Unfocused

“Concentration is the root of all higher abilities in man” – Bruce Lee

When life becomes overwhelming, growing may be challenging. You body craves ease, monotony, comfort where it can find it. Since about last October, we had some challenges in our household and I am finding creativity a challenge. Between lack of sleep, stress, and less time I have not found myself in a flow in a while.

I do love a good tutorial. I continue to take a variety of classes from Peggy Dean, Sarah Cray, and artists from the 2026 Sketchbook Revival (among others). Sarah Cray recently released a seasonal sketchbook practice course, where she explains how she has created a space for her own daily painting to explore and grow. And it is so well done. She talked about removing barriers to your own art time. Inspirational, I tell you.

It encouraged me to finally make a painting from our trip to Glacier National Park in 2024 that has been rolling around in my head in my sketchbook.

Sketchbook first attempt at the vast landscape. I loved the cloud recreation that I was able to accomplish.

Bonus: I also created a linocut from a photo I took of a neat bridge in the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan. Not too bad. I clearly had assistance.