By the numbers
Posted: October 10, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 83 CommentsOne year, 366 sketches (it was a leap year), 182 views so far today, 96,960 views all-time, 1,747 views on my busiest day, 291 followers, 9 big Moleskines, 2 small Moleskines, many sheets of watercolour paper, lots of paint, several pencils and countless Micron pens.
But this year is not really about the numbers. It is about the people I have met, the places I have travelled to, the good things that have happened because of this blog.
One year ago today I posted my first drawing of a chair. My drawing skills were so rusty that I was embarrassed to post the thing but the idea was to make the commitment to the daily exercise. So for the past year I have posted something every day, no matter how bad the day was or how bad the drawing was. Successes were posted as well as failures and struggles. And there are plenty that I didn’t post, too.
It is a given that with daily practice, anyone’s drawings will improve. But what I didn’t expect out of this process — what came as a complete shock — was how many people I would meet. Some around the corner but many in other parts of the world — including countless more through Urban Sketchers. People who I can say have now become friends because we share a passion — a love of drawing and painting, of seeing the world and of sharing our work.
As I probably said when I completed 200 sketches, I am not sure where this is taking me but I will keep on going because the ride is so much fun.
Yeahhhh Shari :: I am so very proud of you! I do not have the stamina to do what you have done, but I have been following you assiduously, and I am your cheerleader. Please do not stop, as that would be sooo sad. I love this painting too!
Thank you so much Jane. You have been encouraging me from the beginning and I hope you know how much I appreciate it.
Such an accomplished and DISCIPLINED painter you are-I still wish that you would teach a class in St. Sauveur where I am living now, I know of several ladies who would love to join the class who live in nearby towns around the Laurentians.-Sincerely Gail Katz
Thank you Gail. I will keep it in mind. Perhaps when I have a break from school I will be able to offer a workshop in your area.
Congratulations Shari on the 1st anniversary of a highly successful year of daily beautiful
sketches and watercolours which have enriched so many hundreds of people in the world of art. It’s so important to express feeling in your paintings and in this little gem I feel the warmth and beauty which radiates in you as a person. Maybe all the trees are a metaphor for all your followers 🙂 Thank you for all your generous sharing of so many aspects of your artwork.
Mary, thank you for those very sweet thoughts. You are definitely one of the trees in the foreground : )
Thanks and congrats Shari — please keep them coming daily if you are able I enjoy them at the end of my day. I still hope to take one of your workshops if we can get one closer to me : )) Question/?- my drawing skillhttp://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house/the-small-house-movement-whats-the-big-deal/s are limited and would love to join the USK group in Barcelona next year. I am wondering about the skill level of those you met in Santa Domingo? Does one really need extensive drawing ability?
Leslie
Thanks Leslie. One day hopefully you will find a way to attend a workshop. I think there were all skill levels in Santo Domingo last year but I think some drawing experience is necessary. To be able to take full advantage of the workshops you need to be prepared by drawing often, going outside with a sketchbook etc. Perhaps you can send me a link to some of your sketches if you post them anywhere.
Thanks for responding Shari — you always do. I’ll start sketching outside and will set up a Flickr account to see what you think.
I can’t wait to see Leslie!
I was just thinking earlier today that it must be about a year since your started. I was waiting for the anniversary post! What you didn’t mention is how many people you have inspired. I am now a sketcher thanks to you! And regarding today’s sketch, great looseness and colour. Looks so simple, but oh the skill to achieve such results. I’m inspired to keep sketching and hopefully getting better. Thank you Shari!
You were thinking right Alison. I am so glad you are sketching and can’t wait to see what you’ve done lately.
oops — something got mixed up in my previous note. i hope you can interpret ; )))
Congratulations from Pinerolo, Italy. I’m one of the 291 followers. I love your sketches. I want to start sketch more often too. Why don’t you post something to help start sketching who wants do it? Thanks
Thanks so much to you Gianluca. I like your idea for a post and I will think about some ideas.
Shari, this one is really beautiful – mainly for this grey day.
Since you speak about your-year-experience, I am thinking something about your work and I am sure that I am not the only one …
In fact, given that we buy so many books which are not exactly the one we are searching for and given that this year you have done so much, there is absolutely no doubt that a book from you would be VERY VERY welcomed and usefull for all of us. Why not?
