WR #9 + Painting Series Ideas
Last week was really rough. I’m not going to detail stuff here, but I reference some specific things that happened throughout the week in my sketchbook (just saying this for my reference… in case I ever look back at this and wonder what was going on).
I just didn’t have the energy for any major art sessions. I felt emotionally drained, and to be quite honest, spent a lot of time sleeping. Naps are my coping mechanism. 🙃 But I did intentionally make marks in my sketchbook almost everyday.
I also spent a lot of time thinking about the “why” behind my art practice. I want my art to be an extension of worshipping God. Art as an extension of worship. So I’ve come up with a few series of paintings I want to work on in alignment with this mission. I’m planning to start the Psalms series next week.
Painting series ideas:
Painting the Psalms
On Sunday of each week:
Type and print my Psalm for the week
Put on the schedule when my painting session is going to be
Read the Psalm I’m going to be painting every day that week
One extended painting session per week where I meditate on that week’s Psalm (go through them in order)
No rules for this session really. Just read the Psalm, and see what meditating on it sparks. Maybe an Orla Stevens style session where I’m working between several different paintings all at the same time. Or maybe something more symbolic (like what Sandi Hester painted in response to a local tragedy). Or maybe painting on location in a spot that I think reflects the Psalm. I want to give myself a lot of freedom.
In His Image
Based on Jen Wilkin’s book - 10 characteristics of God we’re called to emulate
On Sunday of each week:
Read a chapter of the book
Type and print notes on that week’s characteristic
Schedule that week’s big painting session
None Like Him
Based on Jen Wilkin’s book - 10 characteristics that are unique to God
On Sunday of each week:
Read a chapter of the book
Type and print notes on that week’s characteristic
Schedule that week’s big painting session
10 Words to Live By
Based on Jen Wilkin’s book on the 10 Commandments
On Sunday of each week:
Read a chapter of the book
Type and print notes on that week’s characteristic
Schedule that week’s big painting session
The Beattitudes
Fruit of the Spirit
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Apostles’ Creed
Last week’s focus
Surviving. That’s a little dramatic. Everyone is ok. But there was a lot of highly emotional stuff going on in our personal life.
Helpful inputs/ resources from the week
Prayer
Thinking on how art can help me meditate more on God’s Word
STUDIO TIME LOG
Monday | 03-11
Finished my acrylic color swatch project
Completed my weekly review
But I think I missed sketching/ mark making
Tuesday | 03-12
Sketch of art supplies on my desk
Wednesday | 03-13
Missed today ☹️… but I didn’t miss two in a row!
Thursday | 03-14
Sketch of sheep (wrote “sheep blob” in my sketchbook 😂)
Meditated on:
”The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18
Friday | 03-15
Abstract sketch in paint markers - meditating on:
“Through all the changing scenes of life,
in trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still
my heart and tongue employ.”
Saturday | 03-16
Sketched the Bunn coffee maker while prepping for an early Sunday morning
Sunday | 03-17
Quick truck sketch 🙈
SKETCHBOOK REVIEW
March 17, 2024
What question did I ask my sketchbook with this spread?
What if I spent 10 seconds sketching instead of just admitting defeat and going straight to bed?
How do I feel about it overall?
This is an unquestionably horrible sketch haha. We had truck trouble after helping Mom and Dad with moving, which made for a very long and chaotic day after a very early morning for church.
BUT I made marks! Even when I didn’t feel like it, I still got stuff out to draw. And even though it’s terrible, I’m still drawing! I didn’t let my hideously ugly drawing convince me to abandon art altogether. It is ok to make ugly stuff. What’s important is that I made something.
What am I curious about?
Would I have been better off to close my eyes while I was drawing this?? 🤣
What do I want to carry forward?
Consistency. Make stuff unapologetically. It’s ok if the cat could have drawn it better.
FINAL WRAP UP
What has God taught me this week about glorifying Him through my art?
Art can be an extension of my worshipping God.
What am I excited about/ what’s my plan for next week? Any changes to initial 2024 planning?
I’m excited to see how meditating on the Word influences my painting. And I’m excited to incorporate one bigger painting session into each week.
”Our theology will build our creative practice. Because everything flows out of what we believe…. who God is and who we are.” - Ruth Chou Simons
