Where Does It All Begin for You?
Another artist friend of mine asked recently, “What was it that brought you to love watercolor so much in the first place?” Ahh- the words came tumbling out of me, and I could remember the thrill of being that little first-grade school girl holding my little treasure from the library… “Beatrix Potter” , I exclaimed! Her little story books, and those wonderful illustrations were golden to me. The small size fit perfectly into my hands, and I loved staring at every single page. The stories were just scary enough, thrilling enough for my tender self at that time. But the illustrations gave me such a fascination with the natural world around me. I’m sure it made me more conscious of my outdoor environment (though I certainly didn’t recognize it as such at that time).
From time to time when I’m planning classes to teach, I’ll run a series that I call, “Learning from the Masters”, where each of the six weeks during that session, we copy masterworks of various artists and illustrators in order to learn some of their techniques. It’s a way many art school train artists, and was core in some of the classes that I took at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Since I focus so much on sketchbooks in my art practice, I love to include Beatrix Potter, among others in one of our weeks.
Who are some of the earliest favorite artists or illustrators that you treasured as a kid? Or was it in later years that you found a love of art? Share it in the comments, I’d love to know!
There’s a biography that I really enjoy, “Beatrix Potter - Drawn to Nature” from Rizzoli Electa publishing, that covers her fascinating life. Not only was she an illustrator and story teller, but in later years, a farmer, a sheep breeder, and a conservationist. She was a woman way ahead of her time. (Click on the book cover below to see a little video view I’m sharing with you).
Needing more of your painterly Potter vibe in your life? (I can never resist either).
For some lovely ink by Winsor & Newton in the Nut Brown shade, click here.
To keep your table top dry while working, a lovely ink pen/brush rest, and you’ll find that here.
And have you discovered St. Louis Art Supply for dip pens, nibs, inks, (and other delights?). I’ve been enjoying the ‘Cigar pen’ with the Leonardt nib for the last several years, and still love it!
Finally, are you craving a new sketchbook? Your current one is almost filled? I have several favorites, and this is definitely one of them. I really love the cotton paper, and this 8”x8” size is quite handy…not too big, not too small, just right! The cold press is just soft enough, not so toothy and scratchy like some other brands of cold press paper.
May your weekend be filled with exactly what you need, delightful moments, thoughtful inspiration, calm and rest ….with sparks of fun!
If you’ve enjoyed this email, perhaps your friends will, too! Please forward it and share the cheer.
Gratefully,
Roxanne