Day 14 | rejuvination

This will be my 16th post. I started this journey not really know where it would lead me. To be quite honest, it has been quite the challenge for me. Drawing everyday isn't easy for me. I lack inspiration and motivation. When I feel like creating and finally sit down, more often then not I can't muster the brain power or creativity to actually draw anything. I doodled Friday after a day with my mom and a fun night with my boyfriend. Then on Saturday we took a long trip downtown to the Portland Saturday Market where we got lemonade and some beautiful pottery for the kitchen. Then to end a perfect day we stopped by New Season for some goodies then proceeded to the lake. On the way to the lake, we got a little lost in a neighborhood that was, to say the least, flawless and perfect. The future seems bright and welcoming. And for the first time, I really feel like I'm taking steps into adulthood.

Today was mine and my boyfriends 6 month anniversary. We went to a local coffee shop, I intended to draw while he read and we enjoyed coffee. It turned out we talked about our favorite actors and how I've always had a dream of being a barista. When we left, the sun was coming out and the local farmers market was welcoming us from across the block. I am truly blessed with a partner that loves me endlessly and continually surprises me. We picked out flowers, ate shaved ice, and shared gyros in the grass. This weekend was honestly the best I have had in a long time and it just so happened to land on a small milestone of my relationship.

I feel rejuvenated and loved, blessed to have the life I have.

Day 13 | pen & colored pencil; mermaid

I started today out with a good amount of excitement and energy. As hours passed, I struggled to find inspiration. My energy dwindled and I found myself playing with my cat to distract myself. Eventually I sat down and started doodling. Eventually I produced today's drawing. It draws from the art nouveau again, though much less detailed and fancy than classic art nouveau pieces. I kept it simple partly out of choice and partly out of not wanting to ruin what I already had.

Using such a hard pencil doesn't help when I make mistakes. The imprint doesn't leave the page. It's strange, for how many pencils I've bought for drawing I've been reduced to about 3, one being a normal pencil belonging to my boyfriend. This weekend I plan on dragging him to an art store with me.

Items I will be buying:

• new moleskin (watercolor & sketch)
• drawing pencils
• waterproof drawing pens
• look at more watercolors

Day 12 | ink; aries

Art nouveau has always been a favorite art style of mine. And I love the modern nouveau stuff I see now a days. So for something I haven't really practiced or draw a lot of, this turned out alright. I admired people who can draw this stuff so effortlessly. Funny thing is, that admiration used to be jealousy. It used to be, when I saw really well done art, I would get envious or jealous, or even angry. As time goes by, I come to realize I need to admire and look up to these artists. I shouldn't be threatened by other artists. I should celebrate them, especially if I want to be in a world full of their art.

Today is about loving, accepting, and praising others.

Day 11 | ink; horned princess

I didn't much feel like drawing today until I saw a drawing that gave me a little inspiration. So this is what I came up with. I've always loved horned humanoid creatures. I began reading a comic series called Sage and one of the main races are horned, ram like people. Which, naturally, the character that is this race is my favorite.

It's funny, since I started drawing I've always had a size of pictures I like better/feel like look cleaner and better done. On this, the right horn just looks better to me and when I started this drawing the other horn was turning out better. I don't really feel like this is a complete drawing, but I generally like it. She's a little horned princess.

Tools of the Trade

To make up for lost posts, I decided today that I will share with you all my favorite art supplies that I use daily.

My recently favorite tool is my Prismacolor Premier Fine Line Marker. I have tip 005 and 01. Next we have Pigma Micron waterproof ink pen. Size 03, also usually keep 05 on hand as well. I always keep a few pencils on hand, varying in hardness. I tend to us HB, but lately I've been using a 6H for gesture sketching. For watercolors I found these Princeton Art & Brush Co. brushes to be my favorite. They are high quality and the perfect length for me. I use a 4 round religiously and a 2 Filbert for detail. The pallet I have is the Winsor & Newton water colour compact set. I love their paints to death. Highly recommend.

And of course my trusty eraser.

Day 10 | ink; succulent

It's Memorial Day and I realize I haven't posted since the 22nd. The reason being, I've been having some issues with this project. The reason I started this 30 day project was to motivate myself to create art daily. I've done this in the past, hoping it would motivate me and encourage me to immerse myself in art like I was once. Things started out great. I was excited and happy to be creating, even if it was a small drawing. At least it was something! Well, I've come to find that I've had to force myself to do my daily drawing and it has become more of a burden. Thursday I had a sort of breakdown. Saturday I also through a housewarming party in my new place. So I didn't find time to make anything the past few days. Hence, I haven't posted in a few days.

I lost motivation, momentum, drive. Like I do with all things. Everything I do, I do with vigor and drive for the first week or so, then I begin losing whatever it was that got me started. Even when I remind myself why I did what I started. My problem right now seems to be I'm not where I thought I would be or want to be at almost 24 years old. I'm not sure where I thought I would be at this time. But I certainly did not think I would being living the way I do. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy. Life just lacks a certain amount of excitement lately. I wake up, make coffee, and just wait to go to work after my day has passed me by.

So here I am, day 10 with a new life goal and continuing a project I sometimes find as a chore to do. Life has started passing me by and I'm not ok with that. This weekend I've made the decision to find a job in the art field in some way and within a year be at a place I am happy and excited to be at. For longer than a week.

Day 9 | watercolor & ink; coraline doodles

Today's piece is more of just a doodle type drawing. I had almost zero inspiration or drive to make a painting, but I forced myself to get something done. No matter how small it is. That has always been one of my biggest weaknesses. Finding my drive. Not just in art, but in everything. Being inspired isn't my problem. Finding drive and confidence to create and just merely do is my greatest downfall.

Coraline has been a favorite movie of mine for a while. The studio that made it is just down the street from where I grew up (well more like 30 minutes away, but in the same city). Ever since I heard of them I wanted to work there.  Making miniatures and stop animation for such a crazy beautiful company would be my utter dream job. I've never thought it possible, because I didn't get my degree. They'd never hire a lowly, at home doodler like me. But you know, it's never to late to keep dreaming and hoping. The first step is applying. Neil Gaiman is a genius and if I could be apart of bringing something of his like Coraline to life..nothing would compare.

So today I am dreaming and hoping.