art.of.a.rock

Tag: drawing

  • If You Like it and it’s good to you, Do It More

    Each one I make has me looking forward to the next. It’s fun to have one thing that you can do over and over again, see where it leads, what you can make of it. I enjoy seeing my work progress, so I suppose creating the same thing again and again is a good way to measure that, like making a self portrait each year. There’s lots of timeless good to just living, yet it’s the feeling of progress along with steady improvement at life that excites me most. Whether it’s the evolution of my studio, myself or my creative career, it feels important to consider how my actions today may shape my tomorrow. It can be as simple improving the organization in my apartment (like installing a new shelf), starting a new artwork, or doing something I haven’t done before.

    This type of thinking was in no way instilled in me from childhood, which is probably why it came on so strong late into my 20’s. Even though I got by, i essentially realized many aspects of my character were lacking. While I was able to excel in some regards, shards of an unguided childhood seeped to the surface. These are the things that define us, that we have to live with, yet we’re often too caught up in it all to do anything about, or even notice. I realized I would need to create new, healthy and exciting experiences to move forward into another paradigm of myself (I didn’t know it so concretely at the time, but am putting it into words now). It’s why I went to Japan to experience their culture and view life from a different lens. It’s why I went on a three month road trip; to get out of my clouded bubble, experience the natural world and meet others with uplifting/unique outlooks. I think when we’re starting out on a journey of self discovery, we will try anything and everything. The most tried and true method is to move far away from home and rediscover yourself one day at a time.

    Essentially, it’s interesting to think of the different paths life will take, depending on what we decide/decide not to do. Who our least and most ideal selves can be. Suppose, with each minute (my-noot) action, we may lean toward one or the other. If it excites you and will improve your character, why hold back? Money shouldn’t be an object; it’s one thing you can always get back.

    On my desk
    Scanned image
    Shading added in photoshop
    Final edits in procreate iPad

  • It’s not set in stone.

    Growing up, I believed all rules were set, everything I heard was true, and everything just was the way it was. This type of fixed mindset is dangerous for a young person entering a wide world with billions of people, many with more experience and knowledge than you know. Maybe about 5 years ago now, I felt this urge to unlearn so much. My beliefs, tendencies, as well how I viewed myself, and habits that may be detrimental. These days, it’s a top priority to keep an open mind and ingrain the healthiest habits. That is to not hold so much truth to everything I hear, to work hard and strive to improve, knowing that it DOES pay off in way I don’t yet imagine at the time. With habits, that is to do the baseline necessities for my wellbeing and to not overindulge. It’s actually become easier as I’ve been keen on this for several months now, and honestly I thought I’d never get to this point, but somewhere, something changed.

    I don’t always know what I’m doing or why I’m doing it, but we as people have an inherent way of making our lifestyle work for this society. For example I used to wander up brooks and take photos of the water with my dogs. It was my favorite thing, yet sometimes I asked myself why I did it; or what was the point. Well I indeed learned a lot, was at peace, saw beauty and became inspired, sold some photographs, got fresh air and exercise, etc.

    Whatever it may be, it is not set in stone. Whatever you wish to achieve in this lifetime, you may. Just gotta believe and maintain a solid foundation. You will get there before you realize it, or realize it now.

    So, whatever you think you are today… if there are things you wish were different, please understand you will go further, so long as you reach for, and find solace in that reach. Identify what you want your life to look like and what needs to change to make that reality. It can take time, lots of time. But it’s worth every second in becoming a lighter freer version of oneself. And I’m not saying I’ve made it and gotten everything I’ve dreamed of, but I’m much better off than a younger version of myself could have imagined.

    Life does move fast; appreciate it now!