Saturday, January 9, 2016

Sketch Crawl

This month's Lawrence Sketch Crawl was at the Lawrence Sports Pavilion. It's a new multi-sport facility for Lawrence and sees a lot of activity. When Gail chose it, she said she visited it and it was nice and quiet. We show up today and this weekend they are hosting the Heart of America Volleyball Tournament. Doesn't sound bad until you see it live. Twelve courts going simultaneously for two days. Let's talk noisy! I asked a staffer how many kids they had playing and they estimated 4000! Now you're getting the picture.

In addition to the games is the elevated walk/run track, weight machine room and treadmill-type room with regular citizens. This place was hopping. We stayed for an hour, which is about all sanity would allow. No time for color so I stuck with fountain pen.

I got a kick out of the "No Camping" sign. This was on a railing overseeing the courts. Then I noticed the teams each grabbed a spot of hallway to call home for the tournament and they 'camp' there with blankets and mats. That would have prevented spectators from seeing the action at this spot. Where else would you have a sport that calls for camping in hallways?

I have identified a weakness of mine is life sketching of people (as can be seen here). I signed up for Roz Stendehl's class on life sketching of critters and people. I'll get better.


Thursday, January 7, 2016

Back On Task

It's happened more than once in my creative pursuits. First: brainstorm a new big project. Second: plan all the details and get in an excited pitch. Third: get a great start. Then: hit a brick wall and everything stops. Then I set there, like the morning after a night of heavy drinking (so I've been told) and ask myself - what just happened? Why can't I move?

Project: a family memory journal for my mom (dad is deceased). My three siblings will help. I bound the journal from scratch. I made it through about half of the illustrating of our childhood. When I'm done I'll rotate it to my siblings and they can write in details and memories of childhood through our day of marriage. But I came to a stop. Dead in the water! Don't know why. I sabotaged myself. It's been on the "To Do" list for a few months now. BUT I'M BACK ON IT NOW!

What I want to know is how does this happen?! It makes now sense. I love my mom and I WANT my mom to have this. My siblings are all on board and my sister will even help with some illustrations. My mom's not getting younger. I know she'll love it. So how does such a project come to a halt? This is illogical! I've run into this in my other hobbies, too. I've heard woodcarvers complain of it. Wilma's quilting projects can get this way, too. If anyone can explain it please do!