In Review

prompt: Cheer 

The Good Stuff: 2019 PERIOD

Much of twenty-nineteen has been consumed with continued recovery from twenty-eighteen . The ineptitude of the condo association led to a series of events that forced us out of our home, into foreclosure, and in a rental that is . . . growing on us (well, me--my daughter isn't convinced).  In the midst of my daughter and I striking out together, my son found his own way forward. He has survived most of these 9 months thanks to the kindness and generosity of several friends; that support has led to him landing in his own place--well, a place he shares with two other renters, but, still . . . a permanent address. 

Like at the end of twenty-eighteen the look back at twenty-nineteen reveals some good, some bad, and a bunch of stuff in-between. 

One of the biggest boons of twenty-nineteen has to be the transition into working from home.  While I do occasionally miss the camaraderie of office mates, I do not miss the hassle, hustle-bustle of the daily commute.  I relish in the time, energy gained not spending 3 hours (round trip) door-to-door in-transit.  It has been a, in a word, lifesaver. 

 

At the beginning of 2019 I began a 'tip' jar practice which as you can see, is barely filled.  Still, as I reflect on the practice I'm convinced it is a good idea despite my not having kept pace throughout the year. I know when I read the notes on those slips of paper I will be reminded of people, events, music and more that lifted me then and will serve to live me beyond. For twenty-twenty I shall move the location of the jar toward making it and the idea behind it even more present in my day-to-day. If there is a resolution to be had, it is to be resolute in daily practices (like the tip jar) toward the greater good.  

Speaking of daily practices, today marks day 90 of me having sketched in my sketchbook.  Thanks to programs like Inktober, Pencilvember, Drawcember, and the up coming, 30 day sketchbook challenge (aren't there 31 days in January??--uh hmm) I have been duly prompted to put pen, pencil, or chalk to paper and eek out an image. I eagerly await the January prompts which will be delivered by email each day. My mind is spinning over re-working some of the sketches, developing others beyond sketch mode, and continued to develop skills and advance the craft.  

I don't have any grand plans for twenty-twenty beyond putting one foot in front of the other toward striving to survive and working for the greater good for myself, my son and daughter, community, and world at large.  

Come to think of it, that plan is pretty grand. 

Cheers!  Happy New Year!   

  

Who Is This Person?

So, we're in full swing with December and all the draw antics it is bringing.  To say that not only am I still producing a sketch a day but thinking about how to render something, dreaming of images I somehow want to convey . . .  I tell you, it is blowing my mind. 

On a more practical note, I do need supplies (specific supplies like dark toned paper and white ink pens) and a better system of managing the supplies I have and those I will purchase somewhere down the road.

In the meantime, the household is growing accustomed to my new normal. 

To some degree. 

In other news, an old blogging friend (we're still connected via THE FB) just started breast cancer treatment.  And another (not a blogging friend but a long time FB pal) is burying her 21 year old son, lost to (in her words) addiction and depression. 

Reading of these events makes me both extremely sad and incredibly grateful.  However, for the moment, the sad is consuming me. I'm having emotional reactions (that is to say, tears rising to the surface) about nearly everything.  I'm sure the root of most of this--it being THE holiday season and all, cycles back to my mother. 

This shall pass I am sure. 

Welcome to Middle Girl's middle of December in the middle of some existential . . . event.

Finished November

I did get through the November pencil challenge.  I also followed prompts for the 2018 Inktober challenge.  Everyday in November I completed two sketches.  Squee!!  

There are many December challenges all named draw-cember or DecemberDoodle or variations thereof.  Most of the challenges/prompts are Christmas themed.  I've opted for lists that are not Christmas-y.  While I have selected three lists to work from for the month of December I will only strive for one sketch a day.  More than that is a tad overwhelming what with the other daily tasks / goals I've booked for myself.  

I don't know why I don't have access to phone photos from later than November 18; so here is a sample from the middle of November.  

