Currently on my Bookshelf

One of my New Year's goals was to read more. This has been my New Year's goal for the past few years and I've always fallen short. I've started with good intentions, but y'all-- I still haven't finished East of Eden. It's been like a year and a half.

I have this friend that can breeze through a book in a day or two. Last year she read 45 books. That's one book every eight days. I so envy her ability to read like she does. She reads different books than I do, but she reads nonetheless. She starts a book and finishes it. Her vocabulary is amazing. And her conversation is deep and thoughtful.

(Yep, I'm talking about you, Beth.)

So this year, my goal is to read one chapter a night of any book. Just one chapter.

Right now I'm digging into Art, Inc. by Lisa Congdon. I love this book so far. It's about taking your art and making it lucrative so you can live a fully artistic lifestyle. That's every artist's dream! Within the pages, she has short bios and interviews from various artists who are making a living through their art. It's full of great advice, and I'm finding some new artists that I really like.

Mary Kate McDevitt's book, Hand-Lettering Ledger, has been on my shelf for a little over six months, and I'm still working through the pages. She gives you the history of lettering styles, and then gives you space to do your own practice. She also teaches hand-lettering classes on Skillshare.com (find her classes here, here, and here.)

Lastly, I got Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe for Christmas this year from my mother. I have referenced it at least fifty times this month I'd say. She is a really great teacher because she breaks down her craft. She's studied the history of calligraphy and teaches about finding your calligraphic style instead of teaching one strictly classical variation. I love that she believes in calligraphy as a living, breathing, developing art instead of just an ancient practice. You can take her calligraphy class on Skillshare.com by clicking here. I highly recommend it.

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What are you reading lately?
Is there a book you'd recommend I add to my to-read list?

Art and Responsibility

There's a responsibility that comes with being an artist-- one to tell the truth. Your truth. Their truth. Any truth. Because art is powerful in that it has the ability to change someone's perspective. It allows an audience to have experiences using their senses that they otherwise may not have had. And senses are powerful. Art is, at its core, a means of communication. Most artists I know take this very seriously.

I take this very seriously.

I think, through this blog, I've been able to pretty accurately convey the trauma associated with abuse and the grief that goes hand-in-hand with the loss of a child. As I move into new areas of my life, I feel tired of those stories and am excited about communicating new things through my art that are weighing heavily on my heart: issues surrounding social justice, poverty, the environment, body image, and the broken healthcare system.

It's time for something new and meaningful and challenging. I love nothing more than pushing boundaries.

The print in the above photo is called "History Lesson" by Emily Rickard.

Adventures in Watercolor Pencils

I've been playing with watercolor pencils a little, which I've found are much easier to use than watercolors themselves. I haven't been trained in watercolors but I've been blending colored pencils since I was five years old. This feels so natural, and then when you add water and the colors blend effortlessly, the drawing comes to life.

I was out of town this weekend. I went camping in a place that wasn't exactly conducive to painting with a pad of paints, but I didn't want to go that long without my sketchbook. Watercolor pencils were perfect for traveling, and I was able to teach some of my campers about color studies and blending and shading. They were very interested, and it was fun to share something I enjoy with some kids that I really love.

Savannah

There is a front porch about four hours south of here that is as close to heaven as I'll get while I'm earthside. Inside there's a coffee pot that my friends keep hooked up just for me, because none of them drink coffee. There's a yard full of playing puppies and large trees spilling with Spanish moss. 

There is nowhere on earth that I'd rather drink my morning coffee. There is no breeze in the world as refreshing, no home so full of love. My second family lives there. My art thrives there. I am safe there.

Savannah is still singing its siren song and the mast of my ship is breaking.

Radishes

I hate radishes.

Radishes are so vibrant and colorful on the outside. They grow in the dirtiest, deepest, darkest places. They're small and plump and look so benign at first glance, but if you sink your teeth into one you'll be pleasantly surprised. They're spicy, flavorful, and hot.

On second thought, I'd like to think I'm a lot like them.

