Friday, January 01, 2010



One should, perhaps, be a bit introspective on the first day of a new year and a new decade. And also on the event of finishing the last page of the sketchbook.

Last year, I decided to focus more on drawing. I made the painful admission that a good drawing is the basis of a good painting, and that in order to be a better painter, I needed to be better at drawing. So my goal was to draw, and to pay attention to the object and really "see" it, to practice drawing until I could see some improvement. I think I succeeded in becoming better. I certainly feel more confident in my drawing skill.s

But my first love has always been watercolors. I want to be able to dash off quick, expressive sketches that reflect the way I see my life and the things around me. I want to chronicle the weird and wonderful beauty in this world.

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be on a cruise in the Caribbean and wanted to take photos that I could paint from when I got home. This odd lonely palm tree was growing in a field of wild sugar cane on the island of St Kitts. I took the photo from the Scenic railroad car that traveled around the island. The narrator was talking about a hurricane that had hit the island ten years before, and I wondered if maybe this palm tree sustained a bit of an injury in that hurricane that caused its quirkky bent trunk.

This is my goal for this next year, as I open the new sketchbook. I want to do more sketches like this one - quick vignettes of life, and not get bogged down in the details. Celebrate the everyday wonder and beauty - live it, draw it, paint it, love it.

10 comments:

Ann said...

I LOVE the way you painted this! Especially those palm fronds (is that the right word?) Wonderful goals too!

Shirley said...

Great goal Lynn - I too think that drawing is the best way to practice really "seeing." I look forward to following you on your journey for another year. EDM friends are the best!

Patty Ruthe said...

Enjoyed your post! Great tree, love the crook! Stick to your goals, they're wonderful!

Sarah said...

I do believe drawing is the basis of everything - it teaches so much (and I never stop learning). Thanks for sharing your goals - I look forward to seeing more of your journey.

Unknown said...

I've recently decided to focus more on my drawing skills too. I'm missing color a bit though! This is a wonderful watercolor sketch and I like your goals!

Aurileide Alves said...

Cordelia, reading your text made me feel hopefull. Last year I begun to draw only in August. Then, two months of excitement and commitment with it, but then the daily life, the hurry, the other things made me be far from my lovely hobby. Well, hope this very new year be good to me and to my sketches. Being here was a great thing to restart. Thank you!

Dee said...

Lynn, thanks for posting this inspirational message. I, too, am trying to build my foundational skills and I know that it's a journey that begins with one stroke. Love what you've done and glad you enjoyed your trip!

Timaree said...

I love that crooked trunk! That's the sort of thing I like to record. Very nice.

EWian said...

It is fun to follow your drawing and painting journey.

EWian

Lois0607 said...

live it, draw it, love it, paint it - - - I LOVE this. Can I borrow that phrase? I will give you credit for sure. :-)