Mish Mash

Yes, I'm still growing my hair out.  I don't know how much longer I'll be able to tolerate it as it is thick and in the present state, unmanageable.  I may blow it out after the next wash toward figuring out some other "style" without too much hassle until . . .   

The ultimate goal is to be able to braid it (crown style) without it unraveling after a few hours. 


Yes, I'm still doing a daily sketchbook practice.  These are day 7 for two different disciplines and prompts, Pencilvember 2019 "Prince" and from the 2018 Inktober prompt list, "Exhausted".

I haven't drawn with pencils--with the intent of showing the pencil lines--in quite a while.  It is taking some getting used to.  I either have very poor quality color pencils or I just don't know what I'm doing (or some combination) as I'm not happy with any of the sketches featuring color pencils.  Put, I'll keep plugging away at it. 

I am up to day 11.  Haven't figured out what I'm going to sketch for the two prompts; Galaxy for pencilvember and Cruel for the 2018 Inktober but I'm sure something will come to me.

And Just Like That

Inktober has come to an end.  So many of those who participated in the challenge were professionals who were taking the journey for a specific kind of challenge; re-invigorating creativity, following specific themes (one artist limited themselves to creating in a triangle) or doing animals, portraits, or plants.  Many, like myself were amateurs who were looking to form a habit, hone some skills, learn something new, or simply to be inspired.  Which, is not so simple. 

As the postings over the last couple of days attest, several of us participating will have a hard time saying goodbye. 

I'm overjoyed to have kept up and completed the challenge.  I'm equally overjoyed to be seeking ways to keep a daily practice going.  In addition to following the prompts from the 2018 Inktober I will also be trying a pencil challenge.  Pencilvember is on the way. 

Happy November.


  

One, Two Buckle My Shoe

To the minute, well, to today's prompt "Coat".  The results haven't been exactly as they appeared in my head but I am pleased to have gotten the core idea down on paper. The groups still are what the groups are, mostly good with some other thrown in.  I do have a list of supplies to buy and am cataloging techniques to try. 

I'm remembering when I was a kid and someone other than myself or my mother took a fancy to what I was putting on paper artistically.  Weird to feel like that these many years later.  Weirder still to not have my number one fan cheering me on.   

Cheers to memories. Cheers to inspiration.  Cheers to finishing up Inktober and moving onto the next challenge. 

Life, Art, and the Pursuit

Day 12 Dragon 

Day 13 Ash 

Day 14 Overgrown 

Day 15 Legend 

Day 16 Wild 

Day 17 Ornament 

Day 18 Misfit

Even with the hard evidence I am finding it hard to fathom that 16, 17, and now 18 days in I have sketched and shared. Some of the sketches appeal to more more than others but I count the fact of allof them as a victory.

In the sharing of the images on varied social media with the identifying hashtag I've become part of a community. Mostly the community is inspiring and encouraging. However, some of the posts are mean and demoralizing.  I am choosing to focus on the better, more positive and uplifting bits. 

All things considered I am having fun. I feel like the practice is becoming a habit in a good way. 

Yes, we're still several days away from the thirty-first. No, haven't committed in my mind about what comes after. But for the moment I am pleased not to be one of the overwrought, overwhelmed, depleted of inspiration crowd in the #inktober community. 

For the moment, I am pleased with the fine feelings over my efforts, results, and with continuing. 

 

Onward

Snow

Pattern

Swing

Frail

Enchanted

Husky

Inktober marches on. From top to bottom, day eleven to day six.  Day 12 is complete and uploaded to other social media but not available through my mobile device to post here. Odd. Oh well, next cycle.

What I am discovering along the way:

Some of the prompts are not as open to a literal interpretation (for me, anyway). Yet, design or metaphorical approaches have proven challenging as well. 

My technical skills are not (yet) to the level of my imagination.

I need new pens. I need different colored inks. I could do with some colored paper.

