Just keep going Gray !!! O for Orchid

Just keep going Gray !!! O for Orchid

Hi there.

Thanks for popping in.

Not sure what day of the week it is anymore! All this time off and late morning lie ins has left me at sixes and sevens! So I just ignored the calendar, and did what I fancied today – which was DRAW! The house was empty, so I settled down to the floral Alphabet I’m working on. P for Poppy. In fact, I even nailed the Q for Quaker Lady. I know! Some of the letters are a bit obscure, but hey! It’s not a botany lesson! Quaker Ladies are just beautiful little flowers which are really easy to draw! Hahahaha! They will make splendid Groovi Plates and stamps for sure. Nine more to go.

I have noticed something though. The more I am drawing, the better I am getting at it! Isn’t that the same with everything? Now why did I think that drawing would be any different. Why do we think that you have to have been given some divine gift to be able to draw? I get that there will of course be some people who will be naturally talented from the get go, but I am slowly coming to the conclusion that we can’t simply rule out drawing as an unattainable skill; I really think we all have the capacity to be able to master these things – we just have to keep going, keep practicing.

Practice + encouragement + confidence.

Let me expound…

Barbara is drawing an O for Orchid.

Enter Dave. Looks over Barb’s shoulder.

“That’s really good, Barb. Excellent”.

“Thank you. Can you see it’s an orchid?”

“Yep. It’s lovely.”

Admittedly, it helps that the flower is wrapped round the letter O – but nevertheless! A pat on the back goes a long way with ALL of us.

Dave moves on. Barb smiles inwardly, and is motivated to move on to the P for Poppy.

Now let’s flip the switch. Had Dave come in and ridiculed, or humoured me, my confidence would have caved, motivation would have dipped, the pen would have gone in the drawer, and that would have been the end of drawing today. I would have had to carry on because of course, I have a deadline. But there’s no joy in working on something if you’ve been told it’s rubbish. Because it’s rubbish, you’re rubbish, right?

Here’s the thing: DAVE NEVER TAKES THE PISS. HE NEVER CRITICISES ME, NOT ONE BIT. HE BUILDS ME UP.

That’s why I can safely ask him, without fear. He may sometimes question something, may suggest an improvement, but only constructively, NEVER NEGATIVELY.

So I can make my own mind up as to whether the orchid is good or not. In its rough sketched form right now, it still has a way to go before it will be finished. But the shape and the flow are good enough to pursue.

What I am doing here is overlay work. I am working on 2 layers. The actual letter is on the lower layer; then I am drawing on the upper layer, which is good quality tracing paper. That way, I can see through to the letter, and can wrap the leaves and buds etc around it. I am using a Faber Castell HB pencil and a Faber Castell Pencil eraser. That’s it.

Then I will hand the sketched letters to Lucy at work, and she will convert them into Groovi lineart and stamp lineart in the computer (two very different processes). She will blend the two layers into one.

It’s all down to surrounding yourself with people who build you up and help you be your best self. I spent way too many years with people who shot me down and stole my energy.

Am I a great artist? Of course I’m not! But I CAN draw an orchid well enough to make a lovely Groovi plate!! I bet you could too…

Love & Hugs

Barb

xxx

29 thoughts on “Just keep going Gray !!! O for Orchid

  1. Well I think it looks fabulous Barb. Can’t wait to see the rest. It is nice when our other halves support us in our endeavours isn’t it?? God bless supportive husbands (or wives come to that). Much love xxx

  2. I have been inspired to try a lot of new things in the last few months thanks to Clarity and in particular, youtube Tuesdays, you, Tina and Paul on Hochanda and the inspirational folk who are part of Facebook. It is lovely to see your creativity. Thank you for all you do. I wish you and Dave a very happy new year when it comes and also good health which is so much more important.

