Kim mentioned that one of her daily caring for herself tasks is to make a mark. Just one. She got this idea from Andrea. Recently I have been neither drawing nor painting nor writing. No marks except for lists of things to do. So, I am taking it upon myself to try to make a mark a day. I began yesterday with some writing.
I bought this little black covered notebook last year. I am writing from back to front as I am left handed and the notebook spine is not very flexible. I wanted a notebook with small pages as I want to write three pages a day. Easier to do with small pages! Nevertheless, so far, I have only written about a page and a half a day.
I have to use a ball point pen, as the pages are thin. With my ink pen I can only write on one side of the page as the ink shows through to the other side. That little bottle is my current flower essence remedy. Today I have made no marks as of yet. Before the day is out, I hope to begin a visual journal page, inspired by Katie Jane's lovely journal. And also write a few pages in my little notebook. You can see the beautiful fairy Katie Jane sent me in the top photo and here. She guides me on my journey.How about you? Have you made a mark today?
31 comments:
Hi Suki,
This is wonderful. I think Andrea may begin a movement without even realizing it. I have to say, for me, it is the right thing to be doing. I feel very inspired to get into my studio and do some painting today. I hope it works for you, too.
I also wanted to tell you I picked up a new pen yesterday. Yes, I have a pen fetish. I have enjoyed using Sharpie markers for years, but you can't write with them on paper because they bleed through. Well, the Sharpie Pen doesn't do that. I don't know if they are new or if I am slow...either way they work well and are less expensive than the disposable technical pens I have been using (and waterproof to boot).
Enjoy making marks, Suki! I will be eager to hear/see if it works out for you.
Have a Wonderful Day!
I really wish I'd get back to journaling. I think I traded blogging for that. I love the connections I've made so in that regard I have no regrets. Still, I must get back to doing more art. That's why I did a simple still life yesterday for illustration friday.
I love that you write from the back! And the warm glow of the photo is very nice.
It is early here yet but I am making a mark in the making of my studio. It is really feeling like mine now. not some empty guestroom. I do journal daily tho. Have for years. I would like to try what Kate does with the colorful pictures and things. but I hate to tear up my magazines. :)
I once read how one person got motivated to work. They would sit down like a job in front of a canvas and put a mark on it and they the painting would flow. but they had to almost schedule in that time.
I like this idea. I have not made may mark yet today, but it is plan to make many marks this weekend!
Hi, Suki...First visit to your blog. I found it very calming to read your posts.
I thought I was the only one in this universe who preferred to write in my journal from back to front. I read magazines b2f also. Being left-handed takes me off the beaten path alot!
Suki, I'm glad you are writing your feelings in this lovely book.
I think this is your CREATIVITY right now, the sorting things out both physical and emotional. All your art will follow when you feel more settled again somewhere/where ever it happens to be. (although I do miss seeing your art) ;-)
I keep making my mark...each time I pick up a piece of fabric, go to my sewing machine, or pick up a pen and start doodling, or a knitting needle...well you get the picture...I am in a real MARKING SPACE right now!!!
Please send me your address so I may send you a CD.
Kim, hope you are able to get into your studio. Today, I have written in my journal. Yeah. And soon am set to try a visual journal page. I'm not sure if I know about the sharpie pen. I'll look for one. I love pens too.
Laurel, I think blogging takes the place of journaling (written journal) too. And you get response to your journaling this way. Still, I will keep working on the handwritten journal as I think it may get something flowing for me and i can ramble in my private journal more than I do on my blog.
Cris, your new studio progress is very exciting. I agree with sitting down at ones canvas or page like a job, without getting inspired before hand necessarily. Still, I am currently unable to do that. Have fun working on your special space this weekend.
Annie, I hope you have a great mark making weekend.!!
Larkspur, welcome. So many things are made for right handers arent they? And right handers don't realize this bias. I read mags b2f too. That is also the way Japanese books are set up to be read.
Lynn thank you for acknowledging my sorting and organizing as my creativity of the moment. I know that doing this is taking me away from my painting in part, though not sure why it should. That's why I am going to try doing a few visual journal pages rather than a painting. I think you sure are in a huge marking space right now. I am so inspired reading about all your new works. Thanks Lynn for all your insights. OK I will go right to the email program and email you.
Suki, this is a wonderful idea. I feel like I HAVE to do something creative every day, even if it is only to write in my journal. I guess it's similar to people who have to have chocolate or potato chips. It's something that my soul craves. Thank you so much for mentioning my journal. And I'm so happy that your little fairy helps you in your creative endeavors. Enjoy!
Katie Jane, in a way, I feel like I have to do something creative every day too, it is just that there end up being times in my life when I dont seem to be able to. It is wonderful that you are able to be creative every day. It does lighten the spirit.
Picking up your journal is a great idea. Sometimes we need to turn ourselves inward for a while, before we can give of ourselves again.
Making a mark is an excellent start and you'll know when your ready for making art again.
Hi Suki, I spent almost all day in the studio! It felt so good...I really needed it, because I was getting mean! :) So a lot of mark making has been happening around here.
Pen Lovers Unite!
Patti, thanks for the encouraging words. I needed them!
