Boredom

Jan 7, 2011

The main benefit of being stuck on the bus is that I have to find ways to entertain myself. This has lead to all sorts of mental gymnastics, like drawing hardware and other people's tired husbands.

Frosted

This morning Ada and I tried to go play in the snow with a backpack carrier. By the time we got her snowsuit, boots and hat on, squeezed her into the carrier, and started in on all the buckles and straps, her patience ran out. I gave up on the mission and hauled her back out, but then she fell in the snow and grabbed a metal railing with her naked hands to pull herself up. 

She was really distressed, poor mite, and went around the house crying with her hands outstretched for ten minutes. Later while we were colouring I drew this picture. You can see her crayon line up there on the right.

I won't leave her mitts for last again!

Anatomy with Aida

Wire frame, by Aida Alves

Think I might register for this yummy human anatomy drawing course offered by this amazing artist Aida Alvez at the Ottawa School of Art.   

Amber Alexander -- beautiful animal watercolours full of whimsy

Pie Thief, by Amber Alexander

My friend Mandy gave me this print by Amber Alexander and introduced me to a talented and prolific watercolourist. I love the two touches of red! Thanks, Mandy.

At the #87 lay up stop at Carlingwood Mall

No matter where I am there is always something to draw. At Sears: An old, mustachioed man in a tweed beret at the wheel of an idling Ford F150.

Have you seen me before?

January 3, 2011

After the packed hours last week of website updating and flipping through magazines for art director names, it was a relief to draw again on the bus this week. Miraculously, everyone stayed in place for twenty minutes while I drew several people. 

January 5, 2011

This morning a woman left her seat on the packed 95 going downtown. I sat down, thinking she was about to disembark, but she stayed on the bus for several more stops. I had a little fantasy that she has seen me drawing on the bus before, and gave up her seat so that I could draw. I drew: the back of a man with an attaché case and quilted coat, the bejewelled hands of a goth-dressed woman, a pink boot. 

This morning, drinking coffee as I do every morning while my daughter nurses, I looked out the window for a long while. (I bought that house for its huge garden and lovely large corner windows.) Funny thing, the snow and sky were the exact same colour, indistinguishable -- a really, really pale whitish blue. A few minutes later, I caught the moment when the snow became white, as the sun rose.

OPTIMISM

Blank book, by Bruce Mao

In December, I finished my first book of pictures drawn during my long commutes. Now I'm drawing in a red Moleskine blank book. The buttery pages make anything look good, though I miss my first book. Bruce Mau designed it, and the dull gray cover has "OPTIMISM" in white across the front and excerpts from Manifesto throughout. "OPTIMISM" was a little everyday lift that I loved.