“Hope” 11-16-2024
After I started Art Collage, in about May/June of this year, I decided to get a sketch book. I began looking up ideas on Pinterest for things to draw such as doodling and flowers etc. It got to the point I was drawing multiple times a day. It was like all of these thoughts were pouring out of me. It gave me such peace to either be drawing or doing collage art. I bought acrylic markers, water color pencils, pastels and acryllic paint. I had learned to mix colors of paint in one of my art classes so that you can make any color in the world with just a few basic ones.
Today, I felt like I wanted to create something, but I didn’t want to do a collage piece. In fact, yesterday, I was thinking that while I’ve been working on this blog/website, I have gotten away from doodles/drawing, which has been key in helping to manage my anxiety.
I painted similarly to this before, putting some paint down and then drawing over it. I like how this turned out today. I should have put the base color on first and then painted over that. When I got done painting and drawing, the page looked so “white,” so I added the yellow after the fact. It almost ruined the page, but I was able to fill it in with some watercolor pencils, and I’m fairly happy with how it turned out. I love to mix paints, and you can see the different colors I used today. I’m naming this painting “Hope.”
I recently got back the pathology results. Initially, I was very optimistic, and I still am. However, the fact that it has been so hard to get appointments, especially with my transplant doctor, really was weighing on me yesterday. That’s why I started drawing again last night and felt the urge to paint today. I needed to find a way to release these emotions. It really helped.
My therapist’s opinion is that when I got cancer 3 years ago, the subsequent recovery seemed to be a pivot point for me and not necessarily a bad thing. I agree. Now, I try to look out for my well-being and have improved the self-talk I give myself. I now have an outlet for negative (and positive) emotions. I’m certain I wouldn’t have found art if I wasn’t given the gift of time away from PT and decreased responsibilities.
“Hope” 11-16-2024
Supplies I used to create today.
I decided to add a gallery for my drawings and doodles. It’s comforting to look at them, and I can see the progress I’ve made. I usually draw in black ink and then color with acrylic markers. Occasionally, I paint or use pastels. Here are a few doodles I’ve done over the past several months.
What surprises me is that I’ve never had any painting or drawing lessons. I’m not the best but I’m pretty happy with how most of my creations turn out. I wish I could figure out how to turn this into something more useful i.e. $$$ haha but for now, I’m enjoying improving my techniques. I think it’s a very healthy way for me to deal with anxiety and I’m so thankful it’s something I’ve found relatively late in life.