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It has been a delight to share with my students the incredible resource of people. Over the years, I’ve had the great privilege of connecting them with inspiring individuals such as Lois Ehlert, Dave Nice, Gregory Martens, Colette Odya Smith, and—as seen in this “Behind the Professor” sketch—Dr. Gaylund Stone. There’s something powerful about the presence of someone who lives their craft with humility and depth. In moments like these, my students are reminded that more is often caught than taught.

Sunny springtime in Edinburgh = curious narwhals.

The warm weather in Edinburgh today got me inspired yet again! About time, winter was just too… winter, for my tastes.

I am an art teacher with a master’s degree—trained by brilliant professors who believed that art could do more than decorate walls. I offer safe spaces for teenagers to grow—nourishing soil where their imaginations can take root. And yet… I am assigned to hallway duty. This is compulsory education, after all. So I sit—posted like a sentinel—watching young lives stream past. “Get to class,” I say with a smile and a nudge. The system wants attendance; I’m hungry for presence. Armed not with a whistle or clipboard, but with a pen— my scribble’s soft insurgency. The hallway stretches out like a geometric hymn. Columns and corners chant structure. Teenagers swirl past—half-formed galaxies of limbs and laughter— their orbits chaotic, their gravity pulling time forward. I begin to draw. Not their tardiness, but their motion. A shoulder. A blur of sneakers. A tilted head chasing freedom. Feet flickering like seconds. Each mark a pulse. Each smudge a breath. My paper becomes a seismograph of seeing— trembling gently through the mundane. This isn’t about making art for a frame or a feed. It’s about refusing to leak away in the fluorescent hum of obligation. It’s a quiet mutiny against the clock. I do this on long car rides, too (passenger side, mind you). Letting the lines grow wild, jagged, and unapologetic. Not for polish— but for presence. This is how I remember I’m still alive. Still growing. Still watching. Still choosing to see. Because sometimes mental health looks like a piece of scrap paper, a moving pen, and the simple, sacred act of marking time with wonder.

A person is depicted wearing a large pet recovery cone around their neck, trying to check his smartphone with the words "Digital Detox" prominently displayed. The image humorously comments on the idea of needing a barrier to reduce phone usage.

There’s a lot of waiting in life. Waiting in lobbies. Waiting on answers. Waiting for braces to tighten, kids to grow, hearts to heal, or prayers to be answered. I sat at the orthodontist, watching dollars tighten on tiny wires, and made this sketch. A tree. A house. A street. Color helped the moment breathe. I remember once hearing a chess master say, “There is no waiting in chess.” It confused me—wasn’t there always a turn to wait for? But he explained: “There’s no waiting. Only planning. Plotting. Analyzing. You’re always thinking.” I once repeated that to a FIDE master. He got mad. Maybe because waiting and patience aren’t the same thing. We can be still and deeply active inside. We can pause without being passive. And then there’s Lindsey’s voice in the back of my head: “That sounds like a first-world problem.” “Speak life.” “Be thankful. Rejoice always.” And she’s right. So here’s to filling waiting time with something creative. Something kind. Something that turns a delay into a doorway.

Years ago, I sketched Gibby at work—pencil in hand, bold strokes alive with motion. I caught them from over the shoulder: just the back of their head, the soft curve of their face, and that focused arm bringing something into being. They were 9 or 10 then, already showing the spark of creativity and concentration that pointed toward who they’d become. Now in their mid-20s, Gibby is thoughtful, insightful—quick to listen, slow to speak, and wired to process the world with care. Their path has been remarkable: two degrees in 2.5 years, no debt. That didn’t happen by accident. It took grit, German immersion schooling, 16 college credits earned in high school, and testing out of 24 more once at university. That’s Gibby—quietly determined, resourceful, and steady. But their story isn’t just academic. Gibby’s always been gifted with their hands—drawn to set design, locksmithing, welding. Trades they wanted to pursue early on, and still feel pulled toward. They’re at a bike shop now. It’s not the dream, but it fits: their hands know how to build, repair, and reshape the world. There’s been frustration—maybe even anger—that we didn’t let them follow the trade route right away. I get that now. Life veers, and sometimes the path chosen isn't the one imagined. But Gibby’s resilience—their ability to adapt and press on—is what I admire most. They’ve embraced their journey with honesty, stepping into their identity as a they/them person, unafraid to define success in their own terms. That takes courage. I’m proud of them—not for a résumé, but for who they are. This old drawing isn’t just a memory—it’s a thread connecting past to present. A reminder that the creative spark, the steady hands, the deep soul I saw back then is still shining. So here’s to you, Gibby: the kid who sketched with fire and the adult who still shapes the world with quiet brilliance. Your value has never been about the path you’re on. It’s about the person you are. And I’ll be here, cheering you on—every step of the way.

