sketching on the go

 Friends...the first thing is...I'm not sure if anyone even reads my blog anymore; I haven't been here in forever!!! Despite my best efforts to keep a regular blogging schedule, I've fallen off the wagon due to 101 reasons. It's not that I don't have a ton of stuff to write about (because I absolutely do) but life just kept on cropping up. Also...I think that sometimes we just need a break, a place and space to rest and replenish until we feel ready. And it's not that I haven't been painting, creating and writing (Hop on over to my Instagram feed) ...just not here for some reason!
Anyways...I signed both Tara and me up for Bliss class by Juliette Crane (and I can't recommend it highly enough...a whole separate blog post for that!) and one of the habits I'm developing is sketching on the go. So I wanted to share what I'm learning from this process and also what's in my travel sketch kit.

Travel Sketch Kit
* 2 small sketchbooks (so I can go back and forth while pages dry). One of the sketchbooks is just a regular one for dry media...and even though I used watercolors ...I liked the effects of the buckling. If the page tore, I simply covered it up with a piece of collage...no worries! The other sketchbook is a Bee Super Deluxe for mixed media so the pages are sturdier.
* 2 small watercolor kits (a Sennelier travel one I had and a kit I made with my fave. colors)
* UHU gluestick (I ran out so next time I will definitely take a large!)
* small water cup
* a few markers
* sharpener
* Stabilo all black pencil
* a couple of ziplock bags (so important to keep watercolors in!)
* a few water-soluble oil pastels (2 whites because they can be used with other colors to vary tones and colors etc)
*collage papers
* mop type brush
* fabric throw so I can spread it out anywhere and paint/sketch
*pencil case to keep everything together

Okay...I learned so many things I wanted to share...some practical and some metaphoric.
* I didn't pack a mop brush so I used an ice cube to spread the paints! Whoa!!!!! Totally awesome and cool effects and textures. Try it...I promise you will be surprised!
* less is more. Sure...I love having all my inks and paints and....but when I have less stuff to use...it forces me to think outside the box. I used my fingers way more (which gave me a lot of very raw, emotive marks).  I didn't have a ton of colors with me so I started getting very intentional with my palette, using my white oil pastel to vary colors and tones, Also using the white of the paper a whole lot more.
* I made a ton of marks/scribbles etc that gave so much character and depth to my pages. I became very experimental and free in my mark making...most of it was going to get covered up anyways...but some of it would show through.
* I think the most important thing I learned from the entire process, though, is that it's all about the journey. It's not about the finished painting/drawing/sketch but it's about what I'm learning along the way. There is no right or wrong,...I don't have to know where the page is going...more importantly...the page doesn't have to go anywhere at all!!! I have pages that are simply full of beautiful colors, marks...a patch of graphic collage. All okay!!! 
Happy Creating!!!!

my week so far

 

 "Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant...making your unknown known is the important thing."

                                                                                                      -Georgia O'Keefe

*filling up pages and pages in my sketchbook...graphite, inks, Portfolio water soluble oil pastels

 

*books I am reading right now:

-Writing Down The Bones  (an old fave. that I haven't read in years)

-How Georgia Became O'Keefe

-Stories in my Pocket (for Tara)

-Imperfect Birds

-How to Light Up Your Child's Mind

thank goodness for libraries!!

*going back to heart, going back to center. I want to live more and more from my heart; I can be quite cerebral + dissect everything to pieces.  I need a little reminder every so often:)

 

*loving this gorgeous quilt display at the library!  

 

*had coffee with a friend the other day. It was so relaxing + nourishing to just sit and chat (undisturbed)...opening up about our lives and sharing mind, experience + heart. I hadn't done this in ages, it seems!

*lots of indoor times this week due to the cold weather...library, reading circles, snuggling and painting.
That's been my week so far...hope yours is full of all sorts of magic + delight! xxx

inspired!!

* I received this gorgeous postcard in the mail yesterday from Lis over at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams. It made my day and put a smile in my heart. Love the simple gesture of open hands; an offering of heart. I immediately put it up on my inspiration shelf! Thank you so much Lis...for brightening up our day:)
* I loved reading this heart-full post from Robyn...a homage to kitchen tables. I read it (twice) while sipping my morning coffee. Love the insights, the simple beauty, the delicious images.
* I have been spending waaaaay too much time on Pinterest lately. It's my go to for inspiration + relaxation these days. I have the best of intentions to only stay on there for 15 mins. or so...but before I know it...a whole hour has passed by!! Who can blame me??? But I gotta' stop!!

* I am actually having some fun (can you believe???) sketching hands. Just letting go and filling up pages and pages.Love my new sketchbook BTW...the pages are delicious, sturdy (can accept light washes) and small enough to take with me everywhere. At first, I didn't buy into the Moleskin hype...but now I am seriously hooked! Just try one out and see for yourself!
* Working my way through One Year to a Writing Life and just loving it more and more. The exercises are interesting, inspiring and totally doable (read...not overwhelming). Already I feel as if I can reach deep down into my heart and memory and write more clearly. I am learning the value of editing (make every word be the very best) and practice (as in develop a writing practice every single day!).

