Defiant Joy absolutely wins. I’ve been to a few protests and watched the crowds grow, and this Saturday I’m marching AS Greenland, complete with pink boxing gloves. I watched The Zone of Interest about the Nazi family living next door to Auschwitz, and vowed I would never be complacent if fascism came here. It did. I won’t. And I’ll be defiantly creative and joyful ‘til they haul me away. I refuse to comply.
Greenland with pink boxing gloves is inspired, Samantha. So is your bold voice. I'll admit I've been too afraid to watch Zone of Interest (movies really stick with me so I'm cautious about what I watch). That message came through to me when I visited a museum in Berlin a few years ago.
I started learning how to use Procreate thanks to a very inspiring post by Kelcey. It's completely rocked my world! Defiant joy indeed. Great sketch, Asha! I hope you keep it up!
I'm learning to use Procreate, too! Kelcey is so encouraging. I've also found Lisa Bardot's "Kickstart" Skillshare classes super helpful. https://www.skillshare.com/en/user/lisabardot
I’m at week 2 of the first Kickstart class! Mike Lowery’s Drawing Party is also in Skillshare and that got me hooked on basic animation. I feel like a whole new creative world has opened up for me.
That is an absolutely fantastic drawing of a phone! I'm so excited for this new creative endeavor of yours! And thanks for the shoutout—so nice to have others to talk to as we navigate this stage of parenting.
It’s like you read my mind, I was just thinking about a doodle book I got from the library years ago that I wished I knew the name of. And then I realized there were probably some drawing newsletters on Substack! Thanks for the links—i’ll enjoy exploring.
What’s giving me energy in this moment is the hard work of spring planting in the garden, a giant wood chip pile that needs to be distributed, and the satisfaction of weeding when the ground is still soft and forgiving.
Amazing that drawing’s on your mind too. As for garden labor giving you energy, you speak my language. Not long after my dad died, I had 4 yards of compost delivered and had at it with a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Three long days later, something had shifted inside. I still had a very long way to go, but something shifted.
“I’m not going to lie: I blew my own mind with this sketch. (It doesn’t take much to blow my mind.) Not because my drawing is a masterpiece, but because it’s something I didn’t believe I could do. Not then, not ever.”
I feel the same way about drawing. Thank you for reminding me to not limit myself with “can’ts.”
I came here to recommend Lisa Bardot, but lucky you for already finding her! Her Procreate classes reignited a joy of making, creating, learning in me that had been dormant for years!
I recently stumbled onto Kristin Tweedale’s Your Story Matters on Substack and her The Awesome Ladies Project. It’s also been bringing me so much joy. The focus is on building a creative routine, letting go of perfection, and embracing curiosity and experimentation. I’ve been making my own Daily Pages and it’s been freeing and meaningful to use my long-hoarded supplies and see an outcome at the end of 30 minutes. The community is also super supportive and the online meet ups are fun!
I second Mike Lowery and also recommend Austen Kleon who makes amazing zines and amazing books on creativity and art.
Love all these links - and your phone is amazing! I've participated in a few protests and they give me hope, even as they make me a bit deflated after. "That was great, what now?" Sigh. Defiant joy is a whole hell yes vibe, I'm leaning in. I have a box of old art supplies that none of the grown kids want and am cautiously flirting with them. I don't consider myself arty, but would LOVE to. Maybe I'll play.
I love your phone! I love your defiant joy! (And thanks for your sweet shout-out. ❤️)
So excited to read your book.
Check out meaningfulmarks.net
for the amazing Sherrill Knezel - graphic recorder extraordinaire!!!
Ooo! Oooo! Thanks, Shelly! I admire graphic recording so much.
Defiant Joy absolutely wins. I’ve been to a few protests and watched the crowds grow, and this Saturday I’m marching AS Greenland, complete with pink boxing gloves. I watched The Zone of Interest about the Nazi family living next door to Auschwitz, and vowed I would never be complacent if fascism came here. It did. I won’t. And I’ll be defiantly creative and joyful ‘til they haul me away. I refuse to comply.
Greenland with pink boxing gloves is inspired, Samantha. So is your bold voice. I'll admit I've been too afraid to watch Zone of Interest (movies really stick with me so I'm cautious about what I watch). That message came through to me when I visited a museum in Berlin a few years ago.
It’s eerily normal, which is the point
Exactly.
I started learning how to use Procreate thanks to a very inspiring post by Kelcey. It's completely rocked my world! Defiant joy indeed. Great sketch, Asha! I hope you keep it up!
I'm learning to use Procreate, too! Kelcey is so encouraging. I've also found Lisa Bardot's "Kickstart" Skillshare classes super helpful. https://www.skillshare.com/en/user/lisabardot
I’m at week 2 of the first Kickstart class! Mike Lowery’s Drawing Party is also in Skillshare and that got me hooked on basic animation. I feel like a whole new creative world has opened up for me.
We completely relate to this line "My mood is a pinball that ricochets at random." And defiant joy is just what the doctor ordered!
Glad this resonates. 💙
Love this Asha… goes along with David Rothkoph’s beautiful essay calling for us to channel our rage into creating beauty. Your words are inspiring
Thank you so much, Catherine.
That is an absolutely fantastic drawing of a phone! I'm so excited for this new creative endeavor of yours! And thanks for the shoutout—so nice to have others to talk to as we navigate this stage of parenting.
Thank you, Jenna! It is SO nice. And! Happy birthday!
You blew MY mind with that phone. What!? I love everything about this post.
Thanks, Meagan. ❤️❤️❤️
It’s like you read my mind, I was just thinking about a doodle book I got from the library years ago that I wished I knew the name of. And then I realized there were probably some drawing newsletters on Substack! Thanks for the links—i’ll enjoy exploring.
What’s giving me energy in this moment is the hard work of spring planting in the garden, a giant wood chip pile that needs to be distributed, and the satisfaction of weeding when the ground is still soft and forgiving.
Amazing that drawing’s on your mind too. As for garden labor giving you energy, you speak my language. Not long after my dad died, I had 4 yards of compost delivered and had at it with a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Three long days later, something had shifted inside. I still had a very long way to go, but something shifted.
I also loved this:
“I’m not going to lie: I blew my own mind with this sketch. (It doesn’t take much to blow my mind.) Not because my drawing is a masterpiece, but because it’s something I didn’t believe I could do. Not then, not ever.”
I feel the same way about drawing. Thank you for reminding me to not limit myself with “can’ts.”
I came here to recommend Lisa Bardot, but lucky you for already finding her! Her Procreate classes reignited a joy of making, creating, learning in me that had been dormant for years!
I recently stumbled onto Kristin Tweedale’s Your Story Matters on Substack and her The Awesome Ladies Project. It’s also been bringing me so much joy. The focus is on building a creative routine, letting go of perfection, and embracing curiosity and experimentation. I’ve been making my own Daily Pages and it’s been freeing and meaningful to use my long-hoarded supplies and see an outcome at the end of 30 minutes. The community is also super supportive and the online meet ups are fun!
I second Mike Lowery and also recommend Austen Kleon who makes amazing zines and amazing books on creativity and art.
I absolutely loved this. Your phone pic is SO GOOD!!!!!!
xxMarsh
Love all these links - and your phone is amazing! I've participated in a few protests and they give me hope, even as they make me a bit deflated after. "That was great, what now?" Sigh. Defiant joy is a whole hell yes vibe, I'm leaning in. I have a box of old art supplies that none of the grown kids want and am cautiously flirting with them. I don't consider myself arty, but would LOVE to. Maybe I'll play.