I’m (finally!) putting together the last of my photos fromthat Kiki Smith exhibition I saw in Parislate last year (seems another lifetime, doesn’t it?!). . . .
Meanwhile, a quick Friday afternoon recap of some April days “in the time of Covid-19” from my eponymous mini-watercolour sketchbook . . . .I’ve been trying (not always succesfully) to sketch something every day, and since I last showed you a week’s worth of pages, I’ve managed another week (and then some, actually, but I’ll stick with a week at a time, save the others for later). . .
As always, the impetus to share my obviously amateur drawings is similar to my reasons for blogging in the first place and for continuing to do so for coming up to thirteen years (!) — I believe there’s value in representing my life in as many ways and in as much of its diversity as I can. I think there’s added value in getting outside of my comfort zone to do that — and I’m fascinated by the synergy between words and images. . . .
I try not to fuss too much about what to sketch, and I’ve been learning to squash my Inner Critic. Or at least I usually acknowledge the weaknesses she points out, but tell myself that I’m learning and that I’m more likely to improve if I keep doing, without too much self-consciousness. It also helps that I generally keep the sketch to under fifteen minutes, more often closer to five. . .
I had been drifting back to heeding the criticism too much and also to putting too many barriers in the way in terms of materials, readiness, etc. For this sketchbook I’m trying to work with pen from the start, so erasing isn’t even possible. And I use my mini-paintbox with a single brush. . .
Adding some text makes this mini-journal an even better record for me. . . Sometimes I describe the context of what I’m sketching; sometimes I just jot a few words about what I’m feeling: sometimes (as below) the date I write triggers a memory or an association. . . .
Some pages I’m a bit embarrassed to show, because the technical problems are so glaring (the page below, for example: why didn’t I take more time waiting for one colour to dry before painting another? Why didn’t I use a thinner brush for more defined red circles? . . . Or above: I should have slowed down to better capture the contour of my left foot (the one you see on the right). . .
But in the interests of honesty, I’m showing you the less successful along with the more felicitous pages. . . . And overall, I’m pleased with my little book, pleased enough that I know I’ll continue until it’s full and perhaps I’ll set the foundation for a new habit. . .
Meanwhile, though, I missed my chance to pre-order a pair of these Fluevog shoes designed to honour our stellar provincial (British Columbia) Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. . . . but I sketched them. . . (Inside the shoes are stamped the words Dr. Henry closes her daily public address with: Be Kind, Be Calm, Stay Safe. . . .
Good words to leave you with,
xo,
f
p.s. Some days, I fail to come up with questions for you to respond to in the comments. On such days, I hope you’ll feel free to respond to the post itself, however you see fit. Or simply wave a “Hi.”. . .
Blogging is about stepping out in the world. Your sketches, your writing, your feelings are offered to strangers. People may respond.They may be negative or positive but it takes courage to reveal yourself to others. I would really like a pair of Dr. Bonnie shoes too.
It is! Big or little steps out there, depending on the day. Sometimes even inviting the world in. . .
Waving a Hi! Thanks for posting.
Hi! 😉 You're welcome!
Good for you for keeping to a routine, including continuing your sketching. It's not easy in these uncertain days. Waving hello from Northern California as our warm spring days hint of the summer to come.
Ah, summer! May we be able to move outdoors more by then. . .
Lovely sketches!
Be Kind,Be Calm,Stay Safe….oh,I love that!
Dottoressa
It's good, right?
I haven't been reading your blog long enough to know when you started sketching, but I've certainly noticed a real progression over the time I have been following. I love the way you combine words and images – so fluid. You'll have a wonderful record of these strange times.
Frances in Sidney
Thanks, Frances!
I admire your dedication to sketching, and always find something charming in the freedom with which you draw, the use of colour, and your subjects. I saw a pair of the Bonnie Henry shoes on television last night and caught a glimpse of the sole with a treble clef and notes.
I am not sketching, but I am keeping a written journal of these strange times we are now living in. It's beginning to seem strange to call it "strange times" as we reluctantly adjust to a new normal.
Very true. The days don't really seem that strange anymore, until we want to do something and realize. . . .
I enjoy your sketches and am hoping to do the same one of these days. I don't have your drawing skills but would love to take some classes. I love seeing all of your work even that which you don't consider polished.
slf
SLF: I adamantly maintained I had no drawing ability. . . until I took one class on keeping an illustrated journal. . . and found enjoyment worth pursuing. . . and some skills developed along the way. May you find something siimilar when you're ready.
You have your unique blend of images and words, which is really all that matters. You are very lucky to be talented enough to draw and paint, so your inner critic can stand down! I'm keeping a gardening diary, but like you I find the days merging, so that my entries are often catch ups. I'm envious of the range of ready made food you can have delivered. Here our only option is bacon/black pudding/egg rolls, all day breakfasts, or traditional roast chicken or lamb dinner. Very nice to have, but I long for some cultural diversity! I had to look up 'pepitas' in your muesli recipe, and discovered they're pumpkin seeds.
You said in your reply to me on a previous post that you would look for structured learning in any online French classes. I see that the Alliance Française in Bordeaux has moved its classes online. They should be well structured and rigorous, given my experience of them. Just to mention anyway in case it's of interest.
We are very lucky with the take-out available in our immediate neighbourhood. We'd generally just as soon cook for ourselves at home OR go out to a restaurant, but at the moment take-out is allowing restaurants to hold on a few weeks, paying rent, employing staff. . . .
Thanks re AF — at the moment I'm finding I don't need anymore online and instead I'm taking my French podcasts for a walk or run regularly.
I loved the story of the Dr. Henry shoe. A Health Officer who is not only known for her excellence but also for her shoe preferences – and a business willing to turn this into a charity campaign. Or a prime minister who shocks his counterparts at an international conference by displaying his pink socks … Those are the snippets that make up my picture of your country. A very attractive picture, I must say.
Isn't it a good story? Glad Canada/Canadians are looking good out there. Up close, we know we're not perfect and we have our complaints. But overall (and especially by comparison these past few years), we recognize our good fortune…