Tag Archives for sketchbook

Be Kind

I was inspired to draw this a few days ago because of an annual mental health campaign. However, I didn’t post it on the day because as I was drawing it, the thought struck me that we need to be mindful of mental health issues – our own and others around us, including the people we care about – every day all year round.

 

 

These are some commonly found versions of this quote:

  • Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle
  • Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about
  • Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

These quotes are attributed to different people. However, the meaning is clear: we never know what another person might be going through in life. Instead of rushing to judgment or piling on to what may already be difficult circumstances, can’t we be kind to others and ourselves?

 

Love Affair With Lines

I’ve grown to love drawing lines.

I’ve written many times about how relaxing it is and how it can take on a meditative quality because it requires very little thought; but also one’s focus is completely drawn to drawing lines.

When I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed by pain, grabbing a pen and my art journal/sketchbook and just drawing lines is one of the things I do to calm my thoughts.

If you’re looking for something simple to help you cope with stress, go grab a pen (or pencil) and a piece of paper and focus on nothing but drawing lines for a few minutes. You might even surprise yourself and create some interesting patterns.

I hope this is helpful for even one person.

 

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Gratitude and Creativity: Jet Lagged Pain Doodles

I’m home after a long absence.

I left for my trip a few weeks before Christmas. During the days leading up to my departure, I felt conflicted for so many reasons about whether I should go or not. Even, when the plane landed the knot of doubt in my stomach still hadn’t begun to unwind. Now that I’ve returned home and I feel somewhat settled, I’m happy and grateful that I went.

My trip was a mix of adventurous ups and downs. I did so much more than I planned or expected. During my travels, I spent time with family, I met up with old friends and I made some new friends; but, unfortunately, I also had to face losing and removing relationships with some overseas connections from my life.

I walked a lot too; mainly because I had little choice but also because it’s the best way to see new places; and I traveled, more than I cared to, by train, which proved uncomfortable for my legs and back. I even took a trip within my trip; that required more travel by airplane. I re-familiarized myself with an old city I love and I fell in love with a new to me city I’d long dreamed about visiting.

I’ve been home for more than a week. Although I’m resting, as much as humanly possible, since I crossed the threshold into my home, the jet lag and pain from an 8-hour flight and crossing five time zones aren’t being kind to me. I knew I’d have to take it easy for a few days, just as I did when I landed on the other side of the pond, but I’m feeling as if coming home might have been the hardest leg of my travels. The pain in my legs and my overall fatigue may actually be ganging up on me…

Thankfully, I always have something to distract me – even if just slightly – from the pain coursing through my legs, which is now preventing me from sleeping peacefully to get the rest that I need. Instead of sleeping – most nights, and long stretches of each day – I’ve been drawing and I finished a page in my art journal/sketchbook that I started while I was away. The intention behind this page was to help me choose patterns for the wings of a butterfly that one of my young cousins asked me to draw for her. I chose the patterns a few weeks ago but I also wanted to add colour to the page.

My inability to sleep and the need for distraction from my pain, proved the perfect combination to keep me focused on finishing the page. As has happened at similar times before, the creative practice I’ve developed in recent years got me through more tough nights; and it will probably help get me to the other side of countless more.

 

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