The Sketchbook Project

As I said, I wasn’t going to do it again.  Last time I got in late, didn’t have much of a choice in subjects for the book and the book arrived late so I didn’t have much time. 

However, most of that was my own fault for not signing up early so I decided to give it a go again and this time I signed up way before the deadline.

So, it has arrived and I’ve decided it will  travel along with my on my daily travels be they to Bay View or my back yard. 

And that’s what the first two entries are – a view from Bay View’s Memorial Garden on the left and a view in my back yard on the right.

The next entry is a friend’s yard where I went yesterday to do some plein air painting with she and another friend.  She has some beautiful gardens so sketching was fun in spite of the heat and believe me it was HOT.

 

We’ll see what today brings. One thing I hope to accomplish with this is to get back in the habit of sketching every day.  It’s something I did for years and I know my drawing improves – all of my artwork improves when I do that.

Here’s another sketch from yesterday; this one done in my regular sketchbook…

You can see an expanded view of the garden I was in yesterday.

It has arrived

My sketchbook that is.  Once again I’ve signed up to do “The Sketchbook Project,”  there’s a link in the column on the right. 

The last time I did this I entered late and subjects were limited.  On top of that my sketchbook took forever to arrive.  It wasn’t the best experience so when I first saw that it was going to be held again I ignored it.

It kept appearing, that little logo was everywhere I went on the internet.  I took it as a sign… “Helen, you are suppose to do this and this time sign up early so you have a choice about the subject of your sketchbook.”

So I signed up before I left for Bay View.  My subject:  “Travel With Me.”  I like that much better than “In Five Minutes” which is what it was last year.  I have more choices.  Travel around my house, my yard, my city, my state, all of the above, none of the above but instead travel around inside my heart and head… so many options.  I haven’t decided which yet so no images to post so …

I’m posting a photo of something in a friend’s garden that I may travel over to for a plein air one of these days….

He built the house; there are at least three of them in the garden.  Who knows, there is so much in his garden more could be hiding in there. 

I do finish paintings

It’s been such a long time since I’ve posted a major piece that I thought I’d better before folks think I don’t do this anymore.  My process for major works is long and tedious but I love the result – usually. 

There are times when I finally remove all of the mask and – oh my what a mess this is.  That means even more tedious work as it becomes a mixed-media piece and I go to work with colored pencils and whatever else I think it needs to make it work. 

I have a couple of those in process now but I also have some done that need photographing.  This is one of them.  I haven’t gotten the photography done but you can get an idea about it with this shot taken with my little carry with me everywhere camera.  This is Oarlock #9

I love old rowboats.  They remind me of my youth growing up on an inland lake.  I spent a lot of time in one of these, rowing around the lake or tipping it over to use it as a raft. 

I also think of old rowboats or sailboats spiritually.  The are a reminder that Christ is with us always.  He’ll keep us afloat; however, if we’re going to move forward we need to either set those sails or take to the oars.

Unexpected Pleasures

When I’m off to the Terrace Inn at Bay View I always expect relaxation and time to devote totally to art.  This year was no different but there were a couple of added bonuses.

I enjoy this week with another artist friend, Terry Brancheau.  While I am usually engrossed in my painting, Terry, a former teacher, is painting but making new friends at the same time.  One evening friends of mine from college and friends Terry made while there had one of those spontaneous evenings that are such fun even though the group hardly knows each other.  Have you ever had one of those experiences?  I treasure those kind of memories.

Another highlight – WISDOM, Women’s Interfaith Solutions for Dialog and Outreach in Metro-Detroit.  Bay View is a Chautauqua so there is always an opportunity to learn something.   This year a panel discussion was a highlight.  Five women, a Jew, a Muslim, a Baha’i, a Hindu and a Christian discussing their faith but more importantly how their association with each other made their own faith stronger. 

And then there was Lavender Hill Farm where we learned so much about Lavender, took some wonderful photos and did a bit of sketching – though not in color.

It was a wonderful week as always.  Our hosts are Patty and Mo at the Terrace Inn.  If you are planning a trip to the area do stop at the Inn, it’s a pleasant place to stay.  Even if you don’t stay go for lunch or dinner, the food is excellent.  Terry and I have already made arrangements to go back next year.