Of course, once I completed "Thoughtful Boy," I really wanted a rest from any serious art projects. Then I guess I got interested in using Paint Shop Pro's photo editing tools, and I let that focus satisfy my creative side. In July, I started writing parables for my church's newsletter, resurrecting a fictional Church Mouse character that had haunted the newsletter of my church in California between 1978 and 1984. Again, I was expressing creativity in ways other than digital art.
But I should be honest. Certain details of the portrait project intimidated me. When I'd think about it, I'd simply find other things to do on the computer. Blogging about Boston. Facebook. Games like Bejeweled and Bookworm. I wanted to do the drawing, and yet the challenge made me reluctant.
Earlier this week, John and I had a Boston adventure. As we drove through the Common, we met an artist doing fanciful painting of Boston sights. John took photos for me to post on this blog, and maybe I'll manage to do so at some point. But as I thought about the conversation with the artist (about his media and his composition techniques), I regretted having moved away from my own art.
I reminded myself that the original purpose of Joyfully Christian Lady's Museum was to display my art. Somewhere between April and October, I've gotten lost in the American History Gallery and the Literary Gallery. It's time to revive my Art Gallery, but not by sharing the work of my fellow artists (although occasionally showcasing their work is fin). No, it's time--actually past time--for me to draw again!
So I went back to my friend's photo of her daughter Tuesday, and started blocking out the drawing. Here's what I've done in that five days:
