Photos From the Road

On Friday I received pictures from the Brooklyn Opening from the lovely people at the Sketchbook Project. I spent a fun half an hour poring over the photos trying to spot my sketchbook. No luck. That didn't stop me from imagining that someone pictured was viewing my work.

Some people seemed too serious, or too confused. Some looked bored. Some weren't looking at sketchbooks at all. (That's right. I'm talking about you Mr. Texty. Put down that phone and give your full attention to that book! Someone worked hard on it!) After scanning the possibilities a few times, I've decided to imagine that the couple in the lower left corner of this photo are viewing my sketchbook. 

Photo "borrowed" from the Art House Co-op's photostream on flickr

Don't they look like they're having fun? That was my goal as I worked on my sketchbook. I wanted my reader to have fun. I wanted to make them smile. When I imagine that couple looking at my sketchbook I feel that my mission has been accomplished. 

If you'd like to be a real reader of my sketchbook, and if you're in Asheville, North Carolina on Wednesday, March 26 between 1 and 5 pm, stop by The Asheville Bookworks. The mobile library, including my sketchbook, will be parked outside the the doors waiting to make you smile.

Travelling, Touring Sketchbook

I've been slow in sharing my sketchbook pages here, but that doesn't mean things haven't been happening. My sketchbook, along with thousands of others that form The Sketchbook Project's Mobile Library, hit the road last weekend. The tour started in Brooklyn, NY at the Brooklyn Art Library. From there it will visit more than twenty cities on its journey across North America. A big adventure for my modest sketchbook. I'm rather excited about it.

What's even more exciting is that I've already received an email from my sketchbook. Yep. I get letters from my art, or rather on behalf of my art.

Hello!
We just wanted to let you know that leah l. just viewed your sketchbook (#S130320) at Brooklyn Art Library in Brooklyn, NY!
Your book has been viewed 1 time so far.
Sincerely,
The Brooklyn Art Library Librarian

Cool, huh? Whenever someone views my sketchbook I get an email notification. The above note made my day.

Today my sketchbook, and its arty friends, is hanging out in Richmond, VA at the Virginia Commonweath University from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. I know it's rather late notice, but if you happen to be in the area stop by and check things out. In particular, check out my sketchbook. I'd love to hear from it again, and I'd love for you to see my completed sketchbook. 

Want to see what I've shared so far? I've created a page for my sketchbook. Just click on the tab way up at the top of the page.

Next stop. Asheville, North Carolina.

Buggy

The arrival of the West Coast Seeds catalogue is a big deal for many of the gardeners I know. They get all excited and are inspired to start garden plans for the upcoming year. I, on the other hand, took a look at the cover of the new catalogue and was inspired to draw. How very odd.

I wasn't even drawn to draw any of the amazing plants pictured within. Nope, not I. I chose to draw a bug. 

I don't know what made me look at the photograph of the lacewing and say "I think I can draw that". Up until that point I had been working from drawings and illustrations. It hadn't occurred to me to try to draw something from a photograph. 

It was difficult. I was way beyond my comfort level. You can see eraser shavings on the original below. There were a lot of eraser shavings. Still, I'm glad I tried. I learned quite a bit. Like I have no idea how to convey translucent wings. Yet. It also prompted me to try shading, which led to further attempts later in my sketchbook.

The inspiration

My re-creation

I feel like I've learned quite a bit since I drew my lacewing. I now see things I'd like to change and do differently. My little lacewing might have to undergo further metamorphosis. Or maybe I'll create a sibling for it, particularly since the one pictured above has winged its way to Brooklyn and is awaiting its summer tour. 

Inspiration in my Closet

This sweatshirt has survived many, many closet clean-outs. 

There are good reasons for that. I least I tell myself they're good reasons before I put it back in the closet. It's incredibly well made, and made in Canada to boot. It's the most comfortable item of clothing I've ever owned, and I once owned terry-cloth footie jammies. 

It's perfect for curling up on the sofa and doing not much of anything on days that look like this:

The sweatshirt features the artwork of Richard Hunt.  His art is generally way, way out of my price range. This sweatshirt allows me to own something of his without taking out a second mortgage. 

