I've been on a sketching binge. It started a year ago but was interrupted after only a month and I didn't get back to it until this spring when I finally had some time on my hands.
I joined the Urban Sketchers even though I'm a bit of a fraud - never leaving the front seat of my car when I sketch.
Or just staying home and sketching in my house.
I'm not a natural sketcher. What comes naturally to me is drawing, rendering, watercoloring or painting.
Think about the differences in those activities. Sketching as I want to practice it is loose, rapid, a brief notation. Those other things are something else.
So before I start I have to loosen up and get into the spirit of the dance.
Anyway, it's been fun. And even though I have a pile of pens I just ordered a Lamy Safari. New pen! Happy!!
I want to join the Portland Urban Sketchers next month to force myself out into the streets but so far I've always come up with excuses.
Maybe this will be the year.
Journal pages.
I have more than one obsession.
Yesterday I revisited a journal from 19 years ago. The handwriting was even different.
It was like visiting with a stranger. She seemed smarter, a better writer, but less emotionally mature.
My goals for today are to cut roses, do yoga, make a smoothie. Sit in the sun. Paint, draw, write.
Always a few hours in the studio. It's June.
Everyone should be as lazy and lower their standards in June I think.
Here in the northern hemisphere it is the time to exhale, bliss out, and welcome summer.
Ahhhhh ......
17 comments:
My June started off on such a different pace from yours, Judy! I am so envious of your settling in, slow groove, letting your creative spirit guide you... Here it is purge, plan, pack, have patience, and let go as we move from my NH spring time down to balmy Florida of a new way of life for David and me.
Hoping my July looks like your June!
Love and light, Beautiful!
Btw your journals then and now still inspire me to play, play, play ! Love them and you!
Your sketches are wonderful! Loose, happy, a little loopy....just the thing. LOVE them.
You sound happy. That makes me happy!
XO
this post just made me smile. on my drive to my studio today i was just saying to myself "i want to sketch in my journal. i miss that" this post was a push i needed. the idea of being lazy in june sounds like happiness :) i'll take it!
Always love a peek into your journals!
This has stayed with me: "What comes naturally to me is drawing, rendering, watercoloring or painting. Think about the differences in those activities. Sketching as I want to practice it is loose, rapid, a brief notation."
I haven't allowed myself "loose, rapid, brief" - I want to let go and see what happens.
Love your sketches. Taking it slow is something I plan to do this summer slow. Peeking inside of your journal is a real lesson. have a great summer
Judy, I love this! You are a pleasure to know. You make life better.
I love those sketches and watercolor. The main reason I visit MAM is to see her sketches. I just think it's so delightful to see what you do with line, Judy. And everything looks so alive!
Happy Friday, sweetie! xox
I had to add your statement to my journal..."one should be lazy and lower their standards in June..." Yep!
Judy, add a caption to the top one and it's a New Yorker cartoon! You've already completed Tommy Kane's draw your kitchen assignment for sketchbook Skool, or did you already know that?
These are all great. I bet you'll fit right in with urban sketchers.
See you in SBS!
Seriously Judy... Your talent never ceases to amaze me. You truly inspire me. xo
Thanks for talking about the differences between sketching and drawing.... they are really 2 different things... and I tend to forget that.
OH WHAT a delightful post and your thoughts! you touched some good nerves for everyone! an i just love your sketches and ideas! HAPPY JUNE, JUDY! XOXO
Yes! A delightful post--words and sketches!
Being lazy in June is the best advice I've EVER heard!!
oxox
Wow that is an amazing drawing of your kitchen. In fact these are all amazing drawings. You are no fraud, judt a brilliant artist.
I love seeing your wonderful sketches and journal pages, Judy! Always makes me want to pick up a pen and get busy on the page!!
I love this sentiment so much that I am going to make a sign and post it in my studio: "one should be lazy and lower their standards in June…" Might need one for July and August, too!
I mostly lurk on the urban sketchers' blog, but am hoping to get out to the world wide sketch crawl this year. I did their bike/sketch last year and it was a summer highlight.
Don't look now, but as a member of the Portland Urban Sketchers, I can truthfully declare we'd totally love to meet you! It's a super friendly group, very fun and full of folks from all levels of art experience. (A lot of us sketch from the front seats of cars, especially when the weather's bad--not cheating at all.) Cheers! --Katura Reynolds, http://katura-art.com/
Post a Comment