This is from my new Moleskine. I got another one to use as an illustrated journal. I wasn't expecting to post anything from it though, I thought I'd spare you that. Oh well, in for a penny....
Saw it on Flickr, almost cried -- the same way i almost cried at the end of the Shaun Tan book. The driving nowhere -- but probably feeling heavy, and encumbered by one's own self. I love this spread, Andrea, and that's only the emotional part of it! How many times have i hopped in my car and driven aimlessly, in the hopes of falling in love with something. I love those windows of green, the rolling hills... and the text coming in between like a voice over in a movie. Gorgeous, moving. And wow, Paul Weller to top it all off. :-)
I thoroughly enjoyed this spread too, Andrea! I have often felt like getting in my car and just driving into the great blue yonder with no set destination in mind. An exhilarating feeling! Now, that I've taken up sketching, I will no doubt make a few creative stops along the way next time. ;)
I love the vivid green colors...driving in such beauty is good for the soul. our minds need nature...need refresh. Your illustration here invokes that feeling. Thanks for sharing.
Hmmmm, what were those thoughts that you think were a shame, your journal just seems to mention loving the gorgeous hills, the beautiful greens, the lovely crumbling stone walls, all these wonderful, graphically rich things. And you were looking for a good place to draw, and you produced such wonderful sketches, it's all a mystery to me. I think you thought noble thoughts of nature and art . . . and personal struggles are certainly part of art, so it's OK . . . YOU are OK, Andrea, too!! :-)
My son and I love to drive. For us, the point is to head in a random direction and take some road we've never been on before. We're having to go farther and farther afield these days, having covered every single road in our county. Last week he asked me to set aside Sunday for a drive. He was in a forest mood, so we drove north and west and ended up in a redwood forest along the Mendocino Coast; all cool and moist and transcendent. For me every drive is a feast for the eyes, and I always return filled to the brim with beauty. The bonus is the wonderful time we have singing really loud and horribly off key, and the deep conversations that arise from spending hours in a confined space together. I know that all those miles are part of the reason that my son's teenage years were such a breeze. He once said, in a tone of surprise, "You know, I tell you thngs I don't even tell my friends." It's the magic of the open road.
Absolutely beautiful, delicate spread. I love the loose, non-squared-up frames around the sketches. It all has a lovely sense of the human hand. I love driving too; but to me it's always been the mystery and limitless expanse of the Mojave or Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas deserts. Someday I'd love to visit your green island, though. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of it.
Please post more from this journal! This is fab, truly moving with a real emotional depth, on a different level to the usual (but amazing) work from your other moleskine. I know how you feel, my head is often full of thoughts I can't get rid of...sometimes its hard to just switch off. Great spread thanks for sharing :)
Wonderful! Sounds like a lovely place to drive and sing and think. And I second the vote that you if you feel like sharing this type of page again, we'd all be alright with THAT! ;-)
The tall shape of the pictures really help the story along. What a green place! Are there stories of Celtic spirituality in your neck of the woods - fields or stone cairns? Yeah, we need space to be quiet by ourselves at times, away from the crowds. w.
Aaw thanks everyone for the lovely comments about this piece. I am touched by the response.
A friend of mine said that it reminded him of my sketchbooks from way back - and it's true. I used to do loads of this stuff, especially these type of scenes. I was always drawing the hills. I don't know why I stopped actually. Maybe just forgot for a while. It was nice to return to this kind of drawing though. It felt right. Cheers all.
Whatever you do, don't spare us. This is beautiful. I like the rectangular shapes and the colors are so soothing. I hope you post every page of your journal.
I think this is your best post yet - unforgettable imagery, written and sketched. Makes me want to get out of my nice. cosy studio and onto my bike despite the low 8 degrees - yep, I'm going right now.
I love your work, very inspiring, especially for a beginner. I appreciate your honesty and to post work which you are not liking, even if to just learn....wonderful energy THANK YOU. I bought your book and something from Easy (middle of the night purchase) can t recall, but it will be welcome when it arrives. You know you are known internationally, I know someone in the Philippines who loves your work, I am from Northern California and feel the same. Let me know, I can send postcards of the Victorian Houses you like so much, as I live near San Francisco, Keep up the wonderful work and thank you
This is from my new Moleskine. I got another one to use as an illustrated journal. I wasn't expecting to post anything from it though, I thought I'd spare you that. Oh well, in for a penny....
Saw it on Flickr, almost cried -- the same way i almost cried at the end of the Shaun Tan book. The driving nowhere -- but probably feeling heavy, and encumbered by one's own self.
ReplyDeleteI love this spread, Andrea, and that's only the emotional part of it! How many times have i hopped in my car and driven aimlessly, in the hopes of falling in love with something. I love those windows of green, the rolling hills... and the text coming in between like a voice over in a movie. Gorgeous, moving. And wow, Paul Weller to top it all off. :-)
France - you get it.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for that.
