Katie Jeanne Wood 
Ahh..I was able to capture the
thick impasto painterly-ness of the drawing
by adjusting the angle of my phone slightly.

I’ve used oil pastels for years in my abstract and mixed media work, but I’ve only recently (like, a few days ago) started to create entire portraits with them. I actually didn’t know artists used them to create portraits..until I ran across the youtuber BlackBean a year or so ago. I finally asked myself why didn’t I give it a try, also? I mean, it is oil, and I prefer using oil paint when I create portraits, so.. 

Pastels have been something I used sparingly..like, in backgrounds & in my art journals. Sure, I might put down a mark or a couple lines in a portrait, but nothing like this. It’s like a whole new world has opened up for me, and all I want to do is draw portraits. 

Don’t question why you’re feeling ready
for something new,
question why you stayed
the same for so long.
Nikki Rowe

I’m so obsessed with experimenting with this medium in this new way, I can’t think of anything else all day. While I’m trying to get other stuff done, I’m thinking about drawing. I’m distracted all the time because I’d rather be drawing than doing anything else work related these days. This has been a strange development for me because I’ve never liked to draw. 

My husband got bitten by the drawing bug a few months ago. He drew almost every night over the winter, and I must admit, I was a bit jealous of how much he loves to draw. He was so happy, showing me all his accomplishments, while I was struggling in the studio, feeling bored, and restless. Sure, I was creating stuff, but I certainly wasn’t as happy as he was, and it bugged me. 🤣 

I’d watch him, sitting there on the couch with his pencil just a scratching away and think..what does he see in drawing that I don’t? I’m clearly missing out on something. FOMO was at its finest inside my brain, I tell you. lol

I soooo GET drawing now, although I prefer oil pastels over pencil, and he still prefers pencils. He doesn’t know what he’s missing out on, but he doesn’t get FOMO like I do, no matter how I go on and on about my love for oil pastels. haha! 

It’s like a whole new experience
Illustrative art journal page

If you’re an artist, I encourage you to make time for creating art today..even if you’re bored and feeling uninspired, as I’ve felt off and on for years now. You have no idea when or if one little thing will create a spark like this, and turn something you think you dislike into something you love. 

I hope you’re having a peaceful creative Monday. xo

What I’ve been watching: Peter Draws was recommended to me by Youtube, and this guy is entertaining, funny, and has a big sweet geeky heart beating inside his chest. I think he’s another reason why I can’t wait to get to drawing each day right now..because I listen to his videos while I’m drawing. So far I’ve watched 30000000000 of them. haha..okay, I’m probably exaggerating slightly, but he has been uploading for 10 years, and I’m not stopping until I’ve watched every single video. 

ps: I love the way he says draw-wing. 

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