Has it really been that long???

What an enjoyable weekend I had just painting my clown in my art studio by the pond.  I have to admit though, I had no idea how long it had been since posting to my sketchblog. Last May and the last posting I believe, I drew this clown. Since then, he has been written into my middle grade novel, which by the way is almost complete, and painted into a wonderful mixed-media piece. There is so much more to this piece and I will actually unveil it sometime this week. I plan to finish the entire work by Wednesday of this week so be sure to check back here to see the finished piece. The novel I have been working so hard on over the past year has inspired me to explore an entirely new genre of art which will also be explained in more detail just as soon as I figure out the details. I have so many wonderful ideas floating - no, more like flying - around my brain right now I can hardly keep up! Its exciting and exhausting at the same time. But just like any proper artist, I cave to my creativity and explore all of my ideas as my 'domestic' life falls apart around me. It's a good thing I have such supporting children who have learned to accept that the kitchen can sometimes become an art studio and that dinner can be fun eating picnic-style on the living room floor! My lovely boyfriend also has a world of patience with me as I get lost in my work and refuse to leave the house for an entire weekend. My family is not only understanding of my creative "condition" but they actually encourage me to paint and write  and are excited to see the next piece. I have to say I have been blessed.

To sketch a thought...

To sketch a thought is a wonderful feeling! It isn't the finished product that gives me this wonderful feeling but the process of sketching itself. You see, while sketching, thoughts just flow. While drawing, most times I figure out how to deal with a problem or learn more about how I am feeling without even trying. The lines on the page just form the answers in front of my eyes. For example, I began this drawing with just a line and no thought as to where it would take me. By the end of this sketching session, I have to admit, the character looked EXACTLY how I was feeling at the time! Yes, I had a very stressful day with my 5 little ones. Anyway, here is my first sketch appearance in my 'sketch' blog. It's not the best work I've ever done, but it IS a funny piece and helps me make my point of sketching a thought or a feeling. I hope to be able to bring you daily sketches because I have taken on a challenge to sketch daily. It is just something I have wanted to do but never seemed to have time for so my goal in 2009 is to sketch daily. I realize it is already January 5th - I have sketched daily for 3 days now and will be uploading those 3 drawings soon. I want to scan them instead of photographing because it makes for better viewing quality and based on the sketches I have been producing I am going to need all the help I can get. For those of you who don't know me, I am a children's author and illustrator. I created a children's picture book series you can view here - www.charlieshead.com. Enough blogging from me though - I have to get to the sketchbook and scanner!!!