  3. Hi Barbara and everyone, hope you all are well after the festives.
    Well nearly another year comes to an end ,but looking forward to new challenges working with my Fresh Cut Dies.
    Looking at your drawing on your Orchid, it would look lovely in a Die.
    You are such a talented lady who inspires us all to achieve what we all do.
    Wishing everyone and of course Barbara , Dave and all at Clarity a brilliant New Year.
    Lynn xxx🥂

  4. Oh Barbara… I can’t wait to get my hands on these beauties!!! I just know I’m going to love them all just from that one!
    I agree with you that the more practice you get at something the better you get. And the more support and praise you get the easier it is to continue with the practice. You have a Dave…. I have a Colin and we are both so lucky to have someone who will support us in whatever we do!!!
    My aim for the new year is actually to draw more! I did a month of drawing in October… One every day so I’m going to do the same in January!!! I have my book and pencil ready!
    Have a lovely evening.
    Love and hugs Xxxx

  5. Wow love it Barbara do like having ago at drawing too have to get aencil outfeelong bit fragile came out in a sickness bug last night so didn’t get to spend day with family but just slept on and of today so allfoid was transpo to put Rebecca’s so no one else would catch it big brighter tonight xx

  6. Great Groovi Expectations to look forward to! Your design looks smashing as it is.
    My second child is another example of this. Doing A level Art & Textiles she was told to draw a certain way in order to tick the boxes and gain high marks. She hated it & had no self confidence until she began her Design Craft Degree at De Montfort Uni.
    The tutors encouraged her to draw in her unique way so now she has a new confidence in her ‘niave’ drawings of chair legs being of different lengths & trails of cotton left on her textile designs. She went on to achieve a First Class Hon. degree, and was picked to show her work at New Designers in London.
    I’m so proud that she didn’t give in to the system, as I’m guessing your family are so proud of you Barbara.
    Keep up the good work in your own unique style. We love it & all that’s Clarity❣️

  7. Hi Barbara, When I retired I requested a how to draw book and a tin of pencils as part of a gift – I’ve been retired 3 years and hardly opened the book LOL !! I think your orchid is looking good.

    Day after accident – lovely bruise growing at the bottom of my tummy, tender right chesticle, bit of a pain in the neck and we’re both still in shock I think and very tired. However, we’re still here and counting ourselves luck. We were able to celebrate great-nephews 1st birthday today so all is well. Thanks for your kind comments yesterday everyone. X

    1. Glad that you are ok Jackie I was worried you would be very sore today when the adrenaline wore off. Take it easy for a few days & let your body recover xx

      1. Thanks both, I’ve just checked and have a bruise on the right boob! They seem to be coming out slowly so not sure what I’ll find tomorrow! X

        1. Hi Jackie
          Glad the bruising and shock are coming out now and you are beginning to heal. The accident sounded horrible. Don’t forget photos every day for police/insurance – you don’t have to use them but have them if needed.
          Perhaps now is the time to get that drawing book out and distract yourself while you rest? So pleased you had a celebration today.

          1. I meant to stop and say yesterday that I’m glad all is well after that nasty scare and what could have been so much worse Jackie. Once all the bruises come out it tends to make you feel less sore but hopefully there won’t be too many more. x

  8. Know what you mean about the muddled days, it can be confusing one way and another.
    I thought I could not draw but, l was rubbish at art at school, absolutely hated the classes, then in my 40’s I met an 🎨 artist who taught me some tricks and they worked for me. I even got a “highly commended” for a pen drawing of an elephant at a local art show. Was I chuffed? Too true!!! Just goes to show what the right encouragement and practice, practice, practice can achieve. Now I do some form of art every day. Still not what you’d call an artist but I do enjoy it.
    I have the groovi number plates and have used them to do similar things using some of the other plates in combination, not sure I’d be able to do a whole alphabet so these new ones will be very welcome.
    Have had a great time over this holiday period so it’s a shame it went so quickly for all of us.
    Have a good evening,
    🍒🍒🍒

  9. Hi Barb,
    I can’t wait to see these plates – I know they will definitely fall into my basket! This orchid is coming along very nicely. I have to say that I am absolutely useless at drawing – I draw an apple and it looks like a banana!!!! That’s why I love Groovi and stamping – I can create a wonderful piece of artwork without having to draw it myself. I also did tapestries and embroideries for exactly the same reason! Believe me I have tried many times but I’m just hopeless. I think it all stems from being told I was useless in art lessons at school! I also know what you mean about Dave supporting you without any negativity. My Dave does exactly the same, he will suggest things but leaves it to me to decide. Sending love and hugs,Alison xxx

