Day 2 #mindless, #Inktober 2019.
No forethought or sense, just space. It's good to be mindless sometimes but remember to be aware, and compassionate with those around you, especially those closer to you. You never know what other people are dealing with. Try to be kind.
Daily drawing #643
Ye know how it is, a brand new sketchbook and a blank white page, at first it's exciting "what am I going to put in here" but that pristine blank white page keeps staring up at you and you start to think "crap! what am I going to put in here?" So I just doodled and put some thoughts down and doodled around that until the whole page was filled with one big doodle... it broke the silence and started the magic...yeah I said it, super cheesy!
The five part illustration series Don't Lose Yourself. You can lose yourself in many ways; Consumerism, Heartbreak, American Culture, Loneliness, Giving In, Giving Up, Settling. The five part illustration series, “Don’t Lose Yourself” highlights the chaos we don’t notice around or within ourselves when we’re disconnected away from reality. Sinking so deep, we forget our own values or who we are. The collection reminds us to stay within ourselves by showcasing the dangers of what happens when we don’t.
I am a professional Healer, and I believe in stepping up to shed our past, so that we can become the best version of ourselves. Then we're happier, and those around us become happier - the ripple effect is both needed and profound! I love drawing in my orange sketchbook that my hubby bought me.
Inspired by the Neo-Classical period, I pushed myself as an artist to portray subjects in an idealistic fashion combining drama and artificial lighting. The subject is my sister who modelled as a reference, enabling me to control the shadowy effect over her face. The dim lighting and dark background resonated with the period style, focusing on the facial parts that are visible. The end result looks like she is emerging from the darkness. A somber atmosphere is illustrated through visual expression.
Adding the fast drying oil on the brushes improved the blending of the colours on the canvas which was especially useful when it came to applying strokes on the face smoothly. Visit https://www.martiaposts.com for more
My work is influenced by the American illustrators of the 1960s and 70s, as well as comic art from around the world. Please get in touch to discuss your latest project and how I can help.
This is my friend "shar" that is always there for me as a child in Africa living in those round huts. I could talk to him, share my moments of joy, sorrows, pain, and confusion. Anywhere I go he is always there with me, he is my angel.
Daily Painting Challenge 4 - argyle
Following the daily painting challenge with Lisa Congdon over at CreativeBug though I haven't quite managed to keep up daily. Still, it's wonderful picking the brush up again and splashing around with paint!
What a wonderful Kirkus review!
(Paired here with my favorite improper contraction.)
"A thoughtful look at life, in all its beauty and strangeness.
...
This delightfully deadpan musing on life urges compassion for others. Howden’s straightforward text is on the philosophical side, though also rooted in the absurd. Hahn’s spare black graphite pencil watercolor, mostly set against a white background, are imbued with humor and empathy for the pickle, with the foodstuff’s expressive eyes conveying many emotions at once. "
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sarah-howden/the-wise-pickle/
THE WISE PICKLE
by Sarah Howden ;
illustrated by Sabina Hahn
RELEASE DATE: June 23, 2026
A solitary rowboat drifts across a muted, restless surface, unanchored and unattended. Rendered in charcoal, ink, and subtle white highlights, the vessel exists in a quiet state of motion—moving, yet going nowhere. The surrounding water is suggested through loose, rhythmic lines, emphasizing atmosphere and isolation over realism.
The boat is sharply defined against the hazy background, its dark contours and interior shadows contrasting with the soft, unsettled environment. Oars rest unevenly, implying recent human presence while reinforcing absence. The name Perditas—Latin for “lost”—is affixed to the hull, anchoring the emotional weight of the piece without explanation.
This work explores themes of solitude, uncertainty, and endurance. With no shoreline or destination in sight, Perditas becomes a reflection on drifting—physically, mentally, and emotionally—inviting the viewer to confront their own sense of direction within an undefined space.
Depicting a serene landscape, the mountain rises majestically with its reflection mirrored in the tranquil lake beneath. Surrounded by lush green trees and a pale sky with a passing cloud, the scene evokes a sense of peace and natural beauty. The use of bold outlines gives the image a whimsical, almost cartoonish feel.
A person in a relaxed posture sits in a bean bag chair, grasping a drink while surrounded by the phrase "It's an only exist kind of day." The color palette is cozy, with muted greens and reds creating an atmosphere of calm contentment.
