Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Sketchbook Challenge Blog Hop- Houses and Hideaways, creating your own Hideaway

Hi everyone! For the Sketchbook Challenge we decided to have a blog hop! I know, fun right. Many of the contributing artists have gotten together to share their expertise and show you some really great examples of houses and hideaways. Some have posted videos, some tutorials and many are giving away goodies so make sure you check them out this month. I am having a giveaway, I will tell you all about it soon.

I wanted to share more about my hideaway, which is in reality my backyard and gardens. I love to be outside and often love to have my breakfast or coffee outside in the morning, soaking up the sun and sketching before I even start my day. When our daughter Jennifer was hurt we knew that our traveling was going to be limited and that if we wanted her to be able to share in family events we needed to create a place that was handicap friendly. We created our shangri-la, that can be shared but it is also my hideaway on a daily basis. Do you have a special spot you can get lost in, a place you love to go and just write or read or sketch? If not you can easily designate a spot to call your own, and it can move as needed based on weather or other factors.

Here are some tips to help you find your own space.

1. Are there a few areas that you just love, that bring you instant peace and allow you to unwind and just enjoy your surroundings? That would be the best place to start. I could be under the shade of a tree, in a big, overstuffed chair, it can be anywhere you choose. I just think it should be away from anything that causes you stress and it should give you a change of scenery.

2. Claim this area and get acquainted with the surrounding areas, make sure you can go there to escape the outside pressures and demands that are placed on you. A hideaway doesn't need to be a vacation spot or a elaborate set up although it could be, a hideaway that is close allows you to visit more often!


3. Add comfort, have a blanket within reach, maybe a pillow or have them ready to go out with you when you visit your hideaway. Do you remember when you were a kid and you made a fort, we are making adult hideaway forts again. Somewhere that offers you something special and you can't wait to go there and just play.


4. Stock your hideaway with things you might want to do while there. A good book, sketchbooks, notebooks for writing etc. If your hideaway is outside maybe keep a basket full of your supplies next to the door so when you go out you can just grab it and go, no running around trying to gather things. Being ready to go sketch or journal is half the battle. If your time is limited and busy the thought of having to gather supplies might cause you not to go at all.
My quilts are often inspired by my garden and my home and all of my sketches.
 5. Before you begin, start off by just taking notice of everything in and around your area and take on a attitude of gratefulness. By seeing the blessings that surround you, you open yourself up to the wonders and the intimate relationship an artist has with their subject matter. How is the light reflecting off the surface, what colors are the clouds in the sky actually, how many colors of green can you find in those leaves. How do the shadows make the lighter areas pop. This is learning to see your surroundings. Artists learn to really see.


 6. Make a date with yourself, a time when you will allow yourself to sneak away and grab some coffee, tea or a glass of wine and just get lost in your sketchbook. By saying you're important enough to make time for can be a big step but you wont regret it. That coffee in the morning, alone with my sketchbook, is very special. Sometimes I grab a glass of wine and go out to sketch around dusk. I love the way the warm sunlight dances off the trees as the wind blows through and begins to cool down the heat of the day.


 7. Take the time to capture a scene or an object that is near you. I love to walk the yard, searching for something that is begging me to be painted. Some days it may be the reflections of light, other days a flower or bee. It doesn't matter what it is if it speaks to you just paint it.

My girlfriend Pat came up and painted with me in my hideaway! Hideaways are fun to share too.
 8. Journaling is an important part of my sketchbook. I like to not only paint the scene or object but I like to say something about it, or how I am feeling or what it means to me. By taking the time to journal you turn a pretty sketch into a personal memory that you will have recorded for all time. I want to share my thoughts, a special moment when a child said something profound, I want to document it forever.
A little butterfly house quilt that was inspired by Matilla poppies I grow and butterflies we raised for the grandkids.
9. By taking time to enjoy some reflective time and the beauty that surrounds you you are better able to give back to those who need you. These wonderful adventures you have in your hideaway will translate into other areas of you life. Often my art quilts are a sketch I have done and then translated into fabric. 

Hollyhocks, I have cut pierce work into the leaves of the quilt showing the damage I have the snails that year.
I hope you will grab your sketchbook and join me by taking the time to sketch and journal the things in your life in your favorite hideaway.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and my companion post on the Sketchbook Challenge. I hope you will sign up to follow my blog and get my Newsletter(top right column). It comes out once a month and is full of wonderful art things, tutorials, my fabric lines and other artsy things I am doing and classes I am offering. I also will be offering some sketch classes online so sign up so you don't miss out!

