Day 33: Gray

I'm not feeling great today.  Just a little head cold, but it is rainy and I just wanted to stay on the couch all day and watch movies. I was able to relax and take it east after I presented a webinar on "Art Therapy - Interpreting the Art and Facilitating Communication", attended a Jog-a-Thon meeting at my daughter's middle school and saw a client struggling with school anxiety. Finally, I watched the Oscar nominated "The Kids Are All Right" - which was awesome.

I chose the color gray because today was definitely a gray day*.  But the drawing that came out is playful and silly.  I was drinking a cup of tea, out of a mug that I bought a few years ago in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.  I refer to that mug as "My weekend cup", because I use it only on the weekends to feel special and relaxed.  (My hubby teases me about having a "weekend mug", but it makes me happy).  The images in this drawing are taken from that mug.

I just now notice that there are two of everything in this drawing - two fish, two trees, two flowers, two shells and even two suns.  Why?  Maybe I am feeling alone and want to connect with someone else.  Maybe two makes me feel comfortable.  I have two daughters and two cats.  Thoughts from anyone else?  PS: Hubby finally came home after running the daughters here and there, and he brought me Matzaball soup.  Good hubby.

*Side note: Dr. Seuss has a book called, "My Many Colored Days" which was written in 1973, but was not published until after his death.  Dr. Seuss had specifically left instructions that this book be illustrated by someone else.  That is not an easy task, but was accomplished by two amazing colorists, Steve Johnson and Lou Fanche.  This book has also been made into a video that is scored by the Minnesota Orchestra and narrated by Holly Hunter - it is an amazing 15 minutes of pure joy.  Check it out!

Day 2: Blue Green

I wanted to use the crayon in a different way, so I decided to melt it. I was getting frustrated because the candle wax was mixing with the crayon wax and I had some difficulty getting the paper wrapper off. Once I decided to embrace the elements that I was trying to avoid (the wrapper and the candle wax), the whole picture started to come together. Once I had melted about 3/4 of the crayon, I blew out the candle and reverted to using the crayon in it's traditional way.

I do not like this drawing. I feels forced and contrived. I feels confused and disjunct.

Usually "Blue Green" would be a calming color for me, but not today. It is early morning, and I feel as if I am in a rush. Also, my 15 year old daughter is ill today and is staying home from school. She has been sick for the past two weeks, and she was getting better, but there seems to have been a relapse. I am frustrated and confused as to how to care for her. That is why this drawing reflects those feelings.

If I learn from this drawing, it may be to allow the outside elements to contribute to the whole picture. Maybe my vision is too myopic right now. I have to include things that I thought were trash and needed to be discarded.

Your thoughts are welcome and encouraged!

Day 1: Red Violet

This drawing seemed to evolve out of the color. It feels very organic, but almost in the opposite color than I would expect it to be. I've always thought of "Red Violet" as a Victorian and uptight color. This does not feel like that.

I am open to your interpretations. And I am curious to see if others want to draw their own picture with a "Red Violet" crayon.

Crayon has never been my favorite medium. I am going to have to explore unconventional ways to use this art material. Any suggestions?

New Webinar

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11/16/2010 4p PST.

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No special equipment needed - just a computer and the internet.

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