I’m getting back into printmaking! And I think I had mentioned I should. And well it’s December and I followed through on something for once.
I used some simple linoleum blocks and chiseled away rather hastily as that’s my method for doing everything, I’m afraid. Unfortunately I don’t have a press so I just pressed it gently with my hand. It came out with some spots but I am having fun experimenting.
I’ll get my brain woodcut out and see if I can’t show y’all the original brain from 20 years ago! Boy
Sipping coffee in the evening, what will happen? A panic attack in the middle of the night? Sounds like it!
I drink coffee at night a lot since I work one night shift a week. It’s a weird middle of the week night shift that my body has grown accustomed to. It’s a night where panic ensues, constantly, a race against time. And as I get older I hear more of my bones creaking and moaning more as I race against the clock. I slipped on a blueberry last year and my knee has never been the same. I fear the doctor to tell me it’s nerve or permanent damage…I can’t be having a bum knee. Nope. Not as fast as I move. Has it slowed me down? No, but it still hurts.
I love this song quote by Waxahachie, ” I awkwardly move at the speed of light” and that is so me when I’m working. And in any social situations, every situation…what am I saying. I may run away faster than you can say Hello.
“You say Hello and I say Goodbye” woops! it’s the other way around in that Beatles song.
Here is a dumb doodle comic I’m working on. I think I can do more with half head. Like make doodles where they are trying real hard to get out there. This is one of them. I love this because it’s a bit me. If there is someone I admire or want in my life, no matter how hard it is for me to speak up, I’ll make the effort however way I can..usually it’s with gifts, doodles, and just awkwardly trying to speak and think of things that they would like when I see them…yep.
I go through a lot of journals. Just doodlin’ this and writing crap, jotting down the most obnoxious of thoughts …but this journal took me exactly, almost exactly, as I started it October 15, and here it is December 14th, two months which is quick!. I had a lot of introspection going on, and wasn’t creative, wasn’t putting it out there. Just getting out the messy, good for nothing thoughts out. Oh boy, the endings of things are always messy. The letting go and shedding of skin. I feel that is what is going on in my life right now. The need to curl up into a ball and let the body rest, the mind rest, let go of the sadness that’s been creeping in…
Here is my last page, the last tidbit. And perhaps I will move forward into another journal soon with some insight into love and into life.
Weirdo Birdo quoting Nick Cave
I read a quote the other day that struck me and I had to save it and so, wrote it in my final page. Needless to say I ordered the book pronto! It’s from Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan’s book, Faith, Hope and Carnage. And I believe it is an intimate interview with musician Nick Cave and his wonderful insight on life, grief and love. I can’t wait to read it. My Christmas present to myself.
Here is the full quote:
Love has something to do with the notion of being seen-the opposite of invisibility. The invisible, the unwitnessed, the unacknowledged, the isolated, the lonely-these are the unloved. Loving attention illuminates into the observed world. To truly see someone -anyone- is an act that knowledge’s and forgives our common and imperfect humanity. Love enacts a kind of vigilant perception- whether it is to a partner, a child, a co-worker, a neighbour, a fellow citizen, or any other person one may encounter in this life. Love says softly- I see you. I recognize you. You are human, as I am.
-Nick Cave from Faith , Hope and Carnage
I hope this quote sparks a tenderness into you that illuminates into the holidays, as the holidays are always a way to show how much we love and enjoy each other. While we still have time!
Oh yeah, I get terribly mushy this time of year! And weird. 😉
I’ve been in a creative slump, it feels like for a couple of months. And just also even writing, ugh, it’s like I have an empty brain. I haven’t been out exploring! Perhaps, been busy getting ready for the holidays, wanting to be more present with my family, trying to work as hard as I can to make it a magical time of year for them.
So here’s just an ordinary, repetitive mush brain. Ordinary repetitive doodle. Because sometimes repetition leads to some form of understanding. Maybe when you see the patterns, you can create a better understanding of what it is that makes creativity an ordinary, but extraordinary way of life. Ahhhhh I’m a mush brain ….
Just journal doodling on this cold and rainy day …what better doodles than doodles in your journal? Just coffee, cookies and tree in the background..it’s not that great, but sketches are sketches and it could end up something later on if I felt like it. But I’ll go onto something else I presume. …
Oh yeah, that’s an orc drinking peppermint mocha. I saw a meme where someone drew an orc that says “Looks like peppermint mocha’s back on the menu, boys” hahaha if you know, you know what this is referencing…I had to draw it and stick it in the peppermint mocha holiday creamers and in the holiday coffees as well…hahahah. it’s hard to read it. Sorry but that’s what he’s saying.
Holidays are in full swing and you’ve got to keep your wits by drawing orcs and making your friends, co-workers and customers laugh.
I’m writing to inform you the clouds are dispersing, I think, so time to get cracking on code mush cards. I have a lot to give out this year, plus I want to add an origami to each one. I’m still working on my paper star, as the cheap origami paper just isn’t cutting it. So I think cutting strips of thick wrapping paper might work better. But the easy Santas actually look a little mushier than a star so who knows..depending on how busy I get Santas might have to do!
The paper Santas are getting ready!
I also got to spend some time looking at an artist I’ve always admired, the late George Rodrigue this weekend! At the Longview Museum of Fine Arts! You might be familiar with the blue dog paintings that you may have seen, especially in the 90s and early 2000’s.
I love this quote by him that was in the exhibit:
“In art the more personal you are, the better you become.”
And also another quote by Rodrigue:
“If you paint to please the public or a critic, you’ll never paint anything lasting, anything real, or anything your own.”
I did say that I love a good log 😅🪵 one full of weird life growing on it, or decomposing on it. Here’s some photos of various trees I found interesting. Some are redundant, of course!
At the end I had to add some fall foliage from last year! Can’t wait to get out and again and explore the trees!
And sending love from my little family’s nest to your little family’s nest.
What is love if not wishing the very best for everyone and holding them in your heart for always, even if they’re not here? Even if they’ll never witness it? Even if it’s a little weird and ridiculous…I guess, let it get weird, and show off your goofy, weirdo smile…
Sometimes mush mornings start at 10 o’clock at night, sometimes at 3 in the afternoon, when your sleep was more like a power nap and you need to rush to get the kids from school. Sometimes it’s a mush morning at 3 am with the night so quiet you can sit and think and savor your warm cuppa joe, before the chaos begins. Whatever time it is, be a little mushy! Write what you’re thinking and sip sip sip. Then doodle a thing or two. Meditate. Or not. Make a pancake breakfast at night. Sun salutations or moon salutations, it’s an ever ending circle turning, turning ’round. Yin yang, night day. There’s not much left to ponder really. I have begun to love each day I wake, it’s a miracle we’re all even here right now, so I’m learning to be grateful just to be breathin’ breathing, breathe…
In my yoga practice today we had to fill in the mantra I Create…now, as an artist of doodles (a doodler if you will) I could have filled in just about anything that is creative. I’m always creating, mostly creating imaginary scenarios…ugh..
But I went with what popped up first, developing intuition and all, so that was it. But it is befitting because I do create love. I think that anyone who has received a card(s) from me has felt some sort of love and appreciation. And I make them all personal in some way. And what is art if it isn’t a vulnerable side, state of you that stems from love? As hard as it is to show that side…I think I show it all the time really!
Well, I’m going to keep repeating my mantra tonight. Mostly to myself, and for myself assuredly.
I forgot to draw the super blue moon! Me! The person with a super blue moon tattoo! So here is a weird sun/moon mashup. It’s like the moon and sun illuminating each other’s light…more of this to come .
And another half head coffee cup to end the evening.
Code Mush 