Between the Pages and Words

Lately I have been approaching drawing with a more relaxed attitude.  Not a "Now I must sit down and draw something but what" attitude.  More a "Hey, that's cool.  I think I'll try to draw it" attitude.

My fingers have been grabbing stubby pieces of graphite rather than long pencils or pens.

Usually early morning or late evening when the house is a little quieter.

My sketch book has also become more of a journal as pages of words are interspersed with my sketches.

Tomorrow we leave for our annual camping trip on the shores of Lake Huron.  The boys look forward to this week all year long and I don't think it would be summer without this trip.  We haven't started packing yet so our Sunday is going to be a little busier than I would prefer but that's what happens when you procrastinate.  See you all when we return.

Have Box, Will Travel

Inspired by a recent episode of Dr. Who.  (And yes, I just revealed a side of myself that leans towards dorky, geeky, whatever you want to call it.  I also have a small collection of graphic novels.  The husband has come to terms with this side of me.)

"A boy and his box exploring the world."  Words similar to these were spoken near the end of the latest episode of Dr. Who.  As the mother of two young boys, these words struck me and this was the image that popped in my head.

I would like to think that with a good book (or several) and whatever we as parents are able to share with them ( an old cardboard box, words of advice, a hug), each of our boys will set out into the world, exploring in a fashion best suited to who they are as individuals.

First Step

As an adult, I have found that one of the biggest challenges to sitting down and drawing was the idea that my drawing had to be good.  For the most part, this challenge has been overcome.  I am more concerned now with the process of drawing and the act of putting something on the page.  Good thing too because my drawings aren't that good.    With this mountain climbed, I now often find myself standing, looking up another mountain -- what to draw.  Recently, I was directed to the Every Day Matters List.  Start with number 1 and work my way up.  Here is my first step up the mountain.

Would you like to take a peek at Quinnie's latest drawing?  I thought so.

It is a monster who loves pigs and money and, apparently, tattoos.  No Challenge List required for this boy.

I think my sketchbook may become a place where more than just my drawings reach the page.

I'm not alone in feeling this way sometimes, right?  Just checking.

Dancing in the Kitchen

Two nights ago, as I was tucking Quinn in for the night, I looked out his window as I pulled the curtain shut.  Looking down from above, I could see the nieghbours' feet through the window in their door.  They were dancing in their kitchen with their dog at their feet.  It was a really beautiful moment.  A part of me wanted to take a picture but, one, I didn't have my camera nearby and, two, that would be just a little bit creepy, wouldn't it?  So instead I decided to draw the moment as best I can.

On a couple of occasions, I have attempted to dance with Mike in the house.  It either ends with him wiggling his arms like a spaz and bumping me all around or spinning me until I'm dizzy.  Not a moment you want to capture on film but still a special moment.

The End of the Rainbow

So what's at the end of your rainbow?

Strange Sensation

In the car this morning, I experienced the strangest sensation.  It felt as though I had forgotten to wear pants.  A quick glance down assured me that I was wearing pants and still am, by the way.   Regardless, I could not seem to shake the feeling that I had forgotten my pants.  So strange.  Kind of weird too.  I often feel like I`ve forgotten something but don`t know what.  This time it was very clear what I thought I had forgotten but hadn`t.  Some time on my yoga mat seemed to help.

``Don`t create a problem.``  -- Steve, yoga instructor.

I`ll end with a picture of Toby just because he is one handsome cat.  And he has no choice.  He can`t forget his pants.

Snails on the Brain

This morning I woke up thinking of snails.  I'm not sure why.  I certainly haven't seen a snail in ages.  But there you have it.  Snails.  So perhaps when I should have been getting Keegan's lunch ready, I was drawing snails. I do take partial responsibility for those mornings when we miss the bell.  It all comes down to my inability to focus on what needs to be done and instead do what I want to do.

Since I believe snails are hermaphrodites, I'm not trying to make any point about male/female priorities in a relationship.  I just thought it would be cute.  If I'm wrong about the hermaphroditic snails, please don't tell my invertebrate zoology lab instructor.  The man still scares me as much as I admire him.

Wishing everyone a small moment during the day in which to do what you want to do.

My Daytime Book

When I was younger, I would often read more than one book at the same time.  In university, it was essential.  But when the boys came along, my reading time was drastically cut.  As a result, I find that trying to read more than one book at a time just doesn't work for me.  I need to stay focused.  That really should be my mantra.  I was not aware of having a focus issue until one evening a couple of months ago when I was doing the dishes while Mike was helping Keegan with his homework. As with most things in day to day life that he doesn't really want to be doing, Keegan often has trouble focusing on one thing at a time.  All we can do is help him realize how quickly things get done when you focus your attention.    As we were discussing this, I rip off the rubber gloves and exclaim, "That reminds me of something."  Five minutes later Mike finds me in the living room reading a magazine and mutters, "I can't imagine where he gets it from."  Huh?  What?  Oh yeah.  Lightbulb flashes.  Since this epiphany, I have noticed this beahviour more than once during my days.  In fact, I am subjecting you to one of those moments right now.  Focus, Tara.  Focus.