On the other side of the storm

Last night I slept like a baby. I worked out hard with my trainer and then skated for two hours at roller derby practice. I was exhausted, but the good kind, because I earned it.

I crawled into bed with aching muscles and a freshly-bathed Tater. My pillows were fluffier than I remembered, my bed softer. I awoke in the middle of the night to a thunderstorm rolling in and listened to the sound of rain through my open window. I am so lucky to have a dog that isn't fazed by thunder. He slept soundly despite the really bright lightning flashes that pierced through my eyelids and the rumbles that shook my windows. I drifted quickly back into dreamland as if I had never been interrupted at all, thankful for the rain and content as can be.

I get by with a little help from my watercolors

The rain is really coming down outside today, little yellow puddles forming as all the pollen is washed away. After a long, icy winter, the Sweet Carolinas seem to finally be thawing. Flowers are sprouting and trees are budding and my drive to work is oh so green.

I have been struggling lately to keep my head above the fog despite the beautiful weather. I've been trying, though. I've been pushing through work, going out with friends even when I don't feel up to it. Normally I'm so excited about roller derby bout days that I can hardly sleep the night before, but yesterday if I could have skipped it and stayed hidden under my covers, I would have.

I've been drawing and I'm taking an online class by Alisa Burke called "Sketch into Spring." This is not the first class I've taken by her and certainly won't be the last. I absolutely love her teaching style and look forward to our daily tasks. Even if the rest of my brain isn't firing on all cylinders right now, at least my creativity is being nurtured, and that's worth waking up for.

On Creativity

I have crafting commitment issues. One day I'm beading necklaces and earrings in bed and the next day I'm hand-lettering and the next day I've got my paint pens out and the next day I'm threading my sewing machine.  Most every day I'm working in Photoshop and Illustrator. Some days I'm covered in charcoal and some days I'm so full of ideas that I get overwhelmed and can't seem to create anything at all.

One of my favorite bloggers, Shayla Grace, wrote a blog post recently called Liking It All vs. Doing It All. Go read it, I'll wait.

Did you read it? Okay, good. So at the end she asks some challenging questions about what creative ventures make your heart skip a beat.

I knew the answer before I even finished that paragraph.

I am MOST inspired by WORDS. Drawn words. Written words. Quotes. How tiny a word, but how powerful. In my quest to be authentic in my art, I've joined a Skillshare class to hone in my line work and to take note of the creative processes of others' in order to further develop my own.

If I never make a single dime off of a single print, I will be satisfied knowing I spent my life creating something that made my heart flutter. And if suddenly the world had no more pens or pencils, I'd be devastated. Sure, there will be time for paint and thread and beads. But my creative voice is right here.

My next quote is less influential and more hilarious, though. So stay tuned.

Stuff Audrey Loves: Russian Typography

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Fun fact: I took a semester of Russian in college for fun. I can say really important things like "small white cat" and "Excuse me, please!" I didn't need the foreign language credit since I'm fluent in German, so I took it as an elective in my senior year. My favorite part was learning to read and write the cyrillic alphabet. It is mysterious and playful and beautiful. I can't get enough of Russian typographic design. Check out these designers for more.

Lately I've been dabbing in typography and hand-lettering, and I feel like it's always nice to gather inspiration from uncommon sources. Also, if you haven't heard Regina Spektor's bonus track, "The Prayer of Francois Villon (Molitva)" from What We Saw from the Cheap Seats it's worth a listen, even if you don't speak Russian. Here album art is also quite inspiring.

See? Uncommon places.

Life Lessons Series - "Just Don't"

I recently started working on this handlettering class on Skillshare. The project I'm actually working on is in its infancy, so while I'm not working on that, I practice-- during conference calls, at lunch, while watching the most recent episode of Nashville.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but for some reason, this quote has resonated with me recently!

Which has led me to want to do a Life Lessons Series -- obvious things you should do to be a decent human being. This is Life Lesson #1.

/snark

Currently

I've been a little lost for words lately. I've had bronchitis/pneumonia for a full month now and am on my fifth antibiotic (save your speech about antibiotics, I love them.) I haven't skated much. I haven't left the house much. I've had a LOT of time to think, and that can get messy. But here's what is CURRENTLY happening in the carnival that is my life.

