. . . Here at Island Writer

You may have noticed a new page to the right on my sidebar titled "Sketching/Art Blogs."  And you may recall that last year I was in the process of learning on my own (with the help of books) to put together a travel sketchbook to capture spending my 60th birthday in Paris last March.  Well, this need to sketch hasn't gone away, so I've decided to pay some attention to it.

I've signed up to take three pen and ink classes next month at the Arts Center downtown.  And in preparation for that I found myself browsing various blogs that had to do with sketching and art.  Granted, I'll never be as good as most of them.  But they inspire me.  And like anything else, I've always found that sometimes surrounding yourself with like-minded people has a way of working a bit of osmosis.  (I'm hoping this will be the case)  And I'm "meeting" the most delightful, creative and talented people via the blogs I have listed on my new page.  Some live in California, one is in Tuscany and even one in my beloved Paris.  If you're interested in sketching or drawing, do pay them a visit.

And the photo you see above is my arrangement of "tools" that I hope will continue to increase my love for sketching.  I got myself some books to try and learn the basics.  I have my pencils, my micron pens, my watercolor pencils and watercolor paints, erasers and plenty of sketchbooks.  The one in the photo is the ongoing one I'm doing from my Paris birthday last year.  I also have the enthusiasm to go with all the tools.  I guess it's only a matter of time before I find out if I have any skill to add. 

But ya know what?  I'm really not concerned about the skill.  I'm just plain enjoying all of it.  Sitting down and focusing on something and then using hand and eye coordination to try and capture it with a pen or pencil on paper.  It's fun, enjoyable and relaxing.  I don't care if it's "good."  Years ago though, I would have.  A lot.  Perhaps that's why I never attempted it until recently.

I know I've always been "creative."  Writing is something I've been doing since I was a small child and that love not only grew, but it improved over the years.  Although I can't play a musical instrument to save my life or carry a tune......I have always resonated with music.  The same goes for dance.  Years ago I spent many enjoyable hours doing counted cross stitch and all of you here know I returned to knitting four years ago.....and now, there's no stopping me.  And photography......another love that goes back many years.  I became so captivated with photography that I took a few courses in college and it only made me love it more.  And now.....now there seems to be a need, a pull, deep inside of me to create with a pen or pencil and a bit of color.  Maybe that need was always there, just like the other artistic things I've enjoyed.  But maybe, I didn't think I "could." 

Strange, isn't it?  How we reach a certain age and all of a sudden.........all things become very possible.  I'll keep you posted on this.

See you here next time..............