 So my give away to thank you for taking the time to visit me and the Sketchbook Challenge is a sketchbook and mechanical pencil and a brush. I always have at least those things with me where ever I go. I may even include a sketch for you from me.

Here's a little sketching video I did for you!


I want to encourage you to make that special hideaway to record your life! All you have to do is leave me a comment and maybe tell me a bit about your hideaway. The opportunity drawing will be open until Saturday, September 28, 5:00 pm PST. I will then do a random drawing from the comments posted. I will post the winner that day and will need you to email me your information.

For some more tips on how to make journaling a daily event visit my previous blog post, blueberries for breakfast.

To see more of my artwork, art quilts etc visit my website! If you interested in purchasing anything feel free to contact me via my website.

To see more of my hideaway and gardens visit my garden tour post, all about opening up our home to raise money for the children's hospital.

Thanks for visiting!!



37 comments:

Moonsilk Stitches said...

Thanks for the lovely water colors and advice on finding a special hideaway.

Unknown said...

What a great way to think of sketching, as time for yourself rather than a task to accomplish. I have been struggling with my sketching as I have been thinking of it as a chore rather than a treat.

Unknown said...

This was enchanting! Thank you:)

Roxanne said...

With the seasons starting to change it won't be long until my garden will be in a deep sleep. So I'm already planning an indoor garden, including a fountain, on the long shelf in front of the triple window in my kitchen. This will be my hideaway for the winter months and a great place to sketch.

Meg Fowler said...

Wonderful ideas ... Especially putting my supplies by the door to encourage me to sketch more. My hideaway is my front porch with the most magnificent view of the Blue Ridge mountains.

Tascarini said...

I'm glad to have found your blog through the blog hop. I enjoy the idea of a hideaway. Mine is my car.. I can take it anywhere and stop and sketch to get away. Maybe I need to make it a little more comfy with a blanket, etc. Before work in the morning I will stop and sketch. Thank you for your ideas and the motivation sketch every day.

Unknown said...

Loved watching you paint those amazing miniature pumpkins. My hideaway is smack in the middle of our living room.....but maybe a quiet spot hmm.

Unknown said...

Loved watching you paint those amazing miniature pumpkins. My hideaway is smack in the middle of our living room.....but maybe a quiet spot hmm.

Debbie said...

I loved your video! What a great sketch. Thanks for sharing!

ZenQuilter said...

I have several hideaways...my studio and the various rooms of my garden. All are a visual delight. Thanks for sharing your amazing space and your art!

Gill said...

I love your post!
I have a hideaway in my garden - but my special place is on an island off the west coast of Ireland!! Heaven on Earth!

Karen Jo said...

I'm looking forward to your online drawing workshop. You've helped me realize that it's life affirming to create a special place for retreat. Your generosity is appreciated!

Christa said...

Great info!!! Really makes me think about what I like and don't like. I would say my hideaway is my sewing/crafting room....it's all about me. Things hanging on the wall I love and ideas I still need to create.

Jo Murray said...

Ta for the video. My hideaway is actually under the house, but has a great view of the garden. It's my creative space and is often cluttered, but it is where I'm happiest to be.

Victoria said...

Lovely post and video! I have a little wrought iron bistro set in the shady part of my garden.
I call it my secret garden, and it's always been my private hideaway.
Thanks for the giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad I found your blog through the Sketchbook Challenge blog hop. Your blog and your daughter, Jennifer's story was such a blessing to me. Two years ago on Sept. 19 a reckless driver hit my oldest sons. Both suffered TbIs, one a Glasgow of 3 and a month long coma, Your family's bravery and faith are an inspiration. Prayers and God's blessings to you all!!

Cathy in gorgeous Sonoma County said...

I learnedsomethingnew from your blog today. I use my water pen for my pencils and crayons, but never thought to use it with my watercolors. Thanks for all the info and ideas you regularly give us.

Joan Tavolott said...

Great advice. I don't really have a special hideaway, but have claimed a corner of my couch as my "spot." I put my feet up and sketch there or read there all the time. I keep a box of my art supplies and a sketchbook within arms reach so I can sketch at any time. I also have my laptop within reach so I can "visit" my blog friends for inspiration and news.

