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.

Day 8 | watercolor & ink; kiki's

It is day 8! Woke up to dogs barking. Half still asleep I thought my cat was being murdered in the other room and somehow a giant beast of a canine was savagely ripping her to shreds. Moments later I realized I had just left my window open and the neighbors graciously let their dog go bonkers at 7 am. My only complaint about living in an apartment..living on the first floor and extremely rowdy neighbors with hellion children.

Kiki's Delivery Service is one of my favorite anime's I've ever seen. It's innocent and sweet, but about a young witch finding her place. Not to mention every women in the film are strong, independent ladies that won't take flack from anyone. It takes a tribe to raise a child, right? I would have loved growing up with an artist that lives in the forest and a chubby baker.

This might be my favorite piece I've done so far. Merely because I had fun and the theme was light and cute. It started as just the drawing of Kiki and then I thought it might be cool to give it a witchy feel. She's a twitchy witchy girl.

Day 7 | ink; lily

Well, I have survive one of the longest days of my life. It took until midnight for me to finally get the time to sit down and relax. My day started at 8 am and I don't think I ever stopped to just have time to breathe. Work was stressful and long. On the up side, I had a lovely lunch with my dad. I miss the one on one time I had with my parents in the past. They are amazing people.

Though it all the only thing I wanted to do or could think about was doing my daily piece for the blog. I never finished what I wanted. All I managed was this little gem. Simple and sweet, I suppose.

I wish I could include humor in all this, but I've come to realize this isn't a very funny experience.

Do you ever wonder in movies )mainly romantic comedies, since they are my cocaine right now) when a character brings out one of their childhood belongings they're still in perfect condition..Just an observation of my night as I watch another romantic comedy. Now back to my wine, then bed for this little one.

Day 6 | watercolor; skull

I don't know what to write today.

I like this one. It was my second painting of the day. My teachers always liked having warm ups and know I guess I can see why. It really does help. Organic, natural subjects, I'm noticing, are my most successful pieces.

On a different note, I have managed to watch three Brittany Murphy films in the last week. Each equally as quirky and vivacious as the next, yet also slightly depressing.

Day 5 | graphite; troll

When I began this journey, only a few days ago, I was not sure if I wanted to include weekends into my days of art. At first I intended to, but when Saturday rolled around I found myself much to busy to be able to find even an hour to sit and paint or draw, not to mention blog about the day as well.  I've come to the decision that on the weekends I will either post an older piece or having one new piece to cover both days. This piece will be posted on Sundays, hopefully around noon.

Today's drawing is one I did for an instagram daily challenge. I am very fond of this drawing, I did used a very good reference to do it. He's a cutie.

Day 4 | watercolor & ink; little house

Day 4. Somedays I honestly don't feel like doing much of anything. Today is one of those days. I've also come to realize it's hard for me to like anything I create. Especially after I haven't look at it in a while. And the more I stare.

Using a camera phone doesn't really do any of the pieces justice either. So I've decided, time permitted, I will be using my Nikon DSLR. Hopefully my post quality will increase and also my ability to blog about each day!

My remedy for the blues? Watching silly romance movies. Today's therapy has included Penelope and Uptown Girls. Nothing like whimsical, pig nosed Christina Ricci.

Day 3 | watercolor & ink; cherry blossom

Day 3. Today I witnessed my new, adopted cat attack my other kitty, Minerva. She proceeded to spray kitty blood on the wall and carpet. It swelled a little, but she is still managing to run around, throwing socks for herself and lounge in the window sill. The constant cat fights is starting to get on my nerves. Beorn, our new cat, seems to think he is the boss. It is very tiring when there is no reason for him to be lashing out.

Which leads to today. I am once again finding solace and comfort in my art. It is less of a task, even only after three days. Free hand is becoming easier once again, colors are flowing more naturally in my mind, and I'm generally not disappointed in what I produced. Each day I produce more works that please me. I foresee that by the end of this project each day will be paintings I genuinely love. This cherry blossom I am very fond of. The colors are simple, the pen drawing is simple and sweet, and in general this piece is very pleasing to my mind. It has eased my new found OCD in drawing and art in general.

Find me on instagram @littleluthien

Day 2 | watercolor; flowers

And so here is day 2. This is not my favorite piece I've done, by far, though I am still relearning my hands and tools. It is strange the difference a few years of no practice makes. When I was taking art classes daily, I could whip out a painting like this in a matter of minutes. Now it takes me the better portion of an hour, and I am still not satisfied with it. Sometimes it makes me cringe at how much ability I have lost, but today I realized it makes me appreciate myself more. I am relearning something that once came so easily to me.

This painting is an example of me learning, growing, and exploring.

What I've learned after two days of this project? Well, I need to be more patient. Both in art and in life. Though I'm not one to easily admit it, but we need to work for the things we want, even if it's something we excel at.

Day 1 | watercolor; book still life

Today marks the beginning of an adventure of self discovery through the magic of art. For many years I have drawn, painted, created. Art school was always a distant dream. Creating art became a daunting task, a chore of sorts. I lost drive and want, but today I am delving into art once more. Reintroducing it to my life as a daily past time.

Recently my mother came to me and told me about a speaker she heard at TedX. This women went through art school, got her degree, did all the things we are taught to do. Though, she soon realized she never really felt like an artist. So she began a project where she produced one painting a day for 100 days which turned into 1,000 days after seeing it take wind and people finding interest. I, being not quite as ambitious and knowing myself, am committing to 30 days of art, doing this as a challenge to myself. We will explore still life, watercolors, cats, coffee, pencils, and the endless possibilities of what my wallet will provide! So welcome to my journey. This is my project. Join me. Explore. Discover. Create.

Find me on instagram @littleluthien