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Yesterday the second sketchcrawl of 2010 took place. I missed out on it because I got ill after doing some gardening on the balcony. To make up for it—because I really wanted to do it—I did a mini sketchcrawl on my own today. Perhaps even during May 15th somewhere on this planet still...
I drew some plants, some of which I've drawn before. I also drew my flowerpress, which I've also drawn before.
The other cucumberplant-drawing I refer to and the earlier flowerpress drawing:
A few days ago Michael Nobbs released his two booklet (Start to draw your life and 75 ways to draw more, previously released as make-it-yourself-booklets) as a combined updated and free eBook. Naturally I downloaded it.
And almost just as naturally I didn't draw.
Today however I decided to take action. After putting dinner in the oven (courgette filled with quinoa, tomatoes, spring onions and some cheese) I grabbed my moleskine—somehow I wanted to draw in that instead of my regular book, so I went with the flow and used it—and drew my mini cucumber plants. Not only will the plants stay mini, they'll also produce mini cucumbers. I like mini plants, and mini fruits and veggies.
I then popped out on the balcony, drew a lovage leaf, and a recently sprouted mustard-plant (at least, I think it'll become a mustard-plant, but with brassicas, you never know...). After that I drew one of my bok choy plants, also the mini version (with a small balcony you have to work as space-efficient as you can). I like how it turned out.
And dinner only burnt a little bit.
I haven't drawn in a while, even though I want to. I can't seem to muster up the will or the courage, or whatever. I have also spent more time gardening, the season started again after all.
I've sown plenty of plants and herbs, some didn't work and some I killed. Others seem to do fine and I'll put them out as soon as possibly.
I've channeled my few creative juices towards making myself salads, yesterday and today. I even went as far as buying a plate for the purpose. Salads look so much better on a white plate than on a blue-grey one.
Although the balcony has yet to produce a complete salads, I have used bits of balcony-plants to make my salads. I've sown a lot of salad-related plants, so guess what I'll eat a lot of ;)
The first one I made today, with mixed lettuce, arugula, cherry tomatoes, pickled onions and an egg from the store, drizzled with a blendered tofu dressing mixed up with some olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and herbs from the balcony (chives, spring onion, garlic greens and leaf celery). It got a bit chunky, like mayonnaise, so I blopped it on. I then sprinkled some salt, pepper and spicy paprika over the dish.
Tasted great.
The second one I made yesterday, with the same mixed lettuce, arugula, pickled onions, and cucumber. I threw a few pieces of quorn filet on it and drizzled it with a mixture of yo-fresh (mayonnaise made with yoghurt), mustard, honey and balsamic vinegar. The lighter and small green leaves on the edge of the plate came from the balcony, and I added a few tiny sprigs of balcony-arugula.
Still working on those salad skills...
I spent the morning in the hospital, getting my iron-IV. My haemoglobin levels have dropped slowly since surgery and my iron supply has fallen well below normal levels. This probably plays some part in my ongoing fatigue and my doctor decided that instead of pills, I'd get two iron IVs. Today I had my first, next week the second.
I expected to have to wait a while and brought my drawing book, and then drew the IV several times.
I've drawn my IVs before, once when I had to get a CT-scan for my lungs (in the beginning of getting ill) and then when I had surgery and they had to give me a new one every two or three days because it kept clogging up.
I crawled around a bit today, trying to hoover under the sofa.
Today the first sketchcrawl of 2010 also took place, so I also did some drawings. I didn't crawl during the sketching though, not good for the knees...
This morning I drew my washing up brush. It has a compartment for the liquid and when you press the button on the top, the liquid comes out a bit. I bought a bunch of them when I found them, because I quite like them. They feel nice in my hand and comfortable to use.
Earlier I drew my toy mini car. When I grow up I want a real mini. Yes, with these colours!
I found a new paintbox for my watercolours. My previous one, though not really broken, annoyed me. Every time I would toss it around or hold it sideways or upside down, they pans would fall out and everything got messed up.
With this new one, the pans sit firmly between two metal bits, and I have enough space for two small tubes (black and white) and my (water)pensils.
I spent the past ten days without my laptop, very interesting. I had my trusty EEE pc and my phone to fall back on, however, mostly just for the basics. My workflow on my macbook did not fit the EEE (for one, I really missed TextExpander)
I mostly rested, having an RA-flare, and did some decluttering (which I intend to continue). I also worked out a small plan to start a new sleeping-schedule. After trying for months to fit back in the 'normal world' I decided to revisit my afternoon naps. Not sure if I feel better, but I like the idea of getting up early, do stuff, then go to have a three or four hour nap in the afternoon and then do things in the evening as well. None of that power-nap stuff, I need solid hours. This way, I hope to spread my energy more evenly and to still participate in the 'normal world'.
I tried it out today, and though I feel sleepy and tired and slightly confused, I did very much enjoy my afternoon nap. I also made a drawing this morning, during my first wake. Always good :)
I used one of my hemp sproutingbags to store some sweet potatoes. They liked it so much they started to grow.
Despite frequent hand-issues (just pain, it goes away with rest) I've managed to do quite a lot of drawing in phases. A few minutes on, an hour off, something like that. It worked out pretty well and I feel really good about the results. I've almost finished the four seasons set (always something left to tweak...) and took out bits to create two nice and calm backgrounds:
I've had this one in my head for a long time. Even started painting it (with real paint, yes). I don't know why, but today I had to do something with it, suddenly.
So I did.
And she floats.
Michael Nobbs' latest book!