Horizon

Last night my daughter told me a story about a girl who lived on a ship. This morning we drew pictures of her adventures. Here she is practicing her celestial navigation.

Life drawing

For the past few months I have been attending weekly life drawing sessions with the Towson Artists Group. As an illustrator, I make art that fits within the parameters of “my style” to meet the needs of a specific client. When I work with kids (mine and others) I also tend to stylize and get crafty. It has been years since I have tried to simply and accurately draw what I see in front of me. At first I felt clumsy and self conscious, it was hard to get past the idea that I needed to be communicating a “concept”, but now I am completely hooked. It has been a blast of fresh air to be around adults who are painting and drawing for the sheer joy of it. The others in the group seem so comfortable and at ease with their work, but they take it seriously. The camaraderie has been fantastic.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my clients. Making art to fill a client’s needs is a completely different kind of challenge with its own rewards. And I have so much fun (and learn a ton of stuff!) working with kids. My once a week life drawing exercise is sort of like going to the gym. I am enjoying working a different part of my brain – hand relationship.

IF Backwards

Hey kids,

Here is how to insure that you will wake up to a school closure announcement…

1. Wear your pajamas inside out and backwards.

2. Sleep with a spoon under your pillow.

3. Right before bedtime, throw a dash of salt out of your bedroom window. Quick! Close the window…it’s FREEZING out there!

Good luck.

For Jen

On the theory that little things can mean a lot.