Rather than fight the constant urge to write something about Ironman training, I figured I'd just keep going on artwork and make my Ironman training find it's own way to the story.

Part of how we're learning to "create" art is learning how the human body performs in certain aspects and actions. I am taking a life-drawing class where we draw nudes every (almost) week. What is interesting about this is gaining the perspective on what happens to different parts of the body when they are being used to "balance" or provide strength to a pose or action. You really can see the difference in tension in one leg, for example, when it is being used to anchor the whole body.

Even more amazing is how you learn to draw that leg in relation to the other one, which may only be used to balance out the pose so that the person doesn't fall. You can see how strong one part becomes while others become subtle. And how weird it looks drawing both with the same strength, even though it logically appears as though both legs or arms are identical. The slight change in emphasis creates the reality.

It really makes me think about the movement of our body when we're doing some activity, like riding a bike or running or swimming. The difference in tone from one side to the other and the timing required to switch back and forth so majestically is something we take for granted. There's a series of very significant motions that need to occur for that to happen perfectly. And yet we can do it, for the most part, without a thought. I see how difficult it is while trying to draw that same strength and tension...

Speaking of, I have to get back to drawing homework... Ran 35 minutes today and plan to swim tomorrow after class!