Drawing and traveling

Drawing and traveling

I’m doing a little traveling this week—first in northern Washington and.then on to L..A.. These sketches are of an abandoned “insane asylum” left to the elements in a small town outside of Bellingham. We visited it in the rain and I took lots of pictures—and then spent some downtime drawing from the photos. Super absorbing and fun to draw!

Bellow are a few of the photos - plus a few others from the trip so far. Enjoy!

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How I'm creating a sketchbook habit that sticks

How I'm creating a sketchbook habit that sticks

As I explained last week I had a shift in how I look at my sketchbook practice, and I promised to share how I’m now creating a sketchbook habit. And while I’m at it, I thought I’d share a few sketchbook pages from the last year.

First, I can’t emphasize enough

I had doubts about why I was spending time in a sketchbook, but now I get it. Making a list of all the benefits made me realize…well, I feel the need to repeat this list here:

  • The PLEASURE of pen or brush on the page

  • The lovely feeling of being fully PRESENT

  • The surprise when DISCOVERING new line, shape, texture…

  • Really SEEING while drawing from life

  • The absolute fun of INVENTING while drawing from imagination

  • The satisfaction of LEARNING craft

  • CONNECTING with Self—responses, challenges, emotions, voice

  • EXPRESSING my Self

  • BUILDING SKILL over time

  • The unexpected JOY in any of the above.

These are all the reasons I need for working in my sketchbook every day.

What is there to doubt?

Hah—let me count the ways

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