In the Garage

I haven’t been sketching Jasper much these last months for a couple of reasons. 

Firstly because I decided that I wanted to paint a big picture and needed more space, so I emptied the garage and fitted a clear industrial plastic curtain to let in the light and keep out some of the cold. I’m writing this blog today because there’s freezing fog outside, definitely too dark and too cold for the garage. However there is a painting in progress, something is evolving from the murk. 

Secondly I’ve been trying harder to train Jasper which means I’m unable to hold a sketch pad and pen, treats, toys, a boisterous springer spaniel, let alone concentrate on a drawing. However the trainer I’m following asked me to write down all the distractions that Jasper has, that is all the things that Jasper finds more interesting than listening to me and the list is enormous. Of course here I couldn’t help having a quick sketch as I remember some of the incidents and accidents!

Anything that smells inviting means nose to the ground, all senses occupied and no room for recall.

Ok so my watch says it’s time to eat or play and I’m going to let you know it whether you like it or not.

We have to move faster because something has triggered my senses and you’re too slow.

There are small signs of progress in the training and I’m planning that he will eventually be lazily lying down on his bed in the garage while I work. This would be preferable to jumping up and barking at the top of his voice when the post is being delivered so that I also jump out of my skin and loose my concentration or trying to lick the paint off my painting (the paints I’m using so far are non-toxic) which creates a blurred effect, that actually could be quite interesting…