Speciman I, a new drawing

Speciman I, 6-1/2"x9", mixed media on Fabriano paper, collection of the artist.

please tell me more about Speciman

The onset of a new year is when I love to burrow in with books, blankets and new ideas. The fireplace beckons and the dogs circle, waiting to snuggle in alongside. This year there's been lots of great reads (I am really enjoying my new Kindle) and reflecting (I've filled 2 notebooks already!). This always results in a good amount of new ideas bouncing around.

And oddly enough, they have to do with ink and paper. My daily drawing habit has hooked me in - drawing as a warm up for the easel leaves me hungry for more. I found myself lingering at the drawing table longer each day.

So I decided to indulge my muse and let her play at the drawing table. This is ok - part of the ebb and flow of being creative. It's an important reminder that not everything I make has to be for sale. When I reflect 2023, I spent too much time focused on deadlines and lost touch with making art just to learn and try new things.

Play time is where that happens. It's a vacation for the muse. She needs to get sand in her toes and chase butterflies down the shore and make lots of good and bad drawings (the learning happens from the mistakes, awareness grows from the successes)

Who knows what will come of these, but I know that my muse will return from her holiday refreshed.

What do you do during the winter months to restore your energy?

Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork,
All my best, warmly, Kim

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