Self talk

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Self talk

Currently, I’m not working on a project or taking a class and I’m not participating in #The100DayProject that just started again this year. And what that means is that without some direction every day I get to wake up and ask myself, ‘what will I make today? 

I use the word “get to” intentionally. It’s something Jill Badonsky recommends as a way to reset inner dialogue. Because let’s face it: it is a privilege to create. A privilege for one who does not have to put all their resources into survival. And a privilege granted by our own Selves—those of us who prioritize and value our own creativity. 

So I get to create. And I do make it a priority in my life to create every day. And saying so reminds me of that.

Because otherwise? Not knowing what to make next scares the bejeezus out of me. Artist or not, it’s more than a little scary

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How to live in the world with a little more grace

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How to live in the world with a little more grace

Without looking up the definition, I would say that grace is a noun that names a quality of being—and like other abstract ideas such as love or kindness or confusion, that quality is of being, a verb.

So the way I see it, to give grace is to first see the possibility of what is good, beautiful and true in others or ourselves (or any living being), and then to reflect it, magnify it, bring it into the world. Another word for that is creativity.

And usually involves humor.

You might be wondering at this point what in the heck I’m talking about! Well, this week Seth Godin shared the work of a person who just blew me away, honestly, so much so that I had to capture him in my sketchbook. His name is Ben Zanders, renowned Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and I’d like to share with you what was shared with me—

First, his TED Talk is not to be missed! Seriously, watch it right now! You won’t be sorry:

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How I'm creating a sketchbook habit that sticks

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How I'm creating a sketchbook habit that sticks

As I explained last week I had a shift in how I look at my sketchbook practice, and I promised to share how I’m now creating a sketchbook habit. And while I’m at it, I thought I’d share a few sketchbook pages from the last year.

First, I can’t emphasize enough

I had doubts about why I was spending time in a sketchbook, but now I get it. Making a list of all the benefits made me realize…well, I feel the need to repeat this list here:

  • The PLEASURE of pen or brush on the page

  • The lovely feeling of being fully PRESENT

  • The surprise when DISCOVERING new line, shape, texture…

  • Really SEEING while drawing from life

  • The absolute fun of INVENTING while drawing from imagination

  • The satisfaction of LEARNING craft

  • CONNECTING with Self—responses, challenges, emotions, voice

  • EXPRESSING my Self

  • BUILDING SKILL over time

  • The unexpected JOY in any of the above.

These are all the reasons I need for working in my sketchbook every day.

What is there to doubt?

Hah—let me count the ways

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Rethinking the sketchbook habit

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Rethinking the sketchbook habit

“routine behavior repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously”

“An acquired behavior pattern followed until it has become almost involuntary”

“Something you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing you are doing it.”

—Dictionary definitions of “habit”:

If we want to make art and we want to get better at it, we’re told to build a daily sketchbook habit. Now, I do create almost every day in some way, and I do keep a sketchbook, but is it a habit?

Definitely not.

I sketchbook in bursts. When I’m inspired. When I have ideas about what I want to sketch. Otherwise, I do something else.

This strategy of course is not a habit, and if I’m honest I’m just not satisfied with my sketchbook practice. It lacks consistency and pages often feel random. I struggle with finding something to draw every day—and while I love art projects, I often wrestle with self doubt when it comes to my sketchbook. (Why am I doing this? What’s the point?) And bottom line, I just don’t work in my sketchbook enough.

I’m not embracing its place in my art practice.

So I had a rethink.

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