Sweet Inspiration

I used to consider myself an artist. If I had at hand a pen, pencil, crayon, piece of chalk, or anything that could leave a mark, I would draw. A dusty table was always a joy. To my parents consternation, steamed up windows (in the car, in the kitchen) were a perfect medium. At those times, I drew for myself. I was never as relaxed as when I was doodling my stream-of-consciousness creations.

The first time I visited Florence, Italy, I was 19. I was tempted to stay, parking myself on the Ponte Vecchio with other hippy-type artists. But, as you know, I like to eat. And I don't like to share a bathroom. And, even with the best diet I looked under-nourished, so starving young artist would have been extreme.

I worked as an illustrator at a few points in my early career. I could produce on-demand and per specifications. But I never enjoyed it.

My career evolved into graphic design and production, writing and editing, publications management, and a few other creative and non-creative businesses along the way. Since I haven't been creating every hour of every day (or even one day of every month) for years, I feel like I've lost my mojo. I would try to simply doodle but found myself trying too hard.

A DOODLE FROM WAY BACK.

CARRARA, ITALY.  ALONE IN MY ROOM.

ON A TRAIN TO FLORENCE, ITALY.
MY FRIEND JOSEPHINE HAS THIS HANGING IN HER HOME IN SICILY.
(YOU CAN SEE HER REFLECTED IN THE GLASS AS SHE SNAPPED THE PHOTO.)

SITTING AT HOME IN BOSTON WITH NOTHING TO DO.

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.
PASSING SOME TIME WHILE WAITING FOR A FRIEND.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, KILLING TIME BY THE POOL.
SAN GERALDO'S BUTT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD SUBJECT.

Then along came Javier (click here). I was honored to be asked to contribute something to his personal collection of artists' works. After lots of brainstorms, I decided to simply doodle. I completed my page this morning and I was, throughout the process, elated doing it. As has been common practice for most of Javier's contributors, I worked on my own paper and then pasted it onto my assigned page in the sketch book. I applied an excellent paper glue — invisible, smooth... and permanent.

THE LATEST DOODLE.  IT'S A START.

Then I regretted it.

And that's the story of my life. Maybe in another 10 (or 40) years I'll look at my doodle and enjoy it. For now, at least I have something to give to Javier and I'm inspired to get back to creating on a daily basis.