July Is A Battle.

Illness I can't shake.

And this cold dark July weather.

Fortunately, and miraculously, the fashion photography by Paolo Reversi in the June issue of British Vogue reaches out to me with it's soft colours

as though rendered in chalky pastels.

A place to rest tired eyes.

Cat Issues.

Consult psychologist acquaintance over inability to bond with one's own cat, though in discreet anonymous type manner. Say "My friend is concerned she is not bonding with her cat." Psychologist acquaintance suggests empathising. Says "Maybe your friend should try putting herself in cat's shoes".

Look sideways at psychologist acquaintance "Hmmmm. Thank you, yes, will let friend know".

Am not keen to put self in Cat's shoes but as am humane caring individual with background in Year 12 sociology/fashion magazine pop psychology cannot help ponder the plight of today's cat. After all it cannot be easy living up to Dominant Cat Stereotype perpetuated by Hollywood. For example what becomes of the cat who finds themselves with neither sassy wit nor sideline in sardonic observation?

Determine to let Cat know am understanding of this.

Inspiring Or Just Intimidating?

There is so much amazing art, craft and illustration available to view on the internet that it can be overwhelming. On the one hand it's incredibly inspiring. On the other it can be intimidating and demoralising. I know that's a strong word to use but for anyone who has really just started out on formal training the inspiration found on the web can quickly cross that line. Especially if you glutton it down in big sittings as I do. Then I think how that time should've been spent drawing or painting, doing the hard yards and developing the better eye/hand co-ordination drawing requires. I guess it comes down to this: hard work - the stuff that is going to get you where you want - is hard work. Just hard. Haven't seen my drawing improve in some time despite effort. But if I'm honest it hasn't been the full effort. More just scribbling at 9.30 in the evenings in front of the TV. Need to dig down deeper for more committment than that. Maybe it's just the Canberra weather....these low tempreatures sucking the creativity right out of me...