In the spirit of National Dog Day (two days ago) I did a drawing for the Sketch Dailies, which I felt illustrated the loyalty and devotion of a dog. This part of The Fox & the Hound always makes me misty. #ToddandCopper
28.8.14
25.8.14
step 1: we can have lots of fun
A lot of people have asked me, "Kendyl, how do you stay so creative?" so, I decided to get onto this topic, and write down my methods, and how it has worked for me. I have some insight, and a few exercises to follow, for anyone who wants to give it a shot. I'll be doing this on a weekly basis. If no one is reading, I'm also doing this for myself. I think all creatives need to be reminded how to keep it alive.
I was going to approach this like a terrible fitness pitch, but I'm not trying to aggressively cram common sense down your throat. Want sweet glutes? You're going to need to exercise your glutes!! Right. Instead, I'm going to say that if you're interested in being more creative, maybe my next few posts will help you out a little. Strangely, the first part of this process sounds a little gym-ish, but if you want to be more creative, you need to: stop making excuses, make the time, and bring it into your lifestyle. Bust those glutes, girl. By glutes, I mean your creative mind.
#1 Least favorite excuse: I don't know how to draw.
Remember when you scribbled on paper, and told your grandma it was an elephant? And she lost her mind because it was the most amazing thing she had ever seen? That's all there is to it. I don't believe there is such a thing as not knowing how to draw, or create, because it's all a matter of expectation. If you still draw in swirls and squiggles, you have a unique and ordinary style you should learn to embrace. Look at Picasso, he drew loads of scribbly shapes (which he happened to make a lot of money off of) Your thoughts are unique, so share them.
Your first exercise: Peter Pan yourself.
All I want from you right now, is to go and get a photo of yourself from when you were a kid. Take that picture and put it out where you can see it, and remind yourself that this child is the source of your creativity. It's where you started out. It's where you first learned how to play, and create things with your mind. You're still that kid, you know? You just look different and can stay up later. Grab some tools (pencils, paper, markers, paints, a notebook, a coloring book) and let that kid play for a bit. Did I say coloring book? Yes I did. Grownups can do what they want, remember? Let that kid in the photo see that you're still brilliant, fun, and creative, but are now able to do even more amazing things, like drink grownup drinks, and say things like "my hips hurt."
Personal Note: Jot it down
To exercise making time for my creative process, I keep a journal by my bed. I use this journal for a variety of things, whether it be to write about my day, to draw a word or two out for inspiration, make notes to motivate myself, anything. It's there for me to put thoughts down, even if those thoughts aren't made of gold or worthy of canvas time. It's just practice, like keeping your heart rate going steadily into your workout. Yes, gym metaphors, I've had enough. My brain muscles need some rest.
Until next time, this is your first step to being creative.
I was going to approach this like a terrible fitness pitch, but I'm not trying to aggressively cram common sense down your throat. Want sweet glutes? You're going to need to exercise your glutes!! Right. Instead, I'm going to say that if you're interested in being more creative, maybe my next few posts will help you out a little. Strangely, the first part of this process sounds a little gym-ish, but if you want to be more creative, you need to: stop making excuses, make the time, and bring it into your lifestyle. Bust those glutes, girl. By glutes, I mean your creative mind.
Pablo Picasso. Vallauris, 1949.
Remember when you scribbled on paper, and told your grandma it was an elephant? And she lost her mind because it was the most amazing thing she had ever seen? That's all there is to it. I don't believe there is such a thing as not knowing how to draw, or create, because it's all a matter of expectation. If you still draw in swirls and squiggles, you have a unique and ordinary style you should learn to embrace. Look at Picasso, he drew loads of scribbly shapes (which he happened to make a lot of money off of) Your thoughts are unique, so share them.
Your first exercise: Peter Pan yourself.
