Drawing in the margins …

A fluid, true to the moment, outlet to chronicle my journey to rediscover and focus on my creative and artistic passions.

[theartfulsheck]

It's a slow, gray day here at the office. Glad I brought some school work! A #wip (take 2) for Illu701. #illustration #gradschool #art #orchid #coloredpencils

[theartfulsheck]

My studio assistant insisted he join me while I worked today. It's hard work keeping tabs on mommy... #gradlife #art #cats #sleepyjack

[theartfulsheck]

#pastel #wip coming along nicely! Can't wait to add the finishing touches—will be entered into the spring #muddycreekartists show! #art #artshow #newwork

[theartfulsheck]

One of my fave pics from the aftermath of last week's storm. Another Snowy January sunrise over the Bay. #winterstormjonas #chesapeake #itsamazingoutthere

[theartfulsheck]

Took a break from all the reading and research to watch the ridiculousness that is "The Big Lebowski." I also got a little sketching in ... Most are just doodles, but this one of The Dude came out surprisingly well! #sketch #art #pencil #thebiglebowski #thedudeabides

[theartfulsheck]

Had fun creating these #holiday ornaments for the #MCAG #scholarship fundraiser tree. #GiftsfromtheArts #artshow opens tomorrow!

[theartfulsheck]

Of Wideness and Wonder

“I have used these things to say what is to me the wideness and wonder of the world.”—Georgia O’Keeffe

As an artist who dabbles in writing, with a particular interest in children’s literature, it’s no surprise when I’m found picking up a stack full of books from the children’s and young adult sections of the library. Sometimes, that’s all I end up checking out for the day! But the way I see it, you never really know where inspiration might strike.

In this case it was especially true. I picked up a copy of Wideness and Wonder: The Life of Georgia O’Keeffe by children’s biography writer Susan Goldman Rubin. I’d known a bit about O’Keeffe’s life and work, and as part of an ongoing project of mine, I’d wanted to know a bit more. What really struck me was this quote, found at the very beginning of the book (and of course captured in the title) which spoke­ to me—not only of what was to come in the pages that followed, but what we, as artists do so unconsciously. To “see” things, to “see” the world in all of its fascinating splendor—from big majestic mountains, the to intricate color patterns found in an autumn leaf—and interpreting our impressions and feelings of these sights for others to experience.

After finishing the book (which didn’t take long—it is meant for children after all) I found myself really looking at the world around me. In the backyard, a mottled leaf, having fallen to the ground, with a pattern not unlike army camouflage; struck by the beauty in a pattern found in the leaves of a plant, riddled with holes where bugs had been chewing on it; the bark peeling off of a dogwood tree; the shifting shades of gray mixed with pink in the clouds over the Chesapeake Bay.

There’s so much beauty in the world that so often goes unnoticed, especially in our regular day-to-day lives. We’re busy rushing from one place to another most days, with hardly a thought to what we’re missing out on. And sometimes, in the midst of the “busy” I wonder if we’re kind of missing the point.

I encourage you to stop, even just for a moment, to take a look at the world around you. I know that can be hard to do amidst schoolwork, business, kids activities, etc. But just take a “you” moment—study something beyond what you’d typically “see.” Instead of seeing a “flower,” notice the varying shades and hues that make up the color in a petal; the symmetry; the asymmetry. Notice how the sun’s rays peek through the clouds casting oddly shaped shadows and light; how a child’s laughter brightens a moment; gaze at stars and dream. Whatever you do, take a moment to experience the wideness and wonder of the world with your own eyes. You never know what you’ll find to inspire you.

Wideness and Wonder: The Life of Georgia O’Keeffe by Susan Goldman Rubin Chronicle Books, April 6, 2011 978-0811869836 Ages 9–12 years

[theartfulsheck]

I know ... several posts back I’d mentioned trying to make regular entries here. Yeah - that kind of fell to the sidelines. But I’m still hopeful and will try to make a go of it. Here’s one reason why:

From deep dark places … to the birth of the #initiativeproject

A few years ago, I found myself sick and tired of being stuck in a rut—wishing and dreaming about doing something different with my life, but not taking any steps to get there. I was just going through the motions of the “daily grind” and watching time pass me by. One night I was particularly low when “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi came up in my iTunes shuffle. It kind of hit home:

“It’s my life   It’s now or never   I ain’t gonna live forever   I just want to live while I’m alive …”

I knew I needed to do something. But what? And how? In an attempt to give my life a bit of a jump start, I started the #initiativeproject. Each birthday, I would list out one item per year of life that I would focus on and work to achieve in the coming year. Items ranged from the really specific, such as patch and repaint bedroom, to broader goals, such as try a new medium.

