Morning Drawing

Last night, I came to the sad realization that I didn't have any art to share for this morning's post. I have many excuses as to why I didn't make any art on paper last week; some were reasonable excuses, some were absolutely pathetic ones... but still no art. As I was deciding what to do– should I share someone else's inspiring art? Inspiring words? Put my excuses into words so that I didn't have to have art?– it became clear how important it is to me to keep drawing. Perhaps if I had actually pushed and done some last week, I wouldn't have had the week I had. I procrastinated about blogging by catching up on my Feedly blogs (hoping that by reading other people's blogs I would become inspired about my own– a tactic that often works really well for me) when I read Zen Habits recent post about writing. The author shared what he's learned, which applies equally well to art, music, exercise and good living, and one thing in particular stuck with me: Doing Every Day. Whether writing or drawing, playing music or practicing martial arts, you should do it every day. I think it's fair to say that some days you might not produce much on paper or work out on the mat, but to spend time seeing other artists and their art, or reading about musicians, or practicing meditation, you become a better person. Seriously. (As my 7-year-old is fond of saying at the end of every sentence to emphasize his point).

Chrysalis. Pen and Ink, Graphite on Paper.  3.5" x 3.5" 2014

My daily practice has fumbled over the last 6 weeks, but I got up this morning and did a small Morning Drawing, because I needed to. I was thinking of spring time, sunlight, and transformation. I am posting in the middle of the day, because that's how it worked out, but already my day has been better for having put my efforts into creative works first thing in the morning.

Seriously.