Here's something I drew in 10 minutes this morning. I was on call waiting for work to start and my anxiety went through the roof. Not sure why, but it did. My friend asked me if this sketch was a sound, what would it be? I said static. That's what things feel like most of the time: all-consuming, loud, abrasive static.
A fairly special one for me this week, as today’s post is inspired by what would have been the time of Beltane celebrations. As it is, we celebrated at home in our own little ways, and in the case of myself indulging in my usual habits! Drinking and of course drawing, the usual stuff...
THE BOOK from Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day by Ben Loory.
"THE WOMAN RETURNS FROM THE STORE WITH AN armload of books. She reads them quickly, one by one, over the course of the next few weeks. But when she opens the last one, the woman frowns in surprise. All the pages in the book are blank. Every single one. The woman takes the book back to the store, but the manager won’t let her return it. Right there on the cover, the manager says, This book has no words and is non-returnable."
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf61DnhO1NL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I generally make marks on something every day, but I'm really TRYING to do it purposefully in one single journal at a time. I also have super ADHD, which means I pretty much never go up to my actual studio and usually only use what's out on my desk, because out-of-sight-out-of-mind.
Beginning
Maude was so full of watermelon and sunshine that she needed a nap. Watermelon rind seemed like a very convenient hammock with a side of a snack.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQjMm25BcuU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This was for an art submission over at MightCould Studios, link in my bio. This week they asked us to draw a Sanrio character and I chose the frog Kerropi, hopefully thats spelled right.
I generally make marks on something every day, but I'm really TRYING to do it purposefully in one singular location (journal). Here is a successful attempt from that particular day. I'm also super lazy, which means I never go up to my actual studio and only use what's out on my computer desk.
A character concept drawing of a pirate vampire character I created for a collab writing project that died. His clothing and even his hair borrowed aspects from various jelly fish as inspiration. " The snap of inky sails catching the wind punctuated the subtle wooden creaks of the Sea Nettle as it slid over glossy black waves. The night was oppressive. With the moon obscured by clouds, the ship, with its doused lamps and its dark wood was nearly invisible as she crept closer to her prize. Tallis stood on the forecastle, one foot propped against the railing, his hands supporting a spyglass. He drifted the lens between the lights below deck, counting each of them and making note of any movement on the upper deck and in the rigging. A single sailor was at the helm. Another was lazily standing beside him, possibly engaged in conversation that distracted him from his watch. This was to be expected, not many would dare to disturb such a well-equipped vessel of the Luthen royal fleet. Nettie's crew was lesser in numbers, but they were experts in what few on the high seas could manage. Tonight, would be a quiet strike. Open combat spelled unnecessary danger for his crew."
Situational awareness is important these days. Pre-pandemic, I sometimes take my doodles to coffee shops during my lunch breaks and relax for half an hour or so by mindlessly scribbling/shading with my Bic pen. People usually leave me alone but this drawing made me realise that not everyone wants to see a man drawing a naked man. A few people took exception to my subjects’ lack of clothing and made their displeasure known by telling me. Suffice to say, I try not to go into coffee shops anymore while working on subject matter that might offend anyone. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen on 9” x 12” Archival paper. Model: Malik_E
Another commission done for my friend - her parent's house is nestled in a small suburb and surrounded by so many trees. This neighborhood has so many beautiful homes.
I was on the fence of whether or not I was going to make a piece for the prompt, but I'm glad I did. I tested out some watercolor pens I had recently gotten (I definitely have to practice with them a bit more). I didn't really have a plan for this, and it was a bit fun to do something so spontaneously.
