Hello dear readers and welcome to my last 2023 newsletter! Thank you so much for reading the studio notebook entries over the past months. I’m sending wishes out to everyone for a peaceful new year.
The photo above shows my jacket slowly soaking up the rain while I draw outside. Being cold and damp has been a bit of a theme for this late fall and winter solstice, and I’ve turned it up a notch in the past few days by trying out some cold plunges in the creek. I’ve been wearing neoprene gloves and boots, which really helps — it guards my hands and feet from getting too painfully cold as my blood vessels adjust to the cold water.
I really like the feeling of the calm-down after the initial bracing that happens as I get into the water. As my breathing slows and I focus on staying in the water, I tend to look up at the sky and the tops of the bare cottonwood trees that tower over the creek. Being immersed in the temperatures of snowmelt helps me feel closer to the wet leaves and mud, the thimbleberry sticks and mosses, and various outdoor things I love to draw.
Around winter solstice it is nearly dark at 4:30 pm, with the sun hiding behind the mountains until mid-February. On a rainy day at noon, it can feel like a murky aquarium, especially if I’m indoors, looking out the window. Getting outside into that grey gloom is the one thing that opens things up — it’s actually not as dark as it looks, the damp air feels good, the world is not grey but many subdued colours blending together.
I’ve realized that winter plein air drawing needs to be really simple if I’m going to do it regularly —- so no water, temperature sensitive materials, paint palettes, or big plans — just pencil and paper.
For Art Space subscribers, I’ve compiled a packing list below for outdoor winter sketching, with some special material recommendations for drawing in the falling rain and slush (don’t let the wet weather discourage you!) Sketching in the winter is one of the few times where I’m actually willing to just sit very still in the cold rain for a long period of time (well, maximum 20 minutes), and it’s memorable! That said, please take care out in the elements, especially if it’s below freezing 💙
Also, a few things I loved listening to, reading and watching this month:
Showing Up, a film directed by Kelly Reichardt. I enjoyed the slow-paced way this film portrayed artists at work, and the subtle humour throughout. The main character’s ceramic sculptures were captivating; made in real-life by ceramic artist Cynthia Lahti.
Andrew Huberman’s latest interview with Rick Rubin about creative process and overcoming blocks — “this is something I’m making for myself, for now, that’s all it is…it’s a diary entry. Everything I make is a diary entry.”
Carolyn Yoo’s year-end reflection - The fog of charting your own path.
The Packing List for outdoor winter drawing: (and sending out a big thank you for subscribing to Art Space this year!!)
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