I've been working on this sketch for several days now. It's all graphite and colored pencil and I love love love the softness of it. I tend to work slowly with colored pencils, going lightly and taking my time with the shading. It is a peaceful practice for me, if I let myself relax and take my time. I love how her "hair" turned out - there are nasturtiums growing everywhere here in San Francisco. I think they must reseed themselves and grow naturally, because I see them all over the place. They are so pretty, I thought they would look nice for hair. I did a sculpture a few years ago with a girl who had poppies for hair, and I've decided that I like that. Perhaps I will keep going with it.I should also tell you that I couldn't decide what text to include on this one, so I actually posted her as a Work In Progress on Facebook, and I got some great feedback and ideas! It was all rolling around in my head, and then this morning I was flipping through my notebook, looking for quotes/relevant words/journal entries, and I found an entry that I wrote one morning upon waking. I had just had a very realistic dream about my mother (who passed away last year) and I described that dream, in all it's details, in this entry. As the tears filled my eyes, I knew that this was it. This was the meaning behind the drawing. So now you know. If you gave me feedback on Facebook, I didn't ignore your ideas, I just had to use this one.
My mood has changed from my last journal entry that was done in all bright blues, purples and fushia. I had so much fun working with those bold and lively colors! But now my mood has softened and I've turned thoughtful. I have some Beethoven playing and the house is quiet. Hope you like the journal page and I am wishing you a peaceful weekend.
Love, Kelly
Hi Kelly. The softness of this page is really beautiful, this is what I love about using different mediums, you achieve such different but beautiful results with each of them.
ReplyDeleteLove this one! I haven't seen a page I didn't think was amazing. Are you allowed to make a color copy of the journal before you send it off to be exhibited?
ReplyDeleteHi Girls! Yes, working with the different mediums is so fun, and he freedom is just awesome! The Sketchbook Project does recommend that you scan in each page for your own records, and then I did pay the extra $20 to have them digitize it for their website, as well. Thanks for the kind words!
ReplyDeleteDear Kelly. That is so beautiful. I use to make ceramic tiles of mother and child with flowers and leaves in the hair. Thai is absolutely lovely. Love the colors and the peace it reflects!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed so much this post. So happy I stopped by! Keep Enjoying your Ride!
Thank you for sharing this lovely page. I keep coming back to colored or watercolor pencils and they do bring some peacefulness.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
I love the feel of this work. The woman actually reminds me of a friend of mine. I'm in love with the nasturtiums as her hair - wonderful idea. And yes, they do reseed!
ReplyDeleteOh, i'm loving this, Kelly. I love the flower/leaves as the hair-so unique and lovely and soft and sweet.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are really enjoying this journaling. You are capturing so much here.
Sending love.
Oh wow! This is so beautiful. I love her hair too!
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ReplyDeleteI wanted to say thank you for all the kind words! As I was lying in bed awake this evening, I realized there was more to write in this post. So I added another paragraph about the meaning of the sketch.
ReplyDeleteLove to you all~
Kelly
peace filled for sure - reveals the desire I have to be at res in the midst of whatever curcumstances. Very nicely done!
ReplyDeleteWonderful page - I too love the "hair". Thank you also for sharing the meaning.
ReplyDeleteKelly, thank you for sharing your story about how you came up with the words on this beautiful drawing. I love nasturtiums too. And I love that you just took your time with this and let it unfold.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful page (and beautiful story behind the page) It is a great addition to your sketchbook and a wonderful tribute to your mother.
ReplyDeleteThis journal page looks beautiful, Kelly! Thanks for grabbing my blog button. :)You can find yours on my Places to Visit page. :)
ReplyDeletekelly, i love to hear the meaning behind this painting! what a beautiful and meaningful message. absolutely lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteso sweet- i love it when my mom shows up in my dreams...
ReplyDeleteShe is BEAUTIFUL. I love that you looked for the meaning and then discovered it in past writings. When I create I don't always know what something means until some chance moment or comment reveals it- so cool that you have the same experience. Thanks for sharing her with us. :)
ReplyDeletePS I'd love to see more with the poppies in the hair. Sounds gorgeous!