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8/04/2008

Sharpening pencils

Last night I spent a good portion of the evening sharpening colored pencils given to me by my cousin's husband. He lost interest in Art a long time ago and when he heard I was painting and drawing he made sure to give me his supplies when I saw him next. And so I sat on the floor and sharpened all of his pencils. Somehow the act of sharpening those pencils made me sad. Bu was a very good artist. I think it's a shame to let a talent sit and atrophy. Even though Bu is ill, it doesn't take a lot to draw, and the concentration and focus required might offer welcome relief from the cares and woes of ill health. Because you DO forget everything when you're working on a piece. It's just you and the piece. If you want it to be. I am saddened that he doesn't find release and relief in his Art. He could, if he wanted to.

Thursday, The Kid comes back for another episode. I suppose you know that. But another episode has been written and other than a tweak or two, is ready for publication Thursday after next. And I'm already working on the next one.

It's really getting to be fun.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

A gift that brings saddness and regret, it makes you think doesn't it.

Your cousins husband may enjoy the thought of you creating works of art with his old supplies.
Keep em' alive sort of thing.

Jennifer said...

I guess all you can do is enjoy the supplies now and make something beautiful with them. maybe make something for Bu. :)

Hope your day gets cheery and bright!!

xoxoxo

Alice said...

I do love how you can forget yourself and the world around you when you work on something so intently. It was one of my favorite things about pottery class and working on a wheel. Mesmerizing.

tashabud said...

It sure makes one sad to think of your of Bu's condition. Perhaps he needs to seek medical help in case he's depressed? For now, you might as well enjoy his pencils and create something beautiful. Maybe he'll see your work and he'll be encouraged to get back to it again.

Just in case you don't check comments in your older posts, I want to let you know that I left you some comments to read in your Past Lives 9 story.

Eve Grey said...

I love sharpening pencils. I used to go downstairs in the basement with my Grandpa to watch him sharpen all his pencils and pencil crayons with one of those big silver sharpeners with the crank. They had a certain smell when freshly sharpened. Brings back memories.

Shadow said...

it's sad when people draw into themselves when they hurt. but who knows, maybe in time he'll remember the healing power of art. if you're meant to, you will. you sound so sad...

Expat No. 3699 said...

My dad hasn't picked up a brush in years (he's 76). He does keep busy with other things, like building those elaborate wooden ships with all the teeny, tiny pieces.

Enjoy using those pnecils and create something wonderful...that you'll perhaps share with us?

Tara R. said...

My mom has been a painter/illustration for as long as I can remember. When her eyesight began to wane due to cataracts and glaucoma, she stopped painting for a while. That didn't last very long. Art is such a huge part of her life. She approaches it differently now, but she still paints and draws. It is part of who she is.

Hopefully all those pencils will once again create something beautiful.

Audubon Ron said...

I get the point.

Get it? I get the point? Oh, nevermind.

Unknown said...

warriorwoman: You're right. Passing the baton, so to speak. I just wish he could have kept his baton twirling.

Jennifer: It is, in fact, cheery and bright - for today I find myself on the right side of the grass.

alice: Yes. Mesmerizing.

tashabud: I see and read EVERY comment- They come to me in email. Unfortunately, lately I've been very bad about responding. But today, obviously, I'm being better.

eve grey: Ah, yes. I remember sharpening pencils in school - the sharpener with the crank - and the smell.

shadow: Not sad - perhaps a bit introspective, I suppose. Although things sadden me, I don't get SAD easily - at least, not so people would notice, anyway. But I DO get melancholy. Sometimes.

employee: Exhibitionist that I am, I certainly will. Tell you Dad to paint, too. Never enough Art in the world.

tara r.: I'm sure they will. And I am so glad to hear the she does. That's nice.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Jennifer's thought to make something awesome to give to Bu. Interesting how a gift can make us think.

moneythoughts said...

When my father died in January 1969, I remember looking at his work area where he painted in watercolor and thinking that all that equipment would not be used by him again. It was almost 20 years later, 1988, before I started to paint and draw. It is a kindness for him to pass those color pencils on to you. Enjoy them and keep working with them. None of us knows how much time we have.

Holly said...

This reminds me that my mother used to do fancy color-by-number pictures with her own special set of colored pencils.

I have two talented elderly family members who have given away or thrown away their art materials, and that is really sad.

Vikki North said...

That is sad at Bu, Lou, but it was really nice that he gave you his supplies. You never know with people. Watching you shine with your new art experience may stimulate him to get back into it.

Looking forward to the next addition.
Vikki

Unknown said...

What matters is that you have them now and will use them to create beautiful things. That may be all Bu wants is for them to belong to somebody who will use them and love them. That in itself will honor him.

Eric S. said...

I'm sorry for Bu, I guess like everyone else. But like your other commentor's said, use them create something of beauty to give back to Bu. Perhaps it will help and get him interested again. Sometimes all a person needs is a boost, or someone to talk to.

Anonymous said...

Lou, his art will live on through you and maybe Bu appreciates that.
Perhaps that is why he gave you his pencils.

I have a set of pencils that my mother gave me when I was 16, I think.
They were and still are my favourite gift ever given.
To me, they are a gift of pride, expectation, joy, understanding.
I haven't drawn in a log time, in fact, except for photography, have let all my artistic outlets slide.

Will have to get back into things...

Tenakim said...

I agree! My husband is a wonderful artist, but just keeps making excuses. The peace that I have gotten from blogging (though not quite artistic) is very helpful.

Elizabeth said...

I'm sure you'll make beautiful things with those colored pencils. I'm betting that's why Bu gave them to you, so they'd be put to good use. :)

I did end up picking up some sunburn relief gel stuff. Boy... my shoulders certainly appreciated it!

Yes, the surgery is arthroscopic. While I'm not worried about the surgery per se, I am curious how much "pain" I'll be in over the next couple of days. Maybe just enough to be pampered at home. ;)

Anonymous said...

It will be interesting to hear how you like the colored pencils. They could open up all kinds of possibilities.

I think your cousin's husband might be thrilled you're going to make use of them.

Momisodes said...

It really is difficult to see how illness can affect someone in so many ways. I felt this way when my father fell ill and gave up all of his hobbies.

I love Jenn's idea of making something for Bu.

Can't wait for the next The Kid installment.

Nan Sheppard said...

At least we know you've got lead in your pencil, Lou! HAR, HAAAR! I just crack myself up...

Anonymous said...

Indeed sad that he can't find the relief in art any more :(
But things change over time, I guess.

Crimzen Creative said...

Sad about Bu - it probably would bring him some relief to pick up a pencil. Can't wait to see more of The Kid...I'm all read up and waiting.