Morning Page, 9/24

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

So today I looked back to Monday’s Morning Page and I was taken again with how much I love it. The shapes, the black and white contrast, the grid even—it just really makes me happy. And I wondered if I would like this set of shapes as much as a representational picture—a botanical arrangement. So that’s what a made today and here’s a side by side comparison:

Monday’s Morning Page

Today’s Morning PagE

I ask myself if I like one over the other. Non-objective or Representational art, which do I prefer? And still I don’t know. Can I allow myself both? Maybe. But I do wish I understood WHY I respond to purely abstract work and why I respond to representational. What about either image speaks to me, or for me? I can’t say. They just both make my heart sing a little.

I am definitely drawn to black and white—and yet, again, I don’t want to limit all my artwork to just black and white. I love color! So what gives? I’m thinking that maybe it’s the high contrast that makes me happy rather than the actual colors (black and white). I think I see more experimentation in my future.

(Speaking of color, this week I tried giving some header space to these morning pages for color studies—but I don’t really like them after all so that’s going to go away.)

On a personal note, next week I’ll be out of town (Maine) and I’ve decided to try to keep my Morning Practice going, but I’ll have less time for detail on these morning pages. Also, I’m sticking with this sketchbook. I considered the blank 8X10” sketchbook I have in waiting, but there’s enough space (30 sides) in this one and it’s a better travel size. Tomorrow is the day before we leave and there will be a lot to get done so it will be a good day to start working faster.