Circling Birds
April 27th, 2008
This weekend was a whirlwind tour to NYC to see the hubster's family for Greek Easter. It's an important holiday for them (the hubster's dad was born and raised in Greece), so we made the trip out and participated in the fun traditions (tsougrisma : egg cracking game) and ate some traditional Greek food (lamb roasted over a charcoal fire, Easter bread that has dyed red hard-boiled eggs on top, and Easter biscuits.) We had a great time, but it was a quick visit and now we're back home.
I meant to post this before I left, but ran out of time. I'm working on a couple more drawings with white ink on black paper with the little circles. A couple people have mentioned how the bigger circles that make up the leaves look a bit like bicycle wheels, which I thought was kind of cool as I seem to have some circle/cycle/bicycle themes going on in much of my art lately. Funny how symbols will pop up like that without you even realizing it. This one has two birds and I'm calling it "Two Branches."
Speaking of birds, when we got home, we found a bird wing and a bunch of feathers on our living room rug. Our porch door was open a crack so the cats could enjoy the fresh air. Either a bird was brought in from the porch or it flew into our apartment, which would be a huge mistake for any bird and a wildly good time for the four cats who rarely get to hunt something that's actually living. The hubster was totally grossed out, but I grew up with my cats bringing me mouse guts and such, so I wasn't too disturbed. The only thing we're wondering about is where the rest of the bird is. Hopefully it was eaten and isn't tucked away for us to find later. That could get stinky.
With these black and white drawings, it take some time to make up the trunk with all the tiny circles, but it's also a meditative kind of process. It's relaxing, soothing, and gives the mind space to roam. Good ideas often come in this space. All repetitive things can become like that, things like weeding, sewing, knitting, cutting vedgies for a soup, etc... Have you ever had that experience?
12 Responses
Your trees are so beautiful! They remind me of the Shel Silverstein illustrations of my childhood for some reason. -Happy creations, from tj in germany
Posted by: TJ | Apr 28, 2008 at 1:55 am |
I have to smile and nod in regards to your ending question. Doing repetitive things, perhaps also called “mindless” things, is what allowed me the time and mindframe to actually come up with ideas about how to go about incorporating creativity in my every day. It is while I was moving the lawn and cleaning the garden by doing just physical labor that I did “mental” labor as well.
Right now, I’m having this visual of you “walking” the concentric circles of church labyrinths as you draw your circles on the black paper.
Before I get too meditative on this post, I’ll sign off by saying that you have created another beautiful and unique piece. Kudos!
Posted by: Attaining Creativity | Apr 28, 2008 at 2:54 am |
Hi Leah !
I love these white doodles on black ! I think the contrast is unexpected and makes your eye really draw to the symbols and detail of your drawings.
I have been doing a lot of doodles myself these days but I haven’t had time to photograph them and post them yet. It is definitely a meditative process. During our mini-vacation to Virginia last week, the hubby sat reading and I sat doodling while we waited for a break in the rain. I definitely got totally lost in filling the page with whatever my mind made my fingers draw. It is great to have those quiet moments where even my sometimes crazy, extremely busy mind is at rest really.
I found this site about artist who uses amazing doodles in her illustration work. Check her out !http://thischicken.blogspot.com/2008/04/finding-our-futures.html
I am actually using the theme of doodles for an upcoming art journal workshop that I guide each month. I definitely want to try your white on black technique to show my ladies !
Take care and have a great Monday !
Kim
Posted by: Kimbo | Apr 28, 2008 at 7:20 am |
Oh, yes I know what you mean, Leah. It’s very soothing. Although drawing, art detail work and carving are much more soothing to me than weeding or cutting carrots, lol.
Posted by: Shayla | Apr 28, 2008 at 9:20 am |
I love the white on black – very graphic – makes the circle stand out.
And yes, often simple repetitive actions have left room for my brain to roam and be creative.
Posted by: Rebecca | Apr 28, 2008 at 12:34 pm |
I can’t believe a bird might of flown into your home. That is funny! Probably a lucky/good sign until the kitties ate him, lol. I love your black and white drawings and can’t wait to see more of them!
Hugs,
a.
Posted by: andrea | Apr 28, 2008 at 12:57 pm |
I love the white ink on black! Awesome!
I think I read somewhere that there is nutritional value in birds for the cat.
It was something specific. I don’t remember what it was though.
Thanks for stopping by! I wish I would of had my camera with or I would of took pictures of the masks and other things I made from the book while I was at my dnphs.
God Bless Your Creative Life!!!
Posted by: Flassie | Apr 28, 2008 at 10:53 pm |
Beading – beads are definitely soothing and “mindless” and meditative. In younger years it was needlepoint which I designed and worked – I still have some around but don’t sit still long enough to do much anymore.
Your birds are showing up in my artwork! I should have a picture up today. =]
Posted by: Tammy Vitale | Apr 29, 2008 at 8:20 am |
Not yet. I´m usually multi tasking so I “fill my hands” with knitting on that times that I can only chat (like afternoons at my mil´s or waiting for dd´s swimming class).
Lovely tree. It´s not easy for white ink to show on black.
Posted by: Paula – Buenos Aires | Apr 29, 2008 at 10:55 am |
This looks like a dreamtree. Love the idea of forming the trunk with little circles, I understand the meditative quality of this kind of drawing!
And your cats, they must have had a wild party… I once found just two little birdfeet on my bed, and a feather and the cats (had two at that time, now there’s only one left) looking innocent. Don’t know how they digest all those feathers but they do. Unless they are saving them to make little cat pillows..:)
Have a lovely day
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | Apr 30, 2008 at 9:18 am |
I remember hearing a buddhist story about a monk who became enlightened while doing the dishes…bu tthat hasn’t happened to me yet! In my work I get into “zen mode” when I’m planishing my pieces (this is where you painstakingly hammer the form with brushstroke-type marks to smooth the piece out). Many people find this part boring, but I love it. I also find that as I’m walking (the dog, to work, etc) my mind can clear the clutter and new ideas or answers come to me.
Posted by: Wendy Edsall-Kerwin | Apr 30, 2008 at 8:28 pm |
I remember hearing a buddhist story about a monk who became enlightened while doing the dishes…bu that hasn’t happened to me yet! In my work I get into “zen mode” when I’m planishing my pieces (this is where you painstakingly hammer the form with brushstroke-type marks to smooth the piece out). Many people find this part boring, but I love it. I also find that as I’m walking (the dog, to work, etc) my mind can clear the clutter and new ideas or answers come to me.
Posted by: Wendy Edsall-Kerwin | Apr 30, 2008 at 8:28 pm |