10/1/16...

Is October really here?  Blink of an eye September was here and then gone.  School is increasingly busy.  Next week starts the period of time known as mid-term hell.  Exams and papers and exams.  Stay organized and one thing at a time.  I can survive this.

That's it.  I'm just trying to get through this part of the semester.  I'll be starting a new painting this week for class.  A landscape.  Did you hear my sigh of relief? Ha!  Oh yeah....it was there.  So I've already scoped out a few reference photos to piece together and create my own world.  

I have surprisingly few words this week.  Maybe because I'm tired.  Maybe because there's been so much drama over the past couple of weeks that my head is tired of the words and I need to just paint.  I gave a painting to someone this week, because I sensed she was in a rough place.  As she explained to me what the painting meant, she got it.  She understood the dialogue that was in my own head as I painted it.  To me, regardless of what anyone says, if the emotions I feel while I'm painting come through in the composition, then it's successful.  If I evoke an emotional response in someone else when they view a finished piece, then it's successful.  I don't need to be a political activist with my work.  I don't need to go for the shocking hook.  I would like to paint pretty pictures.  And if that isn't understood or if it's belittled, then that's not on me.  For every time I hear the words "I get it" or "I look at it and it makes me happy" or "I love it" with no reasons attached, then I was successful.  I am still trying to figure all this out.  But one thing is very clear to me as I continue my journey, I paint and create what makes me happy first and foremost.  If I don't like it, or don't feel what I'm painting, it simply won't work.  

Have a good week everyone.  I'll be buried in the library for majority of week.  Writing papers.  Studying.  Trying to survive.  Oh yeah.....October brings "INKTOBER".  Its where you produce an ink drawing a day for every day in October, and then post on social media.  I've decided to partake this year.  You can see my daily drawings on my Instagram feed.  There's a tiny-link icon on my Bio page.  Hoping this helps relax and de-stress me this month.  I'm in definite need of de-stressing anymore.  Anyhoo..... Do something nice for someone.  You just never know what they may be going through.