IF Jump

Jumpin' In!
Water Soluble Pencil on 9x12 140# Canson Watercolor Paper
©2012 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

The topic for this week's Illustration Friday is "Jump". And, with summer (hopefully) coming, thoughts turn to water, fun, even a little freedom from the humdrum.

While I've never had the opportunity, nor, likely,the nerve, to swing over a body of water and just jump into it, it's one of those images that defines summer and childhood in my mind.

No fear, no constraints. Uninhibited joy in a moment of daring. No hesitation in pursuit of happiness.

Full awareness of bodily injury, or even death, would make it impossible for me to possibly contemplate this type of stunt. Age can be self-perpetuating: physical safety tends to allow one to continue to age. Not a bad thing, really.

But, what about taking that sense of abandon to our emotional and mental endeavors? Why not look for a challenge and "jump" on it? No fear, no constraints. No hesitation in pursuit of happiness.

While there's no guarantee that I won't be one of those 80-year-old ladies who decide to skydive before they leave this earthly life, for now, I think I'll settle for some mental gymnastics over the physical ones. Mind challenges can be just as stimulating if you truly put yourself out there!

Enjoy the week, friends!

Monday Artday "Tiny Things" and Fascination

Fascination with Tiny Things
Graphite Sketch/Computer "Paint"
©2012 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

While doing some minor reorganizing in the livingroom, I came across a sketch journal I had started about 2 years ago. This drawing was in it. I only had 3 sketches in the journal that, I suspect, were all done on the same day. That's me, though: dive in headfirst at full speed only to lose momentum quickly.

It's never a question of just stopping. It's generally a question of distraction. I'm like a bird attracted to shiny objects. I am constantly pursuing more activities that catch my eye, that fascinate me.

You might think that by a certain point in life, i.e., solid middle-age, the desire to try new things or try doing old things in different ways would wane. But, it really hasn't. That desire has actually increased.

I'm not sure why it is that way. I think when we're kids, we're always seeing something new as the whole world is new to us. However, I also think that, when we're established in our lives- careers, housing and families are mostly settled- we are looking to reconnect with all the things we'd put on hold during those years we took to establish ourselves.

So, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and dabble in something else that's just peaked my interest! Oh, look! a shiny thing! Wonder what I can do with it...

Check out the Monday Artday Challenge for "Tiny Things"!