Friday, February 24, 2012

When In Doubt, Sketch It Out...



 There are days when I know exactly what I want to work on, whether it be a page in my art journal or a project assignment, but there are a lot of days in between when I lack the motivation or the creativity to work on anything. Lately, I've been lacking time and energy with so many changes going on in my personal life plus the fact that my boys have a whole week off from school for President's Week. Yet, I know that if I don't do something creative every day, it will get harder to get that groove back and perhaps lose focus on the goals I had set out to achieve at the beginning of 2012. Yeah, you know how they say that "Life gets in the way." I've made that same excuse so many times over the course of my creative journey and always find myself regretting that I had given up so easily. So, what was my solution? 

SKETCH. DOODLE. DRAW.

Yes, I love to paint with abandonment and make a mess in my art studio. Yes, I do love the feel of dried paint on my hands and getting my clothes dirty. I love that feeling of being a child at play, without any reservations of trying so hard not to make any mistakes. But, who says you can't bring some of your work to bed? :) 

Lately, I have been keeping a sketchbook, watercolor crayons, pitt artist pens, china marker, charcoal pencils, and a water brush pen. Then as I wind down from the day, usually around 10:30pm, I take that time to doodle and draw. If I'm still feeling up to it, I'll add some watercolor. I can go to sleep at night knowing that I haven't neglected that gift that is so special to me. The gift of being an artist. That gift that I have forgotten about for so long since my teenage years and finally found again. I realize that when we have a special gift or talent, no matter how much we forget or neglect it, it will always come back to you and offer you another chance to nurture and protect it. I know that now and I believe it will be here to stay for good. :) Thanks to Jeanne Oliver's workshop--Creatively Made--for opening my eyes to this.

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