The weather here has been very gloomy the past few days. I slept in this morning, something that I like to do on Saturdays, if possible (it's a nice thing to do on Sundays, too). I got up, stood by the back door and looked out on gray, cloudy skies. It didn't look to be a good motorcycling day so what exactly to do?
A bit of housework was in order. Just a bit. Picking up this and that. Walking past that little pile of ironing that has been draped over a chair for several days now. Walking past it again. Ok. I will get the ironing done. It's cool and gloomy out so why not?
I try to iron as little as possible. It's one of those things I just can hardly get myself to do. Once I get started, it's not so bad. I try to get into a zen sort of state. Be in the moment. The iron glides over the fabric; the wrinkles smooth out. Except for the ones I manage to put in there myself. And I always seem to make a few wrinkles. I got the job done. And felt a bit restless. I tried reading but was not in the mood. What to do.
I knew what I really felt like doing but was hesitating. I felt like drawing and painting a bit. It has been one of those things I wanted to get back to. I can't say I was ever very good at drawing and painting. That really wasn't the point. I simply enjoyed the act of doing it. And once in a while, I liked what I had done.
Remember this book I bought a few weeks ago from Dana Primavera?
I have picked up this book so many times since I bought it, glanced at it over and over every time I walked by the coffee table where I had placed it. Yes, I wanted to draw and paint a little picture in it. A bit intimidating since I haven't done it for some time and it really is a beautiful book. But if I waited until I had practiced enough or thought I was good enough then this book would remain a blank book. And it is much too pretty for that. So I got out my drawing pencils, my watercolors (some new ones I hadn't tried yet), my colored pencils and thin permanent markers.
What a fine couple of hours I had. And the painting? Not great but I like it. I think of the enjoyment I had while doing it. Now I am looking forward to filling up this book with bright, colorful paintings.
Since realistic painting is not exactly an option for me, I thought I might do some fantasy type things. Flowers that don't really exist, except maybe on an alien planet. Maybe some insects that don't really exist either. I think this will be an alien journey. And you know how much I like aliens.
Well, this has been a fine gloomy day. Rain is supposed to come tonight so it might be a fine gloomy day tomorrow as well. There is something calming, introverted about a day like this.
I hope everyone is having a calm, relaxing weekend!
