Well, here it is August.
My, my, my.
What does that remind me of?
I know! It's another #drawingAugust!
My, my, my.
What does that remind me of?
I know! It's another #drawingAugust!
A jar of corks without the jar, 2014
was it three years ago? four?...so I searched my own blog. (Very handy.)
It was 2014. Yikes! This will be my 6th year.
This post describes what Drawing August is about: fun and sharing and encouraging others and possibly even making artsy friends from around the world. Back in 2014 there was an actual sign-up list of participants. Each year the number has grown, and now a few people post reminders that August is coming up, and then it's just "try to do a drawing each day, and post a picture with the hashtag so everyone can see them all." In other words, an informal international event has become even more informal as it has grown larger - how often does that happen?
It was 2014. Yikes! This will be my 6th year.
This post describes what Drawing August is about: fun and sharing and encouraging others and possibly even making artsy friends from around the world. Back in 2014 there was an actual sign-up list of participants. Each year the number has grown, and now a few people post reminders that August is coming up, and then it's just "try to do a drawing each day, and post a picture with the hashtag so everyone can see them all." In other words, an informal international event has become even more informal as it has grown larger - how often does that happen?
by the millstream with Piper, 2015
Each year I have had Very Good Company on my outdoor sketching adventures.
at the pond with Piper, 2016 (in progress)
I hope the heat, humidity, and biting bugs will lighten up
so Piper and I can head out to the woods this month.
At the pond with Piper, 2016
For four years, my number of August drawings varied quite a bit.
I never made a full 31, and it didn't matter a bit.
It was still fun, and still interesting to see everyone else's work.
Missing the Sea, 2017
And then, January 2018 rolled around.
In a moment of optimism with no apparent foundation in reality,
I decided to attempt not one month of daily sketching,
but one year of daily markmaking.
Iris, 2018
And to my astonishment, I did it. And am still doing it. Today was day #578.
Here's a thing I'm going to say to anyone who feels even a tiny urge to do #drawingAugust 2019:
if you do 10 or 12 sketches in a month,
you are bound to to be pleased with at least a few of them.
Which is a lovely feeling!
Why not give it a go?
I never imagined that the time spent sketching something - anything - every day
would become a peaceful harbor for my mind and spirit.
But there it is.
Moxie, 2018
I sometimes wonder if I post too many daily markmakings here on the blog,
and if you are getting tired of them.
I hope you haven't.
I hope you won't.
Because just as I am thankful for Jean Stevens,
the wonderful printmaker who encouraged me to give it a go in 2014,
and for the camaraderie of twitter's #drawingAugust folk,
I am thankful for you, my blog readers, who have responded so kindly
through comments or emails or even mail with a stamp.
Thank you. So much.
~~~~~
Why on earth would I get tired of seeing beautiful drawings and feeling that moment of peace when I'm looking at them (and feeling your moments of peace when making them)? I only wish you had a drawing post for each day! no pressure :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, kayT - I love your description of feelings! :)
DeleteOh Lordy, I never get tired of your drawings. That one above, Missing the Sea, really calls me. The one you posted the other day of a vase of flowers, with the bergamot in it, loved that one too. Please keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue - very happy to hear that! :)
DeleteI've never understood how anyone can manage if they don't make art in some form every day, so I'm glad you're doing it. And making some good stuff too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz :) I think there are all sorts of ways to create...there's a particular pasture I admire the "maker" of every time I pass it because the fencing job is, to my eye, a work of art.
DeleteNice artwork. Piper in any photo makes me smile. Its almost like she can talk.
ReplyDeleteOutdoors...I'm surprised to see a notice on the news from the VT Governor Scott, to watch out for ticks. I didn't realize they are so small!
Thanks very much - I always appreciate your response to my sketches :) Yes, the deer tick "babies" are almost unbelievably tiny. I distinctly recall the first time I saw a deer tick. I was among a group of foresters staring at the tiny speck crawling up the hand of one.
DeleteI always enjoy your drawings. You do such nice work. From this bunch, I think the millstream is my favorite (but it's hard to choose just one).
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Sally - I always appreciate your comments :)
DeleteMost definitely NOT getting tired of seeing your mark marking! I envy you your talent with drawing/painting so I enjoy seeing all that you share with us. Not something I'm going to attempt however - my stick-to-it-iveness isn't up to snuff so I know I'd fall down on the job in short order (to say nothing about the fact that my 'drawings' wouldn't be the least bit recognizable!).
ReplyDeleteI am not joking when I say no one can be more surprised than I am when one of my sketches looks like the subject!
DeleteThis is my first visit to your blog and I really enjoyed your pretty drawings.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you, Amalia, and welcome to Comptonia! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment - I hope you will come back :)
DeleteFirst off, it's your blog and you can do whatever you want, no matter what others think. Secondly, the fact that you've continued to draw something, anything, every single day for 578 days is quite an accomplishment. We are all creative and artistic in our own ways. But sticking to a daily commitment isn't always easy. I seem to have real issues with any sort of schedule or routine. Just look at the infrequency of my blog posts even though I constantly tell myself I'm gonna be more dedicated. :) Nice to have your constant companion along for your drawing dates! :) Happy August!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tammy - I do subscribe to the "my blog, my house" philosophy, but I also wouldn't want to invite someone to my actual house and then make them look at *all* my sketches...they might not wish to visit again ;)
DeleteI love seeing your drawings. Moxie's eye is mesmerizing. And, I loved the historical tour. What a great August thing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, KB - I often see the cats at extremely close range, so that painting of Moxie is a pretty accurate portrait ;)
DeleteInteresting to see a timeline (of sorts) of your work. And I definitely don't think you post too many markmakings! It's your blog; it should reflect you! Posting it seems to help markmakers stay motivated. I visit another blog where she participates in "Scribble Picnics" and always posts her work. It makes an excellent record and it's fun to see the development. And I confess, your work tempts me to get out my own drawing book once again!
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I hope you will give it a go! And I think you are right about interacting and motivation, especially at the beginning.
DeleteGreat job on all your wonderful drawings!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Carmen! :)
DeleteHow have I missed these posts?! Your work is beautiful--and I am especially dazzled by the elegant simplicity of Missing the Sea.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jean! I am so glad you are posting your own watercolors on your blog now - I also find vegetables and fruit to be irresistible "models" :)
Delete