* I just discovered this article right here and am absolutely blown away and seriously humbled. I can't believe that someone actually wrote a paper on my art. It brought tears to my eyes and made me incredibly happy. What I was especially proud of was the strong feminist approach that comes through (Yes!!! I am a feminist) and I don't separate my art from my life; that comes through loud and clear in this paper...and that gives me courage to continue with my work. It's a reminder that I can be brave (+ you can too!!!)

my week

The week started off with sunshine and blue skies...I thought warmer weather  was here to stay and I could pull out some of my spring clothing. Ha!! More on this later! On Tuesday I took Tara to a mall close by (we go there quite often in the Winter because there is an indoor play land for her to meet other kids and jump around). Anyways...as we were walking through the food court to get some lunch...A lady sitting at a table looks at me and says "are you Soraya??". I said yesssss??? A little puzzled because I really don't know a whole lot of people here. But...we know each other through my blog!!!! We both took  a class a while back with Holly Becker and have chatted via FB!!!! OMG!!! She is a polymer clay artist and we just gabbed on and on. We could have chatted forever...but Tara was hungry:) What are the chances of that happening, I wonder. Anyways...I was ever so grateful and of course, we exchanged phone numbers etc and are going to get together soon.What an incredibly small world.

I have been making time to sketch each day...play around with different materials. Getting back to basics.
Drawing hands are still so difficult for me though. I am trying to practice more blind contour drawings and this seems to help. A little:)

I have been experimenting in my studio...using spray paint and paper doilies to create this intricate lacey pattern (love!!). Not sure how much of it I will keep or will show through the final piece. Just experimenting and playing around right now and having so much fun! Also...I have to organize my studio again. Even though I have tons of space...everything is a raving mess and nothing can be found!! I need some sort of a system...all my art materials have taken over!!! I can't even see my studio desk!!!

Friends...I am so happy to share with you that I have an article published in the current Somerset Apprentice!!! I called it Creating Layers of Stories because...that's what I try to do with each of my paintings. It's a gorgeous 6 page spread where I go talk about the inspiration for my work as well as my step by step techniques. I am thrilled and honored to be included in this issue with so many talented artists. A special thank you to Jana Holstein for your patience and hard work and to everyone at Somerset for giving me this opportunity! I feel so privileged to be published by you!

My sweet birdie continues to sprout up like a beanstalk. And she just loves everything colorful + creative + art!!! She is always making projects, writing love letters or drawing. My approach is to let her do whatever she wants without me directing her too much. I make everything available to her (watercolor paints + brushes, markers, crayons, paper, glitter, glue etc) , show her how to use something and then ...just let her create magic. Afterwards...I ask her to tell me about her art...and... the stories that pour out of her!!!! Simply amazing, very detailed + elaborate. Her art is hanging all over our home and I keep the rest in a huge art folder (can't get rid of any of her work!!).

Oh! It's that time of the month, my friends...where I am craving chocolate:) I recently discovered this right here (supposedly more healthy because it's dark chocolate!)...and it is positively sinful.The combination of sweet + salty...with almonds...mmmmm. Also...now that I'm 44, my hormones are all out of whack. For a few days each month, I feel like a complete stranger to myself... I start crying for absolutely no reason, become completely irrational or just completely weird out ( I hate half of  the clothing in my closet, want to rearrange all the furniture and feel as if my nose is getting bigger!!!).  Ladies...is this a precursor for things to come????Hmmmm! More chocolate, please:)

 

This is a sketch I did this morning... remembering how much I love combining graphite pencils with watercolors (rich, lush colors). I am pushing the envelope a bit...using deep blue shadows and ripe red apple cheeks. Love the mark making, the time just slipping away...the challenge.  More than anything...I am enjoying the process...the journey. Without any pressure to produce anything...I am free to simply create. Dear sketchbook: what would I ever do without you? I heart you so! xxx

And of course...spring is definitely not here!! We got a huge dump of snow (6-8 inches!!) and are suddenly in a deep freeze! It's so beautiful to look at but all the icy cold winds, shovelling and other yucky stuff just needs to go away! Like...right now. Even though Feb. is the shortest month...it's also the loooooongest. I am so dreaming of everything spring. Tara and I even bought 10 packets of seeds...luscious mammoth sunflowers, Columbine, hot pink echinaceas...all in the hope of luring sweet lady Spring out of her hibernation. But no...it's still winter!!! The sun shines everyday, though, and that makes a huge difference. So dear friends...it's been an incredible week in so many ways...I sincerely hope yours has been too xxx