How Did I Do It?
3/23/2010 09:00:00 PM Posted In master's copies , pencil drawing Edit This 18 Comments »
When I was a young mother with 2 growing boys, I worked part time, was the president of a co-op nursery school, volunteered at my son's elementary school, was a consultant for a non-profit agency, and had time for my art .... not a lot, but still, I did it. I sewed Halloween costumes, baked, cooked, wall-papered rooms .... well, you get the picture. I was a normal American mom, doing the things normal American moms do. Now my children are grown. I volunteer at our county health department, but only one day a week. There's only my sweetie and I and our dog, Abby, here at home, and for some reason, all too often I have a heck of a time finding time for my art . Why is that, I wonder. It's true, I exercise every day now, but I'm finished with that most days by 7 AM, and I'm not locked into a schedule like I used to be. We do go to bed early most nites (Sweetie gets up at 4:00, so of course, I'm awake then, too) so I don't have the evenings to work like I used to, but still .....
Here's what I think. I think that one of the big obstacles (as well as one of the blessings in my life), is the internet. I get tons of email - things I'm interested in, mind you, but still, it takes me a lot of time to visit all the blogs and leave comments on all the wonderful work I see others doing. People send me links to interesting sites that I just have to check out! I had every intention of doing some art after dinner tonite, but since I was gone all day, I had tons of email that I wanted to check (in part because I knew if I didn't prune it, by tomorrow it would take me most of the day to go thru. I think I need to find a way to be more organized and efficient in my internet use. I'll have to ponder that.
In the meantime, I've decided on another Master's drawing to copy. This one is by Holbein, and I like it because it's an older woman. Her name is Margaret, Lady Butts, Wife of Sir William Butts, physician to Henry VIII; lady-in-waiting to Princess Mary. It's done with Pen and brush ink reinforcement and metalpoint. Mine will be done with pencil. I'm planning on starting it tomorrow morning, but here is Lady Butts, my newest model!
Here's what I think. I think that one of the big obstacles (as well as one of the blessings in my life), is the internet. I get tons of email - things I'm interested in, mind you, but still, it takes me a lot of time to visit all the blogs and leave comments on all the wonderful work I see others doing. People send me links to interesting sites that I just have to check out! I had every intention of doing some art after dinner tonite, but since I was gone all day, I had tons of email that I wanted to check (in part because I knew if I didn't prune it, by tomorrow it would take me most of the day to go thru. I think I need to find a way to be more organized and efficient in my internet use. I'll have to ponder that.
In the meantime, I've decided on another Master's drawing to copy. This one is by Holbein, and I like it because it's an older woman. Her name is Margaret, Lady Butts, Wife of Sir William Butts, physician to Henry VIII; lady-in-waiting to Princess Mary. It's done with Pen and brush ink reinforcement and metalpoint. Mine will be done with pencil. I'm planning on starting it tomorrow morning, but here is Lady Butts, my newest model!
18 comments:
Yes, the internet is my single biggest obstacle for getting things done. I wouldn't want to be without it, but it definitely steals my time. Not sure how to solve that one either - if you come up with an idea, let me know! :-)
hi Nancy. I guess that internet is one of the most addictive and time consuming things nowadays, at least it happens to me. During the classes terms I try to use it very little, at least visiting blogs, etc, but I feel terribly guilty when somebody leaves a comment in my blog and cannot or don't have the time to answer. Last year I was sleeping between 4-6 hours a day and I was exhauted.
Will come back later to see how your new model is treating you! ;) Best wishes.
Looking forward to seeing how you do with her in pencil.
I know what you mean about the internet. It eats up my time too. If I get the least bit distracted or frazzled in my day I go back to checking emails or visiting blogs. I think it keeps me both interested and ready to make art and also safe from producing any! The internet can be in inspiration therefore while being the crux of my problem at the same time. So what do we do about it? You are right that emails and group messages pile up if not taken care of plus it's fun to be a part of it. I'm thinking about limiting myself by saying no internet until I've done something measurable or at least until such and such o'clock. What are your ideas?
You're a supermom that's what you are Nancy ^^ I think the master's drawing is a good pick! Can't wait to see the WIP
And she's a fine one!
Yep, the internet is the biggest time suck I know of. I restrict my email and only rarely enter into regular correspondence with anyone - my blog is and has to be my contact point.
I stopped using flickr a long time ago - too much stuff, too overwhelming. I'm strict with myself - I must have strong feelings about a blog to follow it, and i try not to spend more than half an hour catching up each day!
Oh Nancy, you are so right. I used to wonder how I fitted in all that I did when I had a young family to look after as well as hold down a full time job and do volulnteer work. I have been thinking that it is to do with age and that I am just slower at everything -as I am retired, I have no other excuses. But of course, I did not spend time on the internet then..... don't know where we would be without it 'tho!
