Win, Lose or Draw!

When I work with clients on a project, no matter how small, I try and sketch for them. Sometimes I even hand them the pen and ask them to draw for me, so I can be sure I understand what they mean! I always tell them not to be self conscious about their drawing, just get the basics down and as a visual person, I will immediately "get it" once I see it. In spite of the fact that the English language contains so many word variations for describing something, there's nothing like a picture or a sketch to immediately convey an idea.

Why are people so selfconscious about drawing? Most tell me that they "can't draw." Of course they can, they just may not like the finished product. I'm not asking them to rollerskate, solve a Rubic's cube or speak French. No one's going to get hurt, just take the pen and use a few lines to show me what they have in mind. I don't judge the sketch or give it a grade. It's just a tool to help us communicate. Good drawing skills are like anything else- tennis, bowling or Sudoko...in order to improve, I practice daily to keep my hand fluid and my mind engaged.

Clustering aka collections

Whether you call it clustering or collections, it is when you take one item and multiply it to create more impact. In a economic state where less is more this may apply to purchasing less Precious Moments and kitchen gadgets, but when it comes to making an impression on the wall....multiply!!

Recently I was visiting a friend whom requested help with her mantel. Yes, we could have gone with the typical one mirror over mantel look, but instead we opted for clustering multiple mirrors over the mantel to create much more or a wow affect!!

Let your surrounding walls go bear and focus on one main wall. Whether it is mirrors, plates, pictures etc. clustering definitely makes a statement.

                                         
 
                                                                                                              

Everyone is good at something. I am not good at everything and have decided to accept that and try to improve those things I am good at. My clients benefit from those things at which I excel- color, pattern, scale, texture.

My neighbors suffer for those things I cannot seem to do- planting, growing, trimming and watering. My plants have a much better chance of surviving at the greenhouse and nursery. I visit these places, enjoy them, and leave wishing I could grow and nurture living things. I'll keep trying - as in next year, but in the meantime, I'll concentrate on what I can do well (oil painting, sketching, interior design) and accept the fact that I cannot do everything well.