I was thinking about it this morning, and the thought came across my mind that flowers really are proof of God’s exuberance.
I had a full day yesterday, but sadly left drawing until the very end. Not wanting to put off drawing for the day, I decided to do some late night sketching before the clock struck twelve. I was wearing my “do rag” in my hair and my long sleeved flannel nightgown (the a/c was on). I was sleepy and my eyes were crossing and the lighting was bad. I was sitting on the floor next to my bed with a mirror in my lap and my sketchbook on the floor next to me, hence the wonky proportions. And all the while I was doing this I was chatting with my boyfriend on AIM, stopping every few minutes to type a reply. I must admit it was not the most productive use of my time.
Today I read this article on using simplicity to help unleash creativity. I realized I have been violating almost all of these points – number eleven is what struck me as the first thing I need to remedy. I need to just “show up” some more, both physically and mentally.
I haven’t been doing much drawing lately, but I have been recharging my batteries with great success. I have been spending lots of time cuddling and having long conversations, resulting in an all around good feeling (you know the feeling). I went on a mini excursion to New Hampshire and spent time shopping for new clothes (much nicer things than what I was wearing today). My main sources of online inspiration have been Hazel Dooney and Kate Swoboda .
I am beginning to settle down into a routine again, however, which is just what I need this time of year. This past summer has been too hectic for me, with a lot of fun things but also many distractions. I am looking forward to getting some serious artwork done in the next few months.
I’m not going to apologize for neglecting this blog, because I’ve been paying attention to the rest of my life instead, and that is a good thing. Yesterday I was sitting with Papou in the hospital and he told me about the time that he went AWOL from basic training so he could visit Chattanooga, TN to see Lookout Mountain. I’ve been thinking that I need to do something risky like that. I need a mental jump start and I’m considering all viable, i.e., moral, options. Suggestions are welcome.
I like being around bodies of water, and found myself around a very nice one in Vermont this past weekend. It was really the perfect time for me. I was a passenger on a very scenic drive, I did a lot of sketching, and I spent time with my relatives. I took many photos and I have enough landscape material to last me a few months.
I also did something which I deserve to get a lot of flack for from one of my fellow art sympathizer friends. I started a new sketchbook after scolding him severely for not finishing his own sketchbooks. Unlike him though, I have a history of finishing my sketchbooks in a fairly timely manner, and I know he will forgive me.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41
This verse describes my current situation, on a variety of fronts. Enough said.
This is the only drawing I have made all week. I will be remaking this drawing at some later date, fixing some things that went amiss.
In other news, I will soon have some new sketches from Vermont that I will be posting. I am writing this now as a way to force myself to actually make these sketches, because people will be expecting them. I know I will have the opportunity, but I don’t want to get distracted or let myself drink too many beers so that I can’t draw properly, etc. I am hoping for a good weekend.
This past week I made no art. Instead, I talked to new people, went out places, and was instructed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have decided that I have been a hermit far too long. I will soon be back to business though, but with some extra fun things thrown in, to make my life worth it.
This is an unfinished sketch for something that I’m working on – a small taste for you. I have a general idea of where I will go with it.
Below is a video of a José González song that I like. The animation is sort of trippy. It was also what I was listening to while drawing this. I usually listen to very mellow songs while drawing because I find it helps me achieve zone experiences more often. I am always looking for new “drawing music” and I frequently tinker with my art music playlist, adding new songs. If you have any suggestions for me, leave me a comment. Thanks!
