I've mentioned before that 2014 is going to be My Year. As in, I'm going to try and break some bad habits (like listening to all that stupid negative chatter in my head) and adopt some good ones (like using my time more meaningfully).
So yesterday afternoon, after a walk around Dunham Massey involving much puddle-jumping, fresh air and photography, Joe went up for his nap and I unearthed my drawing board, dusted it off and set it up on the kitchen table.
A blank page can be a daunting thing. My primary concern is that I'll produce something rubbish and - shock, horror - waste time and a whole sheet of paper. Imagine! This no doubt explains why I've amassed so many (expensive and lovely quality) art supplies over the years and barely touched them.
Not today though. I just sat and did a little sketch. Something with my mum in mind. Turns out she's having to have much more aggressive treatment than initially planned but her prognosis is good. The treatment is tough though. So I wanted to do her a little something suggesting optimism and better times ahead.
She's always been supportive of my being creative. And I decided that, instead of the usual Sunday afternoon activity (watching TV) I'd do, create and make. I even got the watercolours out. And the expensive paper.
The time flew by. It seems that, once you just make a start, you feel motivated and inspired to carry on. The drawing board remains in the kitchen awaiting my next little session. It will be happening soon.
Getting Things Done doesn't just apply to chores and paperwork and errands. It has to include the good stuff too. And that's one of my goals for 2014: to make time for the good stuff. Another: to use things I have, not to save them and be frightened to utilise them. Pens, paper, paints: they can all be replaced. And a pad full of drawings and sketches is a whole lot more interesting than an empty one.
P.S. Yes, I have since rubbed the grubby pencil smudges off the feather picture!
You're a very talented artist, Sarah. I really love the feather. I hope you're able to make the changes and get things done. I think you have a good plan and you'll enjoy this a lot.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I just needed to bypass the critical little voice in my head and keep going... now I've started I need to keep up the momentum!
Deletegosh that is lovely. I hope your mum loves it and it brightens her day
ReplyDeleteMe too! Hopefully it will be the first of many projects...
DeleteThis is a beautiful wee sketch Sarah, I hope you'll show us more of your art when you have time to draw/paint more. I'll be thinking of you and your mum as she undergoes treatment. Good luck. Cx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christina. I fully intend to keep drawing now - I just need to work on some ideas. My mum should be fine. The next few months will be difficult but hopefully all will be well at the end of it x
DeleteI think your sketch is so beautiful in its simplicity.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I was a bit tentative at first but hopefully will build the confidence to do more and more. I suppose it's like keeping fit - you have to keep using your creativity to maintain and improve it.
DeleteAnd I'd far prefer drawing to joining a gym!
Oh your feather and egg drawing is so beautiful ... you are very talented ... it is lovely to hear that you are making time to be creative ,,, wishing your Mum well with her treatment ... I hope she is over the worst very soon ... wishing you a lovely week ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bee! It's tough at the moment but we're all doing what we can and coping with the situation as best as we can. The drawing and painting thing is actually quite nice for de-stressing; it's absorbing and that's a good thing right now.
DeleteHope you have a nice week too x
Thanks, Sue! The thing that got me back into drawing was a little exercise about keeping a notebook... you had to choose one thing in the room and draw it (in pen), paying little attention to accuracy. Just a simple line drawing. I chose the mirror and it turned out OK - that gave me a boost and the motivation to keep going.
ReplyDeleteHope you open your sketchbook and make those first few marks...
Sarah.
This is so beautiful! I love a Sunday afternoon project, but resisting the TV pull is hard! I too am trying to do more creative things this year. So far, I've almost finished a quilt, the first in years!
ReplyDeleteOh, I do admire people who can do things like that! My sewing skills are very basic indeed. I hope your quilt turns out beautifully - those are the kinds of things that become treasured heirlooms.
DeleteThat is beautiful, and uplifting, I'm sure it will be cherished :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annie! I must keep up the momentum and continue drawing. It's so easy to get sidetracked. This little gift will be added to a basket of goodies I'm taking to the hospital this weekend.
DeleteI hope all's well with you.
Goodness you are talented. That drawing is really wonderful, what a talent to have! I like the way you worked your letter stamps into the piece (and loved your handmade Valentine's card too by the way), the contrast of soft and hard forms works well. Wishing your mum well with her ongoing treatment, and thinking of you too. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Gillian! I do enjoy drawing and painting, but sadly am a perfectionist and assume that most things I produce aren't up to much. Silly really... I have to say, the stamps are great fun. Maybe I'll do a few more drawing/stamping collaborations!
DeleteMy mum's in hospital at the moment but hopefully will be back home soon. Difficult times but we'll somehow get through x