Looking back through my blog posts in 2020.
The year was defined by the pandemic.
I am guessing 2021 will not be drastically different with
attention & activities close to home.
I like the way my art practice has been evolving
with fewer distractions.
At the same time, I miss exploring the world out there...
And I am saddened by the illness & death
& do not take my own health for granted.
Jan. 2020. The last time I sketched in a café, before shutdown.
In Jan. I kept a thumbnail visual journal.
Valentine's Day, 2020.
A friend & I sketched flowers that I'd received.
Before the quarantining began.
March 4. Last trip to Boston.
I unconsciously knew that this would be the last time for awhile.
I didn't know just how long it would be though.
March 15. Life changed.
The arrival of Covid, restrictions & fear.
I drew grocery store maps for practical reasons:
to get in & out fast.
Masks.
The colors & cloth inspired me...
So I got out my sewing machine, organized a sewing center
& learned more about stitching & working with cloth.
April. I enjoyed working on Pocket/Envelope folios & books,
inspired by Robinsunne & Amy from the
Library Art Journal Group.
I'm still enjoying making them.
The group started meeting on Zoom.
I'm grateful that we've been able to continue.
A creative spark during what can sometimes be a bleak time.
In May I started going again
on outdoor excursions with the Sketchers.
Camden Library park.
We don't meet now that cold weather has set in.
May: I started watching online Metropolitan Opera broadcasts.
I enjoyed learning more about this art form.
The sets, costumes & pageantry are stunning!
They have the same appeal as fairy tales did in my childhood.
Above: Cinderella.
July: Weeklong Experimental Sketchbook
University class via Zoom.
I enjoyed pushing my drawing to to some new places
The Zoom grid became a prevalent motif.
August: Short, local car rides became
as exciting as former longer trips had been.
September. Sketching with Sketchers
& on my own in local gardens.
Pockets of bliss.
September: With Sketchers at the local historic cemetary. Sunlight, autumn colors
& shadows were stunning that day.
Sketchers went to the Rail Trail, just a few miles out of town.
There is a "sancutary" with a picnic table off the trail
overlooking the river. Safely away from other walkers.
October. I learned a lot more about journaling including
organizational aspects in the Dot or Bullet Journaling mode.
Above: Food & Fitness Journal, Daily Journal,
Music & Dance Journals.
Today: I focus on my private journals,
experimenting & exploring,
Looking back, what do I miss the most?
Wandering out in the world with my sketchbook.