  10. A lovely blog post to remind us to fill our lives with people who make us feel good about ourselves and not those who smash our confidence and dreams. You and Dave are truly meant for each other and I love you both heaps xxx
    Ps. Feel free to use my tattoo as inspiration for “V” !
    A Mumma & baby duck (me & Samuel) nestled within a heart of Violets (a memorial for My Nan whose name was Violet) xxx

  11. Your drawing looks lovely Barbara. You are lucky to have Dave by your side, giving love and encouragement. I have a Steve who does the same for me. I’m not sure what I would do without him. I think it is all too easy to take people for granted and not appreciate the support they give and the difference they make to our lives. x

  12. I know just what you mean. I was quite good at drawing at junior school, but at high school, the teacher told me I was rubbish. Sadly, not being very confident, I believed him and gave up totally. I am very slowly trying to find my way back to drawing, just for my own pleasure and satisfaction. It takes time to overcome negativity. My first watercolour class with Matthew Palmer terrified me until I managed to overcome the fear of just adding water to the paper. By the end of the day, my confidence had soared and I have been painting ever since. I will never be wonderful or exhibit in London, but I am enjoying it, which is all that matters to me. Your orchids is beautiful and I look forward to seeing the whole set. xxx Maggie (Silvercrafter)

  13. Yes it’s invaluable when you have someone that is encouraging. I’ve decided that this break I’m do8ng absolutely nothing other what I want to do and live in the moment, so since we’ve been back from the rellies, is getting on with the sample piece of a crochet blanket kit I’ve brought a year ago. I’ve ripped it back over the last couple of days learning how to follow the pattern and get the stitches right. Not a word of complaint from my husband. I wouldn’t normally have the time to do this and it’d be back in the cupboard. Looking forward to tomorrow to continue with that and make the first of the New Years Birthday cards.

  14. The orchid looks wonderful Barbara and you have a very special skill, although I know what you mean about the more you do the better it gets. I must admit my watercolouring has improved since I have been doing more inky stuff, really since starting stamping five years or so ago. x

  15. XERATHEMUM I THINK THATS THE CORRECT SPELLING FOR HELLICHRYSHUM I LOVE THOSE FLOWERS THEY’RE BRILLIANT FOR DRYING AND KEEP THEIR COLOURS TOO. BARB. ALSO YELLOW BELL ANOTHER FAVOURITE . I HAD SWEET PEAS , LILY OF THE VALLEY ON NY PRAYER BOOK WHEN WE GOT MARRIED, COMING UP 39 YEARS AGO THIS MARCH..MY HUSBAND LOVES HIS GARDEN AND AS WE’VE JUST MOVED INTO A NEW BUNGALOW, HE’S STARTING FROM SCRATCH.. HE ALSO LKKES THE LATIN NAMES OF TGE FLOWERS WHICH HE’S TEACHING OUR R YR OLD GRANDSON LOL..LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR FLOWER ALPHABET.. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A GROOVI SMALL PLATE , KEEP PLAYING BARB ..LOVE BARBARA XX

  16. XERATHEMUM I THINK THATS THE CORRECT SPELLING FOR HELLICHRYSHUM I LOVE THOSE FLOWERS THEY’RE BRILLIANT FOR DRYING AND KEEP THEIR COLOURS TOO. BARB. ALSO YELLOW BELL ANOTHER FAVOURITE . I HAD SWEET PEAS , LILY OF THE VALLEY ON NY PRAYER BOOK WHEN WE GOT MARRIED, COMING UP 39 YEARS AGO THIS MARCH..MY HUSBAND STEVE LOVES HIS GARDEN AND AS WE’VE JUST MOVED INTO A NEW BUNGALOW, HE’S STARTING FROM SCRATCH.. HE ALSO LKKES THE LATIN NAMES OF TGE FLOWERS WHICH HE’S TEACHING OUR R YR OLD GRANDSON LOL..LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR FLOWER ALPHABET.. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A GROOVI SMALL PLATE , KEEP PLAYING BARB ..LOVE BARBARA XX

  17. Hello Barb, this blog post made me smile, because it is so important that people do give us support and we give it in return. Go Dave! Love the drawing of the Letter O and the Orchid. You are really good Barb. Take care all. Bx

  18. Well I think you are a fabulous artist. Watch this space as to whether I can achieve decent results. I had a book to help me at Christmas, I was told at school I was rubbish but really want to draw. So fingers crossed. X

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