I have been reading The Confident Creative by Cat Bennett , which is a different kind of drawing book. Unlike most books, which go through the mechanics of drawing, this book talks about the spirit of drawing, with a few prompts and suggestions at the end. She talks about embracing drawing as a daily practice, similar to a daily workout or yoga routine, as a way to connect with yourself and your world in a deeper way. Product isn’t as important as process, though, as with any practice, daily application will show results over time.
With that in mind, I got out the giant clipboard and pad of paper from art school and drew this:
Jumbo red crayon on “Biggie” sketchpad, it is about 18” high by about 16” wide.
In this detail you can see the rough quality of the crayon on paper. Sometimes drawing is as much about the tactile nature of the process for me as it is about the results. Cat talks about this in her book, suggesting that the artist vary the drawing instrument or the surface on which one draws.
Birds are also showing up in my journal drawings. This is pen and ink in a Moleskine sketchbook.
Another prompt talks about drawing objects from your daily life. I still love exotic beads and have made several necklaces for myself in the recent past. These offer portable still lifes, and I can sit at Donkey Coffee and create a new world.
You can see my to-do list under the drawing. This practice isn’t about Art, it’s about seeing and focus. Later I can develop Art from these beginnings, if I choose.
I made this necklace for myself for my 40th birthday. It’s made with cool blues and greens, like so many of my necklaces. The sticker is from an organic cucumber I purchased at Whole Foods. I just love the farm’s name.
This year’s birthday necklace, including a note where I just phoned in the shape of the bead rather than giving it my full attention.
Whether or not these drawings turn into larger pieces isn’t the point. My intention with them is to spend some focused time doing something I love. So far I’ve really enjoyed it. Sometimes the simplest tools give the best results.
3 comments:
Inspirational and enjoyable. A type of drawing even I could manage. :) I think we're doing mandalas in our journals next week, speaking of drawing. :)
I love it, Andi! I think I may have to go find that book. Recently I've been playing with collage, something I had never gotten the hang of in school... and playing with different color combinations than I might ordinarily choose. It's been entertaining, and enlightening!
Thank you! It's a really cool book, very zen in the approach and just what I needed right now.
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