The Practice of Art: Embracing Imperfect Sketches and Progress
Postcard No 27: Life by the River There are some images along the Huon River that I think of as iconic. I've been travelling along this river for decades (even though I've only lived here for a short time) and these are little scenes I've passed for…
There are some images along the Huon River that I think of as iconic. I've been travelling along this river for decades (even though I've only lived here for a short time) and these are little scenes I've passed for years with almost no change. I think most people who have driven the Huon highway from Franklin to Castle Forbes Bay will recognise the boats and shed in today's postcard despite my inaccurate rendition of the boats!.
The other thing that's iconic of the Huon River area at this time of year are the golden glow of the bare willow trees. It almost looks like they're covered in golden leaves but it's only the mass of tightly packed branches and twigs that give this impression.
I know that willows are invasive and water thirsty but they also happen to be quite beautiful , particularly when their skeletons are laid bare in winter against a clear blue sky.
My postcards range from quick sketches concentrating on the idea rather than reality to more detailed painterly works. This one definitely falls into the quick sketch category! Those boats are anatomically incorrect and it's only the colours and their position anchored near this old shed that make them recognisable.
Sometimes it's about getting the work done more than being accurate!
Becoming an artist is mostly about showing up and doing the practice.
If you have a particular skill you've spent a lot of time developing you'll be able to identify with how it feels when someone says " You're so lucky to be able to paint ( draw, sing, play the piano, write poetry, build a house ....)" There's nothing lucky about it . There's hours, months and years of practice , failures, learning and progressing to get to where you are today.
I do appreciate that I am lucky in the sense that I'm able to afford to buy art materials and have the time to use them but I also know that people in vastly less fortunate positions find means and ways and time to make art because they have a passion to create. I didn't always have the leisure and funds to easily make art but I did it anyway.
Some days just showing up with sketchbook and paint and doing the work that day is the best I can manage and that's OK. I did the practice and if it's not great I know what's not great and I can work on it next time. I keep my failures in a drawer (let's face it quite a few drawers!) because they're interesting to look back on and because for the most part I enjoyed making them. They're a record of my struggles and my progress. What do you do with your "failures" ?
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