Inspiration

I haven't been spending a lot of time drawing lately.

Not sure why, as it always brings me a little happiness when I take the time.

Saturday night, I was watching TV with Eric.In the corner of the living room is a little hutch where his computer sits. Also in that corner, a hanging lamp. It hangs over the computer chair and I sit there and draw while we watch whatever's on. Lately we've been watching some interesting stuff on the Weather Channel and The Voice. I'm not a big fan of that show, but I don't hate it. So I can manage to sit through it, especially since he fast forwards through quite a lot. Sometimes the song butchery is just too much, ya know?

So I drew.

I'm always surprised that I can make something that's recognizable, as I thought for about 45 years that I could not draw. My third grade teacher, upon observing an attempt I'd made to draw a bird suggested that, "You're so good at reading and you have such a beautiful singing voice... maybe you should work on those things!"

So I did. I read all the time growing up, and I didn't draw. I was always envious of the girls who took art classes at school, wishing I could draw so I could take the classes, too. It never occurred to me that I could learn to do anything resembling art.

Then I discovered Zentangle and Zentangle-inspired art.
I couldn't stop drawing the little squiggles and doodles and loops and flowery things. I started branching out. Added some expensive colored pencils to my pile of supplies. Found some textured paper that brought me happiness. Found pens that wrote smooth lines (yummy gel ink) and kept doodling.

I discovered Johanna Basford's coloring books, although I don't color the pictures very often. Instead, I use the books for inspiration. The picture here was inspired by one from Enchanted Forest.

I started with the stump and the mushroom, then closed the book and started adding my own stuff. When I looked back at the picture, some of what I'd seen stuck with me, some was my own. I suppose since I started with a blank piece of paper it really is my art, although I wouldn't have drawn it without seeing the art in the book.

Anyway, I like drawing now, something I never thought I'd say. And I'm (mostly) happy with the things that flow from my pen.

What inspires you?