092: A Season of Story

Wherein we talk about the greatest stories ever told...

It’s week 92 of the Draw or Die Newsletter… annnnnd I’m struggling to settle on a topic. I thought about telling you all about the time I stole a baby Jesus and replace it with a bottle of Dr. Pepper …. but 😂 Honestly, I kinda just want to take a long winter’s nap… BUT ALAS! We must keep the ship sailing 🤘🏻🏴‍☠️✏️!

As you may or may not know, It’s been a wild week for me personally and professionally. From my last official day at the old job, AND the announcement of my new position as daily “Comic Creator” at Gary Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriends. I’ll start that officially officially on January 2nd and we’ll launch a new daily comic shortly after which will be live streamed a TON.

Is DRAW or DIE Dead?

We had some concerned messages this week from our community, worried Draw or Die might end… and I just want to confirm NOTHING IS CHANGING!

In my first conversation with Gary I told him how important the Draw or Die brand was for me to keep alive and he’s 100% supportive. If anything it will help more artists out there discover the brand who need it.

This weekly letter comes out on Sundays for the past 92 weeks. Through thick and thin, no matter what my job happens to be.

The DAILY DRAWING CLUB (the world’s raddest drawing club) will keep trucking along as too. You should join that!

Enough about ME…

I hope YOU are doing and feeling well on this day before the major holiday. I kind of struggle to talk about holidays because, well, we have all walks and beliefs here in the club.

I think that’s what I like most about SANTA CLAUS and our pal KRAMPUS because, well, it’s a good story that most can get behind. The story of the birth of Jesus is pretty cool too, the three wise men, virgin birth, all that stuff.

No matter what you believe or celebrate, or what you think is real or not, I think it’s just a wonderful thing to have beliefs and faith in anything.

Because I don’t. Well, I do. But I don’t? It’s complicated.

I used to say I was an atheist. That I didn’t believe in anything. But that’s not true. I do believe in something deep down.

I believe in MAGIC. Mainly the magic of STORY…. DRAWING is magic.
The magic that anything we can think of within our imagination, and if we believe it, we can MAKE IT REAL.

That has made me appreciate Christmas more.
Whether it’s the story of the birth of baby Jesus (by the way, I put it back!), jolly old Santa Claus, or mean old Krampus…. we are in the season of the greatest stories that have ever been told.

I spent 4 hours wrapping gifts and thinking to myself…. how/why in the hell do I even celebrate Christmas when I’m not religious? Why did I struggle to decorate? How am I feeling so broke buying gifts for everyone? Why do we toil at this every year? The answer is pretty simple for me.

The FEELING of STORY is comforting

Especially at the end of our journey. Another year almost gone.
If we may be so lucky, we surround ourselves with friends and family. To gather.

You give all you can with no intention on receiving.
After all, we can’t take ANY of this STUFF with us when we do depart.

But you CAN leave your stories behind. And you can keep passing other stories and memories on.

The kids are alright…

I was walking the dog last evening and I could hear the children’s laughter and joy down at the park. A parent was saying something about Santa coming really soon. That he was loading up his sleigh as we speak. The kids were just full of joy and anticipation, I could almost feel that energy of excitement.

That excitement, the anticipation that they may get what they asked for.

I hope YOU were nice this year.
I hope you get everything you asked Santa (the universe) to bring you.

And if not? I hope you try again next year…. just believe a little harder.

🔥 This Week’s Drawing CHALLENGE!

Let’s go narrative style this week….today’s drawing prompt is…

THE LONG WINTER’S NAP

What’s the first thing you think of when you read that? DRAW IT! Post it up online and tag #drawordie club on your channel of choice.

LAST CHANCE TO GET THE Q4 KRAMPUS STICKER!!!✏️☠️♣️

Join the DAILY DRAWING CLUB by December 31 to get the exclusive sticker JOIN HERE!

Have a relaxing holiday everyone… see you back here next Sunday on the last day of the year!

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