“Whatever your choice of creative pursuit, go to it, it is later than you think.” Wise words. Why do we feel guilty about it though? People often suggest it should be turned into a side hustle, as though it’s only worth doing if you can monetise it,which rather misses the point. Since finding your inspirational posts, I haven’t tried sketching outdoors (one day maybe) but I definitely look more closely as I walk.
I do hope you do try drawing outdoors. Taking a little pocket sketchbook and a pencil is all it needs to take notice - you really do see things differently!
I don't know why we feel guilty and wish we didn't. Any creative activity is enriching and makes us feel more alive, so it should be celebrated. I do think many women in particular feel pulled by other demands and doing something for ourselves can be very hard. I am certainly trying hard to let it go!
I love your sketches, and this is such an inspirational read as always. I too I think was steered away from art in favour of science, because I could do both. I remember a cover-teacher setting us still-life drawing one lesson, and handing all our attempts in, one by one, at his desk on the way out - just in the corner of my eye I saw him pull mine out from the stack to look at properly, and I felt so uplifted - but in the end science won. I feel guilt at taking time to pursue anything creative because although I do sell a few pieces, I would earn more stacking shelves! But at the same time I know I have to create, so will hold Mary Oliver's words once again in my head. Thank you for sharing such practical, helpful details about what materials you use too, much appreciated.
Isn't it extraordinary how such small moments have such a lifelong impact? I wonder why we feel guilt still at pursuing creative work? I always feel a twinge of guilt and know this is a very common response, especially in women. I don't know where it stems from, but know I always feel I should be busy, which I am slowly realising is vastly overrated!
For me it is all tied up with the fact that I'm not contributing financially to our funds, even though we made the choice many years ago that I would stay at home with our boys. Although I'm always trying to work in as professional a way as I can, I feel it can be seen still as a hobby, because I was not able to study 'properly'. The problems are in my head! I just need to get on with it all. Perhaps at 60 I'll hit 'fearless' - I do hope so!
Yes, that is a significant reason and it does add a huge pressure. I remember reading, after I had taken the plunge, that Elizabeth Gilbert, in "Big Magic" , stresses the importance of not making your creativity choice your main income because of the pressure it adds. I can see the sense in that, but knew if I continued teaching part time that it would expand to fill the week. As this is the 'big' year, I hope to be fearless too!
Great post, thank you. ‘It is later than you think’ is quite sobering isn’t it? A quote we should perhaps keep close toour hearts as a reminder to just ‘do the thing’ 💕
It is! It is not a very comfortable thought, but perhaps a little reminder of the preciousness of time is no bad thing. I am so glad you liked it and thank you very much for your message.
Beautiful drawings. I have always found it hard to get into a flow of drawing outside and tend to do it in fits and burst. But every time I have it has been an experience as you described: beautuful, peaceful and connected. This has inspired me to get out more.
Plus I have to add Caran d'Ache's water soluble pencils to the list of musts. I've akways used them since art class as a teenager and they have never let me down. They blend and layer wonderfully.
I haven't tried Derwent though and I will now! More is more :)
Thank you very much for your heartening message, I am so pleased you liked it. It isn't always easy to carve out time to do it, but when you do it it is so rewarding. I also think it is really valuable drawing in the same area consistently as it is easier to settle to it being in a familiar, comfortable place.
By lovely coincidence I ordered a couple of Caran D'ache to try yesterday! This constant damp weather makes paint so hard to dry and I thought these would be a good alternative. Thank you!
That's so true, I never thought to try drawing the same scene repeatedly but it's a lovely way to also capture the different seasons! I'll definitely try it, thank you!
Oh wonderful, would love to hear what you think of them!
Thank you very much, I am so pleased you liked it. I had a wonderful Collie called Polly and a terrier called Brodie take a very keen interest today - they were so joyful!
I think you may have just convinced me to make the daily sketch walk a regular thing. :) Lovely post, much needed as I dread yet another dreary day on Canada's wet coast. Thank you.
That is marvellous! I love the way drawing switches off other concerns and takes us to another place. I always feel refreshed not matter what the outcome and hope you do too.
Such a lovely insight into your thought process and the way you work and your sketches are beautiful. There are so many similarities to being out with the camera. I feel so connected to the landscape when I am out taking images and I notice so much that I probably wouldn't otherwise. I guess the art of observation and the connection that comes with it is the same for both disciplines. 🙂
Thank you very much for your lovely message. I am sure it does. Both disciplines make you more alert to your environment and the changes within it and because I now walk, before settling to drawing, I think that helps cement the connection too.
Thank you for reading it and I am so glad you found it helpful. The Ian Simpson book is the best, I think, because his experience is so evident in his writing and his choice of interviews is fascinating too. I do hope you get out there!
“Whatever your choice of creative pursuit, go to it, it is later than you think.” Wise words. Why do we feel guilty about it though? People often suggest it should be turned into a side hustle, as though it’s only worth doing if you can monetise it,which rather misses the point. Since finding your inspirational posts, I haven’t tried sketching outdoors (one day maybe) but I definitely look more closely as I walk.
