Return to Sketching

Had to pick up kids today, remembered to bring my sketchbook along. Just like the good old days!

I had some spare time today so I went through all my paperwork and planned out the coming weeks in my day timer. What struck me afterwards was how busy I've been with creative endeavors without actually having created much stuff lately. It's that time of the year where you plan out things for the coming months, meet with people and work on proposals but studio time doesn't happen in the quantity it does at other times of the year. That is the funny thing about being an artist. There is a some truth to the idea of feast or famine. You can be busy all the time but the paychecks and studio time wax and wane with the seasons.. 

After looking at my hours spent doing business the past month or so, I wondered why I didn't feel creatively pent up or jumpy. I find I need a regular release of painting, making or learning in order to not get cranky. I feel good. Then it hit me - I've been back into my sketchbook a lot lately. 

These small hits of creativity used to sustain me those busy years when my kids were small and I had a job outside the home. I remember carrying my sketchbook in my car and as I waited for kids to be done school or sports, I would draw. Then I stopped living in my vehicle as my kids got older and started being more independent. The sketching dried up. 

Recently, I've found that my little escape from working at home all day is to go out to a coffee shop, dream and draw. Sometimes from life, sometimes just imaginary stuff. Taking the time to be risky because, after all, it is only paper (it can be hard for me to push boundaries, paper makes that easier). Then the Glenbow Museum sketching trip with the girls last week was another big reawakening. Now I'm excited because this weekend, a dear friend of mine (who is a brilliant sketcher) invited me to join her group for a drawing trip in Calgary. These moments of art and adventure puts wind in my sails for sketching again!