Your sketching of the old masters gets better and better - the practice does show.
Aaah, Nancy, what a busy but simpler life you led back then!
Yes, the internet is evil. So are cell phones. Life was so much simpler without them. A timer is the best thing - set 15-30 minutes and be prepared to walk away when it goes off.
In addition, perhaps you got more done back then because your days were so much busier and you knew how to efficiently schedule your day. I know of people who, after they quit their full-time job and stay home, can't figure out where the day goes and they accomplished nothing. :)
I love your portrait - she's coming along nicely!
Cue bullhorn announcing: STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER- STEP AWAY!! LOL!!
I hear ya- I feel your pain. I think talking about it helps you deal with it. I try not to post to groups too often- so I don't have to deal with trying to keep up. So I lurk. But it's still an issue- the time.
The internet is a total blessing though- so everything in moderation, I suppose.
Looking forward to your next drawing!
The internet is a huge inspiration and cheering section and an enormous time suck at the same time.
I've found that I get a lot more accomplished when the laptop stays off - and there are days (or even a whole weekend) that I leave it in my car and never turn it on.
I figure if I've missed anything I'll catch up eventually - or I won't - and it's all ok either way. (I'm talking about catching up on blogs and comments, etc., not work, of course.)
You'll find your balance point eventually. Just keep looking!
Oh yes, I completely understand! The internet is a blessing and a curse for me. Sometimes I go days without creating my own art because I cannot stop looking at the art of others! Another thing that has come up lately, I was reintroduced to spider solitaire. Hadn't played in years and now I'm addicted again and it takes away from everything. I'm about to remove it completely from my computer just so I can get something done!! I look forward to seeing your sketch...this looks like a good one!
My hubby gets up at 4:00 am-ish but I go right back to sleep! I get up at 9:30, feed the animals then go to my computer. If I have work, I do that first. Then I go through my hundreds of emails, leaving comments if I can. Then when hubby gets home from work, we eat, then I sit down in front of the TV with him, and draw until I go to bed, usually around 9 or 10. No kids at home either. I'd draw first if you're going to get up that early. THEN exercise and you've done some drawing..the most important part of the day! Or sleep in, and go to bed latter! LOL, Revelle
It is reassuring to see that it is a dilemma for many, to surf or to comment or to draw. Too many interesting things going on!
But I prefer too many than too few.
I will be looking at your version of Margaret.
my first comment vanished!
I found that reassuring that it is a dilemma for many, to surf, to blog, to comment or to draw!
Too many interesting things going on.
I will look at your interpretation of Margaret.
I too am spending far too much time on the computer. I find that on days I "restrict" myself I get more done....and I often take WHOLE DAYS off.....yes, it means that I have a BIG backlog when I come back, but I start by going thru the list and simply deleting everything that I don't NEED to see without even opening it. I've "unsubscribed" from several groups, newletters, etc. Others I just move to a folder to "read later" and if I don't get to those my life goes on anyway......go figure. I have a cell phone that I rarely use or carry with me. I don't give that number out unless I really want to receive calls on that one. My house phone has NO answering machine...if you call and I'm not home...you have to call back. I still spend too much time on the computer. I teach online classes and my son uses an online computer curriculum so those take a lot of time even without email, blogs, newsites, etc. I long for the days when I wrote letters every night while watching tv.....*sigh* It so reminds me of how the "labour-saving" devices of the 50's (clothes washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, vaccumms, etc. were shown to actually create MORE work for housewives.....as they felt they had to clean more often...than they saved!! It's so easy to get sucked into cyber space...I find a new link on a homeschool or art site and the next time I come up for air...I've lost HOURS sometimes....... good luck figuring it out!! *L* deni...;)
Oh my, I have a love/hate relationship with the internet. It is such an inspiration to see everyone's work, but the time just vanishes when I'm on the computer. Trying to stay away from it just creates a mountain of a backlog. What to do???
You are doing such an amazing job with the master's sketches.
oh yes . . . the internet *sigh* Here I sit on a Saturday morning at 4:30 checking and responding to e-mails and blog hopping. I figure if I do it now I will have the rest of the day to play in my pens and ink and paints and . . . *smiles* Let's see how THAT works for me! LOL
And thank you so much for stopping by and commenting on my latest Zentangle.
Thanks for visiting me, Nancy, and in turn, allowing me to find another fabulous artist blog to follow. I am just blown away by your Holbein piece. Aren't there a line of Holbein paints as well? (The mind flits.) Is this for the Following the Masters challenge? I attempted one of Da Vinci's drawings and had to use a grid to do it, but it quite honestly came out fabulously! Wish I could do it without a grid...but baby steps, I suppose. What IS that she is wearing on her head? I can't quite figure it out! LOL
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