a personal 'art journey'

Some friends here and on Instagram have commented about my drawing/painting style. Thank you all so much! To be completely open, the entire illustration/'cartoonish' style really isn't my own personal style. It's known as 'urban sketching' and it was coined by some serious artists as well as amateurs in Seattle, WA as a way to capture a snapshot of an object or scene quickly, by reducing the details (mainly capturing outlines) - particularly on site, plein air - so the artist can get the idea of the scene and then paint it afterwards. This style involves drawing loose images with not too much detail with ink and then painting over it afterward, either from one's memory, imagination or from a photo.

It was absolutely a new concept to me! I've been trying it out in my art journal to force myself to loosen up a bit with detail. You see, I'm a stickler for realism and since I have the tendency to obsess/fuss over it (like a lot of things - it's just part of my personality), it can rob me of a lot of enjoyment in creating art. The whole idea of keeping a daily art journal for me was to do something different by doing quick of-the-moment sketches - either from life, photos, books, tutorials, memory or imagination - with subsequent watercolour washes afterwards. I find that the urban sketching style pushes me out of my comfort zone a bit and allows me to draw without feeling compelled to draw truly straight lines, keep completely to scale, or obsess about even tones/washes, etc. It keeps things pretty loose and informal. It's more of a practice for me, but I'm enjoying it.

My true style is more like the apple or the skeleton key I painted (a few posts back); that style is a lot more classic of watercolor, "fussy", more realistic, but it's also a lot less FUN! So, urban sketching is a way for me to rediscover how to actually have fun whilst painting and drawing again - it's almost like being a kid again! :)

Also, a lot of my interest lies in drawing/painting architecture and it is something I want to delve into more deeply. All of these sketches and paintings are a way of transitioning into that.

I've had some people and friends locally ask me if I would be willing to teach drawing/painting and my answer was no. Why? For one, I certainly don't feel qualified, and it's also just not in my personality. And to be honest, I think anyone who is truly determined, can learn how to draw or paint if they give it patience, time and a whole lot of practice (pretty much like anything else). I truly feel this applies to almost anything.

I love this quote by one of my favourite artists, Gordon McKenzie:

"You have always known how to compose pictures. You did it as a child and you never forgot. What you have lost is the memory and nerve to follow your instincts when making a picture. What you have temporarily forgotten is how to PLAY. What you grew instead was an ego that demanded protection from embarrassment at all costs. But it is time to take back command, responsibility and freedom for your compositions... because no one else will."

That really struck me. It's true, really. I mean, just look at the way kids create art - they just do it, without fear of failing, fear of not being 'good enough' or fear of a kick in the ol' self esteem. I'm trying to adopt that mindset, though it is difficult for me personally. So what if I "mess up" a drawing or paint something that ultimately could have been done better? Who am I measuring my work against? I should not be comparing! Ultimately, that's a learning experience for me and something to improve on later. And most importantly... there is something revitalizing about the joy of actually doing it in the first place. (Note to self to remind myself of this, ad infinitum!) I'm not creating masterpieces... I'm having fun, I'm "playing" so to speak, but I'm also learning a little bit along the way. I'm also really enjoying looking at things in a different light, for to paint/draw something is to look at it with different eyes. I'm finding that art is particularly an experience of doing - it's not all about the final result. I am striving to remind myself of that when it comes to my little daily sketches and muses.

Without plunging into the dramatic, I must say that I often feel like the inner child in me was lost along with my parents. But since I've started back with my painting and sketching and journaling again, I feel I have found that inner little Bev again.

Now, I'm not saying everyone will or should be interested in drawing or painting themselves, but to find something that inspires the inner childlike wonder, whether that applies to photography, doodling, colouring books, cooking, gardening, scrapbooking, card-making, writing, wood burning, carpentry, graphic design... basically anything creative. Macaroni art for that matter! Heh! Anything that inspires you, in your leisure. Don't let the adult in you be a bummer; don't let it guilt trip you into giving up something that gives you a little sliver of joy during your work day or regularly scheduled activities. Yes, the important things need to get done and they will. But a person needs a bit of recreation (in my case, time away from the computer) doing something that they truly love, something that "feeds the soul". My little art breaks are only an hour long at most during my hectic workday; yet I enjoy them to the max and they carry me for the entire day. A fellow painter compared such little 'creative breaks' to eating a chocolate bar. You make the time and savor it, even though it may not last long. It's a treat! Whether it's a few minutes before supper, in the morning before work, at lunch or just before bed.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share my mind meanderings about the experiences regarding my own personal little "art journey". It's been said that the only secret to doing anything well is to do it frequently, so even though I'm doing this for the enjoyment of it all - improvement would be a bonus!

I also want to thank you all so much for your very kind words and encouragement, friends. It is dear to me and motivates me to keep going and sharing something that brings me a lot of new-found joy!