I do hope you do try drawing outdoors. Taking a little pocket sketchbook and a pencil is all it needs to take notice - you really do see things differently!
I don't know why we feel guilty and wish we didn't. Any creative activity is enriching and makes us feel more alive, so it should be celebrated. I do think many women in particular feel pulled by other demands and doing something for ourselves can be very hard. I am certainly trying hard to let it go!
I love your sketches, and this is such an inspirational read as always. I too I think was steered away from art in favour of science, because I could do both. I remember a cover-teacher setting us still-life drawing one lesson, and handing all our attempts in, one by one, at his desk on the way out - just in the corner of my eye I saw him pull mine out from the stack to look at properly, and I felt so uplifted - but in the end science won. I feel guilt at taking time to pursue anything creative because although I do sell a few pieces, I would earn more stacking shelves! But at the same time I know I have to create, so will hold Mary Oliver's words once again in my head. Thank you for sharing such practical, helpful details about what materials you use too, much appreciated.
Isn't it extraordinary how such small moments have such a lifelong impact? I wonder why we feel guilt still at pursuing creative work? I always feel a twinge of guilt and know this is a very common response, especially in women. I don't know where it stems from, but know I always feel I should be busy, which I am slowly realising is vastly overrated!
For me it is all tied up with the fact that I'm not contributing financially to our funds, even though we made the choice many years ago that I would stay at home with our boys. Although I'm always trying to work in as professional a way as I can, I feel it can be seen still as a hobby, because I was not able to study 'properly'. The problems are in my head! I just need to get on with it all. Perhaps at 60 I'll hit 'fearless' - I do hope so!
Yes, that is a significant reason and it does add a huge pressure. I remember reading, after I had taken the plunge, that Elizabeth Gilbert, in "Big Magic" , stresses the importance of not making your creativity choice your main income because of the pressure it adds. I can see the sense in that, but knew if I continued teaching part time that it would expand to fill the week. As this is the 'big' year, I hope to be fearless too!
I have 'Big Magic' reserved on my library app! Here's to being fearless!
Great post, thank you. ‘It is later than you think’ is quite sobering isn’t it? A quote we should perhaps keep close toour hearts as a reminder to just ‘do the thing’ 💕
It is! It is not a very comfortable thought, but perhaps a little reminder of the preciousness of time is no bad thing. I am so glad you liked it and thank you very much for your message.
Beautiful drawings. I have always found it hard to get into a flow of drawing outside and tend to do it in fits and burst. But every time I have it has been an experience as you described: beautuful, peaceful and connected. This has inspired me to get out more.
Plus I have to add Caran d'Ache's water soluble pencils to the list of musts. I've akways used them since art class as a teenager and they have never let me down. They blend and layer wonderfully.
I haven't tried Derwent though and I will now! More is more :)
Thank you very much for your heartening message, I am so pleased you liked it. It isn't always easy to carve out time to do it, but when you do it it is so rewarding. I also think it is really valuable drawing in the same area consistently as it is easier to settle to it being in a familiar, comfortable place.
By lovely coincidence I ordered a couple of Caran D'ache to try yesterday! This constant damp weather makes paint so hard to dry and I thought these would be a good alternative. Thank you!
That's so true, I never thought to try drawing the same scene repeatedly but it's a lovely way to also capture the different seasons! I'll definitely try it, thank you!
Oh wonderful, would love to hear what you think of them!
Good luck and I will!
Thank you, this is so inspiring. I loved the Mary Oliver passage too.
I am so glad you liked it, thank you. The Mary Oliver quote just jumped off the page - very serendipitous!
What a brilliant post of beautiful art, charming dog stories, and helpful tips and sharing of materials.
Thank you very much, I am so pleased you liked it. I had a wonderful Collie called Polly and a terrier called Brodie take a very keen interest today - they were so joyful!
I think you may have just convinced me to make the daily sketch walk a regular thing. :) Lovely post, much needed as I dread yet another dreary day on Canada's wet coast. Thank you.
That is marvellous! I love the way drawing switches off other concerns and takes us to another place. I always feel refreshed not matter what the outcome and hope you do too.
Such a lovely insight into your thought process and the way you work and your sketches are beautiful. There are so many similarities to being out with the camera. I feel so connected to the landscape when I am out taking images and I notice so much that I probably wouldn't otherwise. I guess the art of observation and the connection that comes with it is the same for both disciplines. 🙂
Thank you very much for your lovely message. I am sure it does. Both disciplines make you more alert to your environment and the changes within it and because I now walk, before settling to drawing, I think that helps cement the connection too.
Inspiring - thanks for sharing this, Deborah. 🌿
Your sketches are so beautiful and your story is so inspiring! I'm glad you found fulfillment in the end. Looks like it was worth it.
Thank you very much for reading it and am so pleased you liked it!
Brilliant inspiration just what I needed. Very thoughtful guidance and the book recommendations look interesting too.
Thank you for reading it and I am so glad you found it helpful. The Ian Simpson book is the best, I think, because his experience is so evident in his writing and his choice of interviews is fascinating too. I do hope you get out there!