Week Thirty-Seven

Stop what you’re doing, and go listen to the 5-year anniversary episode of Creative Pep Talk. I was listening myself, and it was so impactful, I stopped halfway through to tell you about it here. It made me think about where I was 5 years ago. It was a pivotal point in my life when the wheels were just barely being set in motion for everything I’m doing now. So I decided to write my own letter of advice to myself in 2014.

Hi Lisa,

It’s me, I mean you, 5 years from now. Right now you’ve got a 8 month old baby, and you’re struggling with accepting help so you can focus on the things you need to do. Mainly that’s work. But something feels different with work, something feels off…well, I know you can’t quite put your finger on it right now, and that’s causing you a lot of grief. Hey Lisa, something within you is changing. What you are feeling is a tug, which will turn into a pull, which will turn into a force you cannot even try to resist. 

The “real you” is calling. It’s the part of you that you hide because of fear. You are capable of such amazing things, and I know a part of you knows that too. But fear makes you second guess everything, shut people out, and not let you be the kind of person you want to be. 

If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to evict the fears from your heart and relocate them to your head where that amazing logic of yours can show them what’s what. Say them out loud and say share them with others. There is a whole world out there full of people going through the same stuff you are and you’re gonna be surprised how much love you’re going to give and receive once you start sharing what’s within you, the good and the difficult. 

You’re going to raise this little boy in your arms and he is going to teach you just as many lessons as you’ll teach him. 3 years from now you’ll be helping him learn how to ride his first pedal bike and you’ll have him scream, “I am strong! I am brave!” But you’ll really be saying it yourself too. 5 years from now you’re going to be teaching him how to swim. He’ll be scared and you’ll tell him, “The only difference between being afraid and being brave, is action.” His eyes will go wide. It’s something you needed to hear too. Take action. Just do all the things you feel scared to do. You will feel elated when you do. You have what you need to take those bold leaps already within you. Therapy is going to help you out immensely with this, so, as much as you will try, don’t resist it.

Keep making stuff as much as you can and start sharing about it. You are being called back to your art and your creativity and you’re gonna find your way with it, I promise. Things will really start changing once you start giving, and sharing your knowledge, and helping people. This is what it’s all going to be about, so be generous. You’re going to be able to make an impact in ways you couldn’t imagine now. 

I’m am so proud of the incredible woman you’ve grown to be over the 5 years, and I think we’ll both be amazed at who you become over the next 5 years to come. 

Love, 

Lisa

What to Do

  • Write a letter to your past self. To borrow this question from Andy: What’s the creative advice you needed to hear 5 years ago?
  • If you haven’t already, listen to this episode of Creative Pep Talk (and all the old episodes too! This is not sponsored, I just adore this podcast and all of Andy’s work, and I think you will too.)
  •  

September Prompts

Fashion

This week is all about accessories, or things we add to an outfit to jazz it up or to serve a practical purpose. Accessories are a wonderful way to add personality to a character, and there are so many possibilities out there! This is a continuation of last week, and you can approach it in a similar fashion (pun intended). Draw many different styles of that accessory, or spent time developing an illustration of just one. Draw them on a person or flat. Get creative with it and, as always, have fun!

I’ve created a Pinterest Board full of fun and interesting accessory references for each prompt. Check them out here! Don’t forget to reference to the How to Draw Clothing Pinterest Board as well!

Week 37 | Sept 9-15

Accessories

Mon: socks
Tue: hats
Wed: shoes
Thu: glasses
Fri: neckties & bowties
Sat: handbags
Sun: jewelry

You can access each week’s prompts at makingarteveryday.com

Week 3X progress Tracker

Track your Making Art Everyday progress! See at-a-glance all you’ve accomplished, and reflect on the work you’ve done at the end of the week. Visit bardotbrush.com/progress to download the monthly tracker and weekly reflection sheet. There are also instructions about how to use them.

Procreate Community: Learn // Draw // Share

We’ve got a Facebook Group full of amazingly supportive artists, from all skill levels.