I needed to know somebody else does.
I thoroughly enjoyed this spread too, Andrea! I have often felt like getting in my car and just driving into the great blue yonder with no set destination in mind. An exhilarating feeling! Now, that I've taken up sketching, I will no doubt make a few creative stops along the way next time. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the vivid green colors...driving in such beauty is good for the soul. our minds need nature...need refresh. Your illustration here invokes that feeling. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePowerful stuff.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing what a drive through the countryside will being into your consciousness. Great journal entry and love the little illos to go with it.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, what were those thoughts that you think were a shame, your journal just seems to mention loving the gorgeous hills, the beautiful greens, the lovely crumbling stone walls, all these wonderful, graphically rich things. And you were looking for a good place to draw, and you produced such wonderful sketches, it's all a mystery to me. I think you thought noble thoughts of nature and art . . . and personal struggles are certainly part of art, so it's OK . . . YOU are OK, Andrea, too!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy son and I love to drive. For us, the point is to head in a random direction and take some road we've never been on before. We're having to go farther and farther afield these days, having covered every single road in our county. Last week he asked me to set aside Sunday for a drive. He was in a forest mood, so we drove north and west and ended up in a redwood forest along the Mendocino Coast; all cool and moist and transcendent. For me every drive is a feast for the eyes, and I always return filled to the brim with beauty. The bonus is the wonderful time we have singing really loud and horribly off key, and the deep conversations that arise from spending hours in a confined space together. I know that all those miles are part of the reason that my son's teenage years were such a breeze. He once said, in a tone of surprise, "You know, I tell you thngs I don't even tell my friends." It's the magic of the open road.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love the sketches!
Absolutely beautiful, delicate spread. I love the loose, non-squared-up frames around the sketches. It all has a lovely sense of the human hand. I love driving too; but to me it's always been the mystery and limitless expanse of the Mojave or Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas deserts. Someday I'd love to visit your green island, though. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of it.
ReplyDeleteFrance pretty much said it all ...
ReplyDeleteAaaw thanks everyone.
ReplyDeleteJust thanks!
Thank goodness you didn't "spare us" this spread. Really beautiful.
ReplyDeletePlease post more from this journal! This is fab, truly moving with a real emotional depth, on a different level to the usual (but amazing) work from your other moleskine. I know how you feel, my head is often full of thoughts I can't get rid of...sometimes its hard to just switch off. Great spread thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteTom
L-O-V-E-L-Y. I wish I was riding around with you, though I'm sure it wouldn't be the same.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful little snippets from your journey. So beautiful. The grass looks so green and smooth and perfect.
A truly wonderful out pour of emotion. I think I've been there.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Sounds like a lovely place to drive and sing and think. And I second the vote that you if you feel like sharing this type of page again, we'd all be alright with THAT!
ReplyDelete;-)
Thank you for not sparing us...the feelings are familiar. Your drawings are beautiful, and these pages evocative.
ReplyDeleteThe tall shape of the pictures really help the story along. What a green place! Are there stories of Celtic spirituality in your neck of the woods - fields or stone cairns?
ReplyDeleteYeah, we need space to be quiet by ourselves at times, away from the crowds.
w.
Spare us? Are you kidding..... this is wonderful and a treat. Please share more.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAaw thanks everyone for the lovely comments about this piece. I am touched by the response.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine said that it reminded him of my sketchbooks from way back - and it's true. I used to do loads of this stuff, especially these type of scenes. I was always drawing the hills. I don't know why I stopped actually. Maybe just forgot for a while. It was nice to return to this kind of drawing though. It felt right. Cheers all.
Whatever you do, don't spare us. This is beautiful. I like the rectangular shapes and the colors are so soothing. I hope you post every page of your journal.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful page layout, colors, mood, everything. thank you or sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think this is your best post yet - unforgettable imagery, written and sketched. Makes me want to get out of my nice. cosy studio and onto my bike despite the low 8 degrees - yep, I'm going right now.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Just, wonderful. :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteI can't really add to all the wonderful comments here - I just wanted to let you know how touched I am by this entry. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteI love your work, very inspiring, especially for a beginner. I appreciate your honesty and to post work which you are not liking, even if to just learn....wonderful energy THANK YOU. I bought your book and something from Easy (middle of the night purchase) can t recall, but it will be welcome when it arrives. You know you are known internationally, I know someone in the Philippines who loves your work, I am from Northern California and feel the same. Let me know, I can send postcards of the Victorian Houses you like so much, as I live near San Francisco, Keep up the wonderful work and thank you
ReplyDelete