EDM #2 — Lamp.
I have strong memories of drawing a different lamp in the house back when I was first exploring visual journaling, was keeping a more daily routine, and was sharing the story of rekindling a creative journey via the podcast. It’s a stained glass lamp, and while I can’t put my fingers on the sketchbook in this minute, I remember it with the same kind of tangible sense that some people associate with a taste or smell. The image in my head is a bit half-formed, but I know the format (vertical/Moleskine watercolor/double-page), and it’s in color. I’m fairly sure. (If my Flickr membership hadn’t lapsed, I’d link to it!) Ahah! Found a digital version. The file is from 2007, and for the most part, my memory was right. (See below.)
With such a strong association to a past drawing, the “lamp” prompt for EDM #2 stumped me. None of the other lamps in my house really beckoned to be drawn or compelled me to grab my journal and a pen. Finally I decided to simply go with a light… we use an assortment of flashlights for nighttime reading. I can’t say that a night light was all that much more compelling than any of the other lamps, but I went with it. The one in the sketch is interesting because it goes around the neck, the cable bending, as you wish, and each end has a light that you click to control one of three or four different settings, much like an overhead airplane light.
Everyday matters.
(Some of you know from Twitter that my son got a bit upset that I went ahead and drew #2 without him. I had tried to wait him out, but he’s had a busy week. So I drew alone while he worked on another project. After I finished, I realized it had mattered to him. I felt bad that I’d gone ahead and done my drawing, but I also realize that if I wait until he can or will each time, the series may not happen! Even so, I agreed to do #2 again and do another light another night with him, but the next night we decided, instead, to go ahead and draw #3. We’ll have to catch back up on lights at another point. I’m fascinated to know that he’s interested in doing this with me. For how long? Time will tell. What I’m trying to make him see is that I am committing to doing it… and so I have to go ahead and do it every day (or so) even if he isn’t ready to–for me. It’s a new wrench in the creative parent and creative parenting journey!)
