Sunday, February 17, 2013

Peace Alphabet: Sketches


Now that the first four letters of my ALAW 2013 Peace Alphabet are complete, I've been sketching out ideas for E, F, G and H.


And while I'm at it, I've been playing around with some other letters.


Just like my hamsa sketches last year, I've found this sketching to be almost a meditation.

One idea leads to another and another.

This is truly a form of relaxation. And I can't help but think that it is in part due to the sketchbook I'm drawing in...an unassuming Composition Book.


I'll admit that from time to time I'm seduced by the beauty of a handmade journal...the loveliness of the paper, the beauty of the meticulous binding. I own a number of these journals. I've even attempted to write and draw in them. But I never seem to find the freedom to doodle and sketch. They seem too precious to me.

My best ideas seem to appear on scraps of paper, sticky notes and the ubiquitous Composition Book.

6 comments:

  1. "They seem too precious to me." Ah, someone else who agrees with me. I adore handmade journals but really do have trouble forcing myself to sketch in them. I feel like my sketches are so embarrassingly bad (I cannot draw) that they don't warrant such lovely books!

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    1. I think one loses the sense of freedom just to scribble...as they seem like they are made for more "important" things. I also can't seem to create one of those magnificent art journals.

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  2. I know the feeling too. It would probably be a lot easier if you drew and doodled on any old piece of paper and then bound them all together to create a journal. The paper may not be high quality but the result would be more impressive than you think. And it could also be a first step toward losing your fear of precious journals.

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    1. I can see that but it would be more like a scrapbook or journal, as you say. I do sometimes take my sticky notes scribbles and ideas and put them in my composition books. I guess I feel a freedom in them...that I can doodle, sketch and write. They are more a thinking vehicle. If I want to go further I will often enlarge the doodles and trace and transfer onto a block or a piece of cloth. I guess my other favorite useable paper is tracing paper...can't have enough pads!

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  3. In the end, I suppose the important thing is that you do sketch - on whatever, with whatever! It looks like you've been having a wonderful time with your 'peace' letters... And the fact that it feels like a meditation is especially fitting considering the theme.

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    1. Hi Lisa- Yes, I have enjoyed the challenge of working on the Peace letters now that I've decided what to do. It's become a bit of a game...square format, a letter, a bird, a peace sign (or all seeing protective eye)...thinking of inventive ways to put it all together.

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