I have one drawing almost done and several more queued up and tapping their feet. I even have a new drawing lesson simmering on the back burner, so what have I been doing? Sculpting, of course.
I’ve been trying to set up a separate blog for my sculpting, but my computer skills, my webhost, and fate have all said ‘no’ to that idea, so I will talk about it here.
I’ve always had a very powerful Muse. When she sufaces I’m not comfortable until I’m working on whatever she wants me to do. Sometimes the feeling is so intense that I go ripping through the house looking for the materials I need to create the thing I sense needs to be created. I don’t think this is part of my Bipolar brain since I’ve had these urges overtake me since I was young. I think it is, however, part of my brain’s make-up and its ability to intensely visualize things and an overpowering desire make them exist in the world.
I never know exactly where my Muse is going to lead me. Sometimes it’s nowhere, or only half way there, and then I have to wait a month, half a year, or even two years to find out where we’re going. I call this process ‘hanging on loosely,’ because that’s what I to do to cope when this happens. I just hang on the best I can to ride that horse for as long as I can.
This time around, I seem to be getting to the summation point of several rides. That is to say, I’m making a doll. I didn’t intend to make a doll, especially not a monkey doll, but you see her, right? Well then, I guess I’m making a monkey doll.
She’s going to be made out of poly clay, with a human body, arms, and legs. I’m not sure how much fur she’ll have yet. I have no idea why my Muse thinks there needs to be a human-like monkey doll in the world, but hey, knowing why is above my pay grade. My job is to make her.
Sculpture
Sculpture was my first love (but don’t tell drawing that). From the faces I make in my sand box when mom let me flood the sandbox with the garden hose, to the sculpture class in college when I first felt I was excelling.
I guess it’s true that you can never leave an idea behind. It’s past time for me to sculpt again, and it’s either going to be a flooded front yard or clay. (My husband is totally onboard with flooding the front yard, by the way.)
I’ll never stop drawing. I’m even going to create drawing lessons again because I miss teaching, but I’ve come to understand that there is more room in my life than I imagined, and I have enough passion and time for everything that I love.
Always keep drawing, and pursue everything you love with passion,
Carol
I would have sworn that the sculpture was a Siamese cat. Actually a beautiful Siamese sculpture.
Your pencil work is just so breathtaking – I aspire to be 1% as good as you. I am a 57 year old self-teaching pen & pencil drawing. I am a excellent photographer but I have always wanted to draw, now I am trying.
Thanks you for your lessons,
Gloria
Hi Gloria,
Thank you for the kind words about my drawing. The old saying that mastery is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration is very true about drawing, so just keep drawing and you’ll get there. Since you’re already an accomplished photographer, you have a huge leg up because you already know about composition and value.
Now that you mention it, my doll’s face does look like a cat … all she needs is ears! I’ve always lived with cats, so maybe I borrowed their bone structure. :)
Photography is huge part of my drawing. It’s how I get my references, but I’ve never considered myself a good photographer. I just take a lot of shots and then piece them all together for a drawing. Ha!
I’m 65 and like to believe that art keeps us young!
Carol