Hey, firstly, happy Mother’s Day to all the good Moms reading this. Good Mom’s are “Movers of Mountains”. We literally wouldn’t be here without you. I know how much parents sacrifice for their kids.
And I know so many Mom Artists who don’t get much time to work on their art as they’d like because the kids come first, and there’s not much left in the gas tank after a long day of Mom’ing. Do the best you can, and be kind to yourself!
You can’t pour from an empty cup…
No matter how busy you are with work, family, etc, it’s a good reminder that we can’t bring our best selves if we’re feeling burnt out or exhausted.
My suggestion for ALL ARTISTS here is to AT LEAST give your own self 30 minutes for drawing, sketching, scribbling. Anything with your hand “drawing it out”. Try it, your day will better. I promise.
On the days I forget to do that? I feel super scrambled at the end of the day. Or like “something is missing”. Yes. That “something is missing” feeling. Or like your forgot to pack that one item you needed, but you don’t realize it until it’s too late.
In conversation with another artist, they argued with me and said 30 minutes wasn’t enough to produce anything they’d feel good about. But again, that’s not the point.
It’s just an exercise. And just like physical exercise, when you don’t do it, you get unhealthy and feeling like shit.
I need to take my own advice too…
Lately, I’ve been burning both ends of the candle, and quietly I’m feeling frustrated with myself. It’s not that I don’t get to draw, heck, sometimes I feel like I’m maybe drawing TOO MUCH.
In case you didn’t know, my day job now, my career, is working on a daily comic strip for GaryVee’s VeeFriends. It’s my dream job. I really love it. It’s right up my alley for a variety of reasons. Quick plug, I’d love it if you’d follow the comic on insta and read and like the comics every day to keep me encouraged! One goal we have internally is to get 400 likes per comic on insta, but I only want the LIKES if you truly enjoy the comic. I don’t want your pity likes! :D Here’s today’s “Sunday Style” comic about bullying…
So yeah, I’m personally obsessed with the craft of COMICS. In all forms. Comic strips, comic books… any sequential storytelling. I especially love 4 panel format.
When I say I’m obsessed with it, I mean that I’m always analyzing the craft of panels, the flow, the cartooning itself. The story, the flow.
I listen to my INVISIBLE COUNCIL. (See week 16 newsletter) I hear masters like Alex Toth telling me “Remove what is unnecessary” , Caniff telling me “Make em think about it!” , Kirby telling “Let’s change up the angle here…”
It’s not really a “problem” but comics and the craft pretty much take up all of my waking hours. And it’s my own fault. I can’t complain too much, because I totally love it.
The thing that frustrates me is… letting YOU down.
I’ve built this Draw or Die Brand to help encourage YOU.
I feel a big sense of responsibility about it. Especially after all that’s happened lately i in the Art community, all the darkness and fear that has dragged so many down. We can’t be having that.
Ally mentioned to me after Ed’s memorial, that she could see how the artists talking to each other there, just connect differently. “On some other level” And that we as artits all need that “in person” vibe. Someone to talk to who “gets it” - because the regular world just doesn’t get us like we get us.
When I don’t show up? People notice. And that feel weird, good, AND bad. It’s nice to feel missed. Believe me, I want to be there! I feel bad when I don’t or can’t show up. But it’s nobody’s fault but my own. Either by my own obsessions, or over committing. I do it to myself.
Livestreams: I enjoyed doing the Mon-Fri 30 minute livestreams to push myself, and show others how I show up. I also enjoy that the livestreams build community and connection for the others who show up, even in the replays. Shout out to the morning crew and the replay crew!
IRL Meetups: I enjoyed doing the monthy in-person meetups last year until the weather got cold. Now that the weather is getting cooperative, I’m getting many messages asking me when/if I’ll do these again.
I’m behind on a lot of plans for the D-or-D. And I know it’s not going to change unless I force it to change…
So, taking my own advice here…
If it’s not in a calendar, it’s NOT REAL.
Just like I tell you to schedule time to draw… I need to schedule the damn times in. One moment… please hold…. let me go do that right now…
OKAY. DONE!
This week’s Livestream Schedule on Youtube is:
Tuesday May 14th 7am EST: https://youtube.com/live/hsvlSjw1xg0
Then….
Thursday May 16th 7am EST: https://youtube.com/live/3owhPsA8nUg
Click the NOTIFY bell to put this into your own calendars.
I will need to figure out live stream times week to week due to other commitments, but expect these in the weekly newsletter here.
LIVE IRL DRAW CLUB … SEASON 2:
The last Tuesday of Every Month in Pittsburgh, 6pm-8pm through October have been locked in. RSVP on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/3603936666528510/
There… that wasn’t so hard! It’s easier for me to show up when it’s locked in like that.
I feel better already.
Now it’s time to go draw things…
🔥This Week’s Drawing CHALLENGE!
This week’s drawing prompt is…Tattoo For Mom.
Be sure to tag #drawordieclub on the platform of your choice so we can all find each other (we’re mostly on instagram) Maybe we’ll feature your art in future livestreams and content!
✏️☠️♣️Join the DAILY DRAWING CLUB!!!
Help support the club with five bucks a month and get some nice perks including a quarterly sticker, daily prompts and more. CHECK IT OUT HERE!
Back to the Drawing Board for me…
☠️ Draw or Die MERCH!
✏️ DIGITAL TOOLS FOR ARTISTS: Custom Brushes, Templates & Prompts
▶️ DRAW or DIE on YOUTUBE (Tutorials & more)