Pause breaks

Sketches from this week using caran d'ache neocolor II pastels and pencil... I usually use water with these as they are made for, but I left it out here. I wanted to see how the colors would layer. A new favorite medium, as I tend to work fast, I like how durable this material is.

Since January I've been dedicating a little time out of each week to work in my sketchbook. I forgot how useful this practice can be.

Each page is like a short period of being with myself and all the thoughts that come up as I create. It's wild the thoughts that stream through sometimes. It's balanced with a good amount of joy and peace though too.

I have also noticed the resistance that surfaces with setting aside this time. There are so many other distractions that entice me and occasionally lure me in.

Pema Chodrun, America Tibetan-Buddhist, has written about the power of gaps or pause breaks in our day to help us bring "our full attention to the immediacy of our experience."

I found for myself a sketchbook is a great tool for this. I could say so much more about this topic but will leave it at that for now.

Do you have a sketchbook?