Sunday, May 22, 2011

It Happened Among the Roses


Yesterday I found myself in a rose garden, a completely unplanned event. I had walked down to a local art exhibit of young artists, to get a little bit of creative inspiration. As I was in the gallery I looked out the window and there was a rose garden, in full bloom. It was gorgeous. I was kicking myself, I hadn't brought my good camera! It was a hot and humid day and since I was walking, I wanted to travel light so I left my SLR at home. Strike one against me.

I did have my little point-and-shoot camera with me, which always does well in a pinch. I explored the rose garden, looking to find interesting compositions, color and light. Since I have Finding Form on my mind as the current Exploring with a Camera prompt, I noticed that roses are an amazing subject for the study of form. So much light and dark, along with intricate curving shapes, within a rose. I was happily exploring away when the "low battery" light started blinking and the camera eventually died. Strike two against me.

Finally, at a loss for photographic equipment, I pulled out a little sketch book and a mechanical pencil. I had dropped this in my bag at the last moment, thinking of my recent painting class and the instructor Flora's encouragement to sketch nature. These roses were too beautiful, I felt the urge to continue to study them, and pencil and paper were all I had left.

Look what emerged on my page...


Now, I was wholly and completely stunned. I was just focusing on shapes and light and dark and look what happened? I tried another one...


Um. Yeah. Can I just tell you, I had no idea that I had these in me? I'm trying to figure out where these came from. I used to draw, back when I was a kid, but of course all art stopped when I went  for the "college prep" classes in high school and then studied engineering in college. I've done a little bit of drawing here and there, the last couple of years, but never had it click like it did yesterday. 

I've discovered a new love. Photography, painting, and now I'm going to have to explore drawing more too. The feel of a pencil on the paper, the drawing of shapes and shadow, was amazing. What would happen if I actually practiced? I'm going to have to find out.

It turns out, I'm glad that I didn't bring my good camera. I would have never spent the time with pencil and paper if I had that camera, my first love, with me. You don't often hear stories of where being unprepared pays off, but in this case it did!

(Linking in to Creative Every Day and The Creative Exchange today. Hello to all!)

28 comments:

  1. I know I'm being biased here but this is my favourite post of yours to date, I am so happy you've discovered the magic of sketching just to see what emerges on the paper and that moment when you look at your drawing and think "Oh my goodness, did I really do this? Wow!" I love your sketch, and I love that you're falling in love with drawing, wait until you start playing around with adding colours to your sketches, it gets more and more addictive :D
    Here's to many more sketches and drawings :)

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  2. I think your sketches captured the beauty of the roses better than the camera this time. Maybe because you didn't have the right camera to really make the best of the image, but maybe because you were seeing the roses with more wonder!

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  3. Very interesting how one thing leads to another and how "mistakes" or things you were wishing you'd done differently turned out even better than you could have imagined !

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  4. You are talented! Please, do practice more and share it with us! :)

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  5. wow, i wish i could say that is deep inside me too, but i don't think so. these drawings are gorgeous kat, keep it up!

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  6. Oh, you are a talented lady.
    Don't need a camera, if you have a pencil on you :-)

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  7. It is fun to capture nature in different mediums. I always bring a sketchbook, along with my camera. Both your photo and drawings are lovely! You certainly got a lot out of a "mis-adventure".
    P.S. check your link at C.E. It wasn't working for me.

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  8. i love your sketches, hope to see more!

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  9. Beautiful drawings - so excited for you that you've discovered a new love and talent. Have fun!

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  10. I love your drawings and how it all came about. When you said, "Can I just tell you, I had no idea that I had these in me? I'm trying to figure out where these came from."...that struck a cord with me. I've had a similar experience with drawing years ago. This inspires me to give it a try. again.

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  11. I loved reading this post. It was fun watching you discover a hidden talent. I am currently taking a drawing class and what I am practicing is tone and how it creates shape. Reading your post has inspired me to practice a lot more. Thank you for sharing your drawing and experience in the rose garden.

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  12. Who knew? And you're really good - I guess our eyes have incredible abilities that we should tap into more often. Beautiful work my friend!

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  13. I think this was meant to be. I think it is called serendipity. The roses you drew are lovely. I am envious! LOL I am participating in your postcard swap. I signed up today. 2 of my friends have joined also. I am so excited about this. I may be your 196th person. I found you thru Leah's blog.

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  14. wow! i truly believe everything happens for a reason: those drawings are amazing and beautiful. i love roses, and i bet the rose garden was wonderful
    x

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  15. your muse inspired you and what blossomed is gorgeous! sketches are beautiful.

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  16. These are lovely! You've inspired me to get out my sketchbook and pencils!

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  17. That's amazing, you are so talented!

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  18. Oh Wow!! First the gorgeous flowers and then beautiful sketches!! Awesome post! You have drawing talent, too. I hope we see more sketches. :)

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  19. Oh my, oh my! These sketches are just lovely. Especially the first one. What a wonderful discovery for you Kat.

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  20. I truly believe that sometimes things just happen for a reason, and in this case a very good reason. These are absolutely fantastic Kat, and I am especially in awe since I cannot even draw a stick figure!! Just fantastic, and I thank you so much for sharing this at The Creative Exchange. I will be looking forward to seeing more of your sketches!

    Have a wonderful Tuesday!

    lisa.

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  21. Great drawings! I've been taking drawing too and finding it a lot of fun (even though I just barely don't suck at it). Your rose picture is beautiful too!

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  22. Wow! How lovely! That right side of your brain is really working. Brava!

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  23. You are talented and determined.! Terah

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  24. oh wow the picture is amazing. the color is just beautiful

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  25. Wow, this is amazing, Kat! You have so many talents!

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  26. Great post, love your sketches!

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