I admit, it may not look like much of a breakthrough, but for me it is-- and, I'm ecstatic about it! So ecstatic, I can almost not wait to do it again. Yesterday, I drew in public. Right there, in the middle of the crowd, not hiding in the protection of my car. I was at the VA hospital, with family and while I waited, I sat at a table in front of this Starbuck's kioske. The table was tiny, maybe two feet in diameter and I was sharing it with two people so I didn't pull out the watercolors like I wanted, maybe next time. I still plan to add color, but I just had to show you! I was out in the open--
sketching! And nobody came and yelled at me or made fun of me or anything horrible! I lived through it, and actually, I wasn't even nervous! This is a HUGE step for me!
I admit, it may not look like much of a breakthrough, but for me it is-- and, I'm ecstatic about it! So ecstatic, I can almost not wait to do it again. Yesterday, I drew in public. Right there, in the middle of the crowd, not hiding in the protection of my car. I was at the VA hospital, with family and while I waited, I sat at a table in front of this Starbuck's kioske. The table was tiny, maybe two feet in diameter and I was sharing it with two people so I didn't pull out the watercolors like I wanted, maybe next time. I still plan to add color, but I just had to show you! I was out in the open-- sketching! And nobody came and yelled at me or made fun of me or anything horrible! I lived through it, and actually, I wasn't even nervous! This is a HUGE step for me!
Yay for you! That is a big step. And you got some great sketches too.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It can be nerve-wracking at first. I do ok with the drawing but I always seem to stall when it comes to actually PAINTING. LOL
ReplyDeleteKudos!!! :) :) You made some lovely sketches too! I am also kind of getting comfy with drawing in public.. But I just can't pull out my colors..!
ReplyDeleteOh Yeah! I am cheering you on. I really like the top sketch - you caught that little scene perfectly. Go Raena!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! I'm new to public sketching too although I do need my husband's company for moral support. LOL
ReplyDeleteI like those queueing figures - now I haven't had the courage to draw actual people yet!
And your drawings are fantastic! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteI know just how you feel! I am exactly the same as you in that respect and sketching in public terrifies me! So hats off to you! Can't wait to see some more!
ReplyDeleteYEAAAHHHH!!!! Isn't it amazing? I painted in a restaurant today, and I expect everyone to stare at me when I do that! But they don't. They couldn't care less. Too involved in their own activities, or too polite to stare. (Except the guy came and cleaned my table around my sketchbook when I threw out my tray (lol) - I think he wanted to see. Hope he liked it.) Anyway, isn't indifference (or at least society's pretense at indifference) wonderful?
ReplyDeleteBut you deserve extra kudos - I never would have sketched at a shared table! I need to try that sometime.
Good drawings too! Love it when the group sketches have folks come out in proportion to one another.
PS - re painting the drawings for what it is worth. Usually I have no time for both. I will usually draw in public and paint at home, or paint a previous public drawing in public. If I find something good to draw I draw, and if not, I paint. Unless I bring a book - never bring a book - then I read.
What a super, super job, Raena!! Congratulations. I know how "awkward" this can feel. My public sketches stay "private" :-)
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!! This is a tremendous breakthrough and your sketches are wonderful!!! YEAH!!!!! Maybe I can catch up with you in a few years. For now, I'll enjoy your grand entrance into public drawing. Very impressive!!!!
ReplyDeleteThese look so much fun!!! And sketching in public is still a huge challenge for me, I am scared of stray glares over my shoulders for some reason. I really like the perspective, and what you captured, the words are perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you Raena for your comments, and your wishes =)
Why is it that my comment doesn't appear ? So here I go again and sorry if it comes out twice ! Because I wanted to congratulate you for daring ! And you'll see that once you've started you will become indifferent to other people's presence - apart from the ones you want to sketch lol ! I particularly like the group standing in the queue and the guy sitting down, you 've really captured their attitudes ! Great job ! Can't wait to see more !
ReplyDeleteHooray ! lovely simple lines that captue the stance. I agree with Dan - once you start drawing, the vast majority of people usually don't look as they are too busy going about their own business. I have found that children are the most curious
ReplyDeleteYippee!!! You rock!!! Broke through that wall of anxiety and dove right in!!! Great job, and I'm so happy it was a good experience for you. Your drawings are just wonderful. nancy
ReplyDeleteMaybe this will inspire the rest of us to do the same. It is scary to contemplate that someone will feel awkward-in the end, it seems that no one cares. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteYeah for you. Congratulations!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat sketches and congrats on breaking through the "in public" barrier. I've gotten so I kinda enjoy it. I pretend I am part of the furniture and folks ignore me, or maybe take a stealthy peek at most.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Raena, you are an inspiration. I sketch outside but not people and never in a cafe or restaurant! I have to try.
ReplyDeleteYour sketches are very good, the first one with the perspective and people so well executed.
So why are we all so shy about sketching in public?
I love also your 100 self-portrait project!
This is a huge step and great results. I haven't tried it yet. Of course, I know most of the people in the local restaurants--or their cousins--or their parents. Even worse, they know me!
ReplyDeleteFabulous drawings Raena. You should be pleased. Easy enough to add color at home if you wish. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteJoan Gillman Smith
www.flickr.com/photos/joangillmansmith/
Congrats, Raena! It takes courage to break a barrier and you did it.
ReplyDeleteHooray! You are braver than I am. And just what VA has a Starbucks? The one my husband just had surgery in down in Tucson didn't even have a decent place to eat much less get coffee!
ReplyDeleteThat was not A Life Made By Hand. That was me, Timaree. I have to figure out what is going on here.
ReplyDeleteGreat sketches - and how brave of you! There will be no stopping you now!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! I'm so happy you gave it a try and loved it so much you want more! Yay!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs! Yay!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!!! High five! It is amazing how scary drawing in public seems until you just do it. Then the fact that no one seems to notice is rather anticlimactic, LOL. Great sketches, keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteThese are just lovely drawings, and they look really, really confident! No sign of any timid soul at all, I'm really impressed. I'm trying to pluck up the courage to do some sketching in piblic this coming week.... you have inspired me to give it a go. If I manage to overcome the shyness and get something on paper I will share. Thanks for showing us these, looking forward to seeing more!
ReplyDeleteLiberating, isn't it! You'll be addicted now. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Great job. I meet with a local sketch group once a month in the cooler months and weekly in the summer to go out in public and draw. We find there is courage in numbers
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Go for it.
ReplyDeleteI have a theory that, when you sketch in the real world, you disappear. YOU vanish, and you become 'person sketching' - 'artist', a role that the world gives you for free. And that comes with loads of positive stuff. No one is judging you, people are either interested in what you are drawing, or fail to register you at all. Enjoy the freedom of this. It is truly an invisibility cloak of the highest order.
it is always so awkward and hard to get over drawing in public... it is indeed a breakthrough once you get comfortable with it. well done!
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