Journeys through time and memory
Dear Sarah - Day 80 of our daily drawing exchange
March 21, 2025
Dear Nikki,
In answer to your question yesterday about how I'm feeling about our drawing dialogue, 78 days in: I love it, even when I am tired, as I am today after another day with K&K. I would never have had the discipline to stay with a drawing a day this long on my own. It enriches my life, not just because of the drawing, but because of the daily communication. Drawing has made me see the world differently, and I now stare at things like my deck railings and think about the shapes they make and how I might try and capture the last ray of fading sunlight as it illuminates the water droplets on the glass deck panels.
Or I look at two hand puppets I made for my son when he was very small and think how I might convey the love that went into making them and that laughter that we shared, me behind the couch reciting the Edward Lear poem (I can still recite it!) and him giggling as the puppets pranced. I hope I was able to capture a bit of that.
Kianna (inspired by new felt pens) drew an even older object: Blackie (whom she has renamed Midnight) a cat my mother made for me when I was very small. She has been trying to take Blackie home for years, but Blackie stays with me, too fragile for the rough and tumble of life with at least ten other stuffies (and two rambunctious kids).
We had another great day-- games were played, more grilled cheese was consumed, there was a trip to the library--but I came home and fell asleep on the couch.
XO S
Hi Sarah -
I’m so happy you feel the same way about our drawing escapades. I would not have lasted this long without your daily (virtual) companionship on this journey we have undertaken together.
Speaking of journeys, I’m thinking a lot these days about my 2017 Camino (with Dad and Dani). Dani and I are focussing on this for our final project for our current GLS course. We are each writing three essays based on three moments on the journey (to be braided together, we hope) and we are also each contributing some artwork. Today’s contribution here is a digital hybrid piece that allows the ghost of a photograph to shine through some drawing over the top. This moment was on Day 1 as we were leaving Sarria. Dad passed in front of these ghostly pilgrims, faint but distinctive on the wall behind him. He is still optimistic and happy at this point - he is even carrying his own day pack. That didn’t last for more than a day or so, but this moment always reminds me of his willingness to try something new and his perpetual desire to embrace the adventure.
The ghostly images behind have always seemed to me to be urging him on, watching his progress along the way.
I don’t know if I’ll use this in the final project, but sitting with the image and drawing brought back some wonderful memories of our (mis)adventures.
The puppets are marvellous, btw - and stirred up some memories from way back in time when Dad used to recite the poem to me when I was little.
I can hear his voice reciting,
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
As for Midnight on the couch - oh, she has perfectly captured the sprawl!
Looking forward to what tomorrow brings -
Nikki