Saturday, December 15, 2012

Animal Sketches - Celtic Inspired


 It is usually at this time of year... most every year... that we treat ourselves with new sketchbooks...




...it doesn't mean that our old sketchbooks are full...



or that we are not going to fill them up ... 



 au contraire...



... we just want to be ready if the urge strikes... or ideas pounce...  to indulge ourselves by scrawling across the page



 .. just imagine if you got in the zone and couldn't stop...  it would be terrible to run out of paper, especially heading into the depths of winter.



Oh yes, I know, there are tons of other surfaces to draw on... walls... desktops... arms...  clothing... each other...



but Fresh Paper  ... ahhhhh...   it's almost as enticing as wafts of fresh bread straight from the oven.



 approx. 9" x 11", India Ink, dip pen, 
at Desideratum Art and Jewelry Studio,  St. Martins, New Brunswick


20 comments:

Guillaume said...

I love these. Love Celtic art.

Lynne with an e said...

Running out of paper when you love to draw is quite a set-back. Running out of liquid matte medium whey you're into collaging is also a drag. Guess what happened to me today!? Maybe I should get back to filling up my half-filled sketch books with some new drawings. I see your work and your play on paper and I feel inspired...and curious as to whether or not I can still draw.
I especially love that big happy bull on your page of Celtic-inspired animals. Obviously you are not someone who is daunted by the blank page.

Cuidado said...

You are such a an industrious and dedicated sketcher and as there lies the base of good art, you have got it going on, Gwen!

ArtPropelled said...

oh no it wouldn't do to run out of sketch books and it's always a treat to get new ones for standby. I'm enjoying the Celtic inspiration. Who knows where these sketches will lead.

Seth said...

Such a fascinating series of sketches here.

Owen said...

Simply love it when you start sketching, clear across oceans you cause happy shivers of sketching appreciation... :-) Don't stop, and don't skimp on sketchbooks ! Treat yourself to the best paper and ink...

Tracy said...

Nothing like a new sketch book to inspire! And HUGE inspiration seeing your sketches Gwen. I love the ancient, primal feel you're rendered with these creatures. Happy Day ((HUGS))

Acornmoon said...

Your sketchbooks are bursting with life and inspiration.
I love newly stretched paper, waiting to be painted on.
Have a lovely Christmas.

Sharmon Davidson said...

I love these Celtic animals, Gwen! They would make great solstice cards. Happy holidays to you!

jerilanders said...

Fantastic images Gwen! You can never have too many sketchbooks,it's true. And fresh paper, like fresh bread, is meant to be devoured.

Andrea said...

Love all...The first Boar is my favourite.
You've got me thinking of various drawing surfaces...

Thanks for the story of your prior {first?} jewellery studio floor...The smallest things can turn from a space. Though there is nothing like good lighting and no carpet!

Thanks again.
Love your work...All of it's forms...
xo

dixiebelle said...

Lovely sketches! I would be lost without a surface to draw, doodle, or depict upon!!! A sketch book is best though in my humble opinion. Merry Christmas to you and yours and may your winter be filled with fabulous ideas to put to paper!

pauline said...

Oh Gwen, how i would LOVE to skim through your sketchbooks, with such lovely sketching and doodling and drawing... love these animals.
Your writing made me smile... i know all too well what it might feel like to be without paper! Heaven help us... ;-) Stay warm, and keep making art.
ps: your son's tshirts are fantastic!!! xox

Gwen Buchanan said...

Guillaume, I also love the drawings in the borders of the Book of Kells... the monks drawing those creatures straight from their heads!!

Louciao, That bull does look a little too happy doesn't he.. sort of like he doesn't even belong there.... must be the "one of these things are not like the others" .... sorry you ran out of matte medium.. I think I have a jar in the cupboard. not much use way down here tho is it?.

Cuidado, oh my, I have so much to learn!

Robyn, I'm waiting for the "time", "energy" and "blank pages" to line up, sort of like the 3 cherries at a casino.

Seth, It is hard to settle on one theme when the world is calling.

Owen, as long as you can put up with my hen scratching, I'll have fun playing.

Tracy, I am always thinking and wanting to get looser.. more practice.

Acornmoon, blank pages are like a come hither finger coaxing, don't you think?

Sharmon, isn't making designs thrilling?

Jeri, I am really looking forward to eating them up.

Dee, good light for sure.. I was talking to an artist friend who is setting up his work space in a different building and says he needs a few more tweaks before he gets it right for him to feel he can sit down and work. That always happens to me when I rearrange.

Pauline, artsy-type people really can enjoy themselves with the most basic materials.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

What fabulous sketches! Love the celtic theme especially as I live in Wales and am at the moment trying to read the Mabinogion in Welsh. (I am very very slow!)

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Elizabeth... what an environment you live in .. so much history right outside your door.. It must be almost otherworldly reading the Mabinogion in the place it was originated and set.

Dixiebelle, I look forward to this time of year to indulge a little deeper in the things I never get a chance to do the rest of the year. I wish the best to you and your family for the coming season...

rachel said...

Not just Celtic, but decidedly heraldic, some of 'em! Isn't a fresh new notebook a joy?

Gwen Buchanan said...

Yes Rachel, I can't wait for things to slow down enough to use it!!

Anonymous said...

Loving these!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks!.. lots of fun to do.