Left: journal sketch of a Boston Terrier for a painting series I am working on. Page size 6.5 inches square. Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and gouache. Click on the image for an enlargement.
Today is Emma’s death day (you would expect a student of Victorian Lit. to hold such memorials). The change in seasons is always more difficult without the girls venturing forth with me each day, discovering the changes as they accumulate into a seasonal reality. When you train dogs to track something marvelous happens. Their noses become an extension of your own sense. Their observations become additional information for your brain. Together you speak the language of wonder with a vocabulary of discovery. It’s seamless, immediate, and more than a little thrilling.
How can you be sad when you were given such a gift?
Go celebrate dogs today by finding one to draw!
thinking of you today, roz.
Posted by: Ricë | March 10, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Thanks Ricë, I'm having a darn good day. A long talk with a friend who was going to disown me because I wouldn't call her (sound familiar?) but I finally have a new battery and could talk for a bit; had a great meeting; and we're having one of those slushy spring days that was always fun to go out in with the girls so it all seems pretty good!
Posted by: Roz | March 10, 2009 at 02:56 PM
OK Roz. You must have written your comment before the snow and wind started. Interested in hearing more about the painting series.
Posted by: Mary Olson | March 10, 2009 at 09:20 PM
Mary, I was right in the middle of rather lovely weather. It threatened, but then passed by. According to the weather maps and channel all the bad stuff (and it got really bad in places of MN today) passed north of me!
I think the new dog series is going to be pretty fun! I've fallen in love with Boston Terriers! (I can see Emma shaking her head and sighing in relief that she doesn't have to train it!)
Posted by: Roz | March 10, 2009 at 10:06 PM
A wonderful post, indeed. I started sketching in pen because of you, Roz. I even like my efforts, which helps me want to do more. I think it goes in stages, I convince myself I have forgotten how to draw, or draw with life models or do quick sketches. The story lines in my head are sorta funny! You don't forget this stuff, you get rusty! I, me.
Posted by: Melly | July 29, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Melly, it is always heartwarming to hear that I've had an effect on someone, in a positive way (and getting someone to sketch in ink is positive—I think).
Somedays it seems "rusty" sets in quicker than on others, so I think it's wise to draw everyday, as many times a day as one can for as long as one can at each instance—and to that end I'm packing up from the computer and going off to sketch! Thanks for writing.
Posted by: Roz Stendahl | July 29, 2011 at 07:11 PM