So I began the #initiative project on my 33rd birthday, which was a good trial run, though more than half of the list didn’t get touched. The fact that any goals were achieved was a big deal though and provided the needed momentum to push forward.

The #34initiative was a much better run. Even though there were still several items I did not manage to complete, really big ticket items, such as 25.) Explore some place brand new, 34.) Participate in an art show, and 7.) Research Illustration MFA programs for the #35initiative, were accomplished and began to lead to other things.

Now, the #35initiative (which started in May) is off to such a great start. Many items have already been checked off, while others are in progress. With the encouragement of actual progress and other friends and family interested in what the project was all about, I decided to share the thoughts behind my #initiativeproject as well as some of the highlights from this year’s list in the hopes of encouraging others to take the time to DO WHAT YOU LOVE. It’s your life—it’s now or never. No one else will do it for you.

“It has to start somewhere  It has to start sometime  What better place than here?  What better time than now?”  —“Guerilla Radio,” Rage Against the Machine

__________________

Highlights from the #35initiative: 35 THINGS TO DO/ACCOMPLISH IN MY 35th YEAR

• Get organized • Exercise regularly (#keepmypromise) • Explore 6 different mediums you don’t normally work in (watercolor, linocut, acrylic, screenprint, oil, clay, etc.) • Complete 3 Lynda/Aquent classes during the summer • Complete large gift blanket (or two) • 2015 Personal X’mas cards • Visit 6 different art shows/museums • Sketchbook Project 2016 • Fix/replace closet doors • Clean up attic boxes • Begin working on A Sword of Endurn again … (novel) • Digital photo album (scan, organize, archive) • Positive quotables project • Explore/visit a new place • Keep up with friends and family often • Participate in an art show • “Observe” Sketchbook project • Original illustration cards (doodles or other original work) • Illustrate a classic story (cover or interior) • Take time for extreme self-care (“You” breaks) • Keep up with social media accounts

[theartfulsheck]

Day 5 Challenge: Refinement - working on the same drawing throughout a day, tweaking and pulling it into a very finished piece. I had a lot of fun with this one, as I worked on it during Shark Week. :)

[theartfulsheck]

A few more pieces from the 21-Day Drawing Challenge. Day 2 Challenge: Continuous Line - harder than it looks! Day 3 Challenge: Draw What You See - had a lot of fun with this one. Used to do a similar exercise during less-than-thrilling classes. Would let the pencil roam at random, without looking at the page, then go back and see what the shapes inspired. Day 4 Challenge: Draw Your Hand (in 4 different styles) - it was kind of fun to play around with different approaches.

[theartfulsheck]

I’ve been meaning to post for a while now … Making my way through the 21-Day Drawing Challenge with Von Glitschka over on lynda.com. Here’s the Day 1 Challenge: Draw a Cat.

[theartfulsheck]

Unbeknownst to me, I was destined to do epic battle with a frame from my senior show. Three cuts, two requiring band-aids to quell the bleeding, and a torn pastel painting later it literally pains me to say it won. #artisttroublez #framesaresharp #whatwasithinking (and yes, that would be masking tape attempting to keep the band-aid on my heel) #artisticimprov

[lohrien]

Illustrations by Monika Filipina

[theartfulsheck]

Love these! #art #illustration #cats

[theartfulsheck]

Yep, breakin' out the #coloredpencils again. Finally going to finish this #illustration! #art #NewWork #drawing #freelance

[theartfulsheck]

Never got around to posting this the other day ... #WeekAlone and the #milestoneproject were a success. SO much coloring ...! 😆 #art #illustration #coloredpencils #drawing #bookmaking #gift

[theartfulsheck]

Today's adventures so far have included a tour of the Smithsonian's Office of Exhibits Central, the "Artists at Work" (works by the SI staff), and "The Divine Comedy exhibit at the African Art museum. Such a fun day!

[theartfulsheck]

Lovely #greens and veggies from the Greenstreet farmers market for my week's stay in Lusby. #yum #local #WeekAlone