Jo is currently travelling in Europe visiting friends, taking time for herself and sketching her beautiful surrounds. She asked me a very honest question before she left Brisbane about how I approach making time for drawing? Especially when travelling or in the company of family and friends. I said to her, "Jo remember that you are an artist and that your friends and family know and accept this. Take time to be an artist. Take time to be you."
I'm sure that some of you reading this will be familiar with that feeling of anxiety when all you feel like doing is drawing/painting or making but you don't know how to just take a moment to do so. It is not selfish or rude and one great way to approach this is to include those who are in your company in your sketching. This way they can feel a part it. Start with some blind drawing which will manage the expectations of both parties and perhaps reveal some surprising observations.
Below I began with my mum's hands. This allowed her to forget that I was drawing her and before she knew it it was sketching her face.. a much more relaxed and natural pose than what we began with.
I have been sketching and drawing for so long now that those in my company take little notice any more. Though all those butterflies and feelings of excitement and surprise never go away. I have learnt to love them not fear them.. harnessing the nervous energy for good. Each sketch is a gift to myself and when I share them they become a gift to others.
Happy new year to all and happy sketching. Jo, if you're reading this whilst you're away, I miss you and hope you are travelling well.
See you all very soon,
Emily
I'm sure that some of you reading this will be familiar with that feeling of anxiety when all you feel like doing is drawing/painting or making but you don't know how to just take a moment to do so. It is not selfish or rude and one great way to approach this is to include those who are in your company in your sketching. This way they can feel a part it. Start with some blind drawing which will manage the expectations of both parties and perhaps reveal some surprising observations.
Below I began with my mum's hands. This allowed her to forget that I was drawing her and before she knew it it was sketching her face.. a much more relaxed and natural pose than what we began with.
I have been sketching and drawing for so long now that those in my company take little notice any more. Though all those butterflies and feelings of excitement and surprise never go away. I have learnt to love them not fear them.. harnessing the nervous energy for good. Each sketch is a gift to myself and when I share them they become a gift to others.
Happy new year to all and happy sketching. Jo, if you're reading this whilst you're away, I miss you and hope you are travelling well.
See you all very soon,
Emily
 Drawing mum's hands allowed her to relax as a subject. Being observed can be confronting. Being sensitive to this will make it easier for you. |  I decided not to include one half of her glasses as she has beautiful eyes behind them. |  Mum loves technology. Her hands adopt the same position when using the phone. She recently jammed her index finger in a door and has had a very black nail ever since. |
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