All I want from you right now, is to go and get a photo of yourself from when you were a kid. Take that picture and put it out where you can see it, and remind yourself that this child is the source of your creativity. It's where you started out. It's where you first learned how to play, and create things with your mind. You're still that kid, you know? You just look different and can stay up later. Grab some tools (pencils, paper, markers, paints, a notebook, a coloring book) and let that kid play for a bit. Did I say coloring book? Yes I did. Grownups can do what they want, remember? Let that kid in the photo see that you're still brilliant, fun, and creative, but are now able to do even more amazing things, like drink grownup drinks, and say things like "my hips hurt."
Personal Note: Jot it down
To exercise making time for my creative process, I keep a journal by my bed. I use this journal for a variety of things, whether it be to write about my day, to draw a word or two out for inspiration, make notes to motivate myself, anything. It's there for me to put thoughts down, even if those thoughts aren't made of gold or worthy of canvas time. It's just practice, like keeping your heart rate going steadily into your workout. Yes, gym metaphors, I've had enough. My brain muscles need some rest.
Until next time, this is your first step to being creative.
11.8.14
neighbours
When I left my neighbourhood in the south side, I did a lot of reflecting on my time here in this city. It's been three years now since I arrived -on my own- and for those three years I remained in the same community, until now. That's a long time for me, if you know my record for moving around.
My current home marks my 19th move. I'd like to say it's enough, but I'm certain I'll carry on from here, and maybe into another unfamiliar place one day. There's something about the challenge of getting to know my surroundings, and the people in it, that keeps me inspired. This is where I decided to make up a little series of the people I've met along the way. I call it my 'Neighbours' series. Each one of them has a story, and a place in my life that only I know so intimately. I guess that's what makes them so special to me, today.
I'd say that if it wasn't for my dog, I probably wouldn't have met most of these people. Some of these faces I saw on a daily basis, others just sort of popped up along the way, as I would take Breakfast on very random walks without any set destination. If it wasn't for him, I would not have gotten to know this city the way that I have come to know it now. To think, there was a time when I had no idea what Whyte Avenue or Old Strathcona even were...
I drew these characters by memory, because that is where most of them reside, now that I have moved to a different side of the city. It isn't as busy as the south, over here, which really makes me miss the social interaction I was so obviously craving on our everyday adventures. I wanted to keep these memories with me, because they literally illustrate a point in my life that I don't ever want to forget.
Coming from Winnipeg, MB, it's no wonder that I feel grounded in a social community such as this. There's a small town vibe here, one that is a bit slower paced than the places I've lived in the past. It's nice to be able to spread out, see some smiling faces along the way, and get to know what has now become home, after a very long time of searching.
Thank you, Edmonton.
My current home marks my 19th move. I'd like to say it's enough, but I'm certain I'll carry on from here, and maybe into another unfamiliar place one day. There's something about the challenge of getting to know my surroundings, and the people in it, that keeps me inspired. This is where I decided to make up a little series of the people I've met along the way. I call it my 'Neighbours' series. Each one of them has a story, and a place in my life that only I know so intimately. I guess that's what makes them so special to me, today.
I'd say that if it wasn't for my dog, I probably wouldn't have met most of these people. Some of these faces I saw on a daily basis, others just sort of popped up along the way, as I would take Breakfast on very random walks without any set destination. If it wasn't for him, I would not have gotten to know this city the way that I have come to know it now. To think, there was a time when I had no idea what Whyte Avenue or Old Strathcona even were...
I drew these characters by memory, because that is where most of them reside, now that I have moved to a different side of the city. It isn't as busy as the south, over here, which really makes me miss the social interaction I was so obviously craving on our everyday adventures. I wanted to keep these memories with me, because they literally illustrate a point in my life that I don't ever want to forget.
Coming from Winnipeg, MB, it's no wonder that I feel grounded in a social community such as this. There's a small town vibe here, one that is a bit slower paced than the places I've lived in the past. It's nice to be able to spread out, see some smiling faces along the way, and get to know what has now become home, after a very long time of searching.
Thank you, Edmonton.
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