2012!
January 3, 2012Happy new year! Did you all have a good Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Druidic solstice ritual? Anyone burn a Wicker Man? It's okay. I won't judge your insane pagan rituals.
We sure as hell had a good time. We hosted a Christmas brunch for my immediate family, somehow managing to cram the whole clan into our space-challenged living room. (Note to myself: become a millionaire, purchase luxurious townhouse. Maybe a resolution for 2012?) Both my nephews couldn't join us, and they sent me regretful emails and I was all THAT'S FINE OKAY BYE NOW because listen they take up a lot of space.
It wasn't my idea for them both to grow up so tall and musclebound.
Henry had an amazing day despite his cold, but the good news is he managed to transmit the virus to both myself and Scott. I was feeling pretty smug about how healthy I've been since adopting the Paleo lifestyle, so obviously the Lord (working through my Only Son) smote me. He does stuff like that when it's his birthday.
Last week we did nothing and it was pretty much the best thing ever even though my throat hurt and I whined a bunch. I have no problem sleeping until noon and not ever getting out of my pajamas--I mean LOUNGEWEAR. Note to self: become reclusive millionaire.
One of my gifts this year was An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers. I like to draw and sketch and whatnot, but I haven't made it a priority because it seems to take over my brain. Once I start I have a very hard time wanting to do anything else, like acknowledging my family, or showering. So yes, I avoid it because I love it too much. That makes sense.
But this book, you guys. This book inspired me like no one's business. I got out a sketchbook and my watercolor set and brushes, and I went to town. "Town" being my living room, where I sketched everything around me.
This is pretty much all I did all week. I've missed it SO DAMN MUCH.
I did go outside once, where I sketched my dog peeing. It was a moment crying out to be captured!
I'm now so in love with this daily sketch habit that I decided I was going to start a WHOLE NEW BLOG and POST MY DAILY SKETCHES ON IT and etc etc ALL CAPS BIG IDEAS. But then the coffee wore off and it occurred to me maybe not to make this a big-deal project but instead just enjoy myself. And occasionally share my sketches with you! I like you.
Reader Comments (64)
The dog peeing one kills me. Glad you've found some new inspiration! You are talented!
Oh my god! I LOVE this. I love it so much I feel like it might be inspiring me to do something similar. Thank you.
Also, the painting of the limestones? Gorgeous. That sight is one of the things I'll miss most about this neighborhood.
I like you too! And I LOVE your sketches! Happy 2012!
In a perfect world I would have a diptych of the bookshelves and the brownstones hanging on my wall.
I had no idea you were such a sketchy character! These are awesome, and I'm sure I speak for everyone (except your family, because it means you won't acknowledge them) when I say I can't wait for you to do more.
Wow! You are super good at making sketches.
I like you too! And those sketches are beautiful. Beautiful!
Holy sketcharama! Your talent has no end!
Holy shit, Alice. If I could sketch (and watercolor) like that, I probably wouldn't take time to shower either. Who needs cleanliness when you can do that?!
Beautiful! I wish I could do that.
(BTW, I spotted some of that nice japanese masking tape on your packages in the last post. That is my very favorite thing to wrap with.)
I like you too. And your sketches!
Ooooh, pretty! Please feel free to share your sketches anytime you feel like it! :)
What everyone else said about how beautiful they are. Sell them on Etsy.
So far, I'm having hard time getting enthusiastic about 2012, since we're doing that coughing, sneezey, wheezing thing this week. :P
So, uh... why aren't you illustrating things? These are lovely!
Umm, I'd totally pay cash money for that last sketch/watercolor of the brownstones. I'm just sayin'. You might consider illustrating your next book of essays, and also making a section of your blog for your sketches. I am totally serious.
You are crazy like this aren't you? If I had known of this talent of yours, I would have made you sketch me something on a napkin at Camp Mighty!
I think I just found my illustrator for my children's book if you're game.
Amazing...just simply amazing.
Oh, I love Danny Gregory. That's a great book! And your drawings are beautiful! I love the book shelf. Awsome. xo
Love the townhouse facades.
We like you, too!
You are an amazing sketcher. :-)
I love the last water color the most. <3
Actually, burning a Wicker Man is usually a summer solstice thing. As my girlfriend said, Wicker Man immolation is usually an outdoor thing, and you'd freeze your balls off in the British Isles in December. Think Yule log for this time of year.
(I want you to sound informed when you're jokingly mocking pagans!)
You won't hear me complain about that...
Well, this explains my lack of a single, solitary, I ONLY WANT ONE talent: YOU GOT THEM ALL.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
swoon! you're better than me and I do this for a living!!
I have the same mug, but in red. I got it at a stoop sale. And I like that you sketched your dog having a pee.
Christmas with the family,ha?We know all about it, every year we say:Never again!
Good thing you can take refuge in sketching, a great way to de-stress!Great job too!