Thursday, November 5, 2009

My Creative Space: Old School

As a kid and a teenager I was all about drawing... it was my favourite thing ever, and I really took solace from it when I was 14 and my family packed us up and moved to the country, it was my world where I could express my grief, dismay, my confusion about that whole situation, and when I packed my bags and moved to Sydney for uni, I used it again. I could really articulate my feelings with my drawings and I could create pictures which no one could argue with, like 'ultimate truths' where my pain was rational and my point of view was paramount and right, in one way it was therapeutic.

The problem with drawing was that I was usually depressed when I was doing it, and going into that world would push me deeper and deeper in the depression, and further and further away from the people around me, it was isolating, and really unhealthy for me mentally. And somewhere along the way I became happy anyway, I had my photography (my major at uni), and all was well, but lately with all the sewing, and the web designy things I've had to do, I've rediscovered drawing in a much more positive way... a happy, silly way even.

And after coming home from Mathilda's the other day, my instinct was to draw, and initially it was a rather satiristic style that was coming out, but as the night progressed, and my mood lifted, things got a little more positive... and it's been 3 days now and I can't seem to stop these drawings...  this is just a peak at some very unfinished bits and pieces...

cats1



cats2

opps... forgot to fix the contrast on these when scanning...



cats3


cat-proverbs

Stuck on what the 4th proverb should be... any ideas???



sim_diff

And I know, just when I was bemoaning the popularity of these dolls, I decided I wanted my own version...

Check out all the fabulous creative spaces at Kootoyoo. I hope you get some creative into your day!

B.


20 comments:

Kirsty said...

I wish I could draw...I like your same same but different babushka.

Cherry said...

Your drawing are really sweet - Like Kirsty - I wish I could draw! Glad you found a happy drawing space.

Louise said...

'Too much work makes kitty a dull cat'. My fav is 'every cloud has a silver lining' (am a bit of a cloud fan).
I love your drawings, and can totally identify with the moving experience as a child. I went into my fantasy doll world.

midge said...

lovely post. it made me think about my miss 10 who is very quiet and a deep thinker and loves to draw. your drawings are lovely. when you have a talent for something you should use it or i think a little part of your soul misses it

beck said...

I really enjoyed reading this post, your observations of your feelings when you were younger were really interesting. Glad that drawing is fun now, I love your little dolls and cats. Have a great day xo

barbarix said...

sooo sweet drawings!

Kylie said...

These are all just fabulous, Bec! I really enjoyed reading this post. I totally agree with you about the isolated nature of drawing. Love the progression you've shown in this process too. Thanks for this. K

Kirsty said...

I'm loving the cats - just drawn one myself actually. You're much better at it than me though. A drawer I'm not :)

kellie said...

a great post Bec. it must be wonderful to work out your feelings like that, and in such a creative way. glad you can find happiness in it today!

Tara (Aussie-Waffler) said...

I'm so glad that you're finding happiness with your drawings again, they are so sweet. Funnily enough when I doodle, I tend to doodle cats too, there must be something cathartic about them.

Amanda said...

I wish I had your drawing talent..The cats are so cute!!!

Emjie said...

These drawings are wonderful. I can see these going on to shirts and cards.
I know what you mean about the drawing being a release. My creative outlets help to fight a kind of sadness. And that is a pretty good excuse to keep busy. Years ago I got into painting because I was sad and the images reflected that darkness. But then I wanted to paint in only cheerful colours because there was a happier side that wanted to shine through.

Meagan said...

Love the variety is the spice of life picture. so cute. Some of them would be really cute prints on kids t-shirts. xo Meagan.

Tamara Erbacher said...

I wish I could draw...
Love your work, very sweet indeed. T xo

tracey said...

Hello just found your blog through kootoyoo :) Your drawings are cute. I started drawing again a week ago or so. Bit scared of putting them up on my blog lol

Amy Woo said...

How about:
If you want the best seat in the house, you'll have to move the cat. (Definitely true in my house!)
Or
Every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat.
Or my particular favourite:
Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later.
x

Nic @ yardage girl said...

Great post - thanks for sharing your pretty drawings. I really like the cats and the little phrases are great - I like the silver lining idea from one of the comments above. Or, what about "the best things in life are free". Nic

kuka said...

I love your kitties - they're so cute! =)
My fave cat quote is 'people who don't like cats must have been mice in a previous life' =)
Or 'wassup pussy cat?'
Or something about the cat that got the cream =)

beth said...

it was fun to see your drawings in progression! what a great way to create! the kitties are TOO cute!

Virginia said...

AWESOMELY cute. I love those cats.
And obviously, I need to bookmark your blog, as I keep getting lost in it...