Background sounds and Inspiration

or there is a rooster in my ear

Today is one of those extra lovely sun filled days where I have walked early and finished all feedings of critters (including myself) in order to settle in to some drawing

Yesterday I managed to create a panel of cartoon/illustrations of my week so far :

It felt very satisfying to put pen to paper -as this personal series is really just for me.

I don’t have an editor-external or internal to guide me towards perfection .

It’s bit of a play by play of certain moments in my life and I take artistic license with how I portray myself (and the events haha). Although I also keep a written journal-this visual record is very satisfying as it never really captures the huge events of life-rather the day by day rhythms ..

Do you sometimes create just for yourself ?

I had been struggling with how to create inside when the weather is coaxing me to be outdoors. When the lawn needs a spring cleanup. The dogs are scratching at the door to go out-and then back in again (Over and over ) Cats are yowling -demanding more food -and roosters are kicking up a verbal storm outside.

It made me think about what kind of atmosphere do I require to create.

Ideally a separate studio with a door..access to water .. room to spread out..a window and my own radio playing .

Currently that’s not my set up and although this particular week I have the place to myself -I have almost all those things except a private space. As the only human here to cater I’m on call constantly ! I really don’t mind at all but it does take me away ..

Today the radio is off and the windows are open ..I hear birds singing..the wind in the trees ,the roosters and occasional grunt from Winston the pig. I offered him water earlier and he spilled it to make a cool mud bath)

Here is a taste of my background nature symphony…

If the radio happens to be on I listen to classical music or sometimes the BBC or Jazz .. but sometimes I like the silence . Or what stands in for silence in my world..

What do you like to listen to when you are making art?

I thought you might be interested in this post by artist Sarah Rhys if you are struggling to make something right about now..

How to cure or deal with Creative Block

One of her suggestions -”Try a new material” seemed to help today . I had just acquired a palette of Gouache paint that I was eager to try in my sketchbook. The little tubes I have been using dry up quickly and sometimes seem awkward to sort out prior to creating.. Looking at Winston and the starlings outside through my window provided the muse to get me started

The colours were completely inaccurate yet it was fun to work with my favourite hues in a different more experimental way . Sometimes the act of moving paint and colour around with a brush can be so satisfying!

Speaking of which ..I would like to leave you with this wonderful post and video crafted by the amazing Mrs Bertimus ..a watercolour meditation exercise ..

That Sunday Feeling...

That’s all for now.. This is a most lovely distraction but time to get back to the drawing board as soon it will be feeding time ! I will also have to refresh Winston’s water.

Cheers Heather