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Drawing Inspiration

Began my day with my usual “drawing meditations”, little weird doodles that for whatever reason help me focus and force me to start my day on a creative note. So then, no matter what happens with the rest of my day, I have done something creative. Some days yes, its the only thing, but most days, thats not the case, but I feel like if I didn’t start off on the right foot so to speak, I may not continue down the right path for the day.

Next this morning in my inbox, came a message from Chris Oatley, who I am finding an invaluable teacher as a subscriber to the Magic Box at his Oatley Academy, about a live hangout they were doing this afternoon. I popped on, thinking, oh well, I’ll hang out for a while, but… I ended up hanging on every word. The ideas really resonated with me. The topic today was about creating work for yourself, and making that leap that the money would follow. It was very inspiring. As well he and Noah Bradley offered up their thoughts on books to read as well as their juicy tidbits of wisdom. Not at all pie in the sky dreamy wish I could do this or that, but that hard work pays off kind of thing.

I have been struggling with this notion for a long time. To hear others discuss these same problems in a frank and open manner was great.

Sometimes just a few words of encouragement is all you need to keep plugging away at your creative work. Thanks guys.

Start of a new work for Oatley Academy, Magic Box.
Start of a new work for Oatley Academy, Magic Box.
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Weekend Photowalk

It’s important to develop different creative aspects of yourself. This weekend Laura and I went on the Scott Kelby photowalk. We’ve done it before, and it’s a lot of fun. You get to meet new and interesting people, and wander around taking photos. Now, I don’t profess to be the best photographer, Laura is sooo much better than me, she always has been. But I enjoy it, and it gives me reference for drawing. It’s fun, and good exercise, both physically and mentally. You start thinking about pattern, line, form and composition in a different way. Composing the world around you through that little viewfinder, makes you be selective with what to include, what to exclude. Shifting that focus over 10 centimeters, can make all the difference in the shot.

After we finished with the photowalk, we all gathered at Under the Volcano, for lunch, a real chance to talk with everyone and share experiences. I was so happy the rain held off. The overcast sky and damp foggy morning made for some really interesting shots.

So here are a couple of my favourite shots from the weekend.

Then, after the “official” photowalk, Laura and I kept going for another hour or so. Here’s a couple of my favs from that.