Oh, and it was a gift from Hubby. See, I told you I had good reasons. 

Now I have one more reason to add to my list. The shirt inspired another one of my sketchbook drawings. 

The inspiration

My re-creation

Because I admire the Hunt's work, I was quite stressed about the changes I had to make to accommodate my limited abilities.  Still, I'm happy with how it turned out. The knowledge that I can draw something that is identifiable still fills me with wonder. Until I challenged myself to draw in my sketchbook, I didn't know I had that ability. Once again I'm grateful to artists like Hunt who inspire me to try. 

I'm also grateful to Patti and all the women hanging out at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday. They inspire me to try new things on a regular basis. Head on over and check them out yourself. 

Learning

There were times when I felt that my sketchbook was inadequate. There are so many things I don't know about creating art, and so many skills I don't possess. Choosing to draw, when I haven't drawn anything since middle school art class, was extremely challenging. 

I worried about copying the work of other artists. While it's OK to attempt to draw the tree outside my window, drawing someone else's rendition of a tree felt wrong. I felt like I was cheating. 

I fretted about what people looking at my sketchbook would think. Would they think I was ripping off the work of more talented artists? Would they understand the gratitude I felt toward the people who created the works that inspired me to try? Would they empathise with the joy that I felt in my fumbling attempts and my novice results?

Scary.

Fortunately, comfort can be found in the strangest places. Like the drug store. I was looking for a birthday card for my nephew when this magazine caught my eye. 

"Learn by Copying"

My choices for my sketchbook were immediately validated. I am learning after all. I would have never guessed that copying is an acceptable way to learn. Relief.

Hubby had great way of looking at it. He compared drawing to music. It's acceptable for musicians to learn by playing cover tunes. My drawings are my cover tunes. Like a guitar player practising with songs of musicians she admires, I'm practising with drawings of artists I admire. 

I married a very wise man.  

I didn't read the article after seeing the cover. I don't think I want to. There's a chance that I'm misinterpreting the message, and as my interpretation makes me happy, I'm sticking with it. 

Laurie's Lorax

OK, full-disclosure time.  I had intended to share my sketchbook as I filled it. It didn't happen. My wee book is complete and is winging its way to Brooklyn as I write. That doesn't mean I can't share it here. Better late than never, and much better than my follow-through on last year's intention. My theme for last year's sketchbook was "procrastination". This year I chose "accentuate the positive", so I'm going to give myself credit for continuing to write about my sketchbook even though I am doing it later than I had anticipated.

I was continually tickled to find things that I could draw for my sketchbook.  I gradually found my attitude changing from "I can't draw" to "Hey! Wait a minute! I think I can draw that!". 

I had one of those moments while watching "The Grinch" with Hubby. Toward the end of the program it occurred to me that I could probably draw the Grinch.

I didn't though. I didn't have a picture of Mr Grinch to work from, and drawing from memory isn't a skill I possess. I do have a copy of "The Lorax" though, and I figured that the ability to draw one Seuss character likely meant that I'd be able to draw another. It worked for Theodor Geisel after all.

The inspiration

My re-creation

I'm pleased to say it worked for me too. It's not exactly like the original, but it's definitely identifiable as the Lorax. It gave me a great deal of pleasure to recreate one of my favourite storybook characters... and his friend.

Bonus fish.

Sketching Butterflies

I was so pleased with my cats that I hit the laundry basket a second time for sketchbook inspiration. It didn't disappoint. I was quite sure I could draw a butterfly similar to the ones on these socks. I quite like the results, though I can't figure out how I managed to photograph the book upside down. No worries. Thanks to the wonders of electronic photo manipulation I was able to flip it around. The perspective is a bit wonky as a result, but, as I've already mentioned, perspective really isn't my thing, so I'm going with it. 

The inspiration

The re-creation

Accentuate the Positive

I am taking part in the Sketchbook Project again this year. Unlike last year, I knew what I was getting into when I signed up this time. That does't make it any less nerve-wracking. I am not an artist. I am baffled by concepts like perspective, depth, light and dimension, and I have no idea how to convey those elements in my work. 

