I made a resolution to draw more this year. And it is one that I plan on sticking to, come hell or high water. I was an art major at one time, I drew as an outlet my entire life, but then I grew up and my daily life got filled with all sorts of things. Drawing took a back seat. So this year I’ve vowed to sit down for 15 minutes each Wednesday morning and draw, something, anything. 15 minutes isn’t very long, just time for a quick sketch really, but I wanted it to be an obtainable goal and I can do 15 minutes.
This day I drew a leaf of a scented geranium that grows outside our dining room window. I started drawing plants my senior year of high school when we had to do senior reports. Did you have to do one of those too? Well, I grew up at the base of Mount Diablo and spent a lot of time hiking all around it as I grew up. So when senior report time came up, I decided to create a book called, The Urban Dweller’s Guide to Mount Diablo. To call it a ‘book’ is really stretching it, it was more like a hand bound booklet. I delved into the flora and fauna of the area and started drawing and writing it all out. Ever since I’ve been fascinated with drawing plants and leaves. It is so soothing and meditative to try and replicate a simple little leaf. And you learn so much about the botany of it all when you draw it. I was always terrible at sciences but when I draw it things start to make sense to me.
Even if you think you can’t draw, I encourage you to try sitting down one day and drawing a leaf. Maybe even trace the leaf, if the idea of drawing the outline of the leaf seems overwhelming and then slowly fill it up with the veins and other lines you find inside. It is a nice thing to do when your shoulders are up to your ears with stress. Slows you down.
Cards I made using my print gocco from drawings of grasses up at Sea Ranch.
And I don’t know about you, but I can always appreciate something to slow me down!
You are so wise, and your drawings/prints are lovely! I used to draw some as well, but my current slow down/breathe a moment ‘thing’ is to sew or crochet.
And you are right – draw anyway! I don’t know how it happened exactly, but for a long time, I would draw apples any time I did draw, and goodness, I can draw an apple really, really well.
Thank you for this post!
-Laura at TenThingsFarm
Wow, I wish I could draw like that! (I can’t. I suck at drawing. ^^)
You are right, we need small islands of rest for ourselves – to draw, to read a few pages in a good book or to simply watch the world. I am trying to take several time islands throughout the day for myself – getting up an hour early to meditate and write or edit my novel, sitting down after work for fifteen minutes to read a few pages, things like that. I am not less “effective” than before and feel much better.
Hi!!! I’m so glad to read you again. I should have known you were an artist. Your garden is so beautifully designed and your pictures so artistic. I can’t draw a straight line, but I understand how leaves perform photosynthesis. All types to make a world, don’t you know. I can’t wait to see the garden again.
you always amaze and inspire me
Beautiful drawings. Glad you are doing that for yourself 
So very awesome! I love the idea.. even if I cant draw according to others idea of what is good or not.. What a wonderful way to relax for a few minutes..
Thanks for a wonderful suggestion! ♥
How wonderful. I too have been yearning to draw again. I love working with colored pencil. Thanks for the inspiration.