Sooo I entered this contest in Canada for children’s book writers offered by CANSCAIP not thinking I had the remotest chance in hell of being noticed but the worse that could happen I thought was I would get some feedback to improve my story. I just found out my story made the long list (top 25) in the picture book category! Next phase is that the long list will be read by publishers as they decide who makes the short list and ultimately wins an opportunity to be published.

I am so beyond excited and everyone here is asleep (yes at 9:30!!!) but I feel I will burst if I can’t tell someone!
Here’s the announcement: mine is ‘Mongoose wants a job’

https://www.canscaip.org/writingforchildren

Lost in the musical sound of rain on a galvanized roof.

I have been trying to focus on basics - using shapes to build characters as well as trying to learn Procreate. I have been doing a lot of sketches in my sketchbook ( see if you can spot when I got distracted by watching Shrek ) But am also trying to make myself bring something to the best finish I can with my current skill. So frustrating when I can’t see any improvement though!

Excellent podcast. So full disclosure - I am really, really old - not like just 35! I will be 54 this month and my poor husband thinks I have early stages of senility for even contemplating this whole journey. And on bad days, I think he is right and I should just get real and continue to live the beige life of an administrator.
I used to doodle a bit as a kid but no serious interest in visual arts (my creative outlet was always on stage). So it was good to hear that others have come to this somewhat later in life.
And while I take the point that depth of lived experience can be a great thing to bring to the table, there is also a lifetime of baggage to sort through as well. And that ticking time bomb of the end fast approaching is ever present. It is hard not to look for short cuts to progress when you are at a point in life where you can actually see that white light on the not too distant horizon.

Ok - now that I have cheered everyone up - thanks again for the podcast! It has given me some (faint) hope

Re-emerging finally from one of my longest depression relapses in 20 years. Building home, plus moving plus global pandemic did me in. But, as the song says, I’m not broken just bent.

Been finding my way back through painting and crafting various projects for grandkids. Did this painting finally for grand baby’s room - included her favourite toys and activities

Also, in my new neighborhood, so many pets, been thinking about offering pet portraits as a way to make a few $.

So been practicing in acrylics with images from pexels . This one is in process. So rusty

Hope everyone is doing well out there.

Been working on art for a new 2021 project in partnership with my hubby. (pray for me ) focused on bite sized reminders to take care of your mental health. Mostly created to help myself but hopefully it helps others too. Called the mindful otter if you want to follow me on Instagram. @the.mindful.otter

Trying to sketch my character in different poses so I can do different things with him/her.

I think I have reached the limit of my current skills but was good to challenge myself and I learned a lot!

Starting to panic a bit as I am thumbnailing ideas for each prompt but so far am only at #8 star . still hoping to at least get 7 sketches done before October 1st. Told y’all I’m slow

‘Stack ‘em up boys, winter’s coming!”

Thanks to those who helped me along in the process. Learned a bit more about values and adding texture in Procreate. Baby steps

Day 2 The fleeting nature of tranquility

Sleepless nights means the occasional Patrick Stewart head drawing

Been all over the map this month so far. Taken on the draw 2500 challenge - so been working on drawing heads of mostly kids

Then switched back to pets for a couple days

I am trusting this will somehow help me get better lol

@chrisaakins Thanks! Love your zebra

Taking an Aaron Blaise Procreate course. Trying to get more refined. Still lots of practice needed. I was pleased with how it started out though.

Finished my flamenco dancing cat - well, finished it as best I could. Can never seem to get the polish that others achieve.

Continuing to work on something for the Proko pet portrait challenge. Saw the ref photo thought “flamenco dancer” and so that’s what I am trying to convey. Did a bunch of thumbnails worked on gesture and composition - still don’t know what I am doing but I carry on.

I had been having some problems with Procreate doing weird things after the new update, then I realized that the Palm Support settings had been enabled somehow (these are not located in the app itself but in the Ipad settings section under apps - scroll down to find Procreate and you'll see other settings for the program.) I disabled Palm Support and now the program doesn't react just from me touching the screen randomly. It only responds to deliberate action with the pencil or from gestures now. Not sure if that will fix your problem. If not, check out the procreate website discussion forums - they are very responsive too.

Doing cat sketches preparing for a proko challenge. Trying to get discipline and schedule through a deadline

Been working on art for a new 2021 project in partnership with my hubby. (pray for me ) focused on bite sized reminders to take care of your mental health. Mostly created to help myself but hopefully it helps others too. Called the mindful otter if you want to follow me on Instagram. @the.mindful.otter

Trying to sketch my character in different poses so I can do different things with him/her.

I just set up a second Instagram account under the same login but it is for a completely new venture. Only problem is I only seem to be able to access the multiple accounts via my phone and not on my iPad which is super annoying. I am not sure separate accounts are necessary if you are doing different styles of art.