As such, it would be very, very easy for me to concentrate on what I can't draw. Instead, I'm going to try to focus on what I can draw. You know, accentuate the positive and all that jazz. 

This is quite different from last year's Sketchbook. My lack of confidence, and a flippant comment to a friend, led to a lot of collage. Don't get me wrong. I loved the process and the results. I was actually sorry to send it away when the project was over. Fortunately, I can visit it here from time to time. 

I do wish I had written about the process of filling last year's sketchbook. I always intended to, but never managed to get around to it in spite of best intentions. I guess that's fitting, since I chose "Procrastination" as my theme. This year I'm going to try to share as I go. 

Though my artistic skills are limited, I'm finding inspiration everywhere. There are a surprising number of things out there that I can manage to re-create to some extent. 

For example, while doing laundry I realized that I could likely draw a passable rendition of the cats on my socks.

The inspiration.

My re-creation.

The socks are a gift from Hubby's aunt. I smile each time I wear them. There was a t-shirt too, but it didn't survive. Too bad. I bet I could draw those cats too!

Introduction to Art: Week 1 ~ Allow Me to Introduce Me!

So, once again I am taking part in a project that scares the heck out of me. At least I was able to blame my friends for the whole Sketchbook Project predicament. This time I have no one but myself to blame. I got into this mess on my own.

I am taking the course "Introduction to Art: Concepts and Techniques" offered by Pennsylvania State University through Coursera. The following is from the catalogue description of the class:

Learn to identify and define various art movements, artists, and their artworks. Convey a personal appreciation for art concepts, techniques, and approaches through the creation and sharing of your own original artwork.

Sounds pretty harmless, until you get to the bit about creating and sharing original artwork. What. Was. I. Thinking.

I was thinking that I missed the frenzied acts of inspiration that went with creating my sketchbook. This class seemed like just the thing to ensure that I had more opportunities enjoy that process. Besides the class was billed as "an art appreciation course created for individuals without any artistic background." Sounded like a good playground for a novice like me.

Our first week's assignment was to "create an artwork that reflects you or your interests and provide a short artist statement explaining the piece and introducing yourself to the class." The artwork and the statement were to be shared with our classmates in the class forums.

Determining how to introduce myself, particularly given my limited artistic abilities, was difficult. I browsed though my classmates' assignments and hoped for some inspiration. That was a mistake. It quickly became obvious that many of my classmates didn't get that this was a class for people without any artistic background.  There were some very experienced and very talented people posting in the forums. One woman even apologized for the quality of her work, as she was away from her studio and had limited resources to work with. STUDIO!!! What beginner has A STUDIO?? Is there some definition of beginner that I'm not aware of? Aaaarrrggh! 

Once I got over my panic, I decided to just jump in. In fact, that became the theme for my piece. I knew I wanted a picture of someone about to jump from a cliff into a sea of art, and given my drawing abilities, I knew that collage was going to have to be a large part of my creation.

I quickly realized that I wasn't going to find exactly the pictures I wanted, so I sketched a frightened little guy standing on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. I chose a monkey pencil to create my picture, as I needed to remind myself to keep a sense of humour about the process. Nothing like a monkey pencil to keep panic at bay.

"Don't be so serious!" says Mr Monkey.

His wee monkey collar spins and his elastic legs wobble as I work. 

Then I spent the morning flipping through magazines and cutting out words that related to our first week's lectures. It was interesting to see how the vocabulary of art has spread into other disciplines. I snipped art-related words from articles on interior design, photography, technology, medicine and fashion.  I think my favourite was finding the word "line" in an ad for Juvederm. I never thought about the art involved in cosmetic treatments before. I probably never will again.

I was really pleased to find the words "plunging in" in one of the last magazines I raided. Finding a phrase that so perfectly described the theme of my artwork made me feel like I was on the right track. I cut it out for the title of my piece.

Once I had my words, I gathered my art supplies. Again, I deliberately chose to work with child-like materials. It seemed appropriate given my level of experience and ability, and I felt that the less-sophisticated supplies would indicate to my classmates that I am truly a beginner. Besides, it's what I had in the house. 

