Sketches of the workings of the springtime sun

The sun has begun to make her springtime appearance. It's a tentative performance, as she remains a bit shy, but it's becoming more confident. The effect of this on my mood and outlook is incredible. It wasn't that my rainy winter has been filled with longing for sunshine, but when the clouds part and the sun comes out, I can't help but smile.

I love the way the sun shines through the streets and lights up the buildings. As I've perhaps mentioned, I am very attracted to the architecture of European houses and apartment buildings, and the sunlight casts shadows that create interesting contrasts and bring out interesting patterns around windows and along rooftops. I went outside a few days ago and tried to capture with black ink the stark contrasts created by the fresh sunshine.

By the way, the works in this post are on a bigger scale than many of my previous recent works, in this case DIN A3, or 42 x 30 cm/16.5 x 11.7 in. It's good practice to be drawing a bit bigger again.

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Spring has been making an appearance in other forms as well. The plants, like me, have noticed the sunshine and warming temperatures and are sending out their tendrils to test if it's really true, if winter is really reaching an end. 

In my attempt to document life as it's happening around me, in particular right now in the process of my year, I of course wanted to complete a series of blossoms. And I just love flowers and plants and their aesthetic.

I hope, wherever you are, that the beginning of spring has started to show itself in some way and that you can enjoy those little moments! I'd love to hear what the change of seasons looks like in your corner of the world.

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Paris in 15-Minute Sketches

Ah, sweet Paris. Where the croissants are fluffy and the café au lait nears perfection...

These delicious treats and the above view greeted us upon arrival to Paris on Saturday morning. My host mom, sister, her godmother, and I took a train that left just before 6 AM and arrived at 10, which was perfect to enjoy a late breakfast in a Parisian cafe below Montmartre. We couldn't have had better timing: we sat down at a table next to what appeared to be freshly cleaned window and the clouds gave way to bright blue sky. The sun shone on a gleaming white Sacré-coeur, and I documented the moment in between sips of coffee and bites from my panini fromages.

Here is the other half of the view, what was in front of me on our table:

We walked up the stairs to Sacre-couer afterwards and spent a few hours meandering around the streets of Montmartre, enjoying the sounds, smells, and tastes of France.

I had a good exercise in map reading skills, something we don't get so often any more in the age of smartphones and GPS, which I didn't have with me because it costs extra to use my phone in another country. We were only lost at one point, which is pretty good considering how confusing and full the streets were as it got dark in the evening. Not to mention, it's fun to actually use a map and develop a better sense of your surroundings!

On Sunday, I visited Museé d'Orsay, where I filled up two pages in my little sketchbook with the names of works and artists that captured my attention. The museum is well known for their large impressionism exhibition, and I was also drawn in by their collections of Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec.

I had a few hours left before we had to catch our train back home (which was also from about six to ten, but in the evening), so I went for a walk along the Seine and paused some to sketch. Notre Dame popped out from behind some other buildings as I was walking, and the scene struck me.

While the trip was short, our two days were full of new impressions, and we were all very pleased with the slice of the city we were served.

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Oil Spill

Oil Spill 1, watercolor.

Waves crash over the heart

and pull at skin, eyes, hair

until I’m only

salt.

I can’t control the tides,

a reminder that the earth pulls me along with her.

Through ebbs

and flows

undeterred by human desire.

And the hard-beaten salty self

will close her eyes to shield from the harsh light

and the memory of someone

who’s not there anymore,

like maybe the sun will have to someday do

when she can no longer shed tears

for her lost lover:

planet earth.

Oil Spill 2, watercolor.

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A few recent works and thoughts for you today. These two watercolor paintings were done in response to an assignment for my art course in school, my chosen theme being the relationship between humans and the environment (a topic that I always find myself drawn back to). However, I do feel there is more behind these pictures for me personally.

Without saying more, I'd love to hear any responses to these works if you're willing to share! You can leave comments below.

Also, look forward to a post in the next couple of days with drawings from my weekend in Paris!

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