That dreaded purple marker that my breast surgeon uses to mark the shape of things to come. It is messy and difficult to remove. She likes to generously mark where cut lines will be and what to expect. The purple line is evidence of change, but what can prepare a person for that sort of life changing step?

I currently attempting to make preparations for surgery which will be in a few days. Blood is drawn and the marker is scoured away. Now I just tie up loose ends like end of month bills, and wait for surgery and subsequent results. But, what should I do while in this transitional stage?

At this moment, I still have my breasts which I have kind of gotten attached to. In the early years they signaled change and the mystery of growing up. In my young adult years they symbolized coming to terms with my grown up body, and autonomy. As a young mom, I am grateful they were givers of life and sustenance for my baby. It's so odd to think they are growing cancer cells and my body is feeding that growth as if its life depends on it, when the opposite is actually happening.

I am trying to stay in the moment; this moment that God has blessed me with. It is truly paralyzing to think of what may come (for those are the thoughts that race through my mind as I try to fall asleep, or are the first thoughts upon waking). I can't let myself get caught up in the 'why' and 'what could I have done differently to prevent it'. And I can't let myself get caught up in 'what is going to happen to my son, and husband, and family, without me'. Those kinds of thoughts cease me up and bring me to tears. So instead, I breathe and take this moment of peace and gratitude and love the people around me, and do what I have to do.

So, thank you breasts for serving me well. I will move on from here doing whatever I can for health and preservation. Thank you to my friends and family, who have crossed my path for a while, or have walked this life together. I'll try to stay grateful and remain p r e s e n t because there is peace in that.

I am working on it.

It feels so good to get back to working in a sketchbook. I am challenging myself to draw everyday, and it is helpful to have a focus. It certainly helped me to join a new local chapter of Urban Sketchers. We gather together or sketch individually, but post our work collectively as Urban Sketchers West Michigan.

I used to use a sketchbook to record ideas, to practice, and work through projects, but didn't use the sketchbook as an end result. I might have a sketch of here or there, but nothing consistently. Since meeting up with others and sketching our corner of the world, it has encouraged me to draw daily and record what I see around me. What I love about sketching is that it takes the pressure off of needing to have a 'finished' work of art. It allows me to sketch quick, and loose, and to play with the process without worrying about the end result as I would with a final piece.

What I also love about having a sketchbook is that it is a recording of a personal memory. Taking the time to sketch allows me to interact with my environment. I get to really look at what is in front of me and focus on the bits that are of interest. Then, I have that moment recorded like a scrapbook to look back on. Each and every time I sketch, regardless of the medium, I learn something new. I learn to mix colors, or how they interact with that particular paper, or I figure out a new technique or discover a way I like to work.

I had always asked other artists and professionals how to develop a style, and the answer would always be the same...just draw! It isn't until I actually draw daily and accumulate a large quantity of sketches that I am beginning to feel comfortable with the process. Where it goes from here will be fun to see.

I encourage you to pick up a pencil or pen and draw what you see. It doesn't matter the level of your ability, or if you've had formal training. And you never have to share your sketch with anyone else if you don't want. Do it for you. You may find it relaxing to explore the world with line and color. Get back to the happiness you found in coloring, as a child. It may awaken the want to 'play' with art materials. Anyone can do it.

Feel free to follow us on Facebook or join our Urban Sketchers West Michigan group. There is no cost and all levels are welcome! Upcoming meet-up events are posted. Urban sketching isn't just for outside drawing either. It is inside or out, interiors, exteriors, landscapes, people or pets in an environment. I even take those bits of urban sketching in my sketchbooks, and rework them back at home at my drawing table. Sketching leads to inspiration!

I encourage you to try to sketch. Practice. Have fun. Reach out to me if you need help or want company.

I'm working on it! How about you?

The morning is my favorite time of the day. If it is a sunny morning, then that is an extra blessing.

Today, it felt like I had a dozen tasks I needed to do but what I chose to do first, was to paint my toenails on the back steps, and do a sketch of our growing garden. I was moved by the sun shining through the leaves and making shadows on the other parts of the plant. I wanted to try and capture the light and shadows.

It felt good to listen to the noises of the neighborhood. There was an energy, yet a calm all at the same time. I love those mornings when the temperature is just right to sit outside in my jammies and soak in the freshness of a new day.

Morning has broken...

I want to try and capture that magic.

I'm working on it.

​

Today is Mother's Day. And if that isn't special enough, on my way into work, I had a close encounter with a scared, struggling creature, that ended well. It was a magical moment for me.

As I was walking down the stairs in the parking ramp, I heard the frantic sound of a bird flinging itself at a huge window. Most of the parking ramp is open and birds regularly fly in and out of the structure, but one corner is enclosed in glass. That little bird was confused and trapped in the corner area. 

