January 13, 2015

Sketching daily, a new years intention

Where do the days disappear too? I'm sure I only blinked and its January already! So a belated Happy New Year to all in blog land and beyond.  May you find moments of loveliness in the coming 365 days!

This year I felt drawn to set myself  words to live by to help me keep on track and 'Clarity' & 'Focus' were the words that fell into my lap. Perfect, for I needed a clear vision for what I wanted from my year and  I needed to be able to focus on my goals for my business and home life too. It is so easy in this busy, busy world to get distracted and  lose your sense of direction.
  A good long stroll on the blustery, sparkling beach cleared away the cobwebs and I began to form a picture of what I wanted more than anything from this new year.   More creativity, more art making! When I looked back at last year and saw just how little art I had made it made me very sad. After all I am an artist and an artist should be making lots of art. So I promised myself I would make some plans this year to change that. 
I began my new HeArt journal and set down the ways I want my creativity to manifest itself this year. With painting, photography, crafting, writing and sketching. (I have to mention that the mandala in this piece was inspired after a wonderful workshop I did with the lovely Julie Gibbons in December.) I have made lots of plans and have many things in the pipe line and cant wait to get started again.
Firstly I have set up a private 'Sketch a day' Facebook group, where every day I post a new topic to be interpreted freely.  It's a place where we arty folk can share our sketches done for the days topic and encourage each other in the process.  I am loving the challenge and discovering there is something very encouraging about doing this challenge with others. Last year I tried it by myself and lasted a week!
 These are a few of my sketches so far ~ Topics such as : Breakfast
 Something Blue ( I do love blue & white china)
 An eye (mine)

 A mug

 Already I have re-discovered how much I love pen and wash, how looking hard at something to sketch it just pulls you in and you begin to see more and more, and also how fascinatingand inspiring it is to see the interpretations and works of others.  So if you would like to join us do hop on over here, you will be made very welcome.

Another resolution to myself this year is to be a better blogger, so I shall be back later in the week to tell you all about the new workshops I have coming up!

23 comments:

  1. Oh beautiful beautiful - I don't draw nearly as much as I used to, I just don't seem to have the time I did, must try to find t again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was how I felt about last year, so Im giving myself the gift of some time this year x

      Delete
  2. Wow, these are such amazing artworks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely post! I wrote about the challenge and did a link to your website/blog from my wee blog, x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jules, thats lovely, Im loving seeing all your beautiful sketches.

      Delete
  4. Gorgeous work! Excited to see the art you're going to make this year :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Raquel, I can't wait to get creating x

      Delete
  5. Great ! (but I'm sure I couldn't keep it up very long .... :-( ...)

    Ohhhh I LOVE blue and white china too ;-) (but stopped buying more)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ;) I know the feeling, I have to look the other way sometimes. I hadn't been able to keep up my sketching before either, but am giving myself the gift of some time every day this year, its all part of my new self care practice! x

      Delete
  6. Wishing you a productive 2015 Ruthie. You are an artist and a good one too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And you Jim, with so much lovelinesss coming your way! Yay :)

      Delete
  7. I feel the same way ... very little art was produced in 2014 except for my photos ...
    and the little samples/demos I make at the studio for the kiddos.

    You are inspiring me! Maybe I should join your FB group!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be lovely to have you on oard Lucinda, it is working wonders, so far I have managed every day!!!

      Delete
  8. Your sketches are delightful Ruthie. I especially like breakfast and the blue and white plate. Good luck in achieving your goals for this year.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Ruthie, Staying focused and having artistic goals was my blog topic this week. We freelance artists can find a hundred excuses to keep us from being productive. Whatever it takes to keep on track, i say, do it! Your drawing group is an excellent way to get pumped up and enthusiastic about your art. Have fun and make a lot of art this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I shall hop over and read your post Jeri, it is so easy to get distracted isn't it! So far I ahve managed a sketch every day, a miracle :)

      Delete
  10. I love the art that you have created so far.......

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Ruthie, just catching up, I love the drawings you have done up to now. I always start off with resolutions and then tail off. I think I might resolve to a drawing a week, although depending on how the M.E. fairs it might push to one a month. I didn't even do one drawing last year! However my Christmas presents included some new materials, felt brush tip pens so I'm going to give them a whirl

    Stay warm, hugs,
    Jane xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOh Jane, how lovely new art materials! I hope we might get a chance to see what you come up with, I am so inspired by folks sketching. Hope you feel well enough to manage treasure x x

      Delete
  12. Oh, Ruthie! Your work is so lovely. I'm sorry I've been so out of touch. ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Beth, no need to apologise, hope you're ok x x

      Delete

Thank you for stopping by my wee corner of blog land, I love to hear from you all and will visit as soon as I can.