Introduction

I know what you’re thinking: “who starts a blog in 2024?” Yes, I’m very, very late to the game! I’ve thought about setting one up so many times over the years, but like so many other things, the idea fell by the wayside as life got in the way. The idea keeps returning to mind, though, so I figure now is better than never!

So why start a blog? Well, I suppose I’m looking for a community and accountability. I am keen to explore more of my interests, mainly art and photography. As a mom of two rambunctious little boys, and as a software engineer-turned-manager, I find it difficult to make time for my personal pursuits. I’m looking for motivation to keep practicing. Even if no one finds this blog, I can at least have a public forum for my own accountability. And I’m hoping to find friends, kindred spirits, or conversations in the process!

So, to wrap up my introduction, I thought I’d share a bit of my artistic journey:

I am not one of those who knew they wanted to paint and draw from a young age. Naturally, I enjoyed art class more than any of the others in middle school, but my creative outlets were more on the writing side of things. I never really considered picking painting or drawing up as a hobby until much, much later.

I first painted “for me” when I was 20, broke beyond belief, but in dire need of artwork to spruce up my shabby apartment of found-furniture. As any frugal craftsperson knows, going to Michael’s to buy all the supplies to make something is much cheaper than just buying the thing (right??? RIGHT?!). This adventure resulted in 5 paintings of varying quality, 2 of which still hang in my home almost 15 years later. But alas, I went back to college, and all thoughts of painting/drawing were replaced with the usual college life concerns (and of course I mean studying 🙂 ).

Cut to 10 years later. I’d just started using Instagram (yes, I know, I’m REALLY slow to adopt technology) and found myself scrolling through the urban sketching hashtags. The moment I saw the sketches, it was love. I loved looking at them, I loved seeing the journeys of the artists who sketched, and loved the thought of doing so myself. For the first time, I saw an art world where flaws and imperfections were embraced rather than scrubbed away, and the fear of failure shoved away. I wanted, no NEEDED, to try myself. And so, back to Michael’s I went, to get a palette and a sketchbook.

My first painting wasn’t an urban sketch. It was based on a painting I found on Pinterest. But it was a start, and it was something I was proud of!

I’d love to say that I grew from there, painted every day, and became a master artist. But no. Life happened: I became pregnant with my first, started a new job that was very exciting but time-consuming, had my son, and then of course the pandemic hit. I did paint sporadically during these times, but not enough concentrated study to make noticeable progress. And one thing I failed to acknowledge was that I was intimidated, and didn’t really know how to begin from scratch with drawing from life.

Fortunately, my interest was reignited when I learned of Alicia Aradilla‘s artwork, and her Patreon page. The simple, short lessons with minimal materials and beautiful outcomes were PERFECT to fit into my “me” time in the evenings. From there, I learned of more artists who were growing their online presence as a result of the pandemic, and was able to take Zoom workshops with artists I’d previously admired from afar – such as Stephanie Bower and Judy Salleh. I filled several sketchbooks, and I was finally beginning to build an array of techniques that I could use to create my own works from life!

Except I still haven’t really done that. Between working crazy hours, dealing with a pre-schooler and a toddler, and a difficult climate, I haven’t found (or really, made) the opportunity to get out there and paint. But I want to! And that’s where I’m hoping this accountability bit comes from.

So anyway! That’s a lot about me. I’d love to hear about you and your journey!