Exercise and Art

11/13/2010 02:17:00 PM Posted In , , Edit This 23 Comments »
So, what do these two things have in common?  Well, if you're anything like me, there's a very strong similarity.  I'll start with exercise.  It's very good and healthy for me to do it .... ditto for art.  Sometimes I put off doing it .... ditto for art.   Once I finish doing it, I feel terrific .... ditto for art.   But, here's the biggest thing they have in common for me.   The longer I go without doing it, the harder it is for me to start up again.  Also, the more reasons and excuses I find not to do it, the worse I feel and the  more distressed I become.  

I haven't posted anything here for a month - I think that's a record for me.  It's not because I haven't thought about it.  It's not because I haven't had time, although we did a wee bit of traveling during that time and I also had a bit of a problem with my eye (the one that will be operated on this coming Wed.).  I can't even honestly say it's because I didn't have any art to show you - Vicki and I took a wonderful book binding class last weekend at Hollander's, and I could post pictures of the books I made (I will do that soon, though).  No, it's because I "fell off the camel" so to speak, and I just haven't been able to pick myself up, dust myself off, and jump back on again.   So, I decided that today's the day.  (Ironically, I have to hurry because we're going to a birthday party soon, and I still have to wrap the presents).

Just another quick thing.  I've been wanting to go back to the Ann Arbor Art Center to their life drawing studio.  It's been a really long time since I've been there, but I want to start going regularly on Friday afternoons (great timing - it's about to get really snowy here and the drive takes about 40 minutes in the summer).  Of course I haven't gone yet, but here are a couple of things I did back when I Was going regularly.  I post them here to give me the incentive to get off my tush and get myself going!


23 comments:

Vicki Holdwick said...

Hey Nancy,

It's good to see you online again. And as usual you have some very nice art to display.

These are quite good. I'm hoping to get to a life drawing session with you soon.

xoxo

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

These are beautiful Nancy, I really like the top picture it looks like she comes out of sand. Very soft and peaceful looking.
I really do hope you find your way back to your creative side : )

jill said...

I feel exactly the same as you, in fact I am just getting back into exercise but think you need to give yourself a break as you say you are getting your eyes fixed, when your ready you will get back to all that you love doing. I love the paintings as well

Sandy in Michigan said...

Very nice sketches! Good luck with your surgery on Wednesday and I hope you're back to doing art soon.

martinepittet said...

How nice to see you bac,!! These are lovely pieces! You must go back for sure !Looking forward to your next posts!All the best for you eye !

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see you posting again! Great sketches - and more to come, I hope!

Unknown said...

Missed you Nancy. Great post.

So true about exercise and art... I've been putting off a run for weeks, although still drawing :D

Shirley said...

So glad you're back and I look forward to seeing your next figure drawings. When I posted mine last week I realized how few EDM members are posting figure drawings these days!

Revelle Taillon said...

Been there, done that, Nancy. It's so hard to keep up those good habits, huh? Just be grateful when you accomplish any of them on any day. You only get those days one at a time. Don't beat yourself up for yesterday! Love your figure sketches. Going to a drawing class is about the only reason I would want to leave the house in the snow! ;-) go for it!

Sarah said...

Welcome back - you'll get to where you want to be, I'm sure. I like the combination of line and wash in these.

K said...

Wow, Nancy, I'm on the same path as you creatively. Can't seem to find the spirit. How lucky you and Vicki went to Hollanders - I've been wanting to go there too. What class did you take (I ask because I want to take a coptic binding class and all the class titles are so confusing). Hope you get back in the artistic mood again soon!

Cathy Holtom said...

I like both of these but the top one has something really special about it.
I will keep a look out for you trotting past on your camel!

ANAIS G. BURGOS said...

I'm glad to read again from you, Nancy :)
Fantastic post! I completely agree with you: execercise and art have a lot in common: the more you do it, the better you feel...And the less you do it, the more difficult to start again with them.
So we should promise don't stop with any of them! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Nice sketches. I especially like the lines and colours of the upper one.

She Who Doodles said...

glad you're back. good luck with the surgery.

Alex said...

Welcome back Nancy. I love what you posted, and speaking of not having time... I am facing the same scenario really.
Moved to a new town, a new job and new time table, with so much to learn so much to adapt... I can't find time to draw anything as the time I could squeeze out usually would be for me to rest. Hopefully this transition will be over soon and I'd be able to get back to my drawing board again =)

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, these are fabulous! Definitely go back if you can! Glad to see you post again!

Janene said...

Your figures are very gracefully done--I like the subtle shading. Welcome back!

debra morris said...

Welcome back Nancy, lovely life drawing

Anonymous said...

Beautiful sketches. I am the same way you are; if I stop, it's hard to get started. I got myself a trainer so I HAVE to go to the gym now and workout which makes me feel wonderful afterward, but I dread going all the way to door. haha I spend a lot more time thinking about doing something creative than I really do producing it. I let other things distract me. But, I am getting better. Progress, not perfection. :)

Margie said...

So absolutely true - exercis and art are so similar! I am in the same boat. I just began to sketch and paint everyday as well as exercise - I am a little bit better at sticking with the painting than the exercise. I will certainly remember this post when I get in a funk and don't want to exercise..

Peachtreeart said...

Don't you love when that happens? It doesn't happen for me often but when it does I hope it takes off like yours did!

carol l mckenna said...

Just stopped by to wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year to you ~

hugs and namaste,
cz:)