You have so much talents, with always very good and pertinent words for each of them and above all that, there is this magical light within all your drawings.
So, all the ingredients are there. Aren’t they?
We know that publishing would be a uge work, but you have pretty much work already done. Don’t you? You would have to make a choice between your drawings, add some more pedagogical advices and info et voilà!
Is there any good publisher out there?
Louise,Montréal
I have to agree with Louise :: it would be a fantastic idea and I would buy a copy 😉
Thanks Louise. I have thought about a book already. I was waiting to get to the one year mark and now I just need to find the time to do this but it is already an idea that has been rattling around in my head for a while.
hello. i’m enjoying your sketches very much. it is a rainy day here in New Hampshire too. perhaps you would like to visit my blog (going since 2009) Colorfuljourney.us. i post about ten or more new drawings a month. Sue Anne Bottomley
Thanks Sue Anne. I will have a look at your blog!
Epic milestone! Congrats on the iron-horse sketching! Here’s to 365 more!
Thanks Steven!! Your encouragement is so appreciated!
Congratulations on making it for 1 year! Looking forward to the upcoming year’s drawings and paintings!
Shari, What a great story about the past year! I enjoy looking at your new painting/drawing everyday and thank you so much for sharing them! Hopefully our paths might cross in the future and you can share some of your painting secrets in person! -Tom
Thanks Johane!
I’ll add to your long lists of admirers! Congratulations!
Your posts are a lovely treat to look forward to everyday–and to learn from,also.
I admire your committment to one sketch a day for a year!
Let’s raise a toast to Year #2!
Yes, let’s raise a toast Linda!!
Wow! What an accomplishment. Are you going to keep going ? I’m reminded of Forest Gump – running across the country!
I guess I will keep going. I wasn’t sure until this week but now it is so much a part of my life I don’t see how I could stop now. It would create a big void.
Hi Shari, Congratulations from Australia, I really enjoy your sketches and look forward to them each day, your an inspiration, well done!
Thank you so much Yvonne. It is always great to hear from people from so far away!!
Shari I have only recently started following you, but that said I love your work and admire your daily commitment. Thank you for sharing this personal deadacation to art with us. Where did you first post your work? This is a journey I would like to begin.
Thanks Susan. I first posted my work here. Just go back to October 2011 in the archives on the right. You can see all the rusty beginnings.
What a wonderful journey, Shari! Thank you for taking us along with you, brightening our days with your little slice of daily heaven on earth.
Thank you so much for letting me know.
What a feat! Everyday I look forward to your blog, I marvel at the work and enjoy your comments
It’s great to hear from you Kelly!! Thanks.
Congratulations!… I too am one of the 290+ followers… a recent addition so I wasn’t around when you started… I’m looking forward to lots of inspiration from your drawings next year.
Thank you so much Elaine.
Wow! Congratulations. Is it one year already?
And I like today’s sketch… although, I had been thinking that you would probably save one of your very best watercolours to publish on this special day… well, maybe not… perhaps tomorrow. : )
And, as you have chosen to highlight the numbers today, I need to point out that “366 sketches” isn’t really correct… it would be 377 counting today… and then there were the days when you published two or three sketches… but there was also the day when you got bored and published a half-finished sketch which you published again the next day after you regained your enthusiasm. I hope you got all your other numbers right.
Yes, one year already. It goes by fast when you don’t have to do the drawings, doesn’t it?
I should say congratulations to you for posting the most comments on the blog. You win the prize at 111 to date.
And you also win the prize for being the only commenter who has his own followers on someone else’s blog.
Thanks for all your encouragement Ross!
You really should stop this numbers thing (and stick to watercolouring) because you keep getting it wrong… 111 is probably the number of your posts that I am currently “subscribed” to… but I “unsubscribed” to a bunch of them some months ago when WordPress told me I couldn’t subscribe to any more. I thought it was because they had a limit, but it may have been that they were offended by my sarcasm… I also wondered if you had put a “nice comment” filter on the blog.
You’re right. I read the stats page again. 111 is based on the 1000 most recent comments. So that means you have made many more than that… But you still get the prize.