Instantly, my heart started pounding at seeing its panicked state. I tried to shoo it away but it flew into the other corner. At that time a coworker (shout out to Rose), with a gentle heart, saw the struggle too. Neither of us could bear to leave it there. Together we tried to guide it out, but to no avail. I tried to cover it with my scarf, but it flew to the lower levels and flung itself at the glass down there.

So I took a breath, and settled my panic and willed it to know that we were here to help it and tried again. I put my scarf over it and was able to carefully close my hands around it. It was so sweet. Its beautiful, brilliantly colored head was peeking out of my scarf. I wished I could have held it longer or snapped a photo, or something. Rose opened the door, I carried it outside, and let it go. It flew away seemly unharmed. 

That little creature was so amazing and beautiful, it was a wonderful gift to see it up close. It was a Common Grackle, and rescuing it and feeling it in my hands filled me with joy. It didn't seem so common; it seemed extraordinary. The iridescent blue head and purplish black body against the teal scarf were breathtaking. I felt honored by being able to help it out of tight spot, and who doesn't love a happy ending?! 

Being in the right place and the right time feels right.  

I'm working at it.


​
This little drawing was done with the tools I had with me: my sketchbook, black pen, and colored markers.

'Well I finally joined Urban Sketchers.

That was a goal of mine for a very long time. It was not a difficult task, but just needed the form to get filled out and links made to connect my blog to their site. It is absolutely free, and anyone can join. You should take a look! There are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G sketches from sketchers around the world. Sketchers can link their Facebook or other social media pages so you can view endless pages of sketchbooks.

Who doesn't love browsing through someone's sketchbook? Taking a peak at someone else's sketchbook can be as revealing as a diary or as telling about one's likes as looking in someone's refrigerator or medicine cabinet. I love it! Sometimes I feel a bit intimidated by how good the artists can be. I admire their work and think "Geez, I wish I could be that good." But whether done by a professional or amateur, ALL the sketches convey someone else's point of view and that is what invigorates me, and inspires me to pick up a pen and grab my sketchbook to literally AND figuratively 'go to town'.

So check it out the site:  www.urbansketchers.org

The sketching that is done can be of city or countryside, people or buildings, flora or fauna, interior or exterior, and by professional or amateur artists. The whole point is to be out and about sketching as opposed to back in your studio. There are guidelines posted on the site if you want more information or want to join, yourself.

So check back here, occasionally, and hopefully you'll see some new urban sketches from me! My next goal is to create or join a Grand Rapids Urban Sketchers Chapter. In the meantime, why don't you grab the nearest pen, pencil or maker, and draw what you see around you? Be open to freeing the artist that is in you!

​I'm working on it myself.

Welcome to a new year! I was disappointed in myself that I didn't do a drawing on January 1st and everyday since. Then I was thinking about the drawings I could do 'later' that would illustrate my thoughts of this new year. After going down that thought process a while, and reflecting on my thoughts of the last couple of months, I came to the conclusion: I am blessed with this very moment, and to work with what I have, right where I am at. That is the most any of us can do.

So thinking about this new year, I decided to do a quick little drawing, right here, right now, with what I have available. That meant a black sharpie and four highlighters. That is it. I wanted to illustrate the whiteness and brightness of a new start. I wanted to show the freshness of a winter walk, with all the color, and spunk of our little dog trekking through the snow. When she sees something she is excited and invigorated. That's how I want to start into this year - with the hope of all the possibilities of what we will experience along the way.

I haven't made an entry on my blog in almost two months. Life had gotten busy and took a turn we hadn't expected. And like usual, sometimes I put too much pressure on myself, and too many expectations of what I should accomplish and feel badly because of it. That isn't the best way to operate. I need to remind myself to just 'be' for the moment and work with where I'm at. 

I was reminded of that at the recent funeral of my very sweet Mother-in-law who past away before Christmas. The reading of  'A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.' really represented Rose and hit home to me.  (Ecclesiastes 3:4) She lived simply and liked her days structured. She never ran herself ragged, but enjoyed a steady pace to life, and loved it to flow in an orderly manner. She loved the simple things and her family most of all.

It's sad to think that she isn't there in her favorite chair, doing her word puzzles, until it is time to start dinner. And it's bittersweet to think about the upcoming year, when we are still feeling her loss, and the loss of other loved ones and face all the unknowns ahead of us. But if we live by Rose's example, we should just take one thing at a time, and do that well, then that is the best we can do.

So we start this year anew. I don't know what the days ahead hold for us, but I do know that I am grateful for the day - right here, right now, and we'll face it together, right where we are at! I'm glad you're here on this journey.

