When in between projects, I still keep my hand in and draw and paint daily. They are usually small pieces in a sketchbook of something that captures my interest in terms of lighting or form. Or it may be an idea for a future piece. While looking for inspiration some raspberries that caught my eye. The fresh colour reminds me of warmer weather and I adore raspberries to eat, so before I knew what happened, they appeared on the scrap of paper beside me.
Whatever the time frame, I know that I need to and have to draw and paint to ensure I stay focused. I need to spend time creating, as no serious artist has ever made a mark by just thinking or reading about art. So whether its 10, 15 or 20 minutes a day, 3 hours or a whole weekend, I know that I need to make that time to enable me to achieve my goals.
Its so easy to sit on the sofa and nap or watch mindless television if its on or get pulled into non essential events and put off what I need to do. I only end up frustrated if I do because I'm behind in the creation process and have only myself to blame. Art makes you selfish and it should. Everyone who wants to be an artist needs to take that side of their life seriously and make sacrifices and time for it.
12 comments:
I like both of these! They each speak volumes to the creative process.
The raspberry has a bright immediacy, and the portrait...well, I would leave it just like that!
Jeanette, I love the pencil portrait - love the very real presence of her face with just the suggestion of her clothing. I like your idea for adding a ghost to your other drawing -- looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
Gorgeous raspberries! How they light up this gray January day! I can see you in your mother's sweet face.
You are so creative and I like that you share your inspiration with us. We all need the daily habit! Thanks. These are both lovely.
Really appreciated both the message and the media of this post. And the raspberries were luscious enough to eat the paint off!
a ghost image on the portrait of your mother sounds like a good idea :) both of these drawings are really nice. lovely colour to the raspberries and nice shading the drawing of your mother
Inspiring and wise words for everyone. Lovely drawing of your mother. I have some old photos that have rolled across my mind lately.
Raspberries are my favorite berry and these look luscious! The sketch of your mom is good enough to leave as is but I like the idea of incorporating into the other portrait also.
I didn't mean to forget but I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the videos you did on the shell. Thanks for explaining your process as well as the colors you used - that's so much more helpful than just watching someone paint! Great voice too - so fun to hear you at last!
Thanks Leslie. I like sketches that are incomplete that leave the viewer wondering just a bit.
Chris, I'm hoping it will work out as I want. I'm not sure if I should try just the face or the whole body as a ghosted image. I'll have to play around with it on tracing paper first.
Laura, the red just pulled me in for these raspberries. I do love them to eat and could almost taste them as I painted them.
Jo, sometimes I just ramble and thoughts pour out. Lots of times my thoughts are remnants of conversations or comments.
Thanks Carol. Isn't there always something enticing about painting berries?
Thanks Jennifer, I'll try some versions of my mother's ghost image this weekend if possible.
Peggy, its interesting how old photos make you wander down different paths. I have a whole slew of photos from the past now - some the very distant past - to work with.
Thanks Jan, I can do better with the video and still haven't had a chance to perfect lights and tripod, etc., but I will! Thanks for putting up with the poor quality tests. It will get better.
Oh, Jeanette, these are both fabulous! I LOVE the berries and your lovely vignette of them--and the drawing of your mother is excellent. Really just beautiful!
I found your blog through your response to one of my tweets.
I LOVE the portrait of your mother, finished or not! It comes alive...
Her smile stands out.
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