Bamboo Sketches
by Charity Lee Jennings
Aloe in the Window
I couldn’t pass this window by. I was working on a much more complicated study of a row of historic buildings, but it was this scene that I passed on my way home that came together. In China, the vast majority of people live in apartment buildings so this...
Whimsical Flowers
The activities of each day have been dictated by our move, for past weeks. Finally, we're moved in. And somewhat settled. This sketch is a deep sigh after a busy time. It was refreshing to sit in the gardens and sketch, even if just for a few minutes, and these...
At The Cliffhanger
I know now why I didn’t purge until our pending move forced it upon me. It was the sight of our cupboard lying in the truck on its way to its new owners that brought it to light. Across the top of the cupboard was a sign, Give Thanks. The letters were faded, cut from...
Errand Drawing
My dream was to draw every day during our move. My reality has been catching moments while running errands. Yesterday turned into much more than a moment, when, while trying to complete my transaction, the computer malfunctioned. I was so thankful I'm in the...
Stolen Sketch
It’s by no means a masterpiece, but it’s special nonetheless. This sketch symbolizes a few stolen moments in the midst of a few strenuous weeks. If you’ve moved recently, you know what I mean. My life has been swallowed by sorting and packing, so much so that I...
Oriental Garden
Living in China, I’ve grown to adore oriental gardens. This spring I made it my goal to walk through the gardens in our community daily and many times I passed a little scene thinking, I would love to draw that. Some days I set out with the intention of capturing such...
Gifts from the Birthday Girl
When my daughter buys gum with her own money, the first thing she does is offers to share. When I’ve had the idea of sharing something, the first thing I’ve done is hesitate. I've always admired my daughter's generosity, a trait she no doubt inherited from my husband....
Fishy Scenes
I remember the first time I entered an art store. I was eager to learn to paint but had no idea where to start. A man explained to the sales clerk that his daughter wanted to take up painting and he wondered what kind of paints to give her. As the clerk explained the...
An Invitation
Last year I sent out birthday invitations by text message and my party planning daughter was so disappointed. So this year I was sure to not make the same mistake. Combining art and party planning, I made these invitations. The fish were...
My Party Planner
When my daughter was just a toddler, my friend’s son turned ten. As I welcomed him to the double digits I thought, when my youngest turns ten, I’ll be so sad. My little ones brought me so much joy, I didn’t want life any other way. It’s funny how I latch onto...
A Second Spring
Magnolias Just as the magnolias started to blossom this spring, a frost came. They shrivelled before they had a chance to show their splendour. Grieving, I dug out some old sketches and created Magnolias. This was weeks ago and as I was on my walk today I passed many...
My Creative Lunch Break
Like Sharon Collins, I took a creative lunch break. I co-ordinated lunch for my kids and stuck a sketchbook and pencil in my purse. A break was just what I needed in the midst of a week packed full of appointments. But where can I have a break in a house full of...