Left: 2-minute brush sketch of a bunny sitting at the far end of the yard. Schmincke gouache with a Niji waterbrush, on Velin Arches (formerly Arches Text Wove) paper, 6.5 x 8 inch (approx) journal. Click on the image to see an enlargement. (The text was written with a Staedtler Pigment Liner after the bunny hopped away.)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, over and over, because it's good for me to hear it too. It only takes a moment to make a journal entry!
Yesterday after running errands I looked out the window and saw a bunny sitting happily in the dwindling sunlight. I wasn't sure how long it would stay there and it was too far away, and back lit, for me to get clear details, but I ran to get my gouache palette and Niji Waterbrush and just painted a quick impression in my journal, in less than 2 minutes. You always have time for that.
But you do have to let go of a couple things first. If you work in detail as I do most of the time, you have to give that up. And if you are after a perfect picture, well you should let that go too. If you are hoping that your washes will go on perfectly and not blur into each other, well as Bugs Bunny says, "It is to laugh."
There are great rewards to be gained if you let go of your "shoulds" and "musts" and "I don't have time, I'm too rushed," attitude.
The first reward for me yesterday was that in a totally upside down day I got a bit of journaling in without any pain or angst. It just happened, no hassles with that part of my brain that demanded all my chores be finished first; frankly the chores got finished because I had this two minute refreshing break.
The second reward was that I got to observe the light and while my sketch doesn't do the light any sort of justice that sliver of white paper at the breast of the bunny is enough to remind me about that glorious light. Tricky light like that is difficult to photograph (and my journal is always more handy than a camera). Years from now, because I took a moment to absorb this observation and feel it as I drew it I'll be able to use it in a painting, or, simply recognize and enjoy it the next time I see it in nature.
The third reward is that I got to breathe. Spring is just starting in Minnesota. Not many days ago we were below zero and not many more days before that we had a snow dump of over 5 inches. I'm not complaining. I live here and enjoy all the weather quirks, but now that the sun is staying longer and the earth is warming and the air is filled with more warming breezes than cool ones there is a shift that is delightful to watch. You can't stand outside and watch every moment of every day (no chores would get done), but you can take a moment to stand and observe the seasonal changes. And a week of such daily moments is all you need to feel really connected to that change as part of your life.
The fourth reward is that you move a little more away from rigid constraints towards a flexibility that embraces life rather than shoves it out of the way.
That's huge payback for a 2-minute investiment. Try it today and embrace the happy result.
Well thought out and timely advice. I took the liberty to link to this entry since your enlightening thoughts can more eloquently and clearly reinforce the theme of my watercolor kits review. Hope you don't mind.
Posted by: Alberto | March 15, 2009 at 04:23 PM
Alberto, I'm glad it provided a nice adjunct to your discussion of watercolors. I just saw it now and will have to go and look at it. You cover a lot of stuff in that post!
I look forward to reading it.
Posted by: Roz | March 15, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Great post! I really need to keep the 4th reward in mind. I could use a flexibility overhaul. Way too hung up on doing it "right" or not doing at all. Or getting all the "important" stuff done first, like laundry and housework. Leads to a lot of not doing the actually important stuff, like living.
Posted by: Mary Olson | March 16, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Mary, long ago, as a distance runner, I learned that there was an inexhaustible supply of laundry! I bought more clothes, a bigger hamper, and sketched more.
The moment you take a step towards flexibility on these issues the easier it will be to keep going in that direction (even if it doesn't feel right at first, and it may not, your internal critic might kick up a storm). But keep at it. It's worth it!
Doing it is doing it right.
Posted by: Roz | March 17, 2009 at 02:58 AM
Hi Roz,
I have been reading your blog for months and just love every post. But this was has totally hit the spot for me today ...a great reminder to us all- all we need is to recognize an opportunity and seize the moment!
Posted by: Liz & Borromini | March 18, 2009 at 03:28 AM
Liz, I'm glad this was timely for you and I hope you had several moments to capture today!
Posted by: Roz | March 18, 2009 at 01:33 PM
You're absolutely right- I often spend more time in an evening looking for
1. inspiration
2. ideas
3. The perfect pen/pencil/technique . . . .
rather than just drawing!!!
Posted by: Rowland Jones | August 11, 2011 at 01:57 PM