The red book

No, nothing to do with Canadian car valuations, this red book is a moleskin notebook that I carry in my purse, married to a red pen reserved for sketching while I travel.

These sketches were done on a recent trip to Halifax. Air Canada's lovely scheduling and unavailability of some friends in Halifax meant a long wait at the airport, so I read a little, worked a little and sketched a lot. I'm becoming adept at surreptitiously studying people while drawing. No one accosted me at either the airport or on the plane for drawing them. It occasionally happens, but I've yet to find someone who has been anything but flattered and interested that I would draw them.

Cat update

I've added a bit more fur to the cat face I started in a demo a couple of weeks ago, but things are slow going lately. I'll catch up!

I was asked how I felt about teaching art, as it involves both sides of the brain trying to compete with each other. The right side of the brain is doing a drawing demonstration while the left side is explaining what I'm doing. Well, its a struggle and there are moments when one side or the other take over exclusively, then reverse roles. It becomes a little confusing, but I think I'm getting the hang of it and as long as the gaps aren't too long, no one notices.

I've been playing with a beta version of some software for another online course that I will teach later this year. I'm hoping that course will be delayed a little to allow me time to get up and running with the other courses. I've just submitted my courses for December and now have to create marketing pieces for them as well as the November classes. I have my website in the back of my head and must make some calls this week to find out hosting costs locally. Its not a necessity but is expected by a lot of people to be the calling card and gallery to show my work.

Now back to the drawing board, literally as I need some demos for classes this weekend.

Steps forward and back

Cyclamen seed head

copyright Jeanette Jobson

There is no short-cut to art, one has to work hard, be open and flexible in your mind, keep the child alive inside you, and through a whole lifetime be ready to learn new things and – of course – be mentally prepared for a hard punch on your nose – especially when you think you are doing well. (Bente Borsum)

I have been absent for a few days due to work commitments and travel and more work commitments. Workloads seem to bog me down lately and I haven't had a lot of time to start any new drawings. That is the frustrating part of pushing work, art and life forward at speed. I may need to pull back a little and regroup.

I have one drawing class behind me and it went well, better than anticipated. I got some time management realizations - there is only so much to fit into a two hour period and people like to talk! Also, being accessible, people are prone to stand and watch and listen in which is a little distracting to those creating drawings.

I have received my order from Blick's of 72 Coloursoft pencils and I'm looking forward to trying them out. I also brought in some plate finish Bristol 500 and 400 as I can't find them in Canada. With the higher Canadian dollar (nearly $1.05 today) it makes it a little less painful on the bank balance to order from the USA than it used to.

My daughter sent me a clip of my grand daughter in her Halloween costume tonight - a vampire caterpillar. And to think I had to settle for a crepe paper cowboy outfit when I was a kid! Times change.