Ginny Prytherch

I have done this before, and I enjoy the meditative aspect of focusing on the subject, and the life in the drawing. Scale, beginning and ending, making parallel lines parallel, etc. all difficulties of the process were mine as well. This exercise does make my regular drawings more real, and gives a way to draw moving animals and be relaxed about it.  I have been drawing from phone pics, so this helps with relaxation, and establishing the intent as something other than a photo perfect picture.  My more "perfect" drawings are great, but take a lot of time, and have put me behind in my hopes for daily journaling.   This helps me get back on track. I have loved following the fabulous gifts of spring through all the flowers and birds in my journal.  It is a perfect antidote to Covid, sheltering at a distance or at home blues. On to moving creatures!!

This class was a Christmas present to myself, along with 2 courses for my husband (a lifelong birder).  I started jounaling in Feb. while we were visiting children and grandchildren in southern California.  It was good to get back to drawing, which leads to seeing and feeling nature differently and more memorably.  In the Coachella Valley I had trouble finding native plants to draw in our residential area.  Desert plants are amazing and I wanted to learn more about them.  Now we are home in Iowa, we have only had about one sunny day a week, but the plants are bursting forth and birds are very active.  The cedar waxwing flocks are beautiful and entertaining - -my drawings of them I hope to improve.  I am feeling more at home with the journaling concept and feeling better about using the page more freely.  This is fun, and provides a lift to my spirits in these uncertain times.  Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts.  On to the next lesson.  Ginny