It has been one of those weeks where motivation has been lacking and my daily art practise was sporadic.
recently posted about “What makes a good art day?” Which made me realise that it is not just me that asks that question?So what makes a good art day?
For me it is being able to create a page in my sketchbook or being able to sit down and write something. This week I felt that I didn’t always achieve that and my inner critic was in over drive.
Sketchbook
I love my sketchbook habit and I find that I am always looking at things around me, thinking about what to include on my page. The water, the boats, observations in my garden and on my walk, as well as exploring a new place. When I look at a page now, I remember what I saw, heard and felt at that time.
“By keeping a record of my experiences I live my life twice over. The past returns to me. The future is always with me.” Eugène Delacroix
This week I decided to share the pages of my sketchbook in a video, so that you can see the variety.
Whilst I lacked motivation and struggled to make art, I did show up most days. I think for me a good art day is getting lost in creating the different layers a page and telling a story from that day. This week, my pages were simple, not a lot of layers and don’t tell a story.
Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself, I stilled showed up and created some art. Surely that is a good art day!!
Other creative activities
I have been working through
Spring Light, this week. The exercises have been interesting and has made me think and look at things differently.
This week the introvert in me has just wanted to stay at home, because I know I will be away next week visiting mum. I am a home body and it was reflected in this piece I wrote.
They say home is where the heart is and this place. I see through my view finder is my home, my heart. It is the place I feel most comfortable in. The place, I feel safe to be myself. This place is full of memories, memories of a family that has grown, memories of happiness, laughter, and sorrow. This place has seen so much and has protected us and nurtured us. It has allowed us to be ourselves, grow and explore to find ourselves. This home is a place for our beating hearts to recharge.
Another activity I started this week is this Kookaburra that I am colouring in. My husband got an Australian Bird calendar for Christmas, with the most amazing photos. I copied the picture and am now building up the layers to reproduce this beautiful bird.
Colouring is defiantly a good way to slow down. Stay tuned I will show you the finished product.
Books I am reading
I finished reading Kokoro by Beth Kempton this week. What a wonderful book and it made me think about my life now and in the future. It came at a great time in my life, where I am questioning everything.
‘A life well lived is a series of mountains climbed’ Beth Kempton
I have defiently climbed a lot of mountains, some of the mountains have left me bruised and battered. I know that the mountain I climb in the future with caring for my mum will be a tough one, but one I will climb and make the most of my time with her.
Fields of Gold by Fiona Macintosh. I love Fiona’s books and find I can get lost in her stories. This one was a beautiful story full of adventure, romance in India during the period of British occupation.
Talking about slowing down. Does any one struggle to slow down?
The trouble with me slowing down is that I have always been the type of person who loves routine and sticking to a timetable. Now learning to slow down, I am finding that I get a bit anxious about how spontaneous my life is becoming. This morning I felt anxious because it was almost 10 am and I hadn’t had breakfast!!!!! I did have a beautiful walk though.
So before I sign off for another week, I thought I would share a new page from my sketchbook inspired by my walk by the bay this morning. It was a beautiful morning with the sun reflecting on the water and the bay alive with nature. No wonder it is one of my favourite places to walk.
Until next week.
Take care
Jo
P.s Please help me to know what people like and want to read. Please like, leave a comment, share/restack. Thank you
Showing up can be a huge accomplishment! Your sketchbook is lovely!