I know I promised a post about friendships and aging and significant moves. But that post is one that will require some time, and it’s currently in the mulling stage — which is gradually spilling over toward a drafting stage. Notes are being jotted as memories surface, observations are collected, and epiphanies occur. Okay, I might be exaggerating about the epiphanies, but I suspect I will have something coherent and cohesive to say in a week or two.
Meanwhile, I’m off this week to do some research. Somewhat kidding, I am, but in fact I’ve booked myself a few days in the small city where I used to live, and I have visits scheduled with a few friends of long duration.
And while I’m saving word-writing for that eventual post, I thought I’d open my sketchbook journal and share a few pages of what I’ve been up to recently.
You can see the fuller brown-paper sketch from which I tore that iris over here on Instagram. . . .
If you squint and maybe turn your screen in different directions, you might be able to decipher my text. . .
And if you’ve squinted and deciphered, you will note that I throw anything and everything into this journal. . . Perhaps you’ll understand why it would be difficult for me to have a “niche” blog or IG account . . . Jill of All Trades, that’s me đ
Okay, that’s it for now. Our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter are coming for dinner. Father’s Day here, and so he’ll be cooking dinner. Whaat? How else could he get exactly the meal he wants? And our daughter’s bringing dessert, and also, He’s not my Dad, right? Of course I’m kidding — not about him cooking dinner, though!
I just deleted a whole soppy paragraph I wrote about what a great Dad he was/is for our kids, and what a great Granddad for our grandkids . . . and then about what a great Dad I had as well. . . . It’s all true, but I think I’ll keep the Hallmark moment to myself for now. Saving the words. . .
Hope you enjoyed a peek in my sketch journal. Comments always welcome.
xo
f
Have a wonderful visit to your “small city”,Frances
Dottoressa
Author
Thanks K!
Thank you for this peek into your sketch book process. I have just recently begun to add sketches and a bit of color to my notebook and it feels very right.
Author
Oh, I’m glad to hear this — I think you’ll find it not only enlivens your notebook, but also sharpens your observation and firms up memories.
I have joined a nature journaling group with some wonderful people through The Net Loft. The shop is in Alaska but Dotty, the owner, is spreading a love of sketching and painting with her wonderful online groups. I am sure all of this has been out there for a long time but it is just starting to be a part of my retirement days and I love discovering kindred spirits.
Author
What fun to have found a new community to sketch with — despite all the negatives we recognize about the internet and the attendant “socials,” there are also the benefits of new connections. Enjoy!
Your sketchbook is always an inspiration for me. I have always loved the idea, but simultaneously been intimidated to try it. PerfectionismâŚ. Iâm much more comfortable with photos, which look exactly as they âshould.â I have begun sketching from my photos and playing with watercolor, thanks to you!
Author
I’m happy to hear this Donna! Isn’t it an enjoyable way to revisit and process a moment?!
“Productive pottering”. Makes sense of everything! Fascinating to read your illustrated stream of consciousness. I felt for you at the woman sitting beside you and lighting up a cigarette…
Author
Yep! A very necessary part of the creative process for me. Putter, potter, putter, potter đ
Happy travels. My journals are such of mix of stuff. Sometimes I add a sketch , maybe I ought to do it more.
Author
It can be fun to discover the sketches later — and I’m always sticking in bits of paper paraphenalia (receipts, business cards, even the part of a paper placemat with the restaurant logo).
Enjoyed the peek into your sketchbook! As well I picked up a copy of , What you are looking for in the library, it is a lovely book.
Author
Isn’t that a good book?! I really enjoyed it as well!
I am tardy in reading this post and commenting, but better late than ever. As always, it was a joy to read your post. I am always so inspired by your art-filled journaling! And I hope soon to be able to do more myself. I did a lot of colored pencil illustrations in my journal when we were traveling in Tuscany and Umbria last month. I also bought a sweet but small leather bound sketchbook. And on our last day in Assisi, which was two days before we started out travels home, my sweet husband bought me a beautiful travel set of locally made watercolors. I canât wait to try them!
I havenât painted with them yet because ever since we got home to Arizona we have been incredibly busy. While we were in Italy we worked through making the huge decision to move to Corvallis, Oregon, where our daughterâs family lives. We have spent the last five summers there (starting when my oldest granddaughter was born) and many visits in between. I was ready to move up there as soon as I became a grandma, but my husband only realized a few months ago that he was readyâand he didnât share this with me until we were in Italy.
The purging of excess possessions and packing of everything else has been going on ever since. The condoâwhich we live!âwill go up for sale in the first week of July. It has been crazy but we are keeping our eyes on the prize.
I canât wait to have new vistas to draw and paint!
Author
Oh wow! This is really big, isn’t it?! Good to have that time away in a neutral spot to make your decision. And you’re right — it’s crazy all the purging and packing and curating. . . but keeping your eyes on the prize is exactly the way to go. Good luck and happy moving!