Unless you try, how will you ever know?
If you had told me back in January of last year that I’d be OBSESSED with drawing portraits with oil paint markers by the end of the year, I would have told you “NO WAY. Sorry, but I hate drawing.”
Like most people, I’ve been around markers my whole life, but I used oil paint markers to sign the back of my paintings, and to make marks in my abstract paintings. I never thought about actually creating an entire portrait with them, until a couple months ago.
At first I thought that’s a stupid idea, I’ve never liked to draw, especially with pens. What about making mistakes? There’s no erasing oil paint markers, and I suck at drawing, so there will be lots of mistakes.
The voice of reasoning inside my head kept insisting I try. She said I could figure out the rest once I was there in the moment. Why bother sitting around trying to fix a mistake you haven’t made yet? Duh! You won’t know how to fix it until you allow yourself to make mistakes, and then you’ll figure it out. It’s not a big deal. It’s only markers and recycled cardboard, ffs. Who cares? She was pretty convincing, and the only way to shut her up was to pick up a marker and begin.
Oh, how life can change for the better if you fight against your closed off mind, and challenge the bs you’ve been telling yourself for years. I’m sooo happy I stopped listening to the nonsense my brain told me. I’m now addicted to drawing, and need to get my fix daily. haha Seriously, a day without drawing feels a bit sad, unless I painted instead, of course. 🥰
When you hear that little voice inside whispering (or sometimes yelling) at you, please listen. You just never know until you try.
A few of these Beezies are up for auction on eBay, which are ending tonight. Take a look if you’re interested in owning one. I ship worldwide on eBay.
Watching:
Walk for Peace - Buddhist Monks from Fort Worth, TX #walkforpeace to Washington DC.
Sādhu! Sādhu! Sādhu!
☸️ ☸️ ☸️ ✌️✌️✌️☮️ ☮️ ☮️
Reading:
Klara and The Sun - I started reading this one a couple months ago, but life got busy & I’m just getting back to it now.
“Here is the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches carefully the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her. Klara and the Sun is a thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator, and one that explores the fundamental question: what does it mean to love?”
I’m not sure I’d call it “thrilling”. I’m half way through, and I like it, but there’s not much going on, imo. I’m hoping the thrilling part starts soon.
Artists I’m admiring this week:
Through the eyes of Daniel Eatock - real cool abstract painter
William Rochfort - his paintings remind me of Norman Rockwell
Joe Paquet - landscape artist whose work I can’t afford, but it’s fun to look.
Angela Sung - Sony Pictures animation artist, who has a huge portfolio of work on her website.
My artwork is available on Daily Paintworks, and eBay.
I also just reopened my Etsy shop after an almost 2 year hiatus, if you prefer shopping there.
You can also find me on pinksky & blsky.
I’ve also been posting notes here on Substack in between these longer posts.
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