Scribbly Dog, oil pastel on paper.
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I like this little dog, scribbled quickly while waiting for a workshop to begin last April. He’s tacked above my computer, and I look at it and think, “How in the world was I in such a free place as to draw like that?” And I wonder if I can ever do another one like it….
I’m feeling a bit of a freeze lately… I’ve STARTED a lot of drawings and paintings these last few weeks, but… nothing.
But it will come back, I know this now from experience. So I’m spending my time puttering around trying to clean up the studio, working on my various online classes (current and upcoming), and reading.
I picked up Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent Van Gogh from Powell’s a few weeks ago, and sat on it for a week or so before starting. I’m not sure why, but I think I was nervous because I thought it might be depressing. However, I was absolutely hooked as soon as I started, and I’m not finding it depressing at all (though I’m only a third of the way in, I may eat my words).
But Vincent Van Gogh was very articulate and a lot of what he writes to his brother is wise and true:
Work is always a good thing.
I have been very busy today with a great many little nothings, but they belong to my duty; if one has no sense of duty, who would be able to collect his thoughts at all? The feeling of duty sanctifies everything and binds things together….
When we are working at a difficult task and strive after a good thing, we are fighting a righteous battle, the direct reward of which is that we are kept from much evil.
(paraphrased) Only words that come from the heart are powerful enough to touch other hearts.
Anyway, I’m loving this book, and will probably share more in the upcoming weeks.
Have a great week!