Art supplies generously supplied by Hubby when I was working on my sketchbook.

Here's what I shared with my classmates: 
 

I probably shouldn't have looked at other introductions in this forum before attempting mine. I am truly a beginner, and after browsing the works of my classmates I realize many of them are not. What a talented group!

My introductory artwork was created on standard-weight cartridge paper using a monkey (yep, monkey) pencil, Crayola crayons and coloured pencils, and collage. 

The thought of sharing my artwork terrifies me, but like the character in my picture, I'm ready to take the plunge into the world of art.

I chose my  materials to remind myself, and my audience, that the last time I took an art class was in elementary school. Back then crayons and coloured pencils were often our only tools, and decorated pencils were much sought after.  I hope the viewer gets a sense of the fear I'm feeling as I embark on this journey, and I want let everyone, including myself, know that I'm here to have fun!


Within minutes of posting my introduction, I had responses from my classmates. I was surprised, touched and pleased with the kind and encouraging things they had to say. I'm still a bit frightened about sharing my work, but I'm so glad I took the plunge. I may not win any gold medals for style, but I'm now confident that I can keep my head above water!

Mistaken Identity

(Now I'm really embarrassed. I started writing this about a year ago, then I took a long, long vacation from blogging. So I'm now finishing a year-old post about an event that happened a year before that. Yep. Elusive Onions. Your place for up-to-date, two-year-old news.)

I am embarrassed to admit that this story is over a year old. Still, I would be more embarrassed if the people mentioned stumbled upon my blog and recognized themselves. I'm assuming that after all these months I am safe. And in a small town it's always better to be safe than to be sorry!


I was at the grocery store after a morning yoga class. The combination of the early hour and the vigorous class had left me dishevelled, befuddled and somewhat zoned out. I figured it wouldn't matter. I rarely saw anyone, let alone anyone I recognized, when I shopped before 9 am. 


On the morning in question, I was roused from my contemplation of nutritional labels by an enthusiastic greeting. I blearily looked up from lists of daily values to see a smiling, well groomed woman. It was someone I knew slightly, as I had worked with her daughter, and she was an occasional customer at work. Looking back, I realize the greeting was too enthusiastic for our level of acquaintance, but as I said, it was early and I was rather out of it. 

She followed her happy greeting by telling me she had seen my picture in a supplement of our local paper. I was surprised. I didn't realize I was in the paper, and I told her so, but even this didn't alert me to the fact that the conversation was off kilter. Photographers from the paper often cover events at my workplace. On more than one occasion I've found myself in the background of one of their pictures in spite of my best attempts to hide from the lens. I assumed this was one of those pictures, and our conversation continued.

She then asked about the progress of the construction at our house. This one puzzled me. We had recently had our deck replaced, but I didn't know how she knew this. Still, the work hadn't gone well, and I hadn't hesitated to bad-mouth the company we hired to anyone who would listen.  I figured she had either overheard my complaints, or knew someone who had. 


It wasn't until late in our brief conversation that I realized she had mistaken me for someone else. At this point I probably should have told her, but we were so far into our visit that I didn't know how to do it gracefully. I awkwardly excused myself and got the hell out. I prayed she wouldn't arrive at  my workplace later in the day and realize her mistake.


When I got home I scrabbled through the recycling to find the section of the paper she had found "me" in. I breezed by the unremarkable woman on the cover, lingered briefly, and somewhat wishfully, on the leggy model in the hosiery ad, and flipped through to the last page. That was it. Unremarkable cover girl or leggy model. Damn. Even if I stretched my imagination to the utmost I knew she hadn't mistaken me for the model. 

That left the woman on the cover as my local look-alike. This shouldn't have surprised me. If I was remarkable the woman at the grocery store wouldn't have mistaken me for someone else. Still, it was a bit depressing. Don't get me wrong, the woman in the paper wasn't hideous or ill-groomed or deformed.  She looked fine. Maybe a bit tired. Maybe a bit washed out. But overall fine. And unremarkable. And apparently just like me. 

