The Year of Flight and Focus
Hi Friend:
I hope you are keeping well. Here in Ottawa, Canada, the days are getting longer, the sun is certainly warmer, and our thoughts move to the gardens and the backyard pond.
-Mike
Stories Behind the Art
Yearly themes
How's 2021 going? Do you feel you are on track, running behind, or lost?
I started last year with clear ideas and plans, but things got derailed by the pandemic. However, there was something else. I didn’t have a theme for the year.
The idea of a theme is to establish an overarching element that can help move your decisions forward and direct your energy to ongoing success and a sense of accomplishment.
I started taking my art seriously in 2018 and decided I needed to do something significant in 2019. I wanted to figure out how to remain focused on my side hustle/passion while still working a full-time job and keeping up with my other commitments. A theme can help generate meaningful projects and guidance and provide a glue that helps reach positive results vs. resolutions that typically fizzle out within a few weeks or months.
I created my first theme for 2019, “emergence”. Caterpillars' metamorphosis inspired the theme of shedding their previous identity and accepting their new destiny as a butterfly. For me, it was art and finally acknowledging and accepting my role as an artist and the joy it brought me. In 2019, I created so much art, posted it online, started a podcast, and interacted with many other creatives. It was a tremendously successful year. However, while riding the wave of success at the end of the year, I failed to reflect, look ahead, and ensure I was still on course. So, 2020 was a challenge, but not having a theme was part of it.
For me, 2021 is the year of “Flight and Focus”. Building on the previous theme of emergence, it is time to leave the security of the past and take a leap. Opening my online store was the first step, and I have a few other things planned throughout the year as I continue to develop my art skills, share what I make and learn, and inspire others. I added the idea of focus because leaping is better when you have a place to go.
Have you considered using a theme, or do you have another approach to reflecting on what has been and what could be? It's never too late to consider a theme. Maybe think about creating one and write it down somewhere. Even that small step may have a meaningful impact!
Inside The Toolbox
Mechanical Pencils
I have used many different types of pencils to create my drawings and sketches over the years. I've played with wooden clutch pencils (2 mm drafting pencils), and smaller mechanical pencils. The advantage of any mechanical pencil is that the weight remains unchanged, and the length doesn't vary with usage. Also, you can vary the lead hardness by loading it up with your lead of choice. My preferred lead for almost every piece is now 2B, providing a light touch and shading and allowing for dark values when needed.
I switched to smaller mechanical pencils a couple of years ago because I didn't need to carry around a sharpener. This made sense in the "before times" when I wanted a small drawing kit to carry into a coffee shop, library, or cafeteria at work.
My drawing tool of choice is a Pentel GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil in the .3 mm size. Pentel makes wonderful mechanical pencils in sizes from .3 mm up to .9 mm. My preference for the detail I do right now is .3 mm.
The GraphGear 1000 is one of a few mechanical pencils that allows you to retract the lead and tip completely. The tip of a .3 mm mechanical pencil is quite sensitive to damage, and any bend of the tip can impact the ability of the lead to move in and out. So, the ability to retract it completely is fantastic!
This pencil has a wonderful weight for me. The balance is perfect, and the rubberized grip is a welcome addition.
The GraphGear 1000 also acts as an indicator on the barrel to reflect the lead in use. However, I wrap a piece of washi tape around the barrel with purple for 2B, yellow for 2H, and green for HB. Yes, I have more than one of these pencils.
Another model of mechanical pencil from Pentel is the Nero Orenz. It is a beautiful pencil, but I find it too light. The same is true for the GraphGear 300 (but they come in wonderful colors).
The Pentel GraphGear 1000 is a wonderful pencil whether you draw or sketch. If you are using it for general use, consider maybe the .5 mm and HB or 2B lead.
Recent Drawing Inspiration Episodes
Here are some of the most recent “Drawing Inspiration” podcast episodes. The podcast is available wherever you listen to music.
46: Space Jellyfish, Journaling and the Value of Mentors with Artist Kina Forney
Kina Forney joined me to talk about her creative journey and how a fine arts degree focused on computation arts helped shape her early work. Kina talks about her incredible jellyfish and nebula work and why the canvas you need to paint on may be right in front of you or above your head. She shared her thoughts about journaling and creating her own journal using Kickstarter. We also talk about mentorship, understanding what you are leaving behind, the importance of self-care, and remembering just to be yourself.
47: Daily Doodles, TikTok, and Patreon with Artist Myriam Tillson
Myriam Tillson returns to the podcast to talk about her daily doodle exercise. We then take a deep dive on a few of her pieces to explore their impact on her and others. Myriam talks about a recent post on TikTok and why she will be doing more of them. We also discuss her YouTube channel and Patreon's impact on her career and creative well-being.
What I'm Watching
I am nearly done with Season 2 of the Abstract series on Netflix. What a wonderful exploration of creativity around the world. The series explores the world of traditional artists, architects, and others in a way that inspires me to try and do more. Seeing the wonderful art installations by Olafur Eliasson blew me away. I was also impressed with Neri Oxman's connection between design and natural materials.
The Bookshelf
"Find Your Artistic Voice" with Lisa Congdon is a book that greatly impacted me in embracing my current style. I had Lisa Congdon on the podcast in March of 2020 (Episode 22), and we spoke about her book and creative journey. Lisa has a similar journey to mine in coming to art later in life. She has inspired so many with her art and her words. This book is a must for the artist in your life. She has a new book coming out in March called "You Will Leave a Trail of Stars: Words of Inspiration for Blazing Your Own Path".You can find more information about her books and art on her web site.