My journal always keeps me grounded, balanced is a trickier concept. I should be spending more time on adulting (creating a filing system, organizing bills, organizing the house), but I am so bad at it. In the past week I have been going out walking every day with two of my neighbors, a small dog they walk for 90-year old neighbor, Augie, and Stark. Not only is it nice to chat with them, I am pretty sure they know everyone in a 6 block radius. I have met lots of neighbors, as well as the best mechanic (who I jokingly told I hoped I would never see again).
I want to do the 100 day project, what day does it start? I have been thinking it and seeing inspiration all around.
I continue to be amazed by your portraits, they are so good. It is cool to see your boys grow up in the drawings. I am intrigued that one of them has sort of looked the same for a long time, and the other is very variable.
I am not sure grounded and balanced are that far apart? There are lots of things that you are defining as “adulting” that I’m not doing either, things I keep putting off and just can’t bring myself to do at the end of the day or week. Other than things that will “have” to get done (like taxes), I try not to worry about it too much. Maybe the rest of the world doesn’t do as much adulting as you think ;) I’m glad you have nice neighbors and have a new walking routine. That sounds good in lots of ways. — I hope you iron out your plan for a project. Fitting it into your sketchbook is a good approach and won’t make you feel like you are splitting energies. — As I mentioned in our call, I think it’s just that the series of years starts when the one was 15 and so the change maybe looks a bit more dramatic over the first few years. Thanks for commenting.
I've seen so many creative projects intended to capture the passage of time. A friend of mine displays the saved and dated trunk trimmings of every Christmas tree her family has ever had. Some people have photos or videos of themselves during pregnancy, annual shots of their kids, or self-portraits of themselves. I have none of those and wish I did, but I'm grateful to people like you who are dedicated to the daily practice of illustrating their days.
Your sons have matured nicely on the page. I'm glad you were able to keep the tradition going this year. Those legs with their Crocs!
Your friend’s tree trimming collection must be really amazing to behold. I agree, so many of us have such a longing to preserve time, document its passage, and enable looking back with some kind of anchor points. And many of us want that or consider it or wish for it and just never get there. I’m always amazed by people who have done something for a dozen years or twenty or more…. The forethought! The dedication! Life is chaotic and busy. We cull through and start and discard all kinds of habits. Thank you for answering the questions, too. I like seeing how these fall, and these are wonderful responses that show your focus and quest. Love that.
I love the idea of the tree trimming record!! The first year of Covid my dad cut rings off their tree and sanded them down and sent one to each of my siblings and me so we could still be around the same tree together. I keep it in my Christmas tree decoration box and it will be a treasure forever.
You have inspired me to think about a 100-Day Project, but I'm having a hard time keeping up doing a weekly Substack post, lol! I do have an idea, but I've got to remember: You can't do all the things, be all the things..." etc. etc. etc., no matter how cool they sound. You astound me with how much you are doing all week while still working. Jeesh! Still pondering, though.
I think some people just like the numbered format and the framework it brings for going deep with a project over three months. But weekly posts is apples and oranges :) IF you choose to do a 100 Day Project, it might be something that takes only a few minutes. It’s a long haul. I’ve found it has to be just the right type of project to work for me, and not every year is the right time either. As you rightly note, we can’t do everything!
This year I have been doing a composition notebook of “gentle journaling” and I’ve been watching Janet Nash on YT over and over - it was stumbling on her videos late last year that inspired this project. It’s about the only thing I’ve been able to do, and I’ve prob watched more videos than done actual pages. But it’s something to think about and poke at.
I am planning to do the 100 day project - blind contour drawings with a focus on portraits! I did a class last fall where this was one of the prompts and I loved it so much it has been in my head to do it for 100 days ever since. I plan to do a drawing with a sharpie and then add watercolor to finish it off. I too plan to use photos of strangers! Great tie in to your post.
Your blind contours project sounds like a great project, Lea. One of my favorite long projects was related to contours of people in motion. It’s actually a project I am really considering doing this year again for the 100. Seeing you explain your project was a wonderful surprise! I think it sounds great. I tend to do a few of whatever I’m considering in the days ahead, just to see how it feels, too.
I haven’t heard of Janet Nash, but I will check out the channel. I am always looking for someone good to have on in the background while I work.
