As a final post for 2020, let me offer something short and sweet to either close-out the old year, or to begin the one (depending on when you’re reading this).
Our niece adopted a quarantine puppy! While I’m looking forward to the day when I will be able to meet Mavis in person, it was almost as much fun to work on a drawing of her as a Christmas present.
I’m a sucker for “best of” lists because they always prove to be a source of new inspiration in one way or another. So in that spirit, I’d like to share a bit of the wealth that has brightened the past year for me. I hope something in this grouping will catch your eye and lift up your 2021.
Best Podcast: Art Juice
Louise Fletcher and Alice Sheridan always seem to have something interesting to talk about, whether it’s on the business or practical side of art. I learned a lot from them in 2020 and always enjoy their down-to-earth and unassuming approach.
Runner Up: City Arts & Lectures
Their tag line says it best: “conversations with outstanding figures in literature, politics, criticism, science and the performing arts, offering the most diverse perspectives about ideas and values”.
At various stages along the way, I like to take pictures to map my progress. Sometimes I can catch missteps in a photo that I don’t see when just looking at the drawing in the flesh, which helps me to reign in any problems before a piece goes awry.
Best Art Blog: Susan Abbott’s Painting Notes Blog
Susan’s knack for writing about her own work while weaving in a healthy and palatable dose of art history offers insights that are always inspiring — a testament to her teaching ability. She doesn’t write all that regularly, but it’s a red-letter day when a new post appears because it is guaranteed to contain some nugget that I will continue to think about for days afterward.
Best Newsletter: Gaye Symington’s Morning Messages
I read Gaye’s almost-daily “newsletters” first thing each day to start my morning on a positive note. Her efforts are a gift. They are a reminder that despite all the bad news that will undoubtably surface as the day wears on, there is still much beauty and joy to celebrate, right in our own backyards. Gaye includes images and links that touch on art, the natural world, and the many folks who work hard at bringing light to the rest of us. Plus, she always closes with a poem.
Laying in marks like this is a lot like stitching. In many ways, working at one discipline feeds my practice of the other, making them mutually beneficial.
Best Books:
It’s hard to attach the label “best” to any one book, but here are my top 10 of the 50 I’ve read this year. Many are not new, and some I’ve touched on in previous posts — here, here, & here. But as I look back, I realize that these were the books that brought me the most solace and insight during this wild year.
-
-
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
- Afterlife by Julia Alvarez
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
- Keep Going by Austin Kleon
- Breath by James Nestor
- Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton
- Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
- A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar
- And BONUS: Material: Making and the Art of Transformation – How Working with Our Hands Makes us Human by Nick Kary (thanks Pam!) This was my last book of the year and a lovely way to close things out. It is a beautifully written meditation on making, tools, and materials, with a measure of history thrown in.
-
And finally,
Best New (to me) Concept: The “Not-To-Do List”
I happened upon this idea last month when reading an old, old post by Lisa Call. It’s a worthwhile twist to consider while planning your goals and solutions for 2021…whatever they may be.
Mavis ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Graphite, ink, and colored pencil The final layers of color not only bring a piece to life, but they add more textural interest.
Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!
Thank you for a wonderful year of sharing who you are and what you are up to. LOVE this portrait of this little dog and seeing it grow on the page. Miss you LOTS!
Where would I be without your faithful, uplifting comments? Love to you and Liz – miss you both. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year. I’m looking forward to the delights and discoveries you steadily provide in your Blog. Your houses have truly moved me and been a source of much reflection.
This makes me so glad, Margaret. Thank you for continuing to read! Happy New Year to you as well.
Happy New Year. I’m looking forward to the delights and discoveries you steadily provide in your Blog. Your houses have truly moved me and been a source of much reflection.
Your drawing of Mavis is wonderful. You have captured her “peppiness” completely. I expect her to jump up immediately and start knowing on my ankles. Well done!
I also enjoyed you list of bo0oks. Some I’ve read already, but I’m alway s on the lookout for recommendations of friends. I’m going to pass the list on to my bo0ok group, if that’s OK.
And as always, thanks for the recommendation of blogs that you enjoy. I’m not very good sbout seeking out good stuff on the internet, so it’s wonderful to have some pointers. Thanks for taking the time to write your blog. I enjoy it and have learned a lot! Best to you in 2021. May your creative juices continue to flow as we suffer through the (hopefully) last months of lockdown and isolation.
Judy
Thanks Judy, your comments mean a lot… from one dog lover to another! Please do pass on the titles to your group. It’s an eclectic list – pretty much something for everyone. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Betsy. And, Thank You for another year of sharing your work, your process and your inspirations. The drawings of Mavis leave me smiling. I want to play with her.
Happy New Year to you Lynn – And thank you for always having such kind words of support. I’m looking forward to the day when Mavis and Quinn can meet!
I have loved reading and following your blog.
Mavis is perfect with her loving and soulful eyes, I feel her looking right at me and knowing how I’m feeling at this moment.
Thank you for sharing your art, you are an inspiration! Happy 2021!
Such kind words Donna. Thank YOU for reading and commenting. All the best for 2021!
Always impressed with your ability to put so many things into your day, especially reading. I was pleased to see we many books on our list that we both have read this year. Off to a new year. Dianne
We’ll have to combine reading notes during our next chat. Yes; on to the new!
love your Mavis drawing! and thanks for sharing Circe – excellent read and one I wouldn’t have picked on my own. Bring on 2021!
Thanks – and one good thing about 2020 … it brought you guys here full-time!
Happy New Years Betsy! It’s great to read your post and see your work as you progress. I look forward to seeing more this year
Judy
Right back at you Judy! Love watching your pieces evolve…HNY