Sunday, July 01, 2007

July challenge













July's challenge is to see. To look, to really see, to be present and to draw. I'm setting this challenge because I've noticed my tendency to draw too quickly, impatiently, hurriedly. I've been drawing and painting (and doing most things) with too busy a mind. I know I need to slow down, be patient, to be present, really look and see, connect. I'll be drawing guidance from Frederick Franck's Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing.

You can drawing using any medium you like. Part of the challenge will be to see the ordinary objects around you anew, to see the details and connect with them. And yes, in a way, it is a form of meditation, another form of practice for being present, which is what meditation is (to me).

Above is an example of a time I made myself really look. It's a drawing of a piece of wood I found on the beach at Fiorenzuola in Italy.

So, if you feel the need to be still, be present, to see with open eyes...give this a go. And if you do, leave me a comment to let me know. I'll post a link to your drawing in the sidebar of my blog.

Enjoy!

3 comments:

Mauricio said...

First!!

Like a Moebius, very good:o)

Anonymous said...

Eek, it looks alive, like a gnarled hand or some such.

Very good this one it is so it is.

shadows and clouds said...

okay, my contribution to the july challenge (my shells, as you mentioned) is now posted up! i love your driftwood. i think i maybe lost my photos of our day at the beach! agh!!!