Making Sunshine

Hi.

I love a quote that I read a long time ago when I joined my very first online art forum; Artpapa.  One of the fellow members always signed off her posts with the signature, "Art Saves."  You know, just like Jesus does?  Well, perhaps not on the same level.  I liked it, and I now say it all the time because for me, it does save .  When I am stressed out, I now find that drawing is one great way to ease my worried mind.   This week has been a doozy;  I lost a dear friend to cancer a few days ago.  I'm not quite myself.

Usually, I am all for a cloudy, rainy day.  Especially Spring rain.  You just can't bottle the aroma.  While I do have my winders open, I find myself still very melancholy.  I think it's the first time I truly wanted the sun to shine.  So, what's a sad girl to do?    Draw some, of course!

Actually, I've been tinkering with an idea for over a year.  For whatever reason, I didn't think it would ever come to fruition.  My cousin in Florida loves suns.  She collects them.  Seems right since she lives minutes from the ocean.  A true sun-goddess.  I have wanted to draw something up for her collection, but just couldn't get it right.  I knew what I wanted to do, but I kept messing it up.  I love the sun/moon face.  I tried over and over but hated what I came up with.  I've drawn portraits in the past.  When I draw a face, I'm pretty anal about it looking picture (or as close to) perfect as I can get.

This morning I told myself that I needed to cheer up.  My friend up there would hate that I'm so sad.  So, I put on some Chopin, made another cup of coffee and got my big sketchpad out.  Before I knew it, my coffee was cold and I had something on paper!  I liked where it was going.  I'm usually not one for whimsical drawing. I mean I never do it.  No real reason why.  Hell, I like it! I just don't do it.

 This was FUN!   I did have to tell myself to stop being such a perfectionist.  Lines were not perfect.  Mistakes were made.  Parts uneven.  Still, I really liked it and told myself (I talk to myself quite a lot) that I'd be doing a lot more stuff like this in the near future!

An untouched moon lets the sun shine.

  Yes, there definitely things I wish I had done, and certainly things I wish I had not done.  Still, I kinda like it.  I chose not to put a face on the moon.  I wanted the sun to shine.  I do wish I had colored the eyes green.  I keep seeing my cousin Karen, here.  Is it just me?

So at the end of the day, I've done a cute drawing.  One that I'm kind of proud of.  I even added color.  The sun is shining.  And looking outside, it truly is, now.  Whaddya know;  art really does save.

Keep drawing!