Friday, August 29, 2008

Naughty Friday "Oyster"

The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.

The time has come,'the Walrus said,
'To talk of many things:
Of shoes --and ships--and sealing-wax-
Of cabbages--and kings--

And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings'


Perched on MY rock conveniently low, I am looking at my list, Friday: "20 quick small sketches for watercolor studies ( separate from the large stuff) ". Tea in hand, I ponder. Hm. That certainly seems doable. I have my pencils out. Some small paper near at hand. Sip. Another slow sip. I pause.

On another list, that nocturnal Nabokov one, is this: "oyster". I have been mulling that one over. There are oyster beds on my island. They are a favorite texture in the low tide sand. A surprise inside. I mull some more. I gently sip. Yep, that's perfect for today.

As for pigs having wings, I do not know, but I DO know that I did not allow for the wiggle and the chaotic waggle that this week had in store. I have no wings myself this week, that's for sure. I think my one week to do list in the studio is actually a two week list. What do YOU do when you are overly ambitious? When you over project? And things come up unexpectedly? Are you a tough task master or a forgiving one?

Me, I'm sitting on my rock perched conveniently low, and contemplating drawing oysters, smiling at the thought. Oh, I got through two thirds of that list. Not bad, that. I have all day today to finish up what I set out to do. Will I make it? Nah. Am I rushed? Am I thinking,"Oh, you idiot"? Maybe for awhile last night. It was a very tough day yesterday. And it did bother me a lot, until I reread the numbers on that list. But now, today, I am contemplating oysters and chuckling at myself. I want to hear what they may say about my island. What kept me up at night. Listen. Can you hear the sea? It's washing away this week. It's saying," good job. You're much further along. Now come sit over here, let me wash your cares away. Just draw the oyster. Just draw its juiciness. And look at those neutrals. And look at the contrast." Yum.

You can't forget about the pleasures of your work. It will all get done. And if it doesn't...check your numbers, they might be off a bit.

Brush, got any ideas on what color an oyster is? Yep, more puddles, you get to play today. Pencil, got any lemon? Come on, let's sketch away. Now, go be Naughty, all of you. Go on, play in the delicious juiciness of your life.

( I see you smiling NOLA NOIR guy. Just duck and cover, Gustav is on his way.)

6 comments:

Parisbreakfasts said...

Lovely juicy brush there waiting to be loaded up with paint I bet for dipping into the oyster beds of those puddles...ahem
Who am I kidding :)
Well that brush does look yummy as does the oyster photo..
I can see the painting already - lots of warm and cool grays, greys, gris
Dive into that puddle girl!

Parisbreakfasts said...

WOO WOO
A Series #7 no less...
Though I'm an Isabey girl myself...I go in for the Martre, not mink or sable - a trick I learned from DD in passing...

Janice C. Cartier said...

Hi PB- I like Isabey too, but on those huge 40 x 60's these puddle holding #7 sables are pretty fabulous workhorses and I have used them for years...I try to catch the sales. That oyster is luscious. I'm thinking warms and cools, grey's pinky greys. I have to nail it first in watercolor, my "first language", before I try it in oils.

A martre is a martin I think. I will look them up. You do these warms a nd cools so well...the puddles will be fun.

Anonymous said...

Yay to getting most of your way through the list this week. Don't focus on what you didn't get done. Think of how much more you got done than if you hadn't made the list in the first place!

Janice C. Cartier said...

Hi Alex- Yes, I am taking a relook at those "arbitrary" numbers. I did get farther than I thought. wiggle room...need to factor that in. ;-)

Hope your weekend is going okay...my thoughts are with you.

A Brush with Color said...

Wow--you sound like you were very productive. Lists are just supposed to help get us going, aren't they? Not absolutes. Well, that's how I see it,anyway. Your writing is charming!