Hello February!
So, on the one hand, I’ve managed to successfully get back into my weekly routine after taking a bit of time off for the holidays. It’s been really nice, and comforting to know what my work day is going to look like in advance, and setting small daily goals…
On the other hand, I’m struggling with how to incorporate a new (secondary) sketchbook habit into that schedule. You’d think I wouldn’t lack for time, but somehow I can only seem to work on big projects, and small doodles in my regular messy sketchbook. Adding a themed sketchbook sounds a lot like a big project now that it’s in front of me. I know the hardest part of starting a sketchbook is starting a sketchbook, but dang, it’s not usually this hard. I’m just going to have to just dive in eventually… I did listen to one of the latest episodes of The Laura Horn Art Podcast, which happened to be about working in sketchbooks. It was super encouraging, so I’m hoping that will help me get started!
Otherwise, it’s been mostly the same old same to my start of the year. Working on paintings, practicing drawings in my sketchbook, and making my weekly web comics! Normally I’d also be planning my “big” business goals for the year as well…but, obviously that is darn near impossible right now… Honestly, the easiest way for me to stay motivated right now is to focus on those small daily goals, and letting that be enough! Not just for my art and working, but for just about everything. Just one day at a time!
So, I’m proud to say I beat Immortal Fenyx Rising! I’m still trying to finish all the puzzles, but I completed the story! A rare feat for me! The hardest part was making one dumb jump up a series of pillars — but it probably took twenty minutes! When it comes to video games I have basically no depth perception. When I would play old World of Warcraft dungeons and put up a solid fight, I’d get stuck trying to jump across a lake…every. single. time! But that said, it was still a lot of fun.
I’ve also been watching Mr. Husband play Yakuza: Like a Dragon. We were new to the franchise but it is SO GOOD. Easily one of the best games I’ve never played (haha) but I got completely hooked watching him play through the story! It’s like a really funny, super nerdy, soap opera. Absolutely love it!
In other news, while I’m not someone that just browses Youtube, I just have a few channels I follow. One of which is Jenny Nicholson. She recently released a two and half hour review of The Vampire Diaries show. I never watched the show, but I definitely watched all of the review. Was it a good use of my time? Probably not…Was it entertaining? Absolutely. And I now feel like I’ve seen the whole thing!
Also thanks to Jenny, I started reading The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith (creator of Vampire Diaries). It’s a super ridiculous, super 90s…thriller, I guess? Basically, a group of teens are trapped in a board game facing their deepest fears. But also (of course), the game is being controlled by dreamboat demon guy that has been in love with the protagonist for-ev-er. HA! It’s a complete mess, but an absolute gem! For someone who now loves campy horror movies, I don’t know why I’ve never considered the literary equivalent, but it’s fantastic. I definitely have to take breaks and read something else in my current reading pile (like, still working my way through Caliban’s War), but it is a treat to be sure!
Thanks for joining me at The Shallow End!
Summer Child Designs 