SCENES FROM MY NEGLECTED SKETCHBOOK

To my shame, I’ve been neglecting my sketchbook lately. It’s notany kind of “creative block”—I’ve just been busy. It’s been that kind of year.

Once upon a time my sketchbook was the main outlet for my runawaycreativity. My brain would have exploded with it, but unfortunately, I attaineda peculiar form of success with my writing. It demands a lot of my time, so Itend to focus on it. Also, there’s making a living and all that other stuff.

If only I spent more time drawing, I would be a better artist. Asthings are, I consider myself pretty good, but my skills have a hard timekeeping up with my imagination. What I see in my head outshines what Imanage to nail to the paper.

It frustrates me.

Another reason I should draw more is the effect it has on mybrain. It’s like exercise, food and medicine. I feel and function so muchbetter if I’ve been drawing.

So, I try to keep at it. I keep a small sketchbook on a shelf nextto the bed, open to a drawing, usually an unfinished one. I stare at it hopingto get the creative juices sloshing.

What keeps me from getting down and funky with it is that I’musually busy or just too tired. Also, I get distracted.

I try to make some spontaneous scribbling that I make into asurrealistic composition and part of a morning routine. Too bad my schedule isso wacky. 

Also, I keep having to get up early to rush off and do something.

In a more civilized world, I would get up late and do a slow wakeup/breakfast ritual that would last until almost noon. 

Maybe after I retire from the day job . . .

Meanwhile, I’ll be going on another road trip soon. In the back ofmy sketchbook, I'll take notes for my travelogues. Lately, I've been doing mydamnedest to do quick sketches in those notes. It could help.

Someday, I’d like to be a crazy, prolific sketchbook guy again.

Yup, I’m a mad dreamer to the end.

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