Forgotten Art...
Before I discovered photography and it took over my life my main hobby was drawing and painting.
Like most hobbies, I never had enough time to devote to it and although a sketch pad and pencils were never far from my hand, it was only when I was on holiday that I ever really made the effort to attempt to create anything.
I can't actually remember the last time I put pencil to paper but it's certainly over three years ago as I just haven't had the urge to draw since I picked up a camera. Well weirdly enough I had absolutely no inclination to pick up my camera today but I was itching to get a pencil on my hand and feel its soft lead skimming over some paper.
I dug out a sketch pad and a set of pencils and set about satisfying my craving. I gave myself half an hour to complete whatever I decided to draw (if I don't give myself a strict time limit I fiddle and fuss too much) and the result is today's blip.
What struck me most about the experience was how I'd forgotten how utterly absorbing and relaxing sketching is. How very much in the moment you are as you try to translate what is happening before your eyes, onto a blank sheet of paper.
I was also struck by how much my hands have deteriorated in the years since I last did this. Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis are definitely taking their toll. I was quite shocked at how heavy handed I was and how making delicate marks on the paper was almost impossible no matter how far up I held the pencil.
That said, I did enjoy doing it and I'm not too embarrassed by the result, however it will no doubt end up in the bin along with the other 90% of any art work I've ever done, as a few days down the line I will look at it and deem it horrendous.
Like many things in life, for me it's the journey that's important and not the destination.
In other news, our smoke alarms have been going off randomly all afternoon. They're connected to the mains so it's not a flat battery. I jump out my skin every time it happens. Very annoying.
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