They are out in force meaning spring has finally arrived here

Marker and coloured pencil on marker paper

"Pisces Koi" is a bold and intricate black-and-white ink piece that blends symbolism with fluid motion. A koi fish, known for its resilience and transformation, weaves through a bed of blooming roses, creating a contrast between movement and stillness. The fine details in the scales and petals bring depth, making the composition feel alive. The upward motion of the koi echoes the legend of perseverance—where a koi swimming upstream becomes a dragon—mirroring the Pisces spirit of adaptation and ambition. The roses introduce another layer, possibly symbolizing beauty, personal growth, or challenges that shape us. This piece captures a sense of quiet strength and fluidity, speaking to those drawn to themes of transformation, water energy, and the balance between struggle and grace.

Marker and coloured pencil on marker paper.

Charles Darwin (1809–1882) From the time he arrived at Down House until 1859, when he finally published On the Origin of Species, Darwin led a double life, keeping his thoughts on evolution and natural selection to himself while bolstering his credentials in the scientific community. Meanwhile, he divulged his secret theory to a very few confidants; he told one fellow scientist it was “like confessing a murder.” - From Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.” ― Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man #dailyrituals #inktober #CharlesDarwin @masoncurrey

Rest in power Philip Seymour Hoffman! Your words ring true for all creative minds, no matter what they make.

"AN IDIOT! A FOOL!" "No... You're perfect, and don't let anyone make you think otherwise." Arkham Origins ends with angst for this pairing, which is not surprising. Context: Edward finds out that his girlfriend seduced him to ruin his plans because she is an informant, and his plan to expose corruption in Gotham would mean devaluing all the secrets she collected. It's a long story and who hasn't been a young ambitious careerist?.. Uh, maybe Amber is a special case, but she regrets it!.. Falling in love with him was not part of her plan, but it is what it is and everyone is unhappy and heartbroken in the end.

Marker, coloured pencil and metallic gel pen on marker paper.

Artist @asherbingham.fineart initiated a project offering free paintings of homes lost in the recent Los Angeles fires. Since announcing this on IG, she has received over 1500 requests and enlisted volunteer artists nationwide to assist. This is one of 35 homes I've painted.

Pretty much me during my busy creative spells this week, and today was no exception!

“Most things benefit from contrast. The exception is the truth.” ~Golgaaryol, 2025. (Koh-I-Noor and Bambino crayons)

Weirdly enough, I never used to feel bothered by winter. A sign I’m “getting on a bit” as they say? I’m 32 come April, not 102 for feck’s sake! Whatever the case, roll on spring and general warmth, long overdue I have to say…

Post-Beltane open meeting scribble time!

Over here in Edinburgh, February has outdone the month before it with it’s cold spells! Spring, summer, warmth… hurry up please?

Narwhals venturing into the cosmos, yet again :-)

The photo captures a shimmering, festive Christmas moment with a beautiful young woman posing in front of a lavishly decorated Christmas tree. She is wearing a glamorous outfit consisting of a sparkling butterfly-shaped crop top and a short white skirt, paired with elegant high heels. The surrounding space exudes a warm, cozy atmosphere with wooden walls, vibrant red ornaments, and green-and-red pennant banners hanging above, creating a lively holiday scene. A black chair nearby, along with festive decorations like a fabric Santa Claus and candy canes, enhances the Christmas spirit. The woman in the image radiates a gentle yet captivating beauty, with her long, flowing black hair and a charming sideways gaze. The combination of modern fashion and a classic holiday setting creates a stunning composition, evoking a sense of warmth and romance. This image is copyrighted and DMCA registered. I strictly prohibit all of you from posting this image on other online forums. If I discover it, you will receive some reports from me. Contact me via: thichminhbaovn@gmail.com

A funny cartoon of an astronaut cat, wearing a helmet and exploring space on his cardboard box rocket, maybe he's looking for a space laser

Created digitaly. I initially created a painting entitled Safe Return after welcoming Canada geese along a nearby lake one Spring morning, four years ago.

Drawing FACES 15€ I'm compiling simple slapdash 5 min. drawings of people + sharing their story. Book 1 = story behind your name If u wanna be drawn plz get in touch 10€ a drawing Dave +351 969 534 520 https://artdavidmeehan.blogspot.com/p/7.html https://www.facebook.com/artdavidmeehan/ https://www.facebook.com/davidmeehan99/ https://www.instagram.com/artdavidmeehan/