Week 16 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. Maintaing my sketchbook practice felt like a big deal this week, it felt like it might be impossible. I’m teaching at Squam Art Workshops and the days here and the prep and travel days are very full. But I found the time, little bits of time, and I’m so glad I did – this habit and commitment is bringing me good things.
Week 15 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. The small scale of these was a good choice for me ( they are 4.5 inch squares). It has kept the task managagable – it feels reasonably do-able most of the time. But it has also made me crave something bigger in scale and more time to be thoughtful and time to experiment. I’m curious what that would feel like – curious and intimidated.
Week 14 in my yearlong sketchbook practice and a brief public service announcement:
In observance of Memorial Day I’m taking a break from the my blog routine and there will not be a Big Creative Year post. I hope if Monday is a holdiay for you it’s lovely,
onward,
ann
Week 13 in my yearlong sketchbook practice.
It’s odd, and interesting to me, what my brain churns up in these little daily exercises – this week’s themes seem to be domestic and dark.
Week 12 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. I usually listen to music ( I have middle aged lady solo dance parties all the time) or podcasts while I work but I’ve gotten into the habit of listening to a sound machine app when I do my sketchbook work. And always the same sound – wind in the pines. I find it peacefull and soothing in general and it helps me settle into sketchbook brain more quickly – it’s become an important part ot the ritual.
Week 11 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. I’m in the Adirondack park for a few days with minimal internet and without my scanner making due. I hope you’re having a lovely weekend too.
Week 10 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. 10 weeks, 70 little experiments. I started to lay them all out chronologically on the floor and realized I didn’t have enough space, it would take some time and it was going to be lots of fun. So I’m saving that for a while – maybe I’ll wait until I’m done. Also in answer to a question – I use a variety of things for these- usually a mix of pencil, charcoal, acrylic, gouache and watercolor and the little 4.5 inch squares are cut from Arches hot pressed paper – it’s my favorite.
Week 9 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. For todays entry I painted my sewing machine – my mother’s old cast iron white rotary, the machine I learned on. I’ve always found it beautiful – other old machines too – elegant lines- so much thought put into the aesthetics of it. I saw it’s twin at a flea market a couple years ago – regret not getting it.
Week 8 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. Sketchbook will be back to it’s regularly scheduled Saturday posting time this week – I was teaching in Philadelphia last week. I was super stretched and would have loved to blow the whole thing off but I’m glad I didn’t. Getting it done the second half of the week was a little torturous and it feels pretty awkward to share things I don’t feel good about but it’s part of the exercise and this exercise has been incredibly good for me.
Week 7 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. I had a really good time with my sketchbook this week. I painted my favorite upstate houses, I got super into it. Wouldn’t it be lovely if there was all the time in the world to spend driving around in the country looking for forlorn houses and painting their portraits. That’s my new escapist fantasy.
Week 6 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. I get a lot of information about myself as I make these little experiments. I notice the grooves and paths in my thinking and impulses – colors and shapes, lines, moods and ideas I gravitate to. Sometimes that feels familiar and good, it feels like my natural vocabulary, and other times I try to push myself out of those grooves, just to see. The older I get the more interested I am in the murky uncharted places.
Week 5 in my yearlong sketchbook practice. I really struggled to find the time this week – lots going on – but I did and was always happy in that little drawing and painting part of my day. I was often miserable thinking about doing it but not once I got started and settled in to it. I don’t always, or even usually love what I make but I do try to stick with them until I feel like I’ve gotten somewhere. This truly is an exercise and it is becoming a habit.
