Friday, September 10, 2021

Make a Line & Follow It

 

Drawing Lines
Photo by Amy LV

Carving Lines
Photo by Amy LV

Stamping Lines
Photo by Amy LV



Students - I am back at an old hobby: eraser carving! A while ago, I carved one eraser each day. And this week I decided to get back to that. There is something very pleasing about working in such a small space, and stamping the repeated pattern is simply a joy.

Today I have two tiny pieces of writing advice, and I invite you to try either or both or neither of them:

1. Take the advice of this poem. Make a line. Do not worry (fret) that you need to know where your line will lead. Just make a line. Or make many lines. In one color. Or in many colors. Enjoy the process. Or don't enjoy it. But make a line, and see where it goes. Maybe you will have a drawing. Maybe you will have a poem. Maybe you will have a mess. All are good.

2. If you ever feel stuck about what to draw or write or make, go outside. Take a walk if you can. Look out of a window if you cannot actually go outside at this moment. Breathe in. There's a lot of beauty and a lot of neat stuff out there.

There are many kinds of lines to make, and your own lines will help you know who you are now...and who you might wish to be next. Your line might even help someone else know who they are.

Tricia is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup at The Miss Rumphius Effect with an honest and sad poem by Barbara Crooker. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.

12 comments:

  1. I love this advice...and I use it with paper-crafting. Just start. Don't be too precious about anything. The art will come along. Each piece teaches something.

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  2. Your poem has wonderful advice for life ... have fun with the eraser carving (I'd never heard of this! Your stamped image is lovely!).

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  3. Excellent suggestions--thank you! I am inspired!

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  4. I wondered a while ago what happened to your eraser carving, and now I know they took a break. Happy to see them back, doing great things! Love the excitement in your poem, Amy!

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  5. Perfect advice. I do want to learn more about eraser carving. Lessons?

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    1. It is very easy! You just need a linoleum carver (about $!0 and I use the smallest little attachment), an eraser, a stamp pad, and a pen. Then draw and carve. The more you do, the more you learn about negative space. I am not so good spatially, so this is great understanding-practice for me, and it is fun to make your own cards and things. I look to get better at it, and there's lots here on the Internet and on Instagram - block carving. You can use other types of blocks to carve, but I have mostly used erasers as they are soft and inexpensive. xo, a.

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  6. I’ve never tried this craft and wonder if I could do it. Your advice reminds me of The Dot by Peter Reynolds. Make a mark and see where it takes you. So much of creativity is having the courage to start.

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  7. Hi Margaret! You could certainly do this! I wrote a little note to Jone abbove. Try it...superfun! xo, a.

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  8. Amy, I believe you must know the book THE DOT by Peter Reynolds--your poem is the perfect complement. Just begin, letting the pleasure of marking yourself on the world carry you. This is what I watched my new 4-year-olds do this week, and I learned so much from them!

    Oh gosh--I just saw Margaret's comment above! We are all circling the same great idea.

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  9. This is what I'm doing with my embroidery. After so many decades (a lifetime, really) of make the plans, follow the plan, stick to the routine, it is hard...and FREEING to just let go and follow the creation!

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  10. I love this, Amy, and also immediately thought of THE DOT! "Trust your line" is such wise advice. Your eraser carving print is lovely. Now I want to go buy some erasers and stamp pads! Thank you for always inspiring me!

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  11. Such good words. Just make a line.

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