The Magic of Drawing
Inspiring creators, challenges and more
Dear Friend,
On January 1st, I dove headfirst into WendyMac’s 30 Days of Drawing. I absolutely love drawing but I wanted to develop a habit that would allow me to grow my skills. What transpired over the course of this month was so much more than I could ever have imagined. Wendy’s prompts, sharing of different artists and honesty provided unending inspiration. Her team was so thoughtful and provided encouragement that helped on the days when drawing even 10 minutes after a long day felt like a stretch. The community that assembled felt like a family; you knew where you could find them and their sharing could brighten the day and make you think, laugh and feel. What I loved most were the shifts that happened within me. I am - by no means - the best at drawing but my confidence started to grow because my enjoyment grew tenfold. Showing up for myself day in and day out and creating was enough. Yes, I’ve grown my drawing skills but being a part of that experience has helped to see more with an open mind and heart and trust myself. Overall this exceptional experience has been the best reminder to stay curious.
Now, I am a part of a 75 Day challenge with Genna Blackburn as I’m interested in exploring another drawing idea and so far, I’m having a blast. I think that drawing with WendyMac helped me to get comfortable with just going with it and showing up. So now, I’m bringing things to life - like the Bubbles piece above - that I’ve could not have imagined. I’m drawing things that delight me, that I love. In addition, I’m counting my blessings as this community is as wonderful as my 30 Days community.
What I’ve noticed with both of these challenges is that drawing is a phenomenal way to find calm within. On days when obstacles in life get stacked up to a point that feels so overwhelming that words fail me, I begin to draw and I lose myself. My mind quiets and my imagination steps forward to play. Sometimes I simply follow the lines to see what is looking to come to life and other times, I actually make myself laugh.
Finally, I had the good fortune to watch Liza Donnelly, the incredible cartoonist and writer, draw live yesterday. I’ve been inspired by her work for years. From the lines and colors she uses in her pieces to the captions of her cartoons, I love her work, especially those creations that focus on women’s issues. Watching her work - the grace with which she laid down her lines and seeing her process unfold - was not only inspiring, it was calming. I was fascinated by the fact that it was as calming to watch another draw as it was to draw myself.
I highly recommend checking out the work of these amazing, creative women and if inspired, pick up a pen, jump in and make space for drawing. No matter what is going on in your world, the simple action of drawing for just a few minutes a day can change your life -trust me, I’m living proof.
Love,
Natasha