Blog
8th December 2012
Amazing how time flies when you're having another baby. This one's a boy and has a snuffly nose.
As far as creativity goes I've taken a new direction based on inspiration from the father-in-law who's recently retired and picked up his paintbrush again to good effect.
For myself, this is the first time I've approached a picture with one image in my head and then allowed it to change significantly in composition. Nor did I make any pencil outlines, it all went neat onto the canvas, painted while suspended from the wall in my daughter's room by a nail. I've allowed it to be a far more organic process and learned much more about the medium of acrylic and how I work as a result. In fact, the learning has equalled the satisfaction with the work thus far. Much more to learn, obviously, but what a cracking journey to be on.
The daughter's own artwork continues to impress with her nursery staff advising that she's storming on with her pencil grip where other children older than her are still using a gross grip. Blowing her trumpet further the health visitor said she'd the ability to draw circles that she'd expect in a 2year old when she was 19months. Just need to get the boys drawing and the family will be a proper group of artists in action.
The aforementioned 'freestyle' picture is only one project and I have four ongoing at present, some revisions of previous work. One of which is the character for my brother's work, which he must have thought I'd forgotten about by now.
I also have a poem that needs illustrating and some closer acrylic work to use for a portrait of the bairns - another first step into the unexplored.
9th July
The drawing a day continues. Still working on the squirrel and the hobgoblin. Need to work on backgrounds at some point too. Story is coming together nicely and with some lovely organic characters coming through. Hope the end product is as enjoyable as the process.
26th June 2012
Spent Monday being creative in various senses including a paint fight with my 18month old. She thought it was hysterical. I was a real treat to watch her painting. We'd bought a ceramic duck (her favourite word, 'duck' not 'ceramic') for her to paint as a present for her old nursery. The mix of concentration, examination, decision and confusion writ across her face was wonderful to behold and for once time stopped. Then she started painting me so it was only good manners to defend myself.
Committing to, and so far achieving, drawing or sketching once daily. Sometimes twice. Pieces of the hobgoblin story also coming together and have given self permission to allow brainspace in the day for this.
Been dipping into Danny Gregory's book 'The Creative License'. Talks a great deal of sense in language that I like and so far have only found on disturbing recommendation amongst the hundreds i.e. drawing in your own blood. Sounds a wee bit too Angelina Jolie in the Billy Bob Thornton days to me. Plus I like my own blood where it is.
Helps that hubby is committing to running daily also. It's like a team effort supporting different objectives. Although his helps body and mind whereas mine really helps mind and keeps me within grabbing distance of millionaire shortbread.
21st June 2012
And now I find myself working on a story about a hobgoblin and a squirrel.
15th June 2012
Let's try this GOLD version then.
12th June 2012
Wee bro has been in contact to ask if I'm still going to draw his "creation". See, I like this. This is where my bum gets kicked for slacking but in a positive way. It's a challenging one though. Maybe I should point him in the direction of some Roman Dirge work.
Day One.
Woke up late. Went to Stroke Cognition Study day. Had lunch. Drank Orangina (craving). Started own website. Returned to study day. Played with bairn in park. Rescued other children from own bairn in park. Pizza for tea. Read children's books with bairn and counted the ducks in the books (twelvety). Waited for bairn to hit snooze until time to play with new website.
