Dear Intimacy,
What would you have me know today?
How are you today, really? I am frustrated, yet trying to surrender to my broken toe and not being allowed to move. I broke my toe last week. (very sad face). I saw the sports medicine doctor and he put me in a boot for 4 weeks and said to stop all activity, even walking. I am someone who finds tremendous joy in movement (especially running). I love nothing more than feeling free while out on a run.
Since I have so much more time and energy, I asked myself how I want to spend this time and energy. Two things happened. Simultaneously, I started reading Suleika Jaouad’s The Book of Alchemy and Betty’s Edward’s Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Suleika’s book is filled with 100 writing prompts from 100 people. I read Michael Bierut’s story and prompt about starting and continuing a creative act for 100 consecutive days. I love things like this (when I returned to photography four years ago, I challenged myself to make at least one photograph a day. I haven’t stopped yet!). I also love making things. I thought about paper mache. I’ll paper mache everyday for 100 days. I started and it didn’t feel like me. But, since I was also reading Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (to help me see differently), I decided to start again, only this time with the drawing.
Today is day 1 of drawing every day for 100 days.
Betty Edward’s first drawing exercise asks you to draw, from memory, the portrait of someone you know. When you are finished, record any comments about the process, things you found difficult and things that came easy to you. I drew my mom.
I’ll post my drawings along with corresponding (or not) drawings from Miles and Margot. Miles and Margot do not need a 100 day challenge for them to make things everyday. They are constantly making so many things without a care in the world; Is it “good?”, “is it bad?”, “will people resonate with it?” Miles and Margot don’t appear to be concerned with any of the questions which (thankfully, less and less) cross my mind. They seem to love making things because it’s fun! Because it’s freeing! Because you can see what happens when you pick up a pencil/paint brush/camera/pen.
Margot’s portrait and her and I (2025, age 5). (Margot always draws herself wearing a crown).