Tuesday, July 17, 2012

At the Barre/ At the Sketchbook

Yesterday I went to the art store on Kensington High Street and browsed through a book called The Art of Urban Sketching. I found it inspiring enough that I had to buy yet another sketch book and pen so that I could get back to doing daily sketches again! I must have over 30 sketchbooks, most of which are in storage at the moment, but this one has a soft cover and is small enough for me to carry around in my bag. Sketching daily has been an ever-present, yet continually elusive, goal of mine. Somehow when I find the time to make art, I'm far more eager to start painting than get out the sketchbook. Especially lately when the moments I get are so few and far between.

Yet the sketching is essential. It is the daily stretch and flex of the muscles, the work-out, the practice, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!! that helps to refine one's skill-set. Also, when you're working in a sketchbook, the emphasis can be on exploration and experimentation instead of creating finished work to sell. This is the opportunity to explore new techniques and play with different mediums. To break down one's own personal boundaries and barriers in the mind that make you do the same thing over and over. To find the way to make it work for you.

Having been a professional ballet dancer, I'm very familiar with the discipline required to go to the barre every day and repeat the same exercises (for 20 years!) continuing to refine my movements. Well, the sketchbook is no different than the barre. The question is, being a stay-at-home Mom as my profession of the moment, can I engage the discipline required to sketch daily with a toddler demanding my attention constantly? Surely, there must be a way!

This new sketchbook will most likely be filled with moments such as it's first entry. After all, Liam is my most favorite subject matter at present. I'm hooked, line and sinker, on my baby boy!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Portrait of Liam at 14 months

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Work in progress:
I started this piece on the Isle of Wight while Liam was sleeping about a month ago. When he wakes up from his nap he's always drowsy and stayed still long enough for me to capture his (still in dreamland) expression.  I'm planning on adding watercolor when I can get to it.