Happy New Year!
Beginnings & Sketchbook Talk
“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!”
~Dr. Seuss
Happy Belated New Year Friends! I hope 2024 is off to a smooth start. I love the anticipation of a brand new year. It stirs feelings of hope and the beginnings of fresh ideas. A new year encourages the release of old ideas and supports the excitement of new ones brewing. A whole year awaits with new beginnings, challenges and experiences. Fresh starts feel rejuvenating and carry a great sense of hope. Sooo let’s get on our way!
Plans and What Lies Ahead:
This year one main goal is to create a collection of larger scaled work—specifically cloud themed. I’m excited about this prospect and have begun working on this goal already!
My second goal is to continue my sketchbook/journal practice. I most often work from life in sketchbooks/studies. Both offer a method in which I explore ideas, practice skills and ignite new working methods for future work. Sketchbooks, Studies and Art Journals are an important part of my practice which connect me to the process and help me work through ideas. They are the foundation of my working practice and have become excellent resources.
So let’s take a moment to examine several working sketchbooks I have on the go already.
Hardcover Sketchbooks:
Clouds & Cloudscapes—Last year I began working in a beautiful Hardcover Sketchbook where I painted both cloud studies and cloudscapes. During my process I documented color notes used as well as a few written notes. These have proven to be quite useful and will serve as a great reference for larger work. They were also really enjoyable and kept the juices flowing so to speak.
Botanical—During late autumn, I began another hardcover sketchbook specifically for botanical entries. I started with roses from my gardens—pure joy to paint! I’m really looking forward to continuing my work in this sketchbook.
Working in hardcover books feels a bit like I’m creating future coffee table books. I’m excited to see them filled and hope to place them on my coffee table for others to peruse with a nice hot brew. I can even make a few videos of a walk through each sketchbook. Does that sound appealing to you?
Perpetual Journal:
My perpetual journal is divided into double page spreads to take in a whole year. I add local botanical sketches each week and then return to the same pages on that date the following year and add more sketches. Thus, it will take a few years to completely fill up all the pages. It’s a lovely way to track changes in your local environment and fun to see the pages fill up over the years.
Current Work Journal:
When working on larger work, I use this journal to make notes on my working process, color notes, and thoughts. It’s a great way to document my process and thought process as a resource for future work.
Quick Studies/Notes Sketchbook:
I purchased this economical sketchbook at Michaels and found it to be a great companion for on location sketches and notes. I’ve even used it while painting cloud studies from the comfort of my home by observing clouds outside.
Sketchbook Links:
Stillman and Birn, Zeta Hardbound Sketchbook
Strathmore Mixed Media Journal
Mixed Media Medium Weight Paper Pad by Artist's Loft™
Special Additions
On a personal note, we added two furry companions to our home the end of November. My son and husband traveled three hours to pick up four Doll Faced Persian Kittens. Two for my youngest son and two for us. They were only nine weeks old; so pretty adorable balls of fluff!
We boarded all four in our home for five days before we delivered them to Tristan, who lives two hours away. Oh my goodness, those were busy, fun days filled with laughs and cuteness. Persians also require daily brushing, so we were busy!
Our two have been sweet companions, especially recently when Covid entered our home again! Such great company as my son and I recuperated. I’m sure they will be joining me during painting and sketching sessions. But, while they are kittens I will have to be extra careful! Soooo curious!
P.S. My husband is allergic to cats in general, but Persians are the only cats he’s not allergic too. As a cat lover, this was a great discovery years ago!
Thanks so much for reading! I’m looking forward to another full year of connection with you. Let me know if you enjoyed this post by tapping the heart button. Much appreciated!
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are you painting in the sketchbooks with oil paint?