I'm not sure if you noticed, or not, there is a current discussion among bloggers and in the news about the trend to have a limited wardrobe. Some of the buzz words you may hear being tossed about are 'core' wardrobes, 'capsule' wardrobes, 'limited' wardrobes or a select number such as a 'Ten-Item', 'Twenty-Item' or 'Thirty-Item' wardrobes. All are names and variations on the idea of having a smaller number of pieces in our closets, mostly separates, that work together to mix and match well. Through experience, people have found that purchasing fewer items allows you to purchase higher quality pieces on your budget. Higher quality pieces usually last longer and have a lower 'cost per wear' .

A smaller - simple wardrobe - I like that idea. I once read a book about Mother Teresa (it is still on my bookshelf - a keeper). It blew me away. Her sacrifice and way of life made a huge impression on me. She had her philosophy and it reflected in EVERYTHING she did. For instance, talk about a simple wardrobe - her wardrobe couldn't get ANY simpler. She had the clothes that she was wearing and one extra set, that was it. No closets or drawers. She had one outfit/religious habit on her body, and one to launder. Done. Simplicity at its simplest. Talk about extreme. Yes - extremely simple! I'm not saying that her wardrobe is my goal (I do like white with blue stripes), but it does challenge me to see the differences between NEED and WANT. She is the only person I know where her needs and wants were the same thing. Over the past year I've been assessing my idea of a simple wardrobe. I am taking steps to reduce my possessions and make a change in my life. 

Some of the advantages of having a simple wardrobe are:

• it takes up less space
  
• it requires less time to shop for and to maintain
  
• it takes less time to think about what you will wear each day (with the help of my handy dandy Outfit Options graph I'll talk about in another post)
  
• it tends to have more 'classic' pieces 
  
• it is easier to mix and match pieces
  
• if you fluctuate in sizes, you are only replacing a couple of core pieces and the rest will still coordinate
  
• it still allows your personality to shine through
  

Another reason I like the idea of a simple wardrobe is that it goes along with the whole 'green' movement to reduce, reuse, and recycle. If we make better choices when shopping, we eliminate excess and have a smaller ecological footprint. At one time shopping at resale shops was for those who couldn't afford department store prices and for college kids for wanted vintage attire. Fortunately, now, shopping second-hand or resale shops (online included) is accepted as a viable way to reuse and recycle clothing. It has an ecological as well as financial benefit.

I've mentioned the work of Jennifer L. Scott before, and I'll do it again. I stumbled upon her book Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris. It really spoke to my heart and subtly shifted my attitudes on lifestyle and purpose. She's a busy, young mom, who decided to follow the way of the Parisians regarding food, home, lifestyle and to live with a small, sophisticated wardrobe. She writes about her adventure to downsize her closet and live with a Ten-item Wardrobe. I follow her blog. She's inspires me, and many others, to think about the insanity of our brimming closets and make a change.

By purchasing fewer clothes, and making wise choices for the ones we DO acquire, we are better stewards of our resources and of those in our communities. That's my goal. I am a long ways from  'simple'…a long way….but I am taking steps toward that goal. It's as much a mental shift as it is a physical cleaning out of stuff. I'm trying to be ruthless but sometimes it's difficult to lose the grip on things I've collected. Now…onto those shoes!

I was in the process of creating a separate blog to start a conversation about my desire to eliminate the clutter at home and in my life. I've decided to try and combine it with THIS blog. Since each idea is a facet of my life, I will try to incorporate the two passions - drawing and creative living.

I am on a journey to live with less. 

Hopefully my goal will inspire my whole family to make conscious decisions about our home environment and what we really need to own. 

My personal goal is to eliminate clutter, and make our surroundings creatively functional and beautiful.

We'll see where this journey takes me!

I'd love to read your comments and hear if you've struggled with the same goal.

http://www.anngrusky.com/make-less-work.html

This is the famous landmark of Grand Haven, Mi. We had gone out to see the effects of our frigid winter on the pier and channel. It was below zero windchill that day. In this drawing, I wanted to capture the day where everything was white or gray with the exception of the pier. At this point in our relentless winter, I've had enough of the endless snow and ice and dream of the return of sunshine.  BUT, this is PURE Michigan, and I love the beauty of the seasons. 

My process: I chose a blue-gray paper so that would be the basic color of the scene. I used marker for the line drawing, then used chalk pastel. I added darker gray for the ice and shadow, and light blue for the sky. I used workable fixative to set that layer and then went in with white over the top.

I love my little red girl, Windry. She is a 'Red' Shiba Inu. She's dainty and beefy at the same time. She is charming and beautiful. I haven't really drawn her much, because the task is a bit intimidating. I haven't been able to capture her beauty so far. But I am determined to get her on paper! This is a study for a future book I am working on. She is lying on the ottoman in her favorite sunspot.  

My process: It is drawn on a brown grocery bag. I like the tone for her coloring. It is done with marker and then a few accents of chalk pastel on top.