water droplets started falling out of the sky an hour ago. the sky, people! and landing on the ground.
here’s something that didn’t fall out of the sky. this sketch.
as you can see i’ve clearly become Really Good at drawing people.
and capturing their exact likeness.
approximately every 200 sketches i make a sketch that is startling in it’s nuanced complexity.
riveting in its photographic likeness. but that’s only once every 200 times.
anymore than that would lead to overexcitement and an inflated sense of my accomplishments as an artist and person.
yeah. i’m showing every single page.
it’s so fun to travel with people who like to play in their books at night.
the 3 of us made a good team. i think we’ll need to go somewhere else together.
hey! are you watching HOME FIRES or INDIAN SUMMERS? wow. so good!
as if that weren’t enough, i just got an email that season 3 of Last Tango in Halifax is ready for watching at netflix. now that it’s getting dark at practically 5 p.m., television watching season has officially begun. you heard it here first.
do chime in if i’ve missed something of critical import.
thanks for sharing all your sketches…they are delightful!
Mary Ann, you’re too funny! Personally I think people are the hardest to draw!!! Partly because they move, but it’s just hard to get a likeness! I’m like you, every 100 or so I get luck and it actually looks kind of like the person it’s supposed to! 🙂
Enjoying your sketchbooks. Oh love those shows. And the Great British Baking Show and What Phil is Eating. Get prepared to want to eat a lot lol. New season of Doc Martin on Acorn also excellent.
Yippedy doo dah… I adore LTiH and now I have two new visual feasts to gorge on. I have just finished submitting all the final work for my art degree and having been on episode starvation for months, I feel I have earned a huge watching binge. Your drawings and watercolours are just stunning… so free and full of character! Maybe one day MAM will make the trip to little ol bottom of the world New Zealand…
Love your sketches, even the chair and the not one in 200 that have a photographic likeness. But isn’t that what sketching really is about? And thanks for the info about season 3 of last Tango in Halifax. I’m on it now!
Lovely and such fun to look through. Thanks again for sharing. Home Fires is getting interesting isn’t it. And in the new year we get to delve back into the world of Downton Abbey.
I can’t follow you anymore; you’re flying way too high!!! the (apparent) ease at which you set down people, scenery, touristic sights…ouf!
If I could do only half….but even following your course I doubt if I’ll ever get the knack of it…..
I think you covered it all great girl reporter. You have so much energy it is amazzzzzing. I’m going out to sketch right now.
Mary Ann –
Love your blog – your journal making, sketches, sense of humor, travels, and your book and entertainment recommendations. I’m really enjoying the 2 tv show you mentioned. Did you also watch “Poldark” on PBS on earlier this year? If not, I’m betting it will be repeated next year before season 2 begins. It is based on a series of 12 wonderful books by Winston Graham – weeks worth of fantastic adventure, history, drama, romance and interesting characters.
I read you everyday and often look back through your travel journals for inspiration. Looking forward to your next adventure. Brenda
C’mon, you’ve got those Aztec birds down! If one or three flew out of your sketchbook and landed on my windowsill, I’d say, “Come right in and have some lunch. We’ll talk about our friend Mary Ann!” P.S., I also love Carmen Miranda with her abundant headpiece.
I can’t decide if I love your art or humor more. Your blog entries always delight me!
Oh Mary, you just blow me away with these sketchbook entries. Last week I signed up for your Sketchbookery class and I am OBSESSED!!! You have given me the freedom to just put down color and sketches and let the pen, not pencil, flow as it will. It amazes me how much more even my worst attempts look like “art” when using black, thick ink instead of a pencil, hahaha. Yesterday I spent the majority of the day, from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 at night, in my “studio” sketching, painting and collaging in my sketchbooks. I felt so rejuvenated afterwards and though I have actual work I need to accomplish today, I can’t wait to get back at it. Thank you for your encouraging words, your honesty and humor about your own work and for making the rest of us feel like we can create “art” too. Your students in school are lucky to have such a brilliant teacher to ignite their fire for art.
Sending love to the West from the East.
xxoo
Yet another exhilarating ride through your pages! I’m with Linda, two pairs of glasses on at the same time and a crick in the neck to capture every detail. Thank you for sharing, and how marvellous to have like-minded friends to play with. Recommended from UK TV when they arrive on your shores: Unforgotten and River, both crime dramas and both starring the mesmerising Nicola Walker from Last Tango. Do not read any reviews about River beforehand: it will spoil the surprise in the first episode!
❤️?
Minus ?
Oh my wonderful esp love Syd Ns Mary ,your paint sketches have evolved , there are times when we need to blow our own trumpets Miss Mary Ann and you chose the right time woooooohooooooo
Wonderful drawings. I love turning my head, adjusting my glasses and trying to decipher what you’ve written. Indian Summers is the best. Only problem I have is that it is so beautiful, I lose track of the story line while gawking at the colors, the clothes and the buildings.
i love all of you sketches *so much*!!!
xoxo