Here is a home coffee sketch from Saturday – something that I’ll be doing more of in the coming weeks.
We are not in lock down (yet) here in Sydney, but I’ve decided to stop all non-essential outings. This was from my last scheduled outing this morning.
It’s hard not to think about COVID at the moment, isn’t it? Over the past week whenever I have been talking with my friends, we have tried to change the subject. But it only lasted for a few minutes and then we were back talking Coronavirus again. And scrolling the news sites or social media can become a bit of a black hole, can’t it?
Last Monday morning, Mike Botton and I made the big decision to cancel the Palladian Odyssey Tours for 2020. That seemed like a big deal back then (we had been burdened by watching the news in Italy for a while), but things escalated so much during last week, that our decision now feels like ancient history. I’m happy that I’m safe at home but I’m constantly thinking about friends all over the world who are affected at the moment. So I’m sending you all a big virtual hug!
It’s important that we keep in touch online as we go into a season of isolation and social distancing. I’m still thinking through what I’ll be doing differently in coming days and weeks in terms of my sketching and sharing, but it will definitely involve more video. So if you have any requests for what you would like to see from me please let me know in the comments below.
I will continue to be heavily involved inside the SketchingNow Buildings Classroom as we come towards the end of the Group Run-through and then I’m planning to host a Run-through of Watercolour starting in mid April. There is something wonderful about seeing water and pigment create magic results on the page, so I’m looking forward to exploring this again.
In the meantime I’m going to be sketching at home, and starting each day with my usual morning coffee sketch. This coffee sketch (normally at a cafe) is just a way to get my creative juices focused and flowing as I start work. It’s a daily ritual that grounds my work day. It also represents a social part of my day – having a quiet moment with my paint whilst in the presence of friends. I’m really sad to be missing out on visiting my local cafes (seeing the staff, the regulars and supporting the owners) so I hope to create some online social media interaction.
If you would like to join me sketching your morning cup of coffee, I’ll be sharing them regularly on Instagram and using the #mymorningcoffeesketch hashtag.
Although it’s a simple thing, doing a small repetitive sketch first thing in the morning is a lovely way to start to the day. Here are my three dedicated coffee cup and saucer sets and you can see a video of me sketching this spread here. (Just for the record. I don’t drink coffee out of my china teacups and yes! I’ll be getting back to my teacup collection this week as well.)
And for those that are wondering, I’ve changed my morning Bible reading to the classic devotional book ‘Daily Light on the daily path‘ – I’m going to be going through it in a random fashion looking for passages that are full of strong encouraging promises. Sketching gives me something to do and a way of processing my thoughts, but reading the Bible, praying and leaning on God is the most important thing right now in my life.
So… How are you going? I’d love to here from you in the comments below.
Take care my dear friends.
16 Comments
Liz- Thanks for sharing. God bless you and your family.
Wishing you the best of luck. We are preparing for lock down too here in Bath, UK and I’ve been busy clearing surfaces so that they’re easier to deep clean. Thank you for the reminder re daily coffee, I’d let my sketching slip. I have a daily light too and will be following your example there as well.
Thanks Fay! All the best for the coming weeks and months. Hope Daily Light helps you too. Take care
Thanks Sharon! A huge hug to you and your family. Stay safe my dear friend!
Hola Lim! Abrazo virtual desde Mar del Plata, Argentina. En los tiempos que corren es muy placentero ver y saber que la creatividad está en todas partes y a ti siempre te acompaña!
thank you Elsa!!! lovely to get a hug from Argentina! Take care!
As an aside, my husband and I have really enjoyed “Daily Light on the Daily Path” for a few years’ now. It’s a “different” way to read God’s word and augments our regular reading so nicely. I hope you enjoy it, too!
Hi Tonya – I’ve used Daily Light for decades (for different seasons eg. when I was super busy or when travelling) it’s great isn’t it? Take care!
Greetings from Florence, Italy. We have been in lockdown for several days now, I have not seen my family lately. I am grateful that I have my art to cheer me up. Thank you Liz, you keep me focused and active!
Hi Blandina – my heart goes out for Italy at the moment. I hope that you and your family remain safe!
Hey Liz, thanks for all your posts and inspiration! I am still sketching my trees! They seem to always support and comfort me. I seem to be stuck in this “forest”! However it is where I need to be right now and I am very happy and grateful to be there!
Hi Patty – great to hear that you are still sketching your trees – keep it up. Stay safe!
Liz, thank you for this post and all your great posts. It is lovely to be reminded of the daily important, calming, and meditative things in our lives. I’ve got lots of painting projects lined up and am sticking to my daily morning routines. Again, thank you for all that you do!
Thanks Chris – sounds like a good plan. Stay safe!
How did I find you? I saw the Bible phrases, and zoomed in! I was first captivated by the beautiful ink sketching and
water colors in small sketch books! I dabble in pastel and follow Stephie Clark on Patreon. I love your work! I am in Muskegon Michigan mainly staying inside doing things on the computer, cancelled a dental seminar which will not be done “virtually” so am busy getting that set up. We have no confirmed cases here yet, and are all hunkered down in our condos, but also taking walks in nature and staying in touch with family. Beautiful work Liz! So excited by your art!
Hi Jacquelyn, thanks so much for the lovely comment and so happy to have you following along!
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