Thank you for the J words. Your arrows this week turned out great! I love your reasoning for choosing that, too..... out of all of the wonderful drawings you included.
I really enjoyed drawing a squid this week, and a cable car. I would love to get in a cable car and glide over some new, exotic terrain.
Raccoon, 100%. I have always loved them. When my youngest was really young he carried around two stuffed animals at all times, bear and raccoon. Of course the experts took notes. “How unusual to see an autistic child (I’m sure they actually said a child with autism) attached to something! (Even though both of my autistic kids did that exact thing as they grew up). I have felt a connection to bears and raccoons ever since. I think I’m more bear than raccoon, and he is more raccoon than bear, but I can see elements of both inside us.
Oooh.... I look forward to seeing your squid and cable car. Because of where I am, cable cars are on the ground, but I love this image of exploration! What a wonderful bear and raccoon connection.
Good morning Amy. Loved the broken toilet story and your line using cracked as in toilet tank and memory. Yes, we are grateful we have the chance to write notes & lists to fill in the cracks.
Turtle! We are lucky to have gopher(?) turtles around here and we love sort of following them around the fields and playgrounds. I think people call them gopher turtles... they burrow into the ground in the winter. I love your sentiment in this post Amy, you are a big inspiration for me to make time to keep up with creative and journaling efforts. I really appreciate the time and effort you put in to share your ideas with us. 🐢🐢🐢🐢
Hi Amy-Again, enjoyed reading. I’m inspired-and working up to attempt beginning an illustrated journal. My drawing skills aren’t great, but I think doing this might be a way to cope with life’s stressors. I’m on my second year of taking a year long mixed media art class, “Wanderlust,” so am already in the creating mode and trying my hand at some actual drawing will be a good challenge.
Adah - that’s wonderful! The nice thing about an illustrated journal, is it will hold whatever drawings you add.... it’s simply about the combination. Or, you might explore mark-making with your life notes, for example. It’s flexible. I know many people love Wanderlust. I’m glad that has been a good experience for you.
I love your idea, and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your Illustrated journal pages. It's not something I would do myself because my jotting's wouldn't look that great, but again I applaud the idea. I would probably enjoy reading your Journal because of how fun it looks. Even the most mundane things can look interesting when presented in that manner.
Thank you, Nadia. I appreciate this. I think illustrated journals take so many forms, and they always look great. I hope you are keeping notes or journaling. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.
Bummer about your toilet. The replacement wasn’t too expensive I hope.
Jabberwocky, straight into JubJub bird, leading straight to JA-IKES! Yeah, I made that last one up in honor of and responding to that Jabberwock. Might dig deeper into this poem again, maybe draw what I think a tumtum tree looks like. Maybe...maybe...
Raccoon every time. My house is surrounded by all of these animals so I’ve had a lot of time to watch them and their behavior. The turtles are too quiet and stealthy. I might spot one on a log in the swamp, blink and they’re gone. How do they do that? How did it know I was watching it from the window? The squirrels are mouthy and brash. They never let an opportunity to scold whomever is around them. The raccoons just wander into the yard amiably, dig a snack out of our pond and wander out satisfied. Thats me ha!
I’m sending good vibes your way and hope next week isn’t as intense.
Thank you, Rebecca. ‘‘Twas brillig and the slithey toves”..... that might be all I remember, but we had to memorize the opening somewhere in the early years. An odd pick! I love your J words. Fascinating reasoning on the raccoon pick. Lol. The vanishing turtles made me laugh. Raccoons.....! Thank you for reading.
Jar, jaunt, juxtaposition. I like raccoons even though they get in my trash a lot. Lol. They're cute, mischievous, and always pilfering for snacks. I can certainly relate to the need for snacks. Haha. I think I most enjoyed drawing a crow in my spread this week. I've been seeing/ reading about them everywhere lately.
Thank you for sharing J words, Susan. I’m surprised raccoon turned out to be the popular pick! I look forward to seeing your pages. I’m sure your crow is wonderful.
Thank you, Marianne. I’m happy to see a squirrel appear in the mix. Great words. Juncos are common here, too. Great comment about one-line drawings. Sometimes just contour can be so freeing, right?
I’m still finishing my page--just one this week. I have all the elements in place but I’m waiting on watercolor to dry to put some marks on top of it.
I actually drew Turtle, our tortoise shell kitten this week, too! So turtle is the choice, despite your scary turtle interaction. 😬
Jubilant
Jockey
Jennifer
I always notice Jennifers or Jennys on tv (since that’s my name!) and feel a kinship because of it. There are many to admire. Every single school year I had to decide who I was going to be in my class that year--Jennifer A., Jenny A., etc-- because there was always another one of us in my home room. I just noticed a Jennifer on tv today who was a bit older than me. J will always come back to me, egocentrically!
I hope your week will be a good one, and everything stays in the cracked vessels we own.
I saw your page tonight and noticed Turtle and knew that turtle must have been your pick here, too. Timing! That’s an excellent association. Turtle, of course, is my pick as well. We had a brindle once, too. Your drawing of Turtle is so sweet, and I think the mandala turned out great. I’m glad today was a J day. Lol!
