Monday, April 5, 2010

SketchCrawl Spring 2010

I had such an enjoyable morning with my daughter this past Saturday as we walked through the quaint riverside town of Mystic. My dear friend, Laura Gaffke www.lauragaffke.com, led a group of artists through the town sketching along the way. We focused on 3 locations: the river behind the Mystic Art Center, the park across the river from the Mystic Art Center, and a beautiful glass gallery (Prescient) right on the main street in Mystic. It was 3 hours of being present in the day and enjoying each other's company. (Photo: Riverside Studiomate, Ian Newbury, sitting on the boardwalk in Cottrell Park)

As an artist I never found time to really use the sketchbook. My time was limited with home and child-care responsibilities competing with the responsibility of trying to promote and create new work. So I sketched in my head and once the idea was formed, I would jump straight onto canvas! This 'Crawl helped me put the act of sketching back in its rightful place. The books I saw by fellow 'Crawlers were full of rich ideas, notations, memories, impressions...what a delightful collection of material to fuel creative thought. I was truly inspired. (Photo: Sketches and reflection writing Taylor and I did while overlooking the Mystic River behind the MAC)

I was most inspired by my little artist who held her own on Saturday. She played with the "big kids" and showed us all that the freedom to express is not just for the said "artist" but for everyone young, old, amateur, professional, poet or not. I admire her inhibitions and confidence and the joy she brought with every observation. Bravo Miss Taylor...a true artist in the making. (Photo: the Littlest 'Crawler)

Be sure to check Laura's website at www.lauragaffke.com for upcoming workshops and any future SketchCrawls. We all hope that she makes this a regular event. Thanks again Miss Gaffke.

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