My book shelf is a prompt bank.

On doing the minimum

Many years ago I forgot I was an artist, and the thing that made me come back was a book of daily prompts.

Since then I’ve been amassing quite a collection of such books. I hope someday i will write such a book. This newsletter in a way is me trying to write such a book. Recently I find myself less in a position to write prompts, and more in need to use them.

I’m not using any particular book as intended, instead, I’m picking things off the shelf and flipping randomly to a page.

Today I picked up Jessica Smith’s “15 Minute Art | Drawing” book.

And I flipped to a page about drawing a cat. And I did following the instructions. It was such a simple exeercise. And as an ‘award-winning-illustrator’, it’s tempting to think that it was beneath me. But I’m learning to maintain a beginner’s mind and to play the fool.

And so I did it.

And from that mindset it’s impossible not to learn.

At the very least I’m reminded of things, like leaving white space. I also learn from the materials. And it’s just fun to draw. it’s meditative.

CREATIVE ACTION

So that’s your prompt too! Draw a Cat.

I’m intentionally leaving some of the steps out from Jessica’s book as a form of promotion for the book. And I will suggest you lean into your materials and adapt to them that’s one of the things that makes traditional materials appealing.

Housekeeping.

As I strive to get by on my strip of live bark. I need to find a way to keep my own ten minute artist practice going. While sharing prompts with you daily. And drawing from my prompt bank is one way I find myself managing to do so. And perhaps until the end of the year, this is how I’ll proceed.

Now, do you know what’s better than drawing a prompt? Drawing with friends, and we can do that in a few hours at Art Gym. Grab a seat!

Katie Stack will be leading us in exploring 4 different Halloween aesthetics. I’m going to use the time to develop something for my portfolio.

See you there?