I have begun to look forward to executing the next prompt.

Inktober marches on.

  

1,2,3,4,5, and SIX

Day 5 Build 

Day 4 Freeze 

Also day 4 Freeze*

Day 3 Bait 

Day 2 Mindless 

So, the past few days have been stellar with regard to completing the Inktober prompts. I don't know why day 6 isn't available for upload, but when I figure a way to share here, I shall. 

The coming (Birthday) week may prove a tad more challenging. I shall try not to exert any extra pressure but I do also want to keep pace. 

A day at a time. 

I remain eternally grateful that I do not have to do the three hour (round trip) a day commute. 

#inktober  #inktober2019 

*I did two for Freeze because I didn't like the first one but rather than reject/trash it I did another and shared them both. 

OCTOBER

Inktober 2019  Prompt: RING 

October is a red letter month around these parts, first and foremost because it is the birth month of my only daughter. It is also LGBTQI History Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as well as, Squirrel Awareness Month. 

In fact, there are many national observances in the month of October. 

I heard about Inktober two years ago (as I recall) and have wanted to participate toward kick-starting
my sketchbook practices and giving my creative muscles a workout. 

Last year I did the first prompt too. But, I didn't share it anywhere or with anyone.  This year I'm hoping that by sharing here and on other social media platforms along with the community of artists participating in Inktober, I'll be moved to do more than the one. 

Not promising 31 images for the 31 days . . . or, am I?

Tomorrow's prompt: Mindless.   

Seven Word Sunday

Flamboyance of flamingos is not casual conversation.   

Six Word Saturday* Revisited

Ragged restart to rebuilding regular routines. 

*I didn't create but did participate, hope to kick-start a welcome habit. :-) 

have you ever

at the zoo 

Have you ever been streaming music when something unfamiliar yet striking comes on? So struck by this tune, you jot down the title with expectations of queuing it up some time later, to give it a good listen, to perhaps add it to a playlist or two. 

Then you misplace your note and promptly forget the note, the title, the song and whatever mood it evoked for many, many days. 

Until you stumble upon the note again. 

So, you queue up the song, give it a good listen and think, "What the heck! What was I thinking?" 

It isn't, mind you that the song was suddenly horrible. It just wasn't striking. Or rather, as striking. It is an okay song. It is (or was) a popular song. It has been covered by many artists, I have discovered. 

Maybe it was just the day, or time of day, or . . . I don't know. Whatever it was to me at that first listen it is no longer. 

Perhaps it will be again.  

Sunday Kind of Love

Or not.  

Q & A

Y'all remember that post of the first 10 of 30 questions I didn't think I had posted before? Well, turns out I had. And not only that, I did a post to update the ten and now responses!

Go here and here if you choose to compare / contrast.   What a difference a few years and altering perspectives can make.

Seeing as I've done the entire questionnaire twice and the first third, thrice, I'm not feeling particularly compelled to continue down that track.  Geez. 

So, instead some updates:

1. I haven't cut my hair. Remember??    It has been a month since that post and while it isn't all that much longer it is thicker. I still can't really braid it and am not wild about the daily maintenance, I am not driven to cut it off. 

2. This is our 5th month in this new "home" and not surprisingly it doesn't feel like home at all.  Partially due to not having closed off the old place and partially due to . . . well, too new and we just haven't fully embraced the current reality.

3. My son, the actor, is in a show. It seems to be going very well.  I am looking forward to seeing him but am not wild about the "immersive" theater experience.  I may not be fit enough for all the moving around and standing. It is a 2.5 hour show. 

4. # 3 new work-out goal.

5. Speaking of working out, no...let's not.

6. I have toyed with the idea of opening myself up to meeting / dating again.

7. Then I stopped.

8. Three months in this working from home deal. Most of what I love about it is the control over my environment in-as-much-as one may control such things. Most of what I don't love is feeling out of the loop. I don't know how long one of my colleagues had become a former colleague before I noticed.

