Never forget what you are, for the world surely will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you. - George R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
HAND-LETTERING:365 ; Day 5 by Jay Bendt
A quote from one of my favorite series by one of my favorite writers, and one I really wish I had found when I was a teenager as encouragement. I could have used it then. The message itself is so powerful that I felt a simpler, cleaner look would suit it best. Do let me know what you think - I would love to hear some feedback.
I love words. I love language. Most importantly, I love letters! Their shapes are intriguing and fun, and can change in style in so many ways. I used to handletter a lot of things in my sketchbooks over the years, but have never tried to a) get better at it, or b) show it to anyone. So begins HAND-LETTERING:365, my way to both practice my penmanship and showcase my progress. S’like riding a bicycle, right?
The challenge of 365 of them is both exciting and slightly crazy, but I’m more than willing to give it my best shot. Today we start with a quote from awesome Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech, which I keep listening to over and over again. Enjoy!
I’ve learned to shy away from New Year’s Resolutions. Especially because those always get broken, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly enjoy feeling like a failure or setting myself up to be one. Now, I’m all for deadlines, they set a fire under people’s butt and get things going, but I’d rather also have goals rather than resolutions; that way, I’m not heartbroken if they don’t happen within 365 days.
So here’s my list of things I hope to get accomplished in 2013 and beyond:
SHORT-TERM:
Join a printmaking co-op and PRINT! (already in the works!)
Start a print club. More on this later.
Attend a craft show, comic con, or just organize a large art-driven gathering. I can’t believe I haven’t done the first two yet, and I’ve been wanting to do the third for a long time. I know very few artists in my area apart from the ones I went to school with, and I want to meet more people! (Anyone in MN/surrounding states interested?!)
Draw more - this is perpetually on my goal list.
Get P&P finally going - I’ve been wanting to start a paper boutique for ages now. All of these ideas just waiting to happen!
Get out of my comfort zone & just say Yes more often. This one’s a tough one, but I’m working on it.
Gouache. Acrylic. Watercolor. more of all three! I am often limited because of space and digital has become my default medium, but I want to experiment more again.
Take more pictures. I don’t do this enough.
Do more collaborations!
Start a long term project and follow it through.
Go snow tubing … 5 years in MN and I’ve NEVER gone snow tubing.
Get my driver’s license. … don’t make fun of me.
LONGTERM:
Be able to provide for my family by means of my artwork.
Get healthy and run a marathon.
Plant a garden (I really, really want a garden you guys).
Clean up my diet (total work in progress) & drink more water.
Become infinitely more engaged with those who follow me & the artistic community, constantly.
You should go follow them. They’re pretty cool people. First one’s interested in photography and cool things, second one’s about the biggest (most lovable) nerd on the face of this planet - also pretty good at keeping my Whovian needs provided for. Although, I will say, don’t follow them if you get easily offended by nudity every once in a while.
I made this ages ago (January I believe, for my hubby’s Valentine’s card), and never got around to posting it. Found it today while going through my folder - new year’s resolution: organize my files! Holy bananas.
