Random Acts of "Kindness"

Posts tagged ‘sketching’

MAGICAL

Our oldest daughter challenged the family to spend five minutes each day drawing. She discovered an APP that provides a new subject for a drawing each day. Slowly the members of my family have signed up to play.

I probably helped when I shared a tidbit from Woman’s World that reported from the journal Neurology that woman who create art stimulate their brain cells, making them 79% less likely to develop degenerative brain disease such as dementia. Since my father had Alzheimer’s disease, keeping my brain active is very important to me. I’m already experiencing some forgetfulness. Words like to hide when I want to use them.

When I signed up, I didn’t know I would need a user name. Brain froze, couldn’t think of anything interesting or creative. Evidently as with this Blog, it was something I was supposed to do. Name was accepted.

I didn’t know that I could paint until I was in my 40’s. The campground provided an opportunity to paint — bring your body, they would provide instruction and supplies. I DID, I was so impressed by my painting, I was hooked. For years I put oil paint on canvas, exploring the world. I ran out of wall space, and my husband developed breathing problems. I stopped.

My family has been pestering me to start painting again. I’m trying acrylics which doesn’t leave an odor. It dries quickly. I have not finished many paintings. Subjects have been hiding. My imagination is asleep. I WAS NEVER GOOD AT DRAWING! A group in the country gets together to paint, but it has been raining and we have been in the city.

New challenge. I have looked at sketches submitted by my children and grandchildren and am impressed. Of course, my ability to sketch might improve if I practice. My daughters have reminded me that they have been practicing for YEARS.

Today’s theme was Magical. Magic to me is a baby. I tried to sketch a child — definitely nothing to write home about. I decided to submit it anyway. After I did, I received an award for my first sketch. I couldn’t pick out the subject. It was just a rectangle of color. I chose the colors I liked the best. I was surprised when the image surfaced of a black cat.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

ARTISTS DAY

It was an absolutely beautiful summer/fall day. Lovely sunshine but too cool for swimming. Jackets not necessary — too cool for swimsuits. My younger grandchildren where at the camper.They needed something to do!

Luckily this summer I added to our collection of portable tables. Easy to put up, and put away. They provided a table or desk for each artist. I’m sure it was in the planning — but not necessarily by me. I found a sketch pad and colored pencils. Then I found a second sketch pad and watercolor/colored pencils. One for my grandson — one for his sister. Then I found another sketch pad and sketching pencils for me.

At first I had planned to embellish the canvas that was made from a photo of my ghost ship. The original is in shades of blue, the copy is indigo. When I added a couple of different colors, I realized that changing the painting would ruin it — not improve it. The color of the painting reflected the time of the tornado — best left alone.

Next project — paint my serenity garden. But how? I tried to draw the flowers in two perspectives: landscape and portrait. I have canvas, paints and easels. Normally I don’t put much time into planning. This time I thought it might be helpful. I think I decided to do the painting in portrait. I haven’t decided on the placement of the flowers. I haven’t decided if I would add the bird bath or one of the statues. Of course I haven’t opened the paints yet either. But I decided that I would use the thicker acrylic paint in the tubes. Progress!

I told my grandson that I had paint and brushes available but he preferred to draw in pencil. So did my granddaughter. And so did I. I liked their drawings. I didn’t like mine. I need more practice in drawing. I had planned to practice during the summer which is why I had the sketch books. I picked up another sketch book when I was at our daughter’s house. I didn’t take the time to sketch there either. But the supplies allowed us to have a sketch book apiece instead of just a sheet of paper. I have decided to leave the sketch books and pencils at the camper. That means I will have to pick up another sketch book for home.

When we pack up to close during the fall — if I’m going to paint at home, I’ll have to bring the paints and brushes home.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Tag Cloud