Stumble it!
UPDATED: The somewhat irrational rationale
After a lifetime of knowing how to draw but not knowing how to WANT to draw, I think I’ve finally figured it out. But still, my tendency to finish only that with a finite deadline means that I fall short on follow-through. I procrastinate about starting a drawing, I wander for blocks and blocks trying to spot something that seems worthy of drawing, and my ridiculous fear of screwing up my sketchbook from screwing up a drawing freezes me in my tracks (I know, I know—who cares?—but it crops up every time). There is no deadline, so often I never get started. On and on it goes. I figure it’s time to face up to the fact that I only consistently do that which I am held accountable for, and plan accordingly. And so, we have this website. Daily drawings—of anything, in any style, any medium—as long as they are done daily and posted. Doing anything daily isn’t generally my thing, but I have the best of intentions. We’ll see how it goes…
Drawings by Bambi Edlund—a graphic designer and illustrator in Vancouver, B.C.
yes@bambi-really.com
Update May 6th, 2008:
Since there is nothing more tedious than reading a blog entry about how tough it is to keep posting blog entries, I decided to unceremoniously shift gears for awhile. “Le pen quotidien” may well return as a daily drawing blog sometime soon, but after six months of being effortless, it suddenly began to feel like homework, which is so NOT the point. Therefore, I’m scaling back a bit, planning to post a couple of times a week rather than daily, so I can enjoy the spring sunshine, and work on some larger-format illustrations. I think I have tapped my mental resources of all its ideas for small vignettes that can be done in a day—it seems like I have thoroughly beat that horse. It’s time to do some book spreads, and yes, that means pirats. Arrrrrr…
Well this is delightful. I love it, the words, the pictures, all of it. And will be delighted to keep peeking in to see if your daily bread is rising :).
Comment by Sue Anne Linde — October 30, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Wonderful!
Comment by Tom Brown — November 2, 2007 @ 7:24 am
Wow, can I relate. I couldn’t have put it any better. I have all the same issues, including the “ridiculous fear of screwing up my sketchbook”, and came up with the same solution.
Your drawings are marvelous and you have a real gift for humorous writing. I hope you keep it up.
Comment by sketched out — November 7, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Love your Boulangerie - as I do each and every one of them in Paris. I live one block from the original Le Pain Quotidiene in New York, near the Metropolitan Museum, and can see how the big communal table concept could spark lots of creative ideas. There is so much energy in such a small space! In 2oo6 I vowed to sketch/paint in my sketchbook daily and I’m finishing my 2nd year - but uploading sketches every day last May almost killed me. It is a great habit and I love having the discipline for all of the reasons that you outlined. I have a busy non-art career and I now hate to go to bed without completing my page for the day.
Comment by Shirley — November 11, 2007 @ 5:16 am
Holy beautiful drawings. I’m so glad I found you. By any chance are you on Etsy?
Comment by saucygrrl — November 11, 2007 @ 8:23 am
What a gorgeous blog. I’m so glad i ran into it by seeing your drawings on the EDM superblog.
Comment by wagonized — November 14, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Were you writing this about me???? It is amazing all the little insecurities and fears that we let run our lives at times! I really like your art and your website! Keep up the great work!
Comment by brian — December 1, 2007 @ 5:53 am
Would you consider allowing others to post your drawings? I’m thinking in terms of Lee’s Doodles where she gives the code and invites use:
http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/
I know I’d use yours if I had your permission.
Comment by Cricket — December 7, 2007 @ 7:08 am
“After a lifetime of knowing how to draw…” You were born with a pen in your hand? You’ve lived a full lifetime? You must be… Eighty years old? A hundred?
Were it not for nasty identity thieves wanting to smuggle fake Picassos over the U.S. border using passports with your photo on ‘em, you could post a photo of yourself with your biographical info. Drat. Don’t get me started about the Department of Homeland Security and their fetish for passports.
After a lifetime of NOT knowing how to draw but NOT knowing how to STOP compulsively doodling on legal pads, scratch paper and grocery lists, I’ll soon embark on a doodle per day blog project. Do opposites attract? Probably not. However, you’re welcome to take a look anyway.
Comment by Thomas Armagost — February 2, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Thomas…
So, I’m assuming smartypantsblog.net was taken?
Actually, I am only 73, but unlike our currency, the life expectancy in Canada is still lower than the U.S. equivalent. And you jest, but oddly enough I WAS born with a pen in my hand. I have a sneaking suspicion this is why my mother named me Bambi: lifelong payback.
As for an image of me, there’s one right here that just happens to BE my passport photo. It was taken before the threat of terrorism meant that oversize spectacles had to be removed in government documents. But fear not, once my new passport is issued I’ll just draw ‘em back in.
I highly recommend the daily doodle project, (which I will go over and check out) but I will also issue a warning: kiss your beauty sleep goodbye. This daily draw/post cycle has turned me into the equivalent of a blogging crack whore. I hope it will do the same for you. Trust me, once you get used to operating your scanner at 4am, you’ll love it. The people next to you on the bus may be a little freaked out by your increasingly haggard appearance, but screw ‘em.
