Soggy cereal

I was planning to do a graphite pencil sketch of the buncha bananas that we have, when I sat down for breakfast, but this looked like more fun. I’ve been working on ellipses with my class, and the banana slices seemed remarkably more appealing when I looked back and forth between the bananas and my cereal bowl (Not that the ellipses are very good. The slices just seemed more cheery). If I had done this in graphite, instead of a quick study in pen, my cereal would’ve been even more soggy. This, and the Snickers, speak loudly of the perils of trying to draw what you’re eating.

Arty notes: I’m enjoying doing sketches with my copic drawing pens, using the Talons opaque watercolor pan set (would that make it, pretty much, pan gouache?), and my Niji waterbrushes (water-filled). The opaque paint seems to go onto the moleskine sketchbook pages a lot more easily than normal watercolor paint, doesn’t bead up. The Talons set was one of the very few I could find; I’m not sure what quality it really is, but it seems to be working for me, finally.

Here are some thoughts on metaphors working in my life right now.

Making peace with some of these art materials – the pan gouache (but who can spell it correctly the first time?) and Niji brushes. I’ve been complaining about them for a while. And suddenly, they’re working well, together. Or, more accurately, I should say: I’m working well with them, together. It’s not them, but me; I’ve made peace with them and am enjoying doing quick little sketches here and there. You fight and fight, but when you just relax (Cesar Millan would say, “Sh!”), it’s easier to make peace. So many things that we all struggle with that we can’t get to work, but when you stop trying to force things, things suddenly and neatly fall into place.

And running. Oh, the metaphors are endless: You have to be able to walk before you run. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You know it feels great, but hate to drag yourself out of bed to do it. Slow and steady wins the race. Train slowly; don’t try to overdo it. Watch what you eat to fuel your body correctly. Remember to stretch and cool down. [sigh] I’m back putting time on the treadmill, trying to build up time. Yes, I know: Outdoors is better, the fresh air... Okay, but I like running, and the treadmill is just way more gentle on my joints. So there. On my off days, I do try to get outside, before the school traffic builds, for a nice long walk.
A walk’s as good as a run.

How’s that for mixing metaphors? And yet, it works, huh?

What have you been fighting against that maybe you could afford to just settle in with?
What long-term goal is out there that you could approach, slow and steady?

What foods would you love to draw, but just know it would be easier to just enjoy one thing at a time; either the food, or the drawing of it?

What metaphors seem to be recurring themes in your life?