Journaling Daily Practice, where do I begin?

In our class we talk a lot about keeping a daily journal. About writing down some thoughts, insights etc but also about the importance of spending time practicing sketching and painting. These daily trips into our sketchbooks don't need to be a dreaded experience, worrying about what to paint and what to write. At first it may seem forced and awkward but I promise it gets better and easier. It will become more organic and natural to spend time with yourself if you allow it to happen. I thought I would give you a good place to start, at breakfast! Start sketching your breakfast, even if it's just your coffee cup. It's all about practice. Then write down what you had, date the page and comment if it's your favorite etc. 

Here's my breakfast yesterday, gave it a fun background and added dots and a border. I will be putting together a video on starting with your shadows and posting it soon.

- Desiree

A video for you

Hi everyone,
I was hoping for more comments and activity here. I am posting this for you but it will also be on my blog. If you leave a comment you go to my blog and leave a comment you will be entered to win something.

Check out my blog and leave a comment

Hi you all! Its time to start leaving comments. Its important to let me know you are out there and reading my posts. Please try and make a stab at leaving comments here or on my other blog, I would really appreciate it!

We're Back! Back together again, so glad that you have decided to join me again!

I was so touched to see everyone at sketch class, I didn't know how it would go after taking the summer off and feeling like it might be time to end the sketch class. But it seems as though you guys are ready to keep going and dive into some new and exciting things like, painting and sketching on fabric and collage techniques etc. I think it will be a fun new year in our sketch group!! 2014 Look out here we come!!

I missed a few of you who I hope to see next month. We had fun creating textured backgrounds with some collage, stamping, acrylic paints etc. Then I had gathered a bunch of my silver serving pieces and some colorful peppers from which everyone had to choose a few of each to sketch. We used gouache to paint over our backgrounds and I think everyone did a great job since it was also a new medium for most. I love the way everyones piece turned out, such fun learning about silver, reflections, textures and we even talked about the importance of journaling! My classes are focused on teaching you to see, to really see and appreciate the simple things. To be more present in your life by being more aware of the beauty that surrounds us. I love the sentence I found in the book "The Writers book of Days " that says to honor the miraculousness of the ordinary! I really love that!

Here is some of the work done at class, these were works in progress, minus Penny's piece, please post yours here Penny!

Karen chose a cake knife and fork along with a few hot peppers

This is mine, I chose a gravy ladle and a fruit fork with two colorful peppers, I need to darken my shadows. 

Christa chose a butter knife and a spoon/fork serving utensil and a hot pepper

Marianne chose two serving spoons and two different hot peppers. I love that she talked about the coolness of the silver in contrast to the heat and warmth of the peppers! Good observations today!