You know, even months later, this incident still aches deep in my core. I can't quite put my finger on the reason. I'd like to think it's more than vanity, though I will admit I would have preferred to be mistaken for the leggy model, or at least a minor celebrity. As long as it's not  Gilbert Gottfried, or Meat Loaf, or... well you get the picture. 

Whatever the reason, this ache has helped to lead me to new places. It's part of what prompted me to take part in Meghan's Living the Creed Contest, it was there when I filled in my Sketchbook,  and it's in the back of my mind every time I take part in Patti's Visible Monday. For good or for bad I don't want to be mistaken for someone else. I want you to see me as me, though I'm still not sure who that is yet. 

Wow. When I look at where that case of mistaken identity has led me, I think I owe that confused, early-morning shopper a great big thank you! 

Happy Newish Year!

Happy Newish Year!

At what point in January does it become ridiculous, redundant or just too darn late to wish people "Happy New Year"?

Wasn't that a Seinfeld episode?

Oh wonders of the internet. I just checked and here it is:

Why is it I can remember a nine-second clip from a television series that ended more than ten years ago when I can't remember where I put the gift card I got two weeks ago?

???

Enough pointless questions. 

I'm really here to:

a) Wish you a Happy New Year. (Done)
2) Let you know what I've been up to project-wise.

(See what I did there? The pop-culture reference above? Use the comments to identify it and tell me where I stole the idea from, and I'll post more sketchbook pictures. Or not. Your choice.)

Remember when I posted this picture?

From this...

Well, there has been progress. Now those pages look like this:

...to this in more time than I care to admit.

Yep, I'm about half-way through. It's been scary and fun. Really, really fun. Probably more fun than scary actually. Probably.

Fortunately, my yoga practice is close to becoming a habit, so I am able to find some balance on those scary days. Some.

I'm pleased to say that since I first met with my instructor on November 29 I have only missed my practice once. Go me! (No excuse for the missed one. I had a day off with no plans. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the lack of schedule, my yoga practice just didn't happen.) 

Again, I have to give huge thanks to all those people who have followed my progress on facebook. Their continued support has made all the difference. I recently read that Michael Moore has an online team of thousands supporting him in his walking endeavours. My team is much, much smaller, but they're more effective. Though they probably don't know it, their "likes" carry the weight of thousands. Go them!

One Terrifying Tome

I'm currently in possession of an utterly terrifying book. Those of you who are easily alarmed should turn away now. 

The odd, face-like shadows on the book are from condensation on the window. Spooky.

That's it. In spite of the sinister shadows on the cover, it doesn't look all that intimidating. Of course, you can't judge a book by the cover, and it's what's inside this one that makes it particularly frightening. 

Coloured pencil courtesy of my most supportive Hubby.

You're right. It's blank. Thirty-two blank pages of sheer terror. Those blank pages are meant to be filled by yours truly. Just looking at the damned thing gives me heart palpitations.

So what exactly is it?

This terrifying tome is my sketchbook. I am taking part in The Sketchbook Project. Problem is, I don't really draw. Or doodle. Or scribble. Or anything arty.

So why do I have it?

Partly due to peer pressure. A friend asked me more than once to take part. She was forming a local group to participate, and she assured me I could create something with words. I finally caved and said yes, though at the time I thought I would be responsible for one page in the group sketchbook. Only after making a public announcement did I realize that I would be responsible for an entire book. You'd think I was old enough to avoid making rash promises on social media sites. You'd be wrong.

One, entire, thirty-two page sketchbook. I don't know that I have that many words.

Did I mention there was a deadline? I have to have the thing done and in the mail by January 15th. Good thing I didn't have any holiday plans. Of course, I have had the thing for 12 days, and I haven't made a mark in it. Any last-minute scrambling will be my own fault. Like that makes it any less frightening.

So why bother?

Well, once completed and returned, this wee book will go on tour. It's going to go to some pretty cool cities. Some of them are cities we'd like to visit. Some are cities we've talked about visiting, but have never gotten around to. My shewd and cunning plan is to go visit my book in one of these cities. Hubby and I tend to travel to the same places again and again. I hope this project will nudge us out of our comfortable travel routine and encourage us to go somewhere new. 

Big plans for a small book. Wish me luck.