I’m in a phase of life where I feel like I’m all over the place! Last weekend I finally made the time to work in my journal and also do a live online drawing session with my iPad. I lost track of time and felt so great afterwards! I always say I should do it more often, daily, even. Then I had to come this weekend to my parents’ home and help paint a bedroom and bathroom with my daughter. A “must do” at this exact time.
In high school my senior year we choose a specialty, and mine was portraits. We used magazine photos for reference pictures. I could draw a wonderful person, get the eyes looking real, but there was always something that was just a bit off. So I relate to your comment above! And it’s why I’ve kind of avoided drawing people in my real life— I know it won’t be quite right. But too—practice makes progress, and putting in the time will be of benefit. It’s the time, though, that is hard to come by. That’s why your Sunday morning drawing commitments are wonderful.
I’m glad to hear you found a live session and enjoyed it! I know it can be hard to find time though. Life can be complicated with timing and responsibilities. I love hearing about your portrait work. I totally agree that repetition builds skill, but I also think we stick with the things we enjoy most. We can’t be good at so many things if we practice, so we have the wonderful opportunity to pick and choose. If portraits call to you, you should start back up! (I draw with a group on Sunday, but I draw every day as part of my journal. If only I had such a good habit with other healthy things.)
I sometimes wonder if I will ever feel if my art is out of the wonky stage and worthy of being out and about. My family has made some comments lately that they’d like to see more of it, see me do artwork out of the confines of a journal. Idk it’s just never been a priority of mine to have it seen or displayed? Or if that is some fear I need to get over
Even wonky art can be displayed. Wonky is sometimes a part of a voice.
I think it's great that you have that support and interest from your family. If you are interested in working on more pieces for display, you should! (I know you've done some.) I work the way I do because the process and habit of doing it is what matters to me. In other words, my focus on a journal isn't a way of hiding. It's just what I prefer. But I can see that the reason might be different for each person. Definitely something to consider - along with some confidence boosting. Your work is great -- and I'm surprised if you have any worries about showing it. Think about those recipes.... and how well-received they were. (Maybe I'm mis-remembering?)
I advocate just making the marks, moving into the not knowing .... and sometimes in that process the knowing arrives (or maybe the ability to look back at the bit of trail and see the pattern).
I think sometimes the things we start/do/continue without fully understanding why end up being especially meaningful. It's okay to not know the end point at the outset. It may be that there really isn't even an end point. Are you going to do a 100 days of something...?
That sounds good! I think I’ve said all my things in all those years, lol. It’s all out there. I’m glad you heard something that still had meaning. Seeds are good. Marks are good. I think some marks are always better than no marks. Back to your main hand?
It is so interesting hearing about your interaction with the people you draw in your weekly spreads, the people you don’t know, but they still make some connection in your life through the inclusion of them in your daily drawing…and figuring out what they might say. I usually draw people I don’t know, I seem to prefer that for some reason. (This week I drew a couple unsuspecting Sktchy app people and turned them into water spirits because that happened to be on my mind from a podcast sleep story I listened to in a groggy state in the middle of the night...) But I also see the importance and specialness of drawing people you know and care about. I drew my kids a lot more when they were young, when I carried around a pocket sketchbook and scribbled down drawings in the spare moments I found. I am really glad I have those now.
I think your portraits are always beautiful and interesting, with a way of captivating the viewer as they look out from your pages. It makes me wonder “What would they say? What thoughts are behind those eyes?”
By the way, I think you are already a great portrait artist and I always love seeing your portraits. ☺️
Like you, I mostly draw people I don’t know. I think that’s really comfortable, removing the pressure. But I love that your portraits are fodder for your imagination. That’s such a beautiful process and such a wonderful thing to not be tied to what you see.
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Thanks so much, Debbie, for seeing.
My word is gambol...
My journal always keeps me grounded, balanced is a trickier concept. I should be spending more time on adulting (creating a filing system, organizing bills, organizing the house), but I am so bad at it. In the past week I have been going out walking every day with two of my neighbors, a small dog they walk for 90-year old neighbor, Augie, and Stark. Not only is it nice to chat with them, I am pretty sure they know everyone in a 6 block radius. I have met lots of neighbors, as well as the best mechanic (who I jokingly told I hoped I would never see again).