Anyways, back to books.  One book at a time for me except under special circumstances of which there are two.  The first:  my fiction-loving-self decides to read a non-fiction book.  Regardless how good that non-fiction book may be, I have to have a novel going at the same time.  Just the way it is.  The second circumstance: my scaredy-cat-self decides to read a scary book.

  
When this happens, I have what I call my daytime book and my nighttime book.  You guessed it.  The daytime book would be the scary book, in this case, Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's book The Fall.  It is the second book in a vampire trilogy and these are not Twilight vampires, people.  These are the vampires of nightmares.  I can't read this book before bed.  Heck, when I was reading the first book last spring, I remember sneaking out to the backyard for some alone time reading and then running right back inside a few minutes later because I didn't want to be alone.  That's how my mind works sometimes.  It doesn't matter how curious I am about the fate of our vampire-fighting heroes, when the night falls, I'll be snuggling up with Diana Gabaldon's The Outlander.

I decided the vampire book needed a little brightening up so I made a bookmark for it.  It has absolutely nothing at all to do with vampires.

 

Bare Branches

From a distance, beautiful but stark.

Upon closer inspection, so much is revealed of the year to come.

A Good Day

Clear, sunny day following a light snowfall.

Drawing, yoga and the expectation of knitting this evening.

Watching our oldest find his legs on his new snowboard, his self-proclaimed favourite Christmas gift.  Never a child to take risks, we, okay, I was hesitant to get him the snowboard.  But he has amazed with his comfort level on his snowboard, with how quickly he found his balance.

  
A little bit of baking too.  And a glass of red wine.  Before you start thinking I live in an ideal world, I also did laundry, a little bit of cleaning and some vacuuming.  But all these things, yes, even the vacuuming, combined to make it a great day.

Following Your Star

inspired by the drawings of illustrator and writer Peter H. Reynolds

The boy realized at that moment that everyone has a different journey, different signs -- and different stars. Their own constellations.  -- Peter H. Reynolds, "The North Star"

I need to work on my star.  Actually, no.  I don't.
                                                                      

Simple Lines

I am not one for New Year's resolutions.  I'm as likely to try something new or strive for "self-improvement" in July as I am in August.  On that note, I am as likely to revert back to my old ways at any time of the year.  But the idea of taking on a new project that is solely for me appeals to me.  Motivated by my desire to bring pen to paper and inspired by Maribeth's paintings, yesterday I decided that I would draw a little something each day.  Just a simple drawing of something from my day.

I'm keeping it simple because I don't want to be discouraged.  I just want to enjoy each moment, each drawing.  So far, I like what I'm doing.  Focusing on the small things, not the big picture.  Such simple drawings but three months ago I think I would have been staring at a blank page.

Weekend Crafting: Watercolours

While at the craft store this weekend to buy wool for felted clogs, I passed by the art supplies.  The trays of watercolours caught my eye and one just happened to land in my cart.  They are not the best quality watercolours but they sure are much better than the ones we've been using.  And the colours!  So pretty!  Who can resist them?  My little guy tried when I first suggested painting together.  Then he saw the new paints and resistance was futile.

I'm finding I'm more relaxed about drawing lately.  It happens spontaneously, a few minutes at a time.  I'm not worried that what I'm drawing doesn't "look right".  I'm just drawing.  And now painting a little too.  And you know what?  My page is no longer blank when I sit down to draw because the ideas are there.  The ideas are simple but I think that's what I need to do, what I always wanted to draw.  Kind of neat what happens when you get over those self-imposed expectations and just do something.

I Picked Up My Pencil

As most children do, I liked to draw.  I can still remember what the studio looked like where I took art lessons.  Then, as so often happens as you get older, I stopped drawing.  I stopped making time for it.  It was no longer something I did.  Several years ago, before both my boys were born, I took a drawing class here at the local art centre and fell in love again.  Then the boys came, my priorities changed as they do and I stopped drawing again.  When the boys were no longer babes, I again took an interest in drawing with them.  But now I was drawing as an adult and I just couldn't seem to do it.  One of two things would happen when I sat down to draw.  One, I had no idea what to draw and my page remained blank.  Or two, I had something to draw but it didn't look as I thought it should look and I would be disappointed.  I envy the boys.  It seems that I just need to suggest doing some drawing and they can sit down, pick up a pencil and start drawing.  I don't know if they have a plan or if they just go with their pencil.  I don't know but I want a piece of it, whatever it is.

The past weekend, I had 20 minutes to myself before we had to head out the door to friends' for pizza.  What to do?  There wasn't a lot of time but I wanted to do something so i picked up my pencil and started drawing a leaf.  Then I drew spirals, lots of them, because I didn't care what it looked like but I did want to know what it would look like.  And it looks like I'm drawing again.  i think I may need to go treat myself to a new pen.

Check out this video.  Warning:  Viewing may lead to the purchase of watercolour paints.