Tag: return to work

What to Do?

Today I return to work after 10 days off.  Those days were filled with all the whirlwind activities of Thanksgiving, but also filled with time to focus on drawing and painting.  I tried to do something everyday, which worked, except for yesterday as I had to prepare to return to the classroom.  I also went out for a long walk in the local botanical garden with one of the dogs, and that was something I needed – get outside, hike, get into the world of plants.

Now, work looms ahead this morning.  Some of my work days are nearly 11 hours long, and it does not leave much room for anything personal.  About the only time I have is in the mornings, while I drink my coffee.  Instead of looking at the grim and gory news, I plan to try to do a sketch or a watercolor in the morning.  For example, find one of my photos (of which I have taken thousands) and use it for the basis of a sketch or painting or both.  I just need to continue doing it!  The sense of satisfaction with my life, which I have not felt for the past 4 years (since my schedule was changed), is returning.  Now I have to keep up the momentum.  If I can, I will try to post something every 2 or 3 days, as that is easy enough to do.

Now, let’s do it!

Back to Work – Let the Stress Begin!

I had all of last week off – 10 days total – and in that time period we celebrated two Thanksgiving, did a whole lot of baking and cooking, saw friends and family.  In between, I managed to sketch and / or watercolor everyday.  In that time period, I had a lot of fun and found myself feeling really glad to be painting again.  Of course, some stuff was pure rubbish, but others produced a sense of satisfaction.  Even better, I could begin to see progress.  The connection between mind and hand and color and paper is beginning to return.

But now – can I keep this up?  Certainly not at the pace I was doing it.  But I have made a decision:  I will use my photos as the basis for sketches and paintings, and try to turn out two a week minimum, perhaps three.  When will I do it?  In the mornings, while I drink my coffee, and instead of looking at the depressing global situation, I’ll look at lines and colors instead.  Seems like a good deal, if you ask me!