Mother Nature didn't get the e-mail
When I woke up at 7 this morning and cranked up the blinds, I felt a wave of regret. The sun seemed to be shining along the horizon and the clouds overhead were definitely breaking up and being whisked Eastward by a strong wind. I vowed to keep an eye on the view and, if it conditions continued to improve, I would carry on with the planned, then aborted SketchCrawl. When I walked Joe at 8:30, all indicators pointed to 'go' so I threw on a couple of layers, picked up my folding stool and drawing bag and, at 9, I was standing under the Washington Square Arch. By this point, not a single cloud was left and the sky was completely, achingly blue. I sat in the park and did a bad drawing, hoping against hope that some one might not have read my cancellation memo and would show up but, no, I was alone. I headed up Fifth then east and up University Place, stopping to draw along the way.
For all those who missed today's Sketchcrawl because of my misplaced climactic anxiety, don't be mad. It was not a terribly pleasant experience. The wind kept blowing and my hands were soon frozen. I also couldn't get comfortable with my materials. I have been working recently in a Chinese accordioned book with too-absorbent paper which sucks the ink out of my PITT pens in blobs. I switched to my watercolor book and used too small a Rapidoliner which scratched and bumped on the page and made me draw in far too persnickety a fashion. I'm making excuses, of course. I haven't been drawing nearly enough over the past month and I am cramped and out of practice. When I have been drawing, it's primarily from photos. This often happens to me when I am indoors too much and it's a drag that I am already in this shape in mid-October with a long shut-in winter ahead.
The only answer, of course, is to shut up and keep drawing. Which I shall now do.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Hey Danny...
Both of those drawings look great! I detect a Searle-meets-21st-century-NY vibe here!
Have fun...
Paul
Posted by: Paul V | October 23, 2005 03:02 PM
Love the beemer :)
Also - fingerless gloves - just the job for cold hand dexterity.
E
Posted by: Elaine | October 23, 2005 05:54 PM
Danny...It certainly wasn't nice enough here for me to go even had I been feeling great. Hopefully, you will reschedule for next weekend? In your comments here, you've answered a question I was wondering about...how often you draw. Why did I think it was, like, every half hour or so? ha ha
Posted by: Rita Cleary | October 23, 2005 09:00 PM
*Just a fly-by commenter who found you while surfing 'artsy' sites on the web.*
It's all relative! Your bad day puts a good day of mine to shame. I love what you did with the cathedral!
I like your writings and illustrations; I've added your book, Everyday Matters, to my TBR list; and I am contemplating getting one of your mother's calendars. I'd say you're the flavor of the month and I might just have to pimp you.
:-)
Posted by: Robbie | October 24, 2005 12:54 AM
Despite your lack of practice over the past month, these drawings are very fluid and beautifully detailed. Thanks for sharing them.
Posted by: Amy | October 24, 2005 01:58 AM
As I recall having paid attention for quite awhile now, you started drawing indoors. Go back to your first love and draw your house plants and the stuff in your kitchen and closet and porch and whatever. I prefer getting out and drawing on site but there are phases when it just doesn't happen, so I draw stuff inside. Your drawings look good even though you're your worst critic. Don't be so hard on yourself...
Posted by: m kozak | October 24, 2005 04:31 AM
Such bracing honesty! That's part of why I visit!I'm planning an outdoor crawl in NOVEMBER in the Windy City! I'm sure no one will come. I won't find fingerless gloves in time. No one will want to do this again ect ect ect. But the really important thing is that you drew. And I will to no matter what! It's the siblinghood of mad drawers! Long live the line.
Posted by: lindsay | October 24, 2005 01:34 PM
very cool illustrations.
But, does this mean you are not going to crawl this coming weekend? I had panned to come along.
:(
Posted by: Leeza | October 24, 2005 04:33 PM
Leeza:
No, I'm planning that we'll crawl, probably on Saturday
Your pal,
Danny.
Posted by: danny | October 24, 2005 05:03 PM
Well, of course, I'd foget I'm having the chimenys cleaned on Saturday - DOH! which means, I can't make it. Drat! Have a great day and perhaps next time. However, I will secretly hope you do something on Sunday instead.
Posted by: Leeza | October 25, 2005 07:17 PM
nice sketches Danny ... certainly gonna bring my fingerless gloves in December ... and we'll duck into as many cafes, museums, galleries and shops as possible ...
X)
e
Posted by: enrico | October 27, 2005 05:40 PM