octopus dream

In my dream the other night, a pink octopus was flying calmly over the surface of a lake.

blue chickadees

I've been having some trouble recently with a project I am working on for a friend. Trouble is inevitable; in some ways I think it is indicative of a good, real, working process. Still, it is not fun. Not at the moment, anyway.

The trouble is that my first draft is by far my friend's favorite, but I can't use it, for silly technical reasons. And because I can't see it the way she does, I can't recreate it. I am trying.

But that in itself is a futile endeavor. I have to instead create the new something that will capture the spirit of the first, but be its own thing. 

And I have to realize: we are not always the best judge of our own work.

dead fish

Ansel and I went walking at Chimney Bluffs, on the shore of Lake Ontario, this weekend. It was my debut for walking in a sustained way outside, after having broken my toe over a month ago. It was wonderful.

On the rocky beach we saw a large dead fish. "Wow," I said.
Ansel handed me my sketchbook.

happy 2nd birthday!

It's the 2nd birthday of my blog!

I haven't been drawing or painting as much lately; I've had a lot on my plate. This past weekend a few of my students put on a spectacular concert that took much of my attention and made me very proud. I have been singing a lot. And looking a lot. I think my mind is full of images that will just spill out as soon as I have a chance - take the chance - to sit down again and let them.

It's a beautiful day and I'm off to play a wedding! Happy fall to you all.