Tags
artists, creativity, drawing, poetry, sketching, writing, writing goals, writing process, writing retreat
A sketch, story, and poetry from the retreat.
Around the beginning of the summer I shared a re-cap of a writing and artist retreat that I co-hosted. Having an environment that offered opportunity to sketch and draw prompted a new interest for me. Since then I wanted to spend some time getting into drawing, but I never found myself making the time to get to an art supplies store. When I was in your traditional large retailer (one I loathe going to), I couldn’t find the type of drawing tools I expected. Then, Barbara (of WildesArt who I co-hosted the retreat with) suggested that I just order drawing supplies from Amazon.
Duh! #lightbulbmoment
Fortunately, my new supplies arrived on a Saturday morning–one when my love was out of town–so I spent most of the day following self-guided exercises in a drawing book that I bought during my staycation.
Since then I’ve been drawing nearly every day. I’ve started a new morning routine that involves writing and/or sketching while I have breakfast on the porch. It’s a nice cool down after my workout, and I don’t feel guilty about missing time for my own writing when I spend the day writing for others.
Plus, drawing has opened up different ideas for poems and stories. At some point I’d like to illustrate my own book – but not anytime soon!
Practicing details.
Through serendipity, blogger Erica Wall of Rubber Ducky Copywriter had a post last week about how she uses five-minute free writing and sketching to birth new ideas. I’m not alone in straddling this writing/drawing borderline!
Love this new creative outlet for you! And thanks for the mention!!! 😊
This is really great, TL!!!!!!
Hey, do you find Chatham Arts Council to be at all responsive?
Also, have you ever looked into MFA programs? Thoughts? I’m considering…although I may opt for a creativity coach cert.
Hope all is well, now that you’re back in the swing of things!
B
Barbara Hengstenberg WildesArt Pittsboro, NC
WildesArt@gmail.com http://www.WildesArt.com
Art from the HeArt
>
Responsive in what way? I’ll email you. Yes, I’ve researched MFA programs from time-to-time and have always decided against one. I’m not a fan of ‘you must do X and Y within Z time’ to get ABC degree. If I can do X and Y in 1/2 of Z time, why not? Thus, why I did everything I could to finish high school and college early!
You’ve got skills! I particularly like the sketch of the General Store. Very cozy. Feels like I could walk in and buy some chocolate milk.
(Also: Thanks for the link to my post. Very kind of you. I’m glad you liked it.)
Thanks! It’s a sketch of a little birdhouse on our porch. There are two others: a fire department and a mystery one (sign faded in the weather). I may sketch those next!
So, in an attempt to reset my WordPress password, my comment got deleted. Oh well. Basically, it said: It’s a great idea, and I really want to learn how to draw. I only passed art classes because teachers weren’t allowed to fail us. Seriously, I’m that bad: stick figures and grossly disproportionate stuff.
I remember seeing a book on Drawing for Dummies. I need that! 🙂
Aw, don’t you hate resetting passwords? I often forget my WP one. Yes – check out a book on drawing from your library. Or, even more immediate, check out YouTube. I watched a handful of YouTube videos on transitioning, using charcoal, etc. (I’m currently sticking with pencils–charcoal is too much of a mess for my needs!) I’m following the drawing book I bought step-by-step. I’m currently just sketching found objects. Next will be fruit, and then glass. Eventually the book advances to buildings and people. Yikes!
I’m so excited for you, Tara Lynne! I’d be lost without being able to change up the manner in which I create… writing, drawing, painting, making jewelry or other things. It’s ALL creative expression and it’s all GOOD! There’s a REALLY fun month-long daily creativity challenge starting THIS Saturday that you might love called Creative Sprint. Folks all over the world will be participating and sharing their creativity (If they WANT to) online. A creative prompt/challenge is sent out each day and then the possibilities are limitless! So much fun responding to the prompt and seeing how others respond so uniquely. You can sign up for free here: http://www.creativesprint.co It’s really a LOT of fun! ENJOY!
Thanks, Caren! WOW, you have so many creative outlets!! The Creative Sprint event sounds fantastic–and I love that it’s right before NaNoWriMo, probably a good warm-up for novelists. I haven’t had much success with daily prompt-based writing. Funny – I plan to share a poem at your next open mic about another poet’s strong opinion (read: dislike) of daily prompts. 🙂
Oh Tara! I can hardly wait to hear your poem! I’m only recently coming to embrace prompts… mostly because I’ve FINALLY given myself permission to just go WHEREVER the prompt leads me… which is usually to a place that has virtually NOTHING to do with the prompt! That’s one of the things I really like about prompts. Randomness. I don’t see a prompt as a seed. I see it as a HANDFUL of wildflower seeds scattered on a breeze. Any one of those seeds might take root and blossom into something amazing and surprising if I water it a bit. Or not. Either way, I love the MAYBEness of the process. Nancy Peacock’s FREE Prompt Writing gathering every 2nd Saturday at Flyleaf Books is a TREAT. The energy in that room is amazing and she ONLY asks the folks who indicate that they WANT to share what they’ve written to share. LOTS of flowers blooming during those sessions! Some weeds too, but ya know, sometimes you just have to go through the weeds to get to the flowers!
Pingback: Writing and Illustration | Write Naked
This is such a great way to spread out your creative juices! I paint with watercolor so I don’t have to take myself too seriously haha!
Fantastic! It’s such a great balance to have with writing. I feel like it rests that side of my brain. Don’t you feel ready to tackle writing after your watercolor sessions? I haven’t done much painting but I just started a project with acrylics. (Literally, just started. I ordered paint yesterday and it should arrive tomorrow.) I also signed up for painting and printmaking classes that take place this June. 🙂
Yes yes yes! It’s great for both ends- resting my brain and warming it up! haha and that’s awesome! I need to sign up for classes… And printmaking classes?! That sounds like so much fun!!! Good luck to you 😀