I want to do the 100 day project, what day does it start? I have been thinking it and seeing inspiration all around.
I continue to be amazed by your portraits, they are so good. It is cool to see your boys grow up in the drawings. I am intrigued that one of them has sort of looked the same for a long time, and the other is very variable.
I am not sure grounded and balanced are that far apart? There are lots of things that you are defining as “adulting” that I’m not doing either, things I keep putting off and just can’t bring myself to do at the end of the day or week. Other than things that will “have” to get done (like taxes), I try not to worry about it too much. Maybe the rest of the world doesn’t do as much adulting as you think ;) I’m glad you have nice neighbors and have a new walking routine. That sounds good in lots of ways. — I hope you iron out your plan for a project. Fitting it into your sketchbook is a good approach and won’t make you feel like you are splitting energies. — As I mentioned in our call, I think it’s just that the series of years starts when the one was 15 and so the change maybe looks a bit more dramatic over the first few years. Thanks for commenting.
I've seen so many creative projects intended to capture the passage of time. A friend of mine displays the saved and dated trunk trimmings of every Christmas tree her family has ever had. Some people have photos or videos of themselves during pregnancy, annual shots of their kids, or self-portraits of themselves. I have none of those and wish I did, but I'm grateful to people like you who are dedicated to the daily practice of illustrating their days.
Your sons have matured nicely on the page. I'm glad you were able to keep the tradition going this year. Those legs with their Crocs!
A favorite word of positivity.
Possibility
What project is keeping you balanced these days?
A commitment to curiosity
What should you be making more time for?
Movement and sleep
How are you making new connections in your world?
Intentional efforts to notice and share
Will you be starting a 100 Day Project next week?
I love the idea, but probably not. 🥰
Your friend’s tree trimming collection must be really amazing to behold. I agree, so many of us have such a longing to preserve time, document its passage, and enable looking back with some kind of anchor points. And many of us want that or consider it or wish for it and just never get there. I’m always amazed by people who have done something for a dozen years or twenty or more…. The forethought! The dedication! Life is chaotic and busy. We cull through and start and discard all kinds of habits. Thank you for answering the questions, too. I like seeing how these fall, and these are wonderful responses that show your focus and quest. Love that.
🥰
I love the idea of the tree trimming record!! The first year of Covid my dad cut rings off their tree and sanded them down and sent one to each of my siblings and me so we could still be around the same tree together. I keep it in my Christmas tree decoration box and it will be a treasure forever.
What a wonderful idea he had, Lea! Thanks for sharing.
You have inspired me to think about a 100-Day Project, but I'm having a hard time keeping up doing a weekly Substack post, lol! I do have an idea, but I've got to remember: You can't do all the things, be all the things..." etc. etc. etc., no matter how cool they sound. You astound me with how much you are doing all week while still working. Jeesh! Still pondering, though.
I think some people just like the numbered format and the framework it brings for going deep with a project over three months. But weekly posts is apples and oranges :) IF you choose to do a 100 Day Project, it might be something that takes only a few minutes. It’s a long haul. I’ve found it has to be just the right type of project to work for me, and not every year is the right time either. As you rightly note, we can’t do everything!
This year I have been doing a composition notebook of “gentle journaling” and I’ve been watching Janet Nash on YT over and over - it was stumbling on her videos late last year that inspired this project. It’s about the only thing I’ve been able to do, and I’ve prob watched more videos than done actual pages. But it’s something to think about and poke at.
I am planning to do the 100 day project - blind contour drawings with a focus on portraits! I did a class last fall where this was one of the prompts and I loved it so much it has been in my head to do it for 100 days ever since. I plan to do a drawing with a sharpie and then add watercolor to finish it off. I too plan to use photos of strangers! Great tie in to your post.
Your blind contours project sounds like a great project, Lea. One of my favorite long projects was related to contours of people in motion. It’s actually a project I am really considering doing this year again for the 100. Seeing you explain your project was a wonderful surprise! I think it sounds great. I tend to do a few of whatever I’m considering in the days ahead, just to see how it feels, too.
I haven’t heard of Janet Nash, but I will check out the channel. I am always looking for someone good to have on in the background while I work.
