April in Paris

It is Monday and I am thrilled. Not only is my drawing really turning around into something that pleases my eye but my apartment is also turning aroud too. Why do I have this compulsion to clean and decorate during my breaks?It hasturned into part of my creative process.

I think of my childhood environment as truely chaotic. I guess I’ve managed to pull myself out of that model with a lot of work and drive but I feel choked when I see myself slipping back into the comfort mode of pure slop! I can actually locate pens now and I have a designated place for rubberbands. I feel panicked when I let things go. I am proud of the progress that I have made but am not yet where I need to be.

My current background music Mika’s: Grace Kelly (energy) or Sarah Vaughan: Moonglow (whimsy) or (a favorite) Radiohead: Creep (plus even Youtube: The Secret). There, a peak into my current playlist.  

My little family gets back tomorrow. I can’t wait to see them although I have really enjoyed getting to know myself again and to produce illustration work plus they will benefit from the nice new set-up in the living room.

I am working on a circular composition now and have added some spruce and candy using the girl as the pivot in the center. The drawing below was a color study to see where I might be able to go with the palette.  It is kind of a mess but closer to what I want. It still doesn’t look very Christmas-y but will by tonight. It is almost 9 and should be the beginning of a long night.

One year since my last post. So it looks like I am establishing a regular rhythm which is great. I really wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep up this blog on a regular basis.  (We really won’t know until next summer if this is going to be a regular thing.)

It is 1 am. I have finally accepted that I am most creative at night so I was able to do other things during the day without beating myself up for slacking off. In fact, I cleaned my kitchen to a pulp and even found some larvae which was extremely rewarding. (They– the larvae looked like eraser shavings and they were found floating in– and here is the totally disgusting part– in my dishdrainer’s tray. I guess they were baby silverfish but they could be something much more horrible. I am getting goosebumps again just thinking about it. My poor hands are dry and cracking from handling so many chemicals to surge the enemy. )

I am working on a nutcracker invitation for a very prestigious ballet company. It could actually be my big break if I don’t sabotage myself. It will be seen by all the right people who may just have more work for me. Fingers crossed.

I am happy to report that my drawing has improved dramatically since last year. It is so liberating to have my technical ability not hindering my creative spirit. It only took me 40 years. I am, however, having a hard time keeping the sponaneity of my sketches in my finished drawings. I am really loving color –as usual — and exploring how to keep a very fine line with watercolor without having the two fight too much.

I intend to post the next phase so stay tuned!Hopefully I will do that before 2008 but you never know, I might really have established my rhythm.