The simple choices we make

..From tattoos, sketching in smoke, making oatmeal from scratch, neatly trimmed gardens (not)

The other day amidst the wildfire smoky sky and hazy sun I joined some fellow artists for a sketching session outdoors. I didn’t wear a mask,bug spray -but did think to apply sunscreen. It was a lovely garden setting-wild ..scattered forget me knots and wildflowers and grasses growing how they liked. My allergies are out of control this year so I paid a price later with the smoky air and pollen overload assaulting my nose etc..But it was all worth it.! It was a tonic. Worth the choices to be outside and paint with others while nature just flaunted it’s bounty.

Sometimes I need that nudge to get out and do something in a natural setting to remind me of how incredible it is. For me the sketch group is that nudge. I live in a rural setting but even my natural view is not enough to beckon me with paints outdoors at times. I require that new burst of imagery-another location to rattle my familiar. The company of other artists is an extra nice bonus.

a sketcher from our group…

The other thing that impressed me was the wildness and utter natural flow of this artist’s property . It reminded me why I do not like to do precision edging around my gardens or pull weeds..

a lovely bike adorning a tree in sketcher’s backyard

This year has been a rebellion of sorts..a war against neatness and order in my outdoor world! Ha!

When we moved from a town setting to the country I was surprised at how many of our neighbours still groomed their lawns and fussed with shrubs etc to resemble a golf course despite the freedom to let nature encroach ..We felt the need to fall into an initial pattern of keeping the whole 2 acres mowed and then my partner started to make interesting pathways rather than aggressive and time consuming grass cutting. (He noticed all the wee creatures jumping aside and that helped change his perspective also.) Sloppy happy edges rule!

poppies and pig

The other thing I have noticed lately as paying attention to my body and it’s needs. returning to rituals that take a bit more time and effort. For years I made oatmeal on the stove the big flake kind that takes a bit of time .. After a run of quick throw in the bowl commercial muesli -I have returned to my morning love . I dress it up a bit with chopped dates,sunflower seeds, chia seeds and coconut ..and it delivers! I am far more ready to take on the day -and for the little time it took me my stomach and body have been quite satiated .

I love coffee too and the jolt it delivers-but over caffeinating myself results in bodily meltdown.

Why does this all matter? Well energy and intent to create and appreciate the day is what I seek ..and when I feel lacking due to not paying attention to my nutrition..my movement then my body informs me that I don’t have the fuel to appreciate my time.

Oatmeal and less lawn manicuring provide me with time and energy to appreciate other things..like drawing..making art !

Speaking of art .-I was happily ensconced in a drawing ,painting frenzy this past weekend! Thanks to

Studio Notes from Cathy Cullis

and her invitation to fill an entire sketchbook it was a most pleasurable and gratifying experience! I kept my sketchbook small in size a handmade book-about 15 double side pages which I felt was achievable in two days.. I stayed with theme of “clotheslines” and used my personal photos from Scotland as my reference for backgrounds.. I painted and collaged in the figures separately..I painted in gouache and used a china marker pencil for quick initial sketching.. The best part is I did not judge myself..or worry about it being pretty . I did it for the challenge.. and me! Cathy’s mantra was “Playfulness over perfection”

Another revelation was that I had plenty of time to take breaks ,get things done and still return to the sketchbook. It was an intentional choice!

Finally and as for tattoos ..I got my first tattoo at 50 so there was no coercion, ex boyfriend’s names or peer pressure involved ..Also I knew as an even older person I would have no regrets and it was a choice ;-)

Yours in art

Heather