Archives for September 2017

Almost every one of my friends all agree that keeping a sketchbook is a good idea and having a sketchbook has numerous merits. Many other non-sketching friends will say they would love to have a sketchbook but when asked “Why Not?” they say, “I can’t draw!”

Sketchbooks are not about being a good artist, they are about being a good thinker. Yes, some people do bring the practice of sketching to a higher level, but to me it’s been about visual brainstorming, recording places and objects that catch my attention. My sketchbook is my workbook. I do not care how good or bad I am, but rather enjoy that I am using my creativity with each stroke of the pencil. The point for me is to keep trying. I feel a really special satisfaction when I capture a likeness in my own drawings. I am delighted when my drawings lead to building skill in using values, perspective, inventing new color palettes, and observing interesting details. I feel a sense of wonder when I look at someone else’s artwork and see their drawing.

We have a happier, healthier life when we make space for things that we enjoy. The best part of keeping a sketchbook is that drawing is something that we can do in the company of others, promoting friendships and spending good times with friends. It is a way of being clear-headed, calm, working with our brains, and having fun all at the same time. I belong to a couple of urban sketching groups and have been forming a local sketchbook group in the area where we have a lake home. Check out “Alexandria Area Sketchers” on Facebook.

“Being Sketchy” creates all kinds of connections, inspiration, and can really drive people to have better lives. It’s motivating. It’s warming. It’s encouraging. Drawing’s a unique tool for communication because of this. Sometimes words don’t say enough.

Thanks for reading!

Every year I look forward to the Twin City Urban Sketchers gathering at the State Fair. This year lived up to everyone’s expectations with beautiful weather, sunny and mild temperatures.

The day begins with making sure that what ever I am carrying is light weight and manageable. I usually just take a couple of pencils, my micron pen, water brushes and travel paint set. Once at the fair,  it is a trick to finding the TC Urban Sketchers for greetings, mini-donuts, coffee and exchanging ideas as to where to begin the drawing. Marty suggests the Butterfly House and that seems like a great start.  It was going to be a long day of walking -the Butterfly House had benches.

From the Butterfly House I found another empty bench in front of a food vendor. (My lucky day!) I drew and painted a sketch of the “Sweet Shop.” There were few people on this street, the building had fun colors and patterns. I shared my bench with many fair-goers. Sketching also includes conversations with the people who are interested in what I am doing, the materials I am using, and just wanting to talk to someone while they are taking a break from their Fair experience. Meeting people through an open sketchbook on my lap is the best part of drawing in public.

Mid-day I decided I needed some food and time to just look at stuff out of curiosity rather than possibilities for drawing. I ran into some other sketchers and we exchanged our progress for drawing, where we had been and bid “see ya’ later at meet-up time.” Eventually I found myself going into the poultry barn. The hens and roosters were just being put into their pens so it was quite a ruckus. Why I wanted to sketch this hyper-moving roosters was a great question. But I stood and sketched and patiently waited for the birds to resume the position I was drawing. It took awhile of waiting and observing but worth the wait. One of the farmers stopped and said, “You know it might be easier if you took a photograph on your cell phone!” Again, people looking over my shoulder and enjoying what I was doing.

At the end of the day the sketching group returned to our meeting place and we shared our work and stories of the day. It was another experience for drawing in public. 365 days until the State Fair is once again open for drawing!