Loretta said...

Thank you for sharing your morning sketch with us. A wonderful way to start the day and I'm planning to add a sketch to the beginning of my day.
Your quick tutorial was perfect inspiration. Please thank Jennifer for sharing her story with us and I wish for her a happy and loving life.

Lesley Riley said...

Wonderful post, as always, Desiree. What a magical garden you have. I want to hear more about the overgrown estate you gre up on. Where was it?

susan berkowitz, slp said...

I love your sketches. The hideaway is a great idea. Your advice is right on. I try desperately t make some time for myself and my art as something I should do for myself all the time. It doesn't always happen. I didn't get a hideaway until my kids left home, but now I have a space to create that used to be their play area. I cherish it!

Beverley Baird said...

Thanks for the great advice and more of your lovely artwork.
My special place is curled up on the couch with my mother-in-law's afghan around me, with a cup of tea on the small table close by. With either a book or a sketchbook close at hand.

Unknown said...

Wish I had a hideaway, but working at home makes it hard to find a quiet place. So I tend to get in the car and drive, which clears my head and allows my thoughts to wander. I always carry a small notebook and pencil in my bag so I can often be found doodling while waiting at a stoplight! Thanks for all the ideas and tips!

CC said...

Thank you for your sketching video! It helped me relax! My studio seems to be my "work" place, so I need to find a way to make it my hide away! Thank you for the inspiration!
CC

Unknown said...

Thank you for. That much needed inspiration. I have to stop looking for that special place and just do!

Cris, Oregon Artist said...

I saw you on the sketchbook challenge blog hop and am now a follower.LOVE your garden. I spend as much time out in mine as the weather permits but it doesn't permit it all year long. My sunroom & studio are my cold weather hideouts.

Jeannie said...

I am new to your blog, but I am so glad to have found you! Your hideaway is divine. I have a similar place where I sit on a vintage glider with a cat and just watch nature. It is the best medicine in the world and a huge stress buster. Thanks so much for the tutorial and photos of your garden. Happy Fall!

Ila said...

What a Lovely post...I love your hideaway! Mine is right outside the backdoor....a lovely glider swing overlooking my perrenial gardens and shrubs which surround the yard. I am out there each morning having my coffee, sketching or taking photos of flowers and visiting birds. Thank you for sharing!!

Ila said...

What a Lovely post...I love your hideaway! Mine is right outside the backdoor....a lovely glider swing overlooking my perrenial gardens and shrubs which surround the yard. I am out there each morning having my coffee, sketching or taking photos of flowers and visiting birds. Thank you for sharing!!

GailVoh said...

Hi Desiree - I love that view of your pool and garden! Endless inspiration, thanks for sharing!

Kate said...

Thank you for sharing ideas on how to create our own hideaway. Love the ideas!

PennyJH said...

Thank you Desiree! It was good look at your beautiful work and to read your advice for sketching in my journal - a timely reminder of how fortunate I am to have such a nice place to live! :-)

Deborah said...

Hi Desiree,

I love your work! Would not have found you without the sketchbook challenge! I love my sewing room/studio, which I visit whenever I can steal a moment. My day job is in the health care field! just learning to sketch/watercolor/collage...I love how this dovetails with fiber work!

Marjanne said...

I life in my appartmen for almost 10 years now, but I realise I don't have a hideaway relax spot in it. It might have been my livingroom, but since I spend most of my time at home that has become a (computer)working space with all of the stress and frustration that sometimes comes with it.
Hmmm, I really have to find a spot that is cosy, green, flowery and warm. A place to relax. Thanks you for reminding me!

Jane Prater said...

First, I, too, am a Nana and I need a sign for my garden like you have. I will share yours with the grandsons and we will brainstorm and build. Your tips are wonderful. My place is upstairs. I have lots of room but not enough light so I often sketch on the porch or in the yard. Now if I could only keep my cup of coffee hot enough. I tend to drift in my sketchbook.

ale said...

I really enjoyed your post. On weekends I love to sit on our porch lingering over my morning coffee and sketching the plants and animals in the yard and pond. Your journal sketches are beautiful.

donna joy said...

great post-my "hideaway" is my art room. i can shut the door and immerse myself in art and forget everything else. I have lights strung up all over (mostly halloween) :) and it makes it more fun.

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