If you've been reading my blog you know my past month was loaded with bread-and-butter, church and family festivities. I came out mentally and emotionally drained so I didn't have enough energy to dive into my current pieces. Nevertheless, I've been religious in sketching.

Protecting my sketch time is crucial to my art the way practicing a violin is important to a violinist. Additionally, going to "work" consistently rather than waiting for inspiration keeps me thinking rationally and boosts my confidence. Going without sketching for long periods of time really dings my ability to communicate visually and to create fluidly.

Here's some recent peony sketches.  I'm studying aging peonies. I'm interested in observing the aging appearance of the camellia next because they'll be in a piece I am currently working on. I wanted to give myself a confidence boost by studying the flower I felt was more complex, first. Some of these blossoms took an hour individually. Each one required time staring at reference photos and videos.

Fortunately, it does look like things are on the up and up and I should be back at it with my bigger pieces, soon.