That was always my goal in life… to make the most comments on someone else’s blog. You were just the poor, innocent and unsuspecting blogger that I chose. : )
[you do realize that I am adding this comment solely to get my numbers up for next year]
I’ll let you know if someone else starts to get close to you so you can comment even more.
Congrats Shari! That’s a huge accomplishment that had to have taken major dedication.
Besides I just found you, you can’t stop now 😉
Love today’s painting!
Thanks Lynn. I will try not to disappoint.
Congrats Shari!
Just watching you paint and making it look so easy is incredible.
I look forward to seeing your future posts!
It’s so great to hear from you Kristen. Thanks!!!
Hi Shari
I’m another of your admirers from Australia. It’s always so lovely to know that every day when I switch on, there will be another ‘jewel ‘from you to marvel over,
(Inspired by you, I’ve enrolled in a watercolour course next week)!
Thanks Ethna. I am so happy to hear that you are going to take a class. Have fun!
Yes, this is a great ride Shari. A great accomplishment too!
Thanks Don!!
Your figures do not include the ones like me, reading rss in google reader, enjoying every your post!
Congratulations, Shari! You are doing great, inspiring, teaching and creating art on daily basis. Thank you so much and good luck in your progress.
Thank you so much Irina. You’re right, I don’t have numbers on that. But I am so glad to hear from you!
Congratulations! It sounds like it’s a wonderful journey for you. I always love to see your drawings and paintings. 🙂
Thanks for all your “likes” Hetterbell!
You’re welcome. Like I said, I love to see your posts. 🙂
Bravo,Bravo,Well done, Well done SHARI ! Yeah you are an inspiration beyond what we all know. Thanks for the postings. Tim
So glad to hear from you Tim. Thanks!!
What an accomplishment Shari, I’m inspired! Congratulations and keep going!
Thanks Cathy!!
Nice to have you on board and being so consistent. I admire your dedication. lily
Thanks Lily!
Shari:
Congratulations!!! And I’m sooo glad you’re not stopping now. We’re all really hooked on our daily dose. I’ve passed the blog on to many people and it gives us all a little lift during the day. Thank you.
Joan
Thanks for spreading the word Joan!
Congratulations, Shari!
It’s good to hear you are continuing, your work is such a pleasure.
Karen
Thanks so much Karen!
I applaud your diligence on this project. Your sketches are lovely to view each day. Perhaps I, too, will be inspired to do this. Congratulations on the milestone of your project.
Marta (Pte. Claire runner)
So great to hear from you Marta. Thanks for sending me a message!
Shari,
I don’t comment (here on the blog) that often, but like so many others, I am quite delighted to see what you post each day. It’s a treat – your deft handling of media and subject – and a constant inspiration. After a too-long break from sketching, I’m back at it, and aspire to some day have such a body of high quality work. But best of all, just think of the lively, emotive record of memories you have, that we all create by taking the time to sketch anecdotes from our lives.
Thank you for sharing your memories with the world!
Bethann
Quebec City
http://fruitrootleaf.com/home
Thanks Shari for sharing your sketches and great stories that go with them.
Congratulations for having the discipline to do this on a daily basis.
Thanks Helmut!
wow wow wow! congrats Shari! I am so glad you started – your sketches/paintings are so amazingly inspirational – always consistently high quality(I don’t like that term when it comes to art- but can’t think of a better way) The fact that you do one of these paintings every day blows me away.
I am so glad to have met you and agree it is always more about people… I love following your blog, but I love the fact that it is the blog of a friend even more!
I am so glad to have met you too Liz!! Thanks for the encouragement!!
Happy Anniversary to you! I’m not sure who benefited the most from your daily practise… you or us!
I don’t know where WordPress gets that “textplus” when I post here… how do I change this?
Gina Bisaillon
I think it is something that comes from you Gina. I will see if I can fix it.
Me for sure Gina.
The ride from our end is even more enjoyable. Every day we get to see things from a different perspective – rain or shine, snow and cold or warm and dry. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this John. I really appreciate it.
You have an interesting range of subjects – from landscapes to the detail of the typewriter.
When you do one every day you need to change subjects quite often. Otherwise boredom sets in. There has to be a new challenge for me whenever I pick up the pen.