I sent my camera away to be fixed the week before last. But like Kuwait during Ramadan, Switzerland was on a go slow over Easter and Canon was closed for the holidays! Nothing happened last week but the good news was I managed to speak on the phone to the man responsible (did he hear the desperation in my voice?) and he was able to fix it without waiting for parts. I was impressed that the main Canon dealer for Switzerland made it sound like mine was the only camera they were dealing with! It will be posted tomorrow (I have to authorise that by e-mail) and when it arrives at the local post office I will pay over the counter. Swiss efficiency!
I've really come to rely on that camera since I started blogging. I'm feeling like a wimp because I know I should be out there sketching instead but I'm too scared! (What if someone laughs out loud or gives me a pitying look?!) It didn't help to look at Tommy Kane's sketchbooks charting his travels! Unlike last week, I've found this to be the push that I need to keep drawing. I tried out my new Moleskine. I bought it a few weeks ago as they are sold in two of the shops in the main shopping street in Geneva. Strange that they should be in an electrical and department store but not the art shop. I've read so much hype about these books that I was sure I was going to be non-plussed and indeed I was for a couple of weeks - I started writing shopping lists in it. The pencil smudged like mad. But I sat on the balcony and sketched one of the fancy metal chairs and found that the smudginess works really well for shading. The paper is so smooth that the pencil smudges very evenly and the double page frames the drawing and somehow enhances it. I can see how these books have a natural affinity with pen though.
Since I don't have a camera and there is no pressure to post my drawings, this week I've given myself permission to scribble - just draw without any thoughts about how good or bad it might be. If I do a few good drawings in a new pad, I start worrying about 'ruining' it. It's not good for creativity so I've now got a pad for scribbles and rubbish - and that's one sketchbook that won't be published!
5 comments:
But I bet some good stuff appears in the scribbles and rubbish pad - just because you've taken off the pressure to 'to your best'!
Anxious to see the 'scribbles' as they are sometimes better than our more serious efforts!
The Moleskine sketchbooks are a challenge for me in lots of ways--how media act on them, my thought that the sketch needs to be "worthy" and then the thought that a "good" drawing ought to be taken out and saved.
I keep playing with them and am always conflicted with the approach to take. I wish you fun and productivity!
I agree with Linda, that you will find some little gems get created in that scribble pad, and then you might fret about having a beauty sitting in there with the other cast-off scribbles. It is an artist's constant struggle to not make the sketchbook become too "precious".
Glad to hear that Canon has come through for you. I have to believe they are the BEST camera company for service. Hope it all works out as planned.
Enjoy that new Moleskine!!!!
Happy birthday to Chuck too!
HI Felicity, just want to thank you for giving us the URL for Tommy Kane's sketchbooks. What gems they are. I spent ages looking through them. I have become highly dependent on my own journal and can barely leave the house without it. I have lots of good intentions of drawing in public but don't often feel brave enough to do it. Today I did - it was great although the sketch was a dismal failure. It won't be the last time I do try it, though. In fact I can hardly wait to go again. Thanks again. Jen
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