Noticing characters
and we're the main characters in our own lives
Drawing in my sketchbook every day isn't about the perfection of my drawings or my thoughts it's simply part of my ongoing effort to listen to myself. I see creativity as a part of self-care and self-care is a necessary part of human life.
Here's a sketchbook page I began during breakfast one morning. I used a fountain pen and drew a mouse character pumping up time because this week I felt like this mouse, I felt like I had inflated every activity to fill every second. 🤦♀️
My ongoing listening to myself project includes trying to make sure I have time to rest - that occasionally I deflate the air out of my time-tires, check them for wear and adjust the pressure levels. It's also helpful to check in with my 5 senses and, without opinions or judgments, accept what my senses are telling me.
Here's the same sketchbook page after I worked on it during another morning. I was thinking that those time seeds are going to pop if that mouse keeps pumping… the humor of my drawing helped me remember to slow down and pay attention.
Basically I've been thinking that the importance of rest and noticing things cannot be emphasized enough. Towards that emphasis I've been rereading The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker. I'm finding it is pleasantly, playfully, reminding me to value my attention, my awareness and my active participation in my own daily life. (Rather than unconciously allowing ruts to form). More details about the book here: https://bookshop.org/a/86356/9780525521242
There's also a fun easy to read The Art Of Noticing newsletter here 👇
In an email newsletter a week or so ago I shared a look over my shoulder at a drawing I was doing that day of things I had noticed during the day before. Here's the newsletter I'm talking about…
…and here's a photo of my sketchbook page diary depicting those things I had noticed during a day. Since then I've turned my sketchbook page into a fabric pattern. On the left you see a swatch of the printed fabric next to my original drawing.
I think it will be fun couch art (throw pillows) or kitchen art (tea towels or napkins) and will help me remember to notice my own life! It's amazing how easy it is to forget to enjoy everyday things! Here's the link for the fabric pattern I’ve titled “Diary of a nice day" https://www.spoonflower.com/designs/14696714-diary-nice-day-by-sueclancy
I hope your weekend has many pleasant moments and that you notice as many of them as you can!
Sue, your newsletter just gave me an idea. I too should look at transferring the 100 sketches I am creating as a challenge to get me back into sketching every day into some sort of product. I was thinking of tea mugs. I love your cushion cover and tea-towels. And the title 'Diary of a nice day,' is brilliant.
I am envious of your draftsmanship! Your sketches are so full of life and whimsy! I love how you put it that daily practice isn’t about perfection, but self-care! I’m so happy to have found your work!