I find sometimes drawing is like running. I’m fine once I’m doing it, but getting set up to go seems painful. To be frank, I’m worried my drawing will suck. Especially a portrait. But recently, I’ve been brave and given myself permission to make a crappy drawing. I can make a whole book of them if I want to, as no one has to see them. We get so tied up in trying to make something great, we forget how great it feels just to make something, anything at all. And you know what? I feel exhilarated after these drawings. Elated, even. So just go for it, using a dull pencil or a tiny little brush, whatever is at hand. A ball point pen. I’m so pleased with my pretty book of dodgy drawings. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Edinburgh Castle from a pub window, your cat sleeping in a slice of sunlight, or the broken eggshells from Sunday breakfast. Enjoy, I say! It will make you a better artist, I promise.
Archive for the ‘Random Thoughts’ Category
Make a Bad Drawing (become a better artist)
Friday, August 22nd, 2014I love books.
Thursday, April 4th, 2013
A Big Grin
Friday, March 2nd, 2012
I looked at Facebook this morning, which I must say I rarely do, and someone I don’t know had written “I woke up today smiling.” I like that. My late Grandpa’s cousin, Les, passed away last week. He was one of those people who seemed to always be smiling. I didn’t see him very often, but I will miss him. I think the world needs more people like him, the ones who seem to look at the sunny side of things.
Hello Mr Zebra
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012I had to write a post today for dear Annemiek, who departed this world 12 years ago today. It’s the third actual anniversary. I decided not to dwell, and instead found myself singing Tori Amos’ Hello Mr Zebra. Gratitude.
Going Home
Sunday, February 5th, 2012
Last night I heard a new Leonard Cohen song, Going Home, on the radio. I had to share some of it here. It’s the chorus that did it for me, so beautiful and sad and honest. Classic Cohen, to be sure. Here’s a link to the song itself on Youtube. I think it’s best to hide the visuals and just listen.
Going home
Without my sorrow
Going home
Sometime tomorrow
To where it’s better
Than beforeGoing home
Without my burden
Going home
Behind the curtain
Going home
Without the costume
That I wore
Sooke Fine Arts Show 2011
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
This year I have two pieces in the Sooke Fine Arts Show, which opens this Saturday, July 23 at 10 am, and runs until August 1st.
Making Things
Friday, August 27th, 2010My lovely friend sent this quotation to me, and I think it’s absolutely beautiful. I added the collage drawing (from drawing class ten years ago).
”Sometimes it felt to Isabelle, at the end of the two hours it takes to wash, tone, and dry a print, that she is the thing being made. The black fish of her hands have swum through fixative, through water, through gold chloride. They have breathed underwater. They have twisted their way up to the light, and here she… is, standing now on the shore where they have pushed her, looking at the world anew. The wet heat of them flopping in her breast, turning inside her like a wish.”
~ From Helen Humphreys’ Afterimage
Thanks, Sweets!
Sketchbooks ~ Morocco
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010I am a lucky girl. The day after my delightful studio tour (thanks again, everyone), I jetted off to Morocco (via London) to celebrate life and birthdays with three lovely ladies, for two weeks. When I am away, I like to do a few sketches in my wee book. It brings me back to a quiet place, and when I get home I find I treasure these ‘moments’ recorded in my book. Of course, I took 686 photos, too! Those may be a coming attraction (though, not all, don’t worry), but in the mean time here are a few sketches done with my trusty watercolour set.
This last one has my name written in Arabic, by one of the gents at the place we were staying. What is it about seeing our names on things? At least it’s not on a grain of rice!
Sketchbooks
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Some sketches from my New York sketchbooks 2005. Just for fun.
The Hairdryer Book Club
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010My friend Kate and I were talking about that girlie time of day when we blow-dry our hair, and how much we enjoy having that set amount of time every morning to read whatever we want. I have very curly hair, which takes forever to dry, so I get a good 20 minutes of reading done in the first part of my day. I’ve been aware lately of the affects what I read have upon the hours that follow this ritual. Daily motivation is common challenge for the self-employed. It’s easy to get off track and faff about for the whole day doing nothing. But it’s not very rewarding.
Decorating magazines make me want to refinish furniture
Fashion magazines make me want to go shopping
Novels make me want to curl up and keep reading
So, those are all out. We don’t get the newspaper (which would flap about anyway). So I have set up a stack of artist books and magazines by my hairdryer. Border Crossings, Artist’s Markets, Artist Survival Skills (a new favourite) and monographs from the likes of Elizabeth Peyton, Jenny Saville and Degas are strewn across the place. I find that they take me to that place of “I want to make something” faster than anything else. Funny how the slightest adjustment makes a big difference. I highly recommend this! And a cup of tea, of course.