The broken toilet ahead of the hospital transfer? Now there's some irony (?!). Do you know how strong you are? My goodness, Amy.
Funny that you mention the crows and the sticky note. I commented on the former but spoke to my husband about the latter, saying aloud how lovely I found your idea of tucking letters into books. So both made an impression on me, for sure.
Turtle, all the way.
January, judicious, jaunty (<-- the adjective I use to describe my husband's winter cap)
Hi Amy, I like your drawing of the woman with the butterfly clips in her hair. I also love making lists but they get scratched out and thrown away. I love the idea of an illustrated journal but not quite there yet. This year I am keeping a bullet journal of sorts. My own version with weekly lists and a brain dump section. Maybe I will try a drawing or two? Baby steps with the journal. I liked that you mentioned tarot cards. I bought a set over the weekend after having them sit in my list for months. Seems like a fun winter endeavor. I wish you a good week!
Thank you! I think adding small visuals to your bullet journal is a great approach! You might find you enjoy that process. I hope you are having a good week.
I always find this to a space where you inspire, even when you’re sharing small windows into the hard realities you’re dealing with. Maybe especially then… I feel like it underscores the importance and value of a creative practice. I think sometimes it can even be a sort of life line to grab hold of if that makes sense. Times when things feel particularly heavy or anxiety feels very high, I feel sort of paralyzed about reaching for my sketchbook, and a nudge, a perspective and inspiration from someone else who holds on to a creative practice as a really important part of life experience is needed and very appreciated. And when I do break through that resistance and just start something it always has a positive effect on my mental state. Sending hugs and thank you as always for sharing the way that you do.
And turtle, though I’m a little hesitant about that choice after reading about your experience….that was a powerful turtle visual!
Jittery
Junk
Jumble
💕
Thank you for sharing J words!
Jack, jingle, joy
I filled the background of my pages with arrows. I enjoyed the mindless repetition.
Raccoon. How can you not love a trash panda?!
I know! Most people around here hate raccoons, but I love seeing their little faces (even if they are making a mess).
Thank you for the J words. Your arrows this week turned out great! I love your reasoning for choosing that, too..... out of all of the wonderful drawings you included.
Juxtaposition, jaundice, just
I really enjoyed drawing a squid this week, and a cable car. I would love to get in a cable car and glide over some new, exotic terrain.
Raccoon, 100%. I have always loved them. When my youngest was really young he carried around two stuffed animals at all times, bear and raccoon. Of course the experts took notes. “How unusual to see an autistic child (I’m sure they actually said a child with autism) attached to something! (Even though both of my autistic kids did that exact thing as they grew up). I have felt a connection to bears and raccoons ever since. I think I’m more bear than raccoon, and he is more raccoon than bear, but I can see elements of both inside us.
I like your words!
Oooh.... I look forward to seeing your squid and cable car. Because of where I am, cable cars are on the ground, but I love this image of exploration! What a wonderful bear and raccoon connection.
Good morning Amy. Loved the broken toilet story and your line using cracked as in toilet tank and memory. Yes, we are grateful we have the chance to write notes & lists to fill in the cracks.
Thank you, Carol!
Turtle! We are lucky to have gopher(?) turtles around here and we love sort of following them around the fields and playgrounds. I think people call them gopher turtles... they burrow into the ground in the winter. I love your sentiment in this post Amy, you are a big inspiration for me to make time to keep up with creative and journaling efforts. I really appreciate the time and effort you put in to share your ideas with us. 🐢🐢🐢🐢
I’ve never heard of gopher turtles. Pretty fascinating! Thank you for your words, Lauren. I really appreciate them.
Hi Amy-Again, enjoyed reading. I’m inspired-and working up to attempt beginning an illustrated journal. My drawing skills aren’t great, but I think doing this might be a way to cope with life’s stressors. I’m on my second year of taking a year long mixed media art class, “Wanderlust,” so am already in the creating mode and trying my hand at some actual drawing will be a good challenge.
I hope the coming week treats you well 😌
Juju
Jocular
Jettison
Adah - that’s wonderful! The nice thing about an illustrated journal, is it will hold whatever drawings you add.... it’s simply about the combination. Or, you might explore mark-making with your life notes, for example. It’s flexible. I know many people love Wanderlust. I’m glad that has been a good experience for you.
It would be cool to see some of your mixed media art in your illustrated journal.
Thank you! I hope I can get started on this soon. It looks like a lot of fun!
I love your idea, and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your Illustrated journal pages. It's not something I would do myself because my jotting's wouldn't look that great, but again I applaud the idea. I would probably enjoy reading your Journal because of how fun it looks. Even the most mundane things can look interesting when presented in that manner.
Thank you, Nadia. I appreciate this. I think illustrated journals take so many forms, and they always look great. I hope you are keeping notes or journaling. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.
Bummer about your toilet. The replacement wasn’t too expensive I hope.