Comment by Bambi — February 2, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Scanner? I’m 100% digital. Corel Painter. Made in Canada.
SmartyPants? SillyBlog is derived from SillyWalks. The first time I ever saw Monty Python on TV was in a Kamloops motel room back in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It was the episode with Terry Gilliam’s giant Siamese cat wreaking havoc on London.
I often look haggard. I was delighted when looking like a bum became fashionable. Grunge, they call it.
Anyway, I like your art project. My pedantic appraisal of your website was tongue-in-cheek.
Someday I’ll visit Canada again. I’ll intentionally forget to bring my passport. If the Department of Homeland Security won’t let me back into the United States, I’ll just stay in Canada for the rest of my life.
Comment by Thomas Armagost — February 2, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
Oh! This is very inspiring. I feel the same about screwing up sketchbooks with screwed up drawings. I’m only a beginner at this drawing thing, though, but have big aspirations. It’s comforting to see that even real artists get sidetracked. Your postings are giving me all the more reason to delve into that pile of blank sketchbooks I’ve collected over the years. Thanks!
Comment by Charlie — February 7, 2008 @ 10:45 pm
Charlie: Thank you for coming! I completely understand about collecting blank sketchbooks, and the best part of this project is I’m slowly filling the backlog, which means I can justify buying more…
Sidetracks are huge, and I can’t stress enough how much of a difference doing it regularly makes. I look back on the earliest drawings from October and I can see how much I have improved just from having to do something each day.
Tommy Kane has been a huge influence for me, and about a year and a half ago I read an interview with him where he talked about how much work making art can be, and how he spends the first part of a drawing worrying about where he’ll screw up, and the rest of the time trying to coverup the inevitable screwup. It was so inspiring to see that he goes through the same trials as I was going through.
I have checked out your blog, it’s great—and you’re a fellow Vancouverite! I will keep watching…
Comment by Bambi — February 10, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Your irrational rationale..hits so close to home..you’d think we were twins! Haha. I’m so the same! Procrastination must be my middle name!
Comment by Vivian — February 14, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
Hi Bambi- I’m 52 and come from a family who thought “art is cute, but get a real job”. And I, also, feel your feelings are the same as mine only not so eloquently expressed. So thanks for doing the “good work” to post your project and inspire me to draw more.
Comment by Rick — February 17, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
Rick, thank you for coming to take a look, and I love that I have inspired you to draw more. It truly is self-perpetuating, I encourage you to keep going with it. I can’t believe what a fantastic experience this has been…
Vivian, it’s interesting how many of us there are! Good to know we’re not alone, yes?
Comment by Bambi — February 18, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
Hi,
It seems like you are steadily employed but… ya know, every one of your daily drawings would look great on a T-shirt with a clever saying, which I can tell would be right down your alley also. You have, of course, thought of it yourself but, really, it could be really viable. Everyone should plan for a cushy retirement! You could go with something like cafepress.com or a local shop and be the Vancouver T-shirt icon. The only thing worse than a modern day P.T. Barnum promoting his shlock is a real artist that does not share their art with the world. I know, its a matter of 24 hour days but you would be doing modern civilization a favor. Ok, gotta go draw.
Comment by Rick — February 21, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
Hi Bambi,
I love your drawings, especially the stories behind them too. My favourite is the attic painting one! I know what you mean about needing deadlines all too well from doing uni coursework, but applies to my drawings too.
What do you draw with? Do you colour on the computer? It’s very effective, you have a great style. I’ll definately be checking back regularly.
Comment by Becka — March 13, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Hi Bambi,
I just finished reading about you in this week’s Courier.
Congratulations on creating a terrific website! As a Vancouverite I especially like your Ode to Kingsway project - what a great idea.
Comment by Alix Drabek — March 26, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
My father, owner and manager of the 2400 motel from 1969 until 1989 when the city bought the property, used to take me to the Eldorado for special lunches when I was a little girl. Everyone knew him and addressed him by the title “Mr. Sair” and there was great respect between and among all those who worked proudly in those Kingsway establishments. Thank you for capturing something special. Please continue, before all of Kingsway gets razed and is only remembered as a seedy strip with old motels, and less than desirable businesses, as many have misrepresented it in fairly recent history.
Comment by dana sair — April 2, 2008 @ 10:50 am
So glad I found you at IF. You work is excellent. It’s interesting how many people can relate to your “The somewhat irrational rationale”. Even though I am in the technical field, I can certainly relate to the procrastination, not sure where to start and fear of messing up. But I think it’s that sense of responsibility that if it’s work for someone else and with a deadline, getting started and getting it done is never in question.
So thanks for the inspiration. I won’t be able to do something daily, maybe I will set weekly deadline and make myself as my “customer”.
Comment by Myriam — April 12, 2008 @ 11:21 am
You’re so right, Bambi! There’s only so much you can do before inspiration needs a break. But it does make the times it strikes seem that much more exciting! I’ve been loving your work and can’t wait to see more of the pirates!
Mischa
Comment by Mischa — May 29, 2008 @ 5:56 am