It Can't Be Pretty All The Time
12:50 PM
The title of this post amuses me on so many different levels. But then again I'll take amusement any where I can find it as I haven't had much to be amused about lately.
Five days into a particularly nasty round of the flu, I decided I want to "document the fun."
I'm using the term loosely, I assure you.
When I sat back to look at the drawing, I debated whether to stop or to continue as I didn't think I wanted to post it on the blog.
After all, aren't we only posting the "pretty pictures?"
But something inside rebelled. That's a disservice to those who are just beginning their artistic journey.
Because not every sketch is a beauty.
They're not all perfectly drawn and painted.
The sketch above was done in the moment. I didn't really care if it came out well.
I (obviously) didn't take my time and wasn't careful with my ink lines.
But, you know what?
It's an accurate record of how I was feeling. I didn't care. I didn't feel good or "pretty."
To have made the sketch pretty would have been a lie as to how I was feeling and the reason for documenting the situation in the first place.
No matter where you are in your artistic journey, no matter how long you sketch, know that there will be less than pretty sketches that could not be any more accurate if they tried.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While I'll never see beauty in the sketch above, I do see truth.
So maybe truth is in the eye of the beholder as well?
11 Creative Thought(s)
I hope you are feeling much better real soon Laure. The fact that you found the strength and energy to post anything at all is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWell, now, you put me to shame...I don't even sketch on days when I'm feeling 100%, and here you're doing it while sick with the flu! Hope you're feeling better soon--it's so miserable to be sick.
ReplyDeletePoor girl. I like your sketch. I think you very brave to be sketching when you feel so bad. Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you've been feeling under the weather. You really set a great example of follow-through - sketching when you aren't feeling too well. What a great example of the pep-talk I keep giving my mom - 'do what you can with what you have from where you are'. Bingo! That's what you did. I think your page is a great reminder of that and it will also be encouraging when you look back on it in the future and remember that 'this too shall pass' when some trouble comes.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling much better! ;-)
Oh my, you must have gotten sick right after we met for lunch last week! I am so sorry you're not feeling well and hope you get better soon! I like the sketch because it is a true representation of the way you felt at that time! Again, feel better and eat lots of chicken noodle soup, it really does work!
ReplyDeleteI think your art is great, even if not 'pretty', being sick certainly isn't so this is a good portrayal of the episode. Gosh, I can't leave without saying how I love your header sketch Laure
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read you've had the flu. I hope by now you're well on your way to a full recovery. Your sketch may not be pretty in the traditional sense, but as you say, it is true so it is a successful one. Feel better!!
ReplyDeleteActually, I think it is pretty...love the quilts...makes me feel warm and fuzzy while I fight off a bit of the flu myself!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better - and I love your little sketch
ReplyDeleteDear Laura - may you be much better now. Love the idea too of all our sketches not being pretty but I think real and true is much more valuable than just being pretty. Have a lovely day. Been reading your previous posts on focus - such great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI did comment but it must have gone elsewhere...I remember saying I liked what you sketched as it seemed a real feeling etc...and the words you said all rang bells..
ReplyDeleteLet's talk!