Wood stoves are messy. Zinnia is constantly chewing on hunks of bark that fall off the logs when I bring them into the house. Every time I open the stove door to put in more wood, a mist of ash lands on the hearth tiles.
And often I find a few cold embers on the bib of the stove.
These are basically charcoal, just big enough to pinch between my thumb and index finger. And the three inch square tiles that make up most of the hearth are like little chalk boards.
I draw on those tiles because it’s what I do. But I also love the feeling of the charcoal embers on the tiles. It’s even softer than chalk on slate.
Last night, I did the first drawings of the winter. A quick outline of Bud, a scene from the living room, and then I moved on to Jon’s Calla Lilies which take up one whole window to the right of the wood stove.
The lilies were patient and willing models, but then they have a lot of practice. They are a favorite subject of many artists over time. I’m sure it’s in their genes by now.
My drawings don’t last long. Like a chalk board they smudge and wear off easily. But then I get to draw something new.
Very cool peek into your artistic process Maria! It feels very zen. Change is inevitable, and all.
It’s all of that Larry.:)