Sketching on Location

Mr. King Bell Rock, 9 x 12 inches, oil pastel on paper.
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

Sketching is not one my favorite things to do as I feel awkward and clumsy with drawing media. I feel much more at home with painting media for its flowing and liquid response to my brush.

"Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad".
--Salvador Dali

Nature

Being in nature is one of my most favorite things to do and be. Paying homage to the land in whatever way that shows up is important to me. Photography is usually my favored response to wanting to capture what I feel when I'm out there. Many times the photograph is used in making a painting.

When I tune in to my experience of being on the land, I see the gloriousness of creation, and feel God's presence and the magnificence of his touch. Many times it turns out to be a mutual love affair. As I appreciate and love the beauty I see, I am returned the love and appreciation from the land.

Mr. King Bell Rock from my vantage point
Sedona, AZ

Sketching on Location

Yesterday, I packed some drawing paper and my oil pastels with the intent to sketch while outdoors. As I hiked I asked my guidance to lead me to the perfect spot. I had in mind a certain location on Bell Rock where I could see the expanse of Sedona. However, Mr. King Bell Rock, as I have grown to affectionally call this famed vortex, had a different idea.

I hiked up to the location where I thought I would be drawing. But, something pulled me onward to a different location. I had worn sneakers as I forgot to change into my hiking boots. I was not all that prepared to do more than an easy hike. As frequently happens, though, Mr. King Bell Rock beckons me to new pathways and scenes, sometimes more intense terrain than I had bargained for. Yesterday was no different.

Sketching with oil pastels

I carefully hiked along allowing my inner guidance to pull me forward. I found a spot that seemed to let me stay awhile. I had managed to hike three quarters of the way up to the top. Instead of facing outward, I felt the urge to face inwards facing Mr. King Bell Rock. It turns out he wanted my full attention.

So, I sat there for a couple of hours sketching to the best of my ability to capture the essence of what I was feeling and seeing. The weather was wonderful and warm. I was visited by a few tourists who saw me sitting up there and climbed up a much more difficult pathway than I had climbed in my indirect movement toward this spot.

I sincerely find drawing frustrating and am rarely happy with my results. I hope that practice will help ease these feelings of inadequacy. One day if I let myself practice long enough, I just might like my drawing.

Artists:

Do you sketch, draw, or paint on location? What's your experience with it?

Art Collectors:

Do you appreciate art that has been created on location? Why?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Brianna Rush (Mary Rush Gravelle)

About the Author
Brianna Rush (Mary Rush Gravelle) is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. More about her art and paintings can be found on her website.

Copyright 2014 Brianna Rush (Mary Rush Gravelle). All rights reserved.

Sir Kitty