I’m in a phase of life where I feel like I’m all over the place! Last weekend I finally made the time to work in my journal and also do a live online drawing session with my iPad. I lost track of time and felt so great afterwards! I always say I should do it more often, daily, even. Then I had to come this weekend to my parents’ home and help paint a bedroom and bathroom with my daughter. A “must do” at this exact time.
In high school my senior year we choose a specialty, and mine was portraits. We used magazine photos for reference pictures. I could draw a wonderful person, get the eyes looking real, but there was always something that was just a bit off. So I relate to your comment above! And it’s why I’ve kind of avoided drawing people in my real life— I know it won’t be quite right. But too—practice makes progress, and putting in the time will be of benefit. It’s the time, though, that is hard to come by. That’s why your Sunday morning drawing commitments are wonderful.
I’m glad to hear you found a live session and enjoyed it! I know it can be hard to find time though. Life can be complicated with timing and responsibilities. I love hearing about your portrait work. I totally agree that repetition builds skill, but I also think we stick with the things we enjoy most. We can’t be good at so many things if we practice, so we have the wonderful opportunity to pick and choose. If portraits call to you, you should start back up! (I draw with a group on Sunday, but I draw every day as part of my journal. If only I had such a good habit with other healthy things.)
Wonderful project!
Thank you!
I sometimes wonder if I will ever feel if my art is out of the wonky stage and worthy of being out and about. My family has made some comments lately that they’d like to see more of it, see me do artwork out of the confines of a journal. Idk it’s just never been a priority of mine to have it seen or displayed? Or if that is some fear I need to get over
Even wonky art can be displayed. Wonky is sometimes a part of a voice.
I think it's great that you have that support and interest from your family. If you are interested in working on more pieces for display, you should! (I know you've done some.) I work the way I do because the process and habit of doing it is what matters to me. In other words, my focus on a journal isn't a way of hiding. It's just what I prefer. But I can see that the reason might be different for each person. Definitely something to consider - along with some confidence boosting. Your work is great -- and I'm surprised if you have any worries about showing it. Think about those recipes.... and how well-received they were. (Maybe I'm mis-remembering?)
I’ve always thought I was too old to start again. Even when I was laughably young. Even as I got up over and over and over again.
It’s different now. I can pick up the thread, but can’t decide on the metaphor (as I hold the remains in my hand): charred or rotten?
I think I need to stop thinking and just make marks on a page.
Thanks for doing that week after week (the mark-making part not the not-thinking part). And for the peek behind your portraiture.
I advocate just making the marks, moving into the not knowing .... and sometimes in that process the knowing arrives (or maybe the ability to look back at the bit of trail and see the pattern).
I think sometimes the things we start/do/continue without fully understanding why end up being especially meaningful. It's okay to not know the end point at the outset. It may be that there really isn't even an end point. Are you going to do a 100 days of something...?
I wasn’t even considering it. And yet.
Seed planted. Listened to some old CMP on 100s. Got inspired. Got antsy. Got stuck. Finally made some marks. Woot!
That sounds good! I think I’ve said all my things in all those years, lol. It’s all out there. I’m glad you heard something that still had meaning. Seeds are good. Marks are good. I think some marks are always better than no marks. Back to your main hand?
It is so interesting hearing about your interaction with the people you draw in your weekly spreads, the people you don’t know, but they still make some connection in your life through the inclusion of them in your daily drawing…and figuring out what they might say. I usually draw people I don’t know, I seem to prefer that for some reason. (This week I drew a couple unsuspecting Sktchy app people and turned them into water spirits because that happened to be on my mind from a podcast sleep story I listened to in a groggy state in the middle of the night...) But I also see the importance and specialness of drawing people you know and care about. I drew my kids a lot more when they were young, when I carried around a pocket sketchbook and scribbled down drawings in the spare moments I found. I am really glad I have those now.
I think your portraits are always beautiful and interesting, with a way of captivating the viewer as they look out from your pages. It makes me wonder “What would they say? What thoughts are behind those eyes?”
By the way, I think you are already a great portrait artist and I always love seeing your portraits. ☺️
Like you, I mostly draw people I don’t know. I think that’s really comfortable, removing the pressure. But I love that your portraits are fodder for your imagination. That’s such a beautiful process and such a wonderful thing to not be tied to what you see.