I spotted this eggshell on the road when I was running last week
and I popped it on my finger like a thimble so that I could carry it home without crushing it.
At home, before adding it to the small collection of similar shells I’ve picked up over the years, I propped it on a white background to photograph and to marvel at its perfect, simple shape, and its marvelous colour.
I tried sketching it as well — more on that later and on my attempts to set up a sketching/painting habit — and I squeezed a few watercolour tubes, trying to think about how to see and mix to match . . .
I’m not quite done at work, and I won’t be until the end of June, but there’s so much more space already for thinking about creative endeavours. Time to be excited about finding beautiful bits of the world. . .
Sunday brunch this past weekend, which I’d thought was a good-bye brunch for The-Daughter-Who’s-Moving-to-Rome (and her little one, our granddaughter; Dad’s already there), turned out to be a — Surprise! — Brunch to honour my retirement. And my generous and thoughtful kids got me a Digital SLR Photography class. I’m not sure yet when I’ll take it, but I’m really excited about honing my camera skills.
Oh those colors!!!
☺️
Nature is quite amazing! You will find more time for creativity. Teaching is creative too but with even teaching a few hours a week, I find my mind occupied with thinking about materials and teaching strategies.
There's no question teaching is creative, but yes, it takes over. Letting go of that obligation is already freeing. . .
I see signs of your extra room for creativity busting out all over!
Yes, and I suspect it may look chaotic for a while…
So this is what almost retirement is like? Hmmm……sounds more enticing every day. Which granddaughter is moving?
Lynn
I think it will be exciting and rewarding…my 8-month old granddaughter is moving (pictured in my last post, I think
It's SO hard not to be envious of the freedom and determination that are yours. I will be reading with great interest as you find your third or fourth set of wings.
The egg shell is lovely and certainly worthy of a starring role on a blog post.
I'm surprised at how ready I am for this, having fought the idea for the past couple of years. I like your notion of successive flights!
Wonderful color in that egg, no wonder you find it inspiring. There's a vibrancy in this post – so many new things to explore and learn as you move into this new phase of life. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts as you journey along.
Surprising how well the colour lasts, as well. The ones I found in other years seem not to have lost significant pigment. I'm pleased you're detecting vibrancy in this post. I must admit I'm feeling much more energy.
What a coincidence, ma! Was thinking of you and wondering if you would spend more time drawing, as I so enjoyed the posts were your showed your lessons and work. And here it is- your intention proclaimed. I predict your retirement will be a rich, rewarding one- well, that's what one of my kids calls a BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious.)
I love that expression and might not be able to resist borrowing it. I have to say that when I look at my rudimentary efforts in my sketchbook, it's all too easy to find them laughably wanting, but I try to remember Process over Product. And Joy. joy counts!