Whew! It was a mad dash to get my sketchbook done and mailed for the March 31st deadline of The Sketchbook Project. As ready as I was to get this thing done and off my list, I was still a bit teary-eyed when I handed it over to the postal clerk.

Why so emotional? This was the biggest artwork challenge I’ve attempted, so far – especially having to deliver so much under such a tight timeline. As I wander into this new territory of art-making, I am constantly dealing with the negativity of my Inner Critic, and this self-doubt caused me to procrastinate in starting this project. In the end, this procrastination and my late-start turned the tables on that Critic, and made me realize that I am capable of more than I think I am. Large lesson – “stretching” beyond where I think I am now is ALWAYS a worthwhile pursuit.

Thank you to all you art-advocates out there – friends and family, friends of this blog, my artist-aunt Nancy who got me to take on this project, and the positive media folks I listened to and read.

As I plan out my Next Stretch, I’ll share my some of the primary drawings from the sketchbook over the next few posts. Once the entire sketchbook is digitized by The Sketchbook Project, I’ll post the link but for now, here are the Venice pen and watercolour pieces.

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