Sometimes the war within requires me to confront my opinion on whether or not I want to make content to share, for the purpose of sharing. Something scheduled. 

I've gotten into watching Amagansett press videos and his sons vids. Is it the worst thing in the world to have a spotlight in the public eye or am I selling out? I haven't decided. It might be fun to be a brand. Maybe not. 

Anyway,  some recent progress on the next book in the imagination and daydream series. I think it's time to start a new chapter . We press on boys .

I'm trying to be more conscious of my decision making. At the heart of it, I'm a post minimalist that loves being an impressionist. So I care about showcasing the process and I love capturing the essence of the thing. I have to actively not produce messier work but something more sophisticated and drawn out. In layman's terms, I need to slow down and take my time and not let the stream of conscious win. This is what I'm trying to do here with the last 3 books on the series. I have more control when I plan which makes for easier final work.

 

A few things that give me some comfort. I've been watching Lana solo life reels, she's a 20 something that has no friends and lives alone. She had bought these wine glasses and puts her diet cokes in them. I never drink soda but tonight I indulged with my breaded chicken . It definitely makes you feel a bit more sophisticated drinking from them lol. I'll stick to sparkling water from now on though. 

Also my two new jellycats arrived for my coffee bar. My mom got me a large coffee cup and I picked up a macaroon and an espresso shot. Really cute 😍 

 

A few shots using some 90s polaroid presets in lightroom. I havent been feeling up to drawing lately. And Im unsure if I ever will again. Im still creative, but because of all the emotional damage done to me the past 3-4 years, I just have no desire to invest in it anymore. The constant lows and highs have been a bit too much and maybe I suffer from Anhedonia, maybe its permanent loss but the mountain is too high to climb now and my resiliancy has faded. Maybe switching over to photography will be good for my soul

 I finally made it down to North Park Theaters 14th annual Ghibli chalk contest. Its been a few years, battling my own demons and life's toss ups that I havent had the desire to participate. Proud of finishing this one.

I had made a quick concept sketch of what I wanted to do, wanted to keep it simple and only a few colors to save money/time. It gets very hot, and in the past ive spent the full 2 days working on a piece. Blending hurts your hands, and there's always a risk of bad weather passing through. One year they did a DBZ/Ghibli mashup and I chose to draw Haku alsongside Shenron/Shenlong. It ended up raining overnight and I couldnt get back to it, but a local photographer had gotten some nice photos the previous day.

I placed 2nd for a Kiki's delivery service homage to the bread sign outside the bakery one year, and the first year I ever did it, I was living in my hometown 4 hours away and drove to participate. I ended up drawing Ponyo's mom, Granmamare and it was my first time experiencing the heat.

Anyway, here are the shots of the finished piece. I chatted with the guy who runs it, Chris, who ive known for a long time. I bought him a milkshake from Churn down the street and we talked about the upcoming Odyssey movie and I might have a board game night buddy now for Gather and Game downtown. Will I go see ODyssey? Probably. Will I like it? Thats debatable.