#tinysketches

In March 2025 I took an online workshop from the London Drawing Group called Secrets of Seeing, Pierre Bonnard. I love Bonnard's paintings, but this was a class about how he made tiny sketches on scraps of paper to use as references later for his paintings. And since that class, I carry around scraps of paper small enough to stick in my back pocket so I too can make quick sketches anytime, anywhere. Drawing tiny forces me to simplify what I'm seeing -- a long time goal of mine.

This year, instead of packing a big bin of painting supplies for our trip to Matinicus Island, Maine, I've only brought some sharpies and miscellaneous drawing pens. We have four grandchildren coming for an extended visit, and I don't want to be preoccupied with painting (or to be sharing my supplies with that many eager little hands at once). During this week before they come, I've started making my drawings in tiny books made by folding sheets of 8.5x12" paper. It's a slight move toward something more than just a sketch. Finding three colored markers in a drawer, was another little step forward.

In conclusion, I'm glad I didn't bring my art supplies. It's forcing me to be creative in a new way, which is what I'd hoped. And if my grandkids want to make art, we can all make little folded books and sketch.

P.S I usually take a single, short online workshop a year. Getting one or two good ideas is all I'm after, and that's worth $20-100 to me. At this point in my painting life, I get as much out of going to museums or spending a few minutes looking at artists on Instagram. I don't want to be overinfluenced by other people's work. Inspiration can turn to jealousy and imitation. Whenever I get off my own creative path, I regret it, even when I don't know where I'm going.