Jabberwocky, straight into JubJub bird, leading straight to JA-IKES! Yeah, I made that last one up in honor of and responding to that Jabberwock. Might dig deeper into this poem again, maybe draw what I think a tumtum tree looks like. Maybe...maybe...
Raccoon every time. My house is surrounded by all of these animals so I’ve had a lot of time to watch them and their behavior. The turtles are too quiet and stealthy. I might spot one on a log in the swamp, blink and they’re gone. How do they do that? How did it know I was watching it from the window? The squirrels are mouthy and brash. They never let an opportunity to scold whomever is around them. The raccoons just wander into the yard amiably, dig a snack out of our pond and wander out satisfied. Thats me ha!
I’m sending good vibes your way and hope next week isn’t as intense.
Thank you, Rebecca. ‘‘Twas brillig and the slithey toves”..... that might be all I remember, but we had to memorize the opening somewhere in the early years. An odd pick! I love your J words. Fascinating reasoning on the raccoon pick. Lol. The vanishing turtles made me laugh. Raccoons.....! Thank you for reading.
Jar, jaunt, juxtaposition. I like raccoons even though they get in my trash a lot. Lol. They're cute, mischievous, and always pilfering for snacks. I can certainly relate to the need for snacks. Haha. I think I most enjoyed drawing a crow in my spread this week. I've been seeing/ reading about them everywhere lately.
Thank you for sharing J words, Susan. I’m surprised raccoon turned out to be the popular pick! I look forward to seeing your pages. I’m sure your crow is wonderful.
Jolly, junco, joviality
Red squirrel
I don't often add quick one-line drawings to my pages but when I do, I enjoy it.
Sorry to hear about your toilet.
Thank you, Marianne. I’m happy to see a squirrel appear in the mix. Great words. Juncos are common here, too. Great comment about one-line drawings. Sometimes just contour can be so freeing, right?
Absolutely, especially after a long day of work it is a relaxing way to start some drawing.
I enjoyed drawing a mandala this week.
I’m still finishing my page--just one this week. I have all the elements in place but I’m waiting on watercolor to dry to put some marks on top of it.
I actually drew Turtle, our tortoise shell kitten this week, too! So turtle is the choice, despite your scary turtle interaction. 😬
Jubilant
Jockey
Jennifer
I always notice Jennifers or Jennys on tv (since that’s my name!) and feel a kinship because of it. There are many to admire. Every single school year I had to decide who I was going to be in my class that year--Jennifer A., Jenny A., etc-- because there was always another one of us in my home room. I just noticed a Jennifer on tv today who was a bit older than me. J will always come back to me, egocentrically!
I hope your week will be a good one, and everything stays in the cracked vessels we own.
I saw your page tonight and noticed Turtle and knew that turtle must have been your pick here, too. Timing! That’s an excellent association. Turtle, of course, is my pick as well. We had a brindle once, too. Your drawing of Turtle is so sweet, and I think the mandala turned out great. I’m glad today was a J day. Lol!
The broken toilet ahead of the hospital transfer? Now there's some irony (?!). Do you know how strong you are? My goodness, Amy.
Funny that you mention the crows and the sticky note. I commented on the former but spoke to my husband about the latter, saying aloud how lovely I found your idea of tucking letters into books. So both made an impression on me, for sure.
Turtle, all the way.
January, judicious, jaunty (<-- the adjective I use to describe my husband's winter cap)
Thank you, Elizabeth. I appreciate your words -- and good J words. I can imagine the jaunty winter cap!
Hi Amy, I like your drawing of the woman with the butterfly clips in her hair. I also love making lists but they get scratched out and thrown away. I love the idea of an illustrated journal but not quite there yet. This year I am keeping a bullet journal of sorts. My own version with weekly lists and a brain dump section. Maybe I will try a drawing or two? Baby steps with the journal. I liked that you mentioned tarot cards. I bought a set over the weekend after having them sit in my list for months. Seems like a fun winter endeavor. I wish you a good week!
Thank you! I think adding small visuals to your bullet journal is a great approach! You might find you enjoy that process. I hope you are having a good week.
I always find this to a space where you inspire, even when you’re sharing small windows into the hard realities you’re dealing with. Maybe especially then… I feel like it underscores the importance and value of a creative practice. I think sometimes it can even be a sort of life line to grab hold of if that makes sense. Times when things feel particularly heavy or anxiety feels very high, I feel sort of paralyzed about reaching for my sketchbook, and a nudge, a perspective and inspiration from someone else who holds on to a creative practice as a really important part of life experience is needed and very appreciated. And when I do break through that resistance and just start something it always has a positive effect on my mental state. Sending hugs and thank you as always for sharing the way that you do.
And turtle, though I’m a little hesitant about that choice after reading about your experience….that was a powerful turtle visual!
As always, way, way more than I can encompass or comprehend. I got a general sense of momentum, of encouragement, of striving.
I am partial to squirrels.
Fat ones,
Skinny ones,
Ones with broken tails.
Eager eyes,
Eager ears,
Nibble, nibble, nibble.
Jumpin’ Jehosephat, Judy!