Kim, so glad to hear you have gotten some work done today in your studio haven! Hurrah.
Hi Suki, today I drove my daughter into town so she could help her school with tutoring students. I usually stay home and there's always plenty to do but today my husband wanted to clean the room of horrors (our college age boy's room)-and I had strong motivation to leave!
We talked about walking the other day and you said you needed to be able to walk. That got me thinking about walking...I love to walk and walking is a way to make a mark because you connect with something-in this case nature and any other walkers. After our "conversation" I thought where could I go for a walk...maybe a hike? I remembered the "river walk" so after I dropped off my daughter, off I went.
I walked for the length of the paved trail-about 1hr 45 min...and felt like I had accomplished something...I paid attention to the trees, the birds, the dragonflys and river. Peace!
Then I went to have coffee and write. I do the same thing as you only it's a timed 10 min. speed writing session...which can be a mess...certainly not like your neat journal, Suki!
It felt good to get back to the world in this way...when I picked up my daughter, we went shopping for a couple fun items; she'll be seventeen in a week. It takes a couple of hours to drive into town and a couple to get back home. Sometimes it's too stressful but today I'm glad I did venture out.
Thank you, Sukipoet, for sharing, inspiring and motivating me.
Your flower essence looks homemade! Do you make them or are you lucky enough to have a friend who does? They have been my saving grace at times.
whew, my head is so full of stuff right now, i could write 100 pages, but don't choose to. i am doing lots of art - wierd art, to unburden myself. you are looking for a new place to live, i too am looking for a new place to go (in my head) and in my life. not a very happy place to be is it?
wordveri: balls (does that mean anything to you?)
had to come back and ask 'who took that third photo of you writing?' i like that one a lot.
also, i taught many a left-handed girl to knit at school as they are so upset because no one can show them how to knit.
wordveri:mice( balls and mice mmmm)
Starlene, welcome. My friend Donna is an herbalist and owns Cedar Spring Herb farm on Cape Cod. She makes the flower essences specifically for me. IE: I talk to her, tell her my issues, then she senses which essences will be good. She also encourages me to read the qualities of the flowers she includes in that Flower Essence Remedy Book.
Soulbrush, I love your new thumbnail portrait. Well it can be confusing when choices need to be made. I hope your inner self guides you as you work through these issues. I thought your "scream" painting illustrated your dilema and maybe mine too very well. Balls, I guess to me that means having courage and a bit of assertiveness (male). Or were you just teasing. I took all photos. My camera has a self timer which allows me to set up the camera and then run and sit in front of it before the picture is taken.
I had wondered about the photo of your two hands too. How clever you are! ;-) Well done!!! You are such a good photographer!!! Happy Sunday!
I blog every single day, I write a letter every single day and I write my diary every single day......It takes energy, but I am glad I do :-)
i love the idea of making a mark each day. just a mark. i always like the expression mark making in my drawing classes, too....there's something about it that isn't too threatening and yet it has a bit of certitude about it....
A Mark A Day! I like that idea. I get a bit upset some days when I haven't found time to draw or paint. So... I just mounted a sheet of paper to a drawing board on an easel in my bedroom. This way I will add one mark each morning and evening all week long. By the end of the week I should have accomplished something. (smile)
Cynthia, how did I miss your comment before. Sometimes I think comments sneak into spots I think I've looked at. Wow. How great you found a place you can walk! That's wonderful. a really long walk too. Well, with two teenagers in your household I guess you are busy. That's a lot! I have done those ten minute speed writing methods too. Natalie Goldberg style. My writing in this notebook is neat only because the pages are so small my hand needs to slow down. Usually my handwriting is a mess too. Be well, Suki
Lynn, I use the self timer whenever i have done any self portrait kind of photos. Today I was pondering getting a better camera. But no action on that yet. I have a hard time spending money.
Britt-Arnhild, that is impressive. I love it that you write so many letters especially as that is quite a dying art. Letters are so warm and personal. Bravo for all the writing.
Mary,I actually had not heard the term mark making until a few years ago but I like it too.
Chewy, that's a cool idea. I may try it myself and really limit myself to just one mark. And as I write that the song "Just one LOok" comes into my brain. Good luck. Let us see the result at the weeks end.
Suki, I have no idea what camera you are using now, but your photos are exceptional so I see no reason for you to spend money on a new one. Just my humble opinion.
This is such a beautiful idea, Suki. I have finally been feeling back to myself after the franticness of the past six weeks, and this is an idea that I can definitely play with. Making a mark a day is such a gentle way to get back to being me. Thank you!
Lynn, I am using a "cheap" point and shoot type camera. I would like one that would enable me to photo animals, for example, in the distance which I cannot do with this camera.
Belle, also Chewy had a good idea that I am trying too. Just set up a largish pad of paper on yr easel, place pen/pencil or whatever nearby and then make one mark in the am or one mark at night or whenever. Or maybe several times during the day for a week and see what you have at the end.
Great idea: small notebook so you can write 3 pages and to write from the back!
Clever.
I didn´t make a mark today, I will ponder on this if I need to do so every day..........
Marianne, I have liked my challenge of making a mark each day, but I dont always meet it. However when I do meet it I am happier.
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