Here and now
One of the pleasures of carrying round a little journal is being less precious about my drawing. Insteads of sitting down in a studio with all of the materials at hand, I can just whip out my book and fill the moment with whatever's happening right then.
There's no such thing as wasted time when you can draw. Instead of waiting for the waiter to take our order, I can draw the salt and pepper shakers while I chat with Patti and Jack. I was trying to explain the complexity of my extended family to my boy and so, rather than just draw it on the place-mat and leave it behind, I have a permanent record of our little chat.
This pen is quite obscene, of course. I saw it in a catalog. I will hold off buying it until I can find an appropriate sketchbook; something with vellum pages hand bound in some sort of horribly endangered species' skin.
I drew the bank on a drawing jaunt with my pal, Tom Kane. We walked too far to find something interesting to draw and I felt a little cramped and off-kilter when I drew it. More and more I am liking spontaneous, solitary drawing, rather than anything formal or planned.
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
What is it about drawings like this that makes them feel so nourishing? I drew a bottle of Murphy's Oil Soap and showed it to my eight-year-old pal Emory, and she and her mom just squealed with delight, like I'd done something akin to magic.
And that's how these pages feel. Like something magic happened. Really makes ya wonder...
Posted by: Mary Ann | November 29, 2006 02:38 PM
Love those great drawings Danny...always a pleasure. The color??? What are you using these days? Is is gouache?? It looks a bit opaque.
Thanks, Carole JOY
Posted by: Carole Joy | November 29, 2006 09:19 PM
Now I know what to get you for Christmas!
Posted by: Donavan | November 29, 2006 11:45 PM
Danny- I know you refer to your approach to these as being less 'precious' than studio drawing, but I see these as precious in another sense. The biography captured in the family tree and the salt shakers is priceless. Your entries are always a joy!
Posted by: Virginia Wieringa | November 30, 2006 07:59 AM
Danny, the pen is to due for!!! Youre journey seems like a good one just love the buildings just like all that stuff on them. More:) Thanks for another tour.
Linda
Posted by: Linda | November 30, 2006 08:55 AM
Hey Danny,
I really like your work. I carry around a small sketchbook constantly and so there are no wasted moments.
I've got a question though. With the watercolors you're doing over your ink drawings, how do you manage water?
Posted by: Kevin | November 30, 2006 12:38 PM
I really like your idea about how time spent drawing is never time wasted. It's amazing, now that I've started drawing with increased frequency, how I have began to REALLY appreciate those breaks in time that I would have felt were wasted before...such as waiting for a friend who is running late, down time at my job, etc.
Posted by: Suzanne | November 30, 2006 06:55 PM
Time spent drawing is never wasted. A fitting saying for a t-shirt, at least!
As a lawyer, I have a lot of down time, sitting in courts, representing my client during his deposition. Those especially, can take hours. I am known in the office for the drawing I do in the in the margins. I just can't sit there for hours without keeping my hand and mind occupied.
Interestingly, when I look back and review my notes, the margin doodles spark the memory more than the actual notes.
Posted by: Loretta | December 1, 2006 06:37 PM