Saturday 4 June 2011

A Creative Need

A few posts back I mentioned that I found a dead rose head in my garden that I felt the need to paint.  Well, I didn't paint it but decided to sketch it in coloured pencils.  The colour palette was limited so the rose doesn't look quite as I had envisaged.  A few years ago I would have torn up the paper and been most upset that I couldn't replicate the rose exactly.  I am neither happy or unhappy at how the picture turned out.  I feel I have captured the essence of the rose but I could have taken more time over the drawing.  I didn't use an eraser or spend too much time over the detail.  I wish I could be the type of person that deliberates for hours, days, weeks over a painting/drawing until they get it 'right' - but I am not.  My drawing had to be instantaneous.  Observe.  Draw.  Move on.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the amount of projects that I want to do such as my cross-stitching, rubber stamping, painting, drawing, beading, sewing, crochet, gardening, baking etc.  It is so difficult to fit in all these pastimes with a family and make sure their needs are met and that they are well cared for as well as Gizmo and the hens. 

Although I show you parts of my garden and occasional glimpses of my home, I can assure you that both are as cluttered as my mind.  I find it hard to settle on one subject, topic, interest.  I want to explore them all!  I am gradually de-cluttering my home and garden and eventually my mind so that I am not floundering in a sea of ideas and projects.  Watch this space!

Edited: A close up of the picture can be found on my Mutant Trees blog.

22 comments:

  1. You're always too much hard to yourself Simone! I wish I could have so many interests and talents as you do have!
    xxx

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  2. That picture is stunning! I love it.
    I know what you mean about a cluttered home and mind I have both too.
    My home is reminiscence of Steptoes Yard and mind works faster than my fingers!
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  3. I love the rose just as it is. There are those who do botanical paintings and those who do less detailed work and both are equally valid. I think it is a bit like wishing you had blue eyes when you have brown - you are what you are and what you are is more than good enough! I know what you mean about having too many pots on the boil at any one time though and I sometimes wish I could really concentrate on one thing and do it really well but no I am a bit of a Jack of all trades and have come to accept that. Never mind about your house - whoever said at the end of their lives I wish I had been more tidy!!

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  4. I think you may find that nearly all creative people are cluttered in mind and life :-) I love that rose drawing especially the leaves of it, not sure why but I love them the best. Keep doodling and drawing :-) xxx

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  5. The drawing is excellent because you didn't deliberate but made it immediate. My mind is always cluttered too.

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  6. Sometimes a good de-cluttering is good for the mind and soul - thinking about it myself too,

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  7. Something I would very much like to do is to be able to draw and paint. I used to do both but haven't done so for a very long time. Well done for taking the time yourself to do so. I'm in a total clutter at the moment, I definitely have too many things I want to do but I'd rather have too many interests than too few or even none at all.

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  8. I could've written your second paragraph. In this way I am very much like you Simone. I couldn't have sketched the rose quite as beautifully as you though. x

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  9. Lovely drawing you are talented. As for de-cluttering, well my mind is full of clutter. Home, work you name it. I never seem able to turn off. I did downsize and de-clutter a few years ago but soon got fed up and bored with the a minimal look I have started to collect things all over again. So be careful what you do with your clutter don't get rid of things just put them away.x

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  10. Now this post interests me very much, Simone. I used t have a wee go at lots of projects that interested me, but then I met some very creative and good at it people and now I try nothing at all, because I'm too scared to start! You're miles ahead of me on the motivation front- as well as talent- and I am very much admiring your thoughts just now! Blogs are good!

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  11. You have captured the fragility of the decaying rose wonderfully, Simone! We have far too much clutter at home but I find it hard to part with things - it will have to be done one day though:)

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  12. Oh I am so with you on the whole having far too many projects that I want to get done to actually spend too long on any one thing. Sometimes I actually get so overwhelmed by all I want to do that I can't even start anything because I can't decide what to do first! Good luck with the decluttering xx

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  13. Your drawing is gorgeous - I cant draw for toffee!!! Let me know how your decluttering goes any tips let me know!! no matter how much decluttering I do the house is still a tip grr

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  14. Lovely drawing Simone!
    It is so hard trying to satisfy that creative urge when all around you are the mundane every day things to deal with, as well as the important task of looking after the family!
    If only there were a couple of extra days every week just to create!
    Gill x

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  15. Ooh looking forward to see your new cross stitch project. (oh forgot to mention my eat here get gas sign arrived from ebay yesterday - yay - except I now want my kitchen redecorating - hubby not happy!!) lol xx

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  16. I love the rose and I agree with ALL the above, a de-clutter may help but I know of old my house and mind have always been cluttered, artistic people often are. So many projects to do.....must stop reading all these lovely blogs and get on with some.....no......rather read the blogs!
    xxx

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  17. It's lovely Simone - lovely colours! And I understand the feeling of wanting to do everything, unfortunately that usually results in me achieving nothing!!

    Julia x

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  18. Simone,
    We're vibrating at the same frequency. Your list of projects all pushing and shoving for your attention sounds like my own. My little views into your life, though, show you are handling things with sensitivity and creativity. Love your sketch mostly because of its immediacy. The pencil impression of the rose carries a scent of age, just what the withered rose calls to mind. Beautiful just as it is. Your family and the animals mostly just need your love and I'm betting you have plenty of that to lavish on them all when you're happy because of your art works. Be gentle with yourself, my blogger friend. It's all good.

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  19. I think your rose drawing looks lovely. I cam totally relate to having too many things to do and not enough time to do them in. At least we'll never be bored! :)

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  20. Lovely colours, and I get a nice feeling from your drawing.

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  21. It's lovely Simone!
    It's your drawing, the way you see it and it's beautiful!
    I with you on the de-cluttering, I've been doing that since I returned from holiday with no time for knitting but that's going to change very soon!!
    Vivienne x

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  22. You are obviously a very creative person, Simone...and with that comes a lot of clutter and a lot of projects on the to do list!! I hope your de cluttering helps and you enjoy each project at a time, using your many talents. I didn't get to comment on your last post, but I loved your flower photos and I think your garden is looking lovely. Have a happy week!
    Helen x

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