I am reading The Wife by Meg Wolitzer. I read her book, The Position, many moons ago and loved it. I've moved this book from apartment to apartment and finally decided to read it. I love the was she describes things without being confusing or pretentious. I identify with the main character of this book, and for a book called The Wife, that says something.

Recent internet reads that are definitely worth your time:

1 | Here's My Excuse, Maria Kang - thoughts on body image, mental health, and being who you are
2 | Would Jesus Have Prayed 'Allah'? - linguistics, religion, and tolerance all packaged together

3 | From the Different Ways You Can Miss Someone - basically sums up how I feel about my ex-husband

When I grow up, I want to be as freaking rad as Lennon Stella. Also, I love the name Lennon. Also also, These girls have more talent in the tips of their tiny little fingers than I have in my whole body!

I'm thinking about making an enormous life change. This is part of why I've been so quiet. I really can't say much more publicly but it's weighing on me and scaring me and exciting me all at the same time. Stay tuned.

I'm taking my first Skillshare class! I'm going to be learning to hand-letter by taking this class. I'm excited, because nothing inspires me more than words and art, I've just had trouble in the past putting the two together. You can do it at your own pace, so join me if you want! Your first class is just $10.

If I watch anything, it's on Hulu Plus. Parenthood, Nashville, Grey's Anatomy, New Girl, The Mindy Project, and Modern Family are all back. But I normally save them all for Saturday and watch them while I clean.

Orange

1. 2. 3. 4.

I have been really digging the color orange lately. I went on an orange strike after having a roommate who was a Clemson fan (kill me) but recently I've really started enjoying the warmth it brings to a room or a painting.

Here are some pieces of art that I really love. What color are you crushing on lately?

Stuff Audrey Loves: Anatomy-inspired Art

It's no secret that I'm inching toward working the medical field, and that I absolutely am enamored with the human body and how it works. Most people think organs and whatnot are nasty, but here are a few artists that think otherwise. I love how they've taken anatomy and made it artistic.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Speak for me

by Paula Knight (here) 

by Paula Knight (here)

It is National Infertility Awareness Week, and though I've "celebrated" this week since my diagnosis, this week I just have nothing to say. I'm as numb as numb can be.

So I'll let one of my favorite illustrators and infertility/loss advocates, Paula Knight, speak for me. Check out her blog and some of her infertility-related art here.

Sharpie and Papermate

Not so tragic after all

Art by Thomas Saliot 

Last week I celebrated my two year anniversary with my company. I love this job. I feel so lucky that I get to work with awesome people in a marketing career that allows me to be both creative and clerical. I am both things: whimsical and logical. Math and music. Abstract art and graph paper. Purple toenails and nude pumps. I used to feel like I was wearing two different shoes in public and that I needed to constantly apologize for being so disheveled. No more. It wasn't until I found myself at this desk, in this office, drinking this cup of coffee that I had a powerful epiphany: this tragic flaw serves me well and is not really a flaw after all.

Sketchbook updates

I finally filled my first sketchbook that I got late last year. I used thick mixed media paper and covered it with watercolors, ball point pens, micron pens, and acrylics. None of this is revolutionary, but my goal was to create something each day, and I did. Here's the proof!

Breaking up with 2012

art by Ekaterina Koroleva

With the onset of the new year, it's in my nature to just want to change everything about myself. My get-out-of-jail-free card came on New Year's Day, and guess what? I'm going to make the most of it. This year will be amazing.

You know how you put things in a box after a breakup, and hide it somewhere so you don't have to look at those memories? Well, I did that with all of the things that remind me of my husband, and now I'm doing that with everything that reminds me of 2012. Something (and someone) better is coming, and I'll be ready.

Good riddance, 2012, and all the misery you brought. But I'd also like to thank you, 2012, because somewhere within you I found the courage to decide that I deserved to be happy on my own terms.

I'm burying those memories, but I will never forget you.

On being present

Thought for the day.

The heart is such a fickle muscle.