just pencil this week for the portraits. we each chose a vintage photo.
i had my camera on some strange setting that gave everything an overly gold cast. just photoshop everything whiter and cleaner in your mind.
i've had a surprising number of emails inquiring about SKETCHWARS. It's simple really. my sister and I decided to do 2 portrait sketches per week. we each select a photo we find in our stash OR we go online and find something. we send each other our found photo. we sketch both. we post what we drew. thaz it.
i like this fish sauce label. it's pink!
i got a wild hair up my arse this week and decided i couldn't go one more day with a messy storage closet.
so i pulled everything out. got rid of 1/3 of everything i had crammed inside. if something with potential was hanging out waiting to turn into something else i got rid of it. after awhile too much potential crap is just crap. and in a 648 sq. foot cottage that means it has a limited shelf life. now i have room in the closet for my paper cutter & sewing machine and a few other things that were cluttering up my art room. this makes me v.v. happy.
this all started because i needed that top shelf for photo albums that i moved out of the living room bookcases. the books are strewn across my living room and during american idol or the taste or girls i rearrange/categorize/sort/ them.
Mary Ann, The pleasure you feel in your freedom shows in all your artwork. It makes me smile just to see the freedom and joy that it shows, because I know that it is coming from deep inside you. I am smiling now, just thinking about it. All your work dances and flutters and beams. I am so happy for you.
You’re getting better and better! I love the “glow” from the photos. Well done on the closet too.
Question: Do you use your maps from the National Geographic folio? I might when I get a little better at making my books. Finished my ‘Remains of the Day’. First one, a little uneven, but I am proud of it. 😀
Have a great weekend! xx, Julie
Two lasts. Heh. I’m nutty.
Okay, so first I watched “Tiny Furniture” last night with Lena Dunham and now I’m completely interested and fascinated by her. Can’t watch “Girls” though, no tv (long story). Next, you’ve inspired me to do my own sketch wars with myself…I got a book of portrait photography out of the library and sketch them when I have time (not much – 11 month old baby, looking to buy a house, in the middle of hearing back about a grueling job interview, etc, etc.) I like using a book cause it gets me off the net-of-inter. And last, Ah. The Purge. So inspiring. And last…your portraits are so lovely!
Doesn’t it feel good? I love going through all the stuff about once a year and purging, giving away, clearing the decks! Added bonus – I always find something i forgot I had. And yes, I agree with Susan, it would be a kick to see a floorplan.
Erin in Morro Bay
I’ve always been curious about your 648 sq feet (sketch THAT). I have enjoyed the inviting vignettes over the years but I must have limited imagination because I can’t put them together. During one of your drawing moments, would you consider making (and posting) an approximate floor plan/map, with labels describing what is where, etc and how you use this little space so well. You have a shed/mini garage somewhere in back (?) I remember colorful door I think. Or that was a dream…
your sketching is really good Mary Ann! I can’t sketch worth a crap really, so I really enjoy seeing these. Whatever you made with that fish sauce was probably really good. Way to go on the closet. I need to do that. Maybe on school break in April….
have a fantastic weekend. xo
I love to de-clutter and organize. It always inspires me and gets me excited to complete art projects.
He he, whenever I organize chaos and step back, I feel just like a virgin…not been messed with. Your sketches are becoming more interesting. I think you understand the nose now. Such a difficult body part to sketch. My sketched noses all look like an 18 wheeler ran over them and thus are desperately in need of reconstructive surgery. So vicariously enjoying your sabbitacal while I toil through massive amounts of work. Ah, at least I get to come home to beautiful pictures and words.
TTFN Violet
648 sq. ft. of pure joy inside and the exterior is even more joyus!
oh…to have a lovely barrel of paper
sigh…
Your sketches are fetching Mary Ann, as always and then once I’ve seen yours, I can’t wait to run over to Carol’s to see what she’s drawn. So much fun. AWESOME JOB on the closet redo. It always feels good to have a fresh start. I had to smile when you mentioned the photo albums being the start off the organizing frenzy, never fails if I move something to someplace else, even just a stack of books or drawer of something, it starts a chain reaction, dominoes cascading and what begins with a few things always ends with lots of stuff I no longer want, will use or need and of course there is always the ‘stuff’ that I ask myself the age old question ‘what was I thinking?” Anyway, it looks wonderful.
hmmm. I’ve been off work the last week and my project was ombre stairs (as seen on apartment therapy). I have 3 days left and cleaning out stuff might be just the ticket for those remaining days…thanks for the inspiration!
LOVE the pink lines in your sketches. I think the gold hue makes for a lovely atmosphere. I’m such a fan of periodic de-cluttering. And I’m going to adopt your ‘potential crap becomes just crap’ line, i think it’s brilliant!!
CLOSETS hold alot of GOODIES….
holly
you’ve just given me hope….my new place has 700 square feet give or take. i am wondering how all of my stuff (especially art stuff) will ever fit! i pick up the keys tomorrow and the truck delivers boxes and furniture on monday. i can’t wait to get started making art again!!
i think your drawings are getting much stronger. keep up the good work!
love the sketches. i really need to take some drawing classes. i wish i could purge. i am a total pack rat.
Good clean up! The skethes are again fab. The first one makes me think of Rudolf Valentino. Regarding the yellow glow in your photographs, it might be the white balance that needs to be adjusted. If you are not sure about that one, put it on automatic. Nikon is pretty good on their automatic white balance setting!
Your sketches are really good! I can’t do people, but I’m good at sketching everything else. I saw the article on you in “Art Journaling” today – very nice! It’s always great fun to see your journals. You will go to sleep with a smile on your face tonight, knowing your closet is all neat and orderly. Nothing like a good purge and organize to make one’s day!
Love your sketches, motivates me to try it (almost). Closet looks good, love hearing about your walks and sabbatical days. Keep relaxing and enjoying life.