Persimmon

The Unknown Craftsman

One of my favorite art books is The Unknown Craftsman by Soetsu Yanagi. And one of its best chapters is titled The Beauty of Irregularity. There I find eloquent support for my fascination with asymmetry and the poetry of decay. "True beauty... cannot lie in the perfect or the imperfect, but must lie in a realm where such distinctions have ceased to exist..." 

It's this kind of wisdom that sets us free to discover the beautiful anywhere, even where it's not.

Satsuma

A Bowl of Lemons

The Archer's Paradox

Drawing is something I do to get centered when I feel disconnected from myself. It's not the only arrow in my quiver but it's one I rely on daily. Now, with a new year beginning, it's easy to get caught in an undertow of expectations. Drawing helps me to pay attention to the little things, the insignificant yet significant details of my life. It's a grounding exercise. The only objective in my daily sketch is to daily sketch. What I draw is not as important as making sure I draw. With it I'm less likely to stray from my purpose. And if straying from my purpose is necessary, then I can take that walk with a clearer mind and still find my way. Perhaps drawing is somewhat like the arrow in the archer's paradox, it must be aimed off target in order to hit the center. I may or may not be hitting center but I am aiming off target.  Is it really better to aim high and miss than it is to aim low and hit?  

Zig Zag

How many variations can an artist find while sketching from the same seat? I don't really know, however I'm starting to find some answers. This morning I went vertical and began to sketch by centering the handle of my funky coffee mug at the bottom of the paper. One line leads to another and, lo and behold, a subtle zig-zag emerges! It may not be as profound as Prometheus bringing us fire stolen from Zeus, but I'm seeing something new just the same. The more I observe, the better I see as I continue to draw. And there's no risk of being bound to my chair and having my liver eaten daily by an eagle.  

Heath Bud Vase

Heath Ceramics is a cool living reminder of old-school artisan Sausalito. There is a timeless feel to both the factory and the product. It's impossible to wander through there without finding a favorite shape to bring home. It's the bud vase for me. Small, squatty and simple, I like how it punctuates a room with a dash of understated beauty.  A single sprig from any plant becomes an elegant display of Ikebana in the Heath bud vase. Hanging out there makes me wonder what it might have been like living as an artist in that town back in the 50s before the t-shirt shops and tourism took over. So be it. Sausalito will always be a visually stunning village. And my favorite sandwich can be found at Fish which is a short walk from Heath. The Saigon Salmon Sandwich always satisfies. 

Hokusai Cup

Vintage Sketch

Stream of Consciousness Sketch

Juxtaposition Is My Mission

Moving Meditation

Sometimes the Pen Has Its Own Agenda

I usually begin the morning with a journal entry and a sketch, somewhat like Julia Cameron's suggested morning pages from her book, The Artist's Way. I haven't actually read the book even though it's sitting on my shelf, but I have often listened to the tapes while working in my studio. As with the pages, I've found that the morning is the best time for grounding exercises. They set the tone for the day. All mine happen early including the sketch, which is why a coffee or tea cup has been ubiquitous in my drawings. The cup becomes a familiar starting point and from there anything can happen. I might draw just the cup or sometimes the pen has its own agenda.   

Triton Museum Drawing Exhibition 12/11-3/4/09-2nd Place Award!

Last night was the opening reception for the Triton Museum's annual drawing and printmaking exhibition. I'm impressed that the rain did little to keep the crowds away from an uplifting visit to the art show. The museum staff hosts quite a reception so perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. However, I was indeed surprised to see a second place award posted next to my charcoal drawing. It's both unexpected and gratifying to receive added encouragement for my creativity. The drawing is a study for a painting of a migrant field-laborer harvesting cauliflower. It has been on deck patiently waiting to be made into a painting. Maybe this is a sign to move it up in the lineup.    

Triton Museum of Art

Room With a View 2

Room With a View

Ocean Beach Coffee Break

Sometimes What You See is Not There.

Looking at the Overlooked

The Uni-ball Vision Micro...

...is the sketching and writing pen I've been using since way back in the late 20th century. When I first gave it a tryout I was regularly using watercolor in my sketches. So I chose this pen for its waterproof ink. Unlike pens designed solely for sketching this one also works well for writing run-on sentences in my journals. I've gone through heaps of them. I'm unaware if it's a popular item and sometimes wonder if the company will ever discontinue this model, but so far there's always a box of them in the shop when needed. However, If that day comes when they are retired, I'll discover a new pen of choice... and cross-hatch that bridge when I come to it.   

The Jam Reversal

The text on the bottom of my favorite coffee mug reads: "The Jam Reversal." I have no idea what that means. I do know the cup was designed by Toshihiro Aoki on June 27, 2001. That's about when I bought it at a shop on Clement Street. Blue dots sit on a red field wrapping around the sides. Lately this familiar vessel has been finding its way into my morning sketches. Familiar things make for great starting points.