Tuesday, June 19, 2007

into tomorrow

I've been finding it really difficult to draw over the last couple of weeks. Or, more to the point, finding it difficult to like anything that I've drawn. Sometimes you just run out of steam - just like this bee. I think I'm starting to feel inspired again. I'd like to thank everyone from the Everyday Matters group, and everyone else on my blogroll, who provide me with inspiration on a daily basis.

(BTW, it is the same dead bee from the last post. Poor bugger.)

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the sepia and moleskine combo. What sepia pens do you use out of interest? The only ones I've found are the Zig ones which are too thick for my taste.

suzanne cabrera said...

You've given this bee attention in death that he probably never gained in life. Somehow I find that rather poetic and sad...but at the same time exactly the reason drawing has become so important to me. It's really true what Danny Gregory says, when you draw something you really allow yourself to appreciate it and absorb it on a whole new level.

I'm sorry you've been going through a drawing rough patch. Those days are the worst.

Jenny said...

Yuck! Dead bee! But, of course, beautifully done!

Anonymous said...

it's a stunning series, though, andrea! i never get tired of your work ... it's so unique!

Bonny said...

I keep being awestruck by the attention to detail you achieve. Your drawings are always so beautifully done.

Going through rough periods of drawing is always difficult. That's when we doubt our abilities the most.From what I can tell by this drawing, I'd say you found your passion again.

Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Really stunning work. I'm a new fan! :)

Anonymous said...

Poor bugger is right -- but she (oh yeah, bees in French are a feminine noun -- can't get past that!) had the privilege of being drawn by you, so i say it ain't too bad. This is another stunning piece -- the fact you chose to draw 6 different angles of the defunct insect, and how it looks in the end -- it's all so brilliant.
Regarding the funk: i've decided that i need to nourish my life with other things (i.e. go see a movie, good or bad, instead of spending another evening drawing) -- so that these things, in turn, become sources of inspiration for drawings. I think my last funk was (partly) due to the fact i just drew and drew without noticing i was pressuring myself to do 'produce' drawings. Which, of course, goes against the very teachings (thank you, Danny Gregory) that got me here in the first place -- to enjoy the process of drawing.
Sorry about the short story. Good to feel you're crawling out of the funk, my friend.

R K said...

Surfing around...there are so many people doing so many great drawings; and...I found myself here-at your site-again. I remember this site!
I really like your work. (I will not leave my return here to chance next time.)

Anonymous said...

you make magic with a ballpoint pen :D love the different views you've made of the bee.

valerie walsh said...

you make me love this dead bee, he is very vulnerable looking and I cn't help but love him!

Joan Y said...

Yes, poetic. That's how I'd describe your bee drawings. Here's a little ditty in commemoration: There once was a yellowish bee, who came into Andrea's life, you see. It came as a gift, by a cat who was miffed, to remind us that "seeing" is key. Cheers! J (P.S. No presumptions about your cat's reasons for catching Mr. Bee, just didn't have anything to rhyme with gift. LOL).

Gretel said...

Lovely drawings, and so nice together as a set. Bad drawing patches happen, I find the best thing not do is not to draw at all, and sooner or later the urge comes back, and usually there is a development in style. (Thankfully this has never happened in the middle of a job, that would be inconvenient!)

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Cheers everyone.

I actually felt quite sad about letting him (her!) go as I felt I got to know the poor little thing so well!! It is about seeing things on a different level and I LOVEthat about drawing.

Re; the funk. I feel like I'm putting too much pressure on myself and then you do forget to enjoy the process. Hmmmmmm.

Rhomany, it's a Pilot GTec pen. It's 0.4mm - I'd like something finer too.

Thanks everyone and especially Joan for the ditty!!

Tracy said...

i could stare at the lovely variations on this sweet bee for a long time. no bee was ever so studied and made so beautiful. he certainly gave you inspiration to make such loveliness out of the ordinary.
i am in love with the pen work. thank you

juj said...

I'm so happy to hear you are coming out of your slump. Feeling uninspired is one of the worst feelings in the world and even tho it happens to all of us at some point I hate to think of this happening to you. I'm glad your little friend was able to help you recover. After I looked at him for awhile I thought it seemed less as if he was dead and more as tho you had sketched him during the night while he rolled over and over looking for a comfortable sleeping position. I thought, what he needs is a little blankie -no one can get comfy without a cover. And that made me giggle, picturing the little bee with one of your beautifully drawn blankets...

Anonymous said...

Thanks Andrea. I love my Pilot Hi-Techs so I don't think a leap to the Gtec will be too far!

Teri said...

I love all these different views of your bee. You have made him famous!!

Glad you are feeling better about, well, everything!

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

I can't imagine having the patience to draw not one, but many of anything. You always make me look at my life differently. I take so many things for granted. Thank you.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

A great honor has fallen upon this bee...two posts dedicated to him, one more beautiful than the other!
I hope the feeling of slump is subsiding? What "Wagonized
is saying, is very true. To take some time off and doing other things, doing nothing, lazing, seeing a movie, reading, anything BUT thinking of producing good art. And WHEN you draw, it is just for relaxation, just for that "showing up at the page", nothing else. Good luck!
Ronell

Tami said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog Andrea. I hope your drawing funk is passing, you have such great talent! Absolutely beautiful work with this bee!

Jane LaFazio said...

yup, I agree with Wagonized on her escape from funkness theory. You bees are quite poignant. Sorry you've been blue. it sucks doesn't it?

mrana said...

I had to view this large, there's something so sweet and touching and sad about it ... it's a great drawing Andrea! And no pressure, just enjoy life! Then draw it ...

Anonymous said...

Just absolutely love your style. This is great. I do hope you are getting the itch to draw again. Your drawings are so inspiring and beautiful. But, I have been where you are and know how difficult it is to get out of the funk. This bee is so sad and wonderful all at the same time. Poor little buzzer.

Jana Bouc said...

I've been struggling with inspiration too (but not so much as your poor dead bee). Your bee drawings are wonderful--almost humorous instead of sad.

Bronwyn said...

I agree that you have honoured this bee with your drawings. She must be buzzing away happily in Heaven at the very thought of her portraits.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks everyone.

I agree, Jana, they do see these more humourous than sad.