9. Then again maybe it isn't such a bad thing to be outside certain distractions.

10. In a few days I will acknowledge another birthday. I am feeling all sorts of feelings about that and then some.  I 'm not presently poised to speak more on that topic so instead I'll leave a question to ponder: Mayo or Miracle Whip?

A Whole New Month (A While Ago)!

Good Day! 

Every day I haven't posted is a day that I haven't done a bunch of things I have had intent to do. I check in for work for that is how the fruit gets on the table (oh yes, eating more fruit and loving it, it IS summer, dontchaknow!) but beyond work and walking the dog and keeping the floors clear of dust bunnies and cat vomit not a lot is getting done.    

Except, 

I joined an accountability group toward helping me to set and achieve week to week goals.  On the plus, mostly I've able to be successful. But for the items I focus on in any given week takes all the motivation and energy for anything else.   

Not good.   

However, that being said, I feel the tide turning.   

To that end, I found this note posting by a friend some years ago which I feel like I must have done at some point but I can't find that I've posted it anywhere. Well, it could have been tumblr but I don't use that anymore. Never really did yet I keep the name active. Why?

Anyhoo... 30 questions: 

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops? 

Yes. I may have mentioned that both of my brothers spent time  incarcerated. When you visit an incarcerated person you are searched. At least my mother and I were. 

2. Do you close your eyes on rollers coasters? 

No due to the fact that I don't get on roller coasters.   I used to and can't remember if I ever closed my eyes. Probably. Maybe.   

3. When was the last time you've been sledding? 

I don't know.  I took my kids (37 and soon-ish to be 34) when they were small but I don't recall going down and hills with them.  I have no memory of sledding during my own childhood. 

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else or alone? 

I'll qualify the answer by saying it depends on who the someone else is and as important, who they are to me.  

5. Do you believe in ghosts? 

No. Though I will allow that things have happened that I cannot explain. 

6. Do you consider yourself creative? 

I do. I wish I could generate the level of motivation to ACT on the creative thoughts more often. 

7. Do you think O. J. killed his wife? 

Sadly, yes.  

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? 

I'm not sure where this question was going. IF trying to ascertain my emotional or physical attraction to either then the answer is neither. I do think Ms. Jolie is the more substantial based solely on their public profiles but given that they both hooked up with BP kinda makes them invisible to me.  

9.  Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?  (The caps were part of the original list--why? Also, why is it presumed questions wouldn't be answered honestly?)    These days I know too much about politics.  My body wants to stop, but my mind won't. WE are in trouble. 

10. Do you know how to play poker? 

LOLOLOL  well, I know the rudiments of some of the games. I remember watching some Texas Hold 'em shows. But, I wouldn't play anyone for any actual money (or honor!( 

And I think I'll stop here.  I know the beginning says 30 questions and there are 30 but I won't do all thirty here and now since I've gone long on this inaugural post for July. 

I shall be back before July is over. 

Maybe. Hopefully.  Place your bets. 

Daily Practice

So, I'm trying it again.  The IT being growing my hair out.  The growing has slowed so I'll have to live with this, what we used to call, TWA (Teeny Weenie Afro) for a bit yet. My goal is to try to live with IT for the next month (at least).  I will evaluate whether or not to keep going a few days before my birthday.

One of the drawbacks to having this hair is the near daily attention. My scalp is naturally dry. Having this much hair exacerbates that condition so I must oil / moisturize it daily.  It is still short and manageable enough that I don't need to comb it through every day but I tend to run a comb through it none-the-less. My mother wouldn't have it any other way.

As it lengthens the near daily ministrations will become more insistent and most certainly, more daily.

But I didn't really want to talk about my hair.  I really wanted to talk about routines or rather, rituals.

That will have to wait though for now I'm crying over something on television. I shall have to gather myself.  See you later, alligators.






See