artofnonsense – Page 7 – Play. Create. Discover…

art, Blog, Monster Monday, Monsters, Poetry

Yawning Yarnie: Got a case of the Mondays?

April 6, 2020April 6, 2020 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday everyone! If you find it hard to get into the swing of things on Mondays, this one’s for you. Meet Yawning Yarnie: a slumbersome, foot-dragging creature from my upcoming children’s book entitled “My Very Hairy Monster Friends!” This illustration version was a practice run using leftover paint, which came out so vibrant that I suspect it was gouache instead of the anticipated watercolour. When I moved on to try to finish the final version, I ran into issues. I recently invested in new, more expensive watercolours and stocked up on a different kind of paper (finding my usual selection unavailable). Word to the wise— experiment with your new supplies before deciding you’re a master of the medium and don’t expect them to behave exactly like your old ones (temporary grumpy faces and arm-crossing allowed however). I guess this is life’s lesson right now anyways: “Don’t expect life to be the same when the whole world around you has completely dislodged itself from any normalcy.” Hrm?

Well so, the old cheap watercolours seem to be working better (more smooth and vibrant) than my new expensive investment, and I’m not feeling particularly thrilled about that. In any case, practise practise practise is my motto these days. Getting used to using different mediums in new ways can be challenging and tricky— and apparently fun lol— so I’m trying to embrace that and see what happens while stifling my perfectionism en-route (especially tricky). Anyway, I’ll show you Yarnie’s book page when it’s complete, but for now here’s a teaser… I hope you enjoy yawning with Yarnie today!

**“Poor Yawning Yarnie”**

Poor Yawning Yarnie
Yawns with such might.
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Gives herself a good fright!
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Yawns all the day long.
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Sometimes yawns out a song!
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Always yawns out of tune.
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Yawns as big as the moon.
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Yawns when she eats.
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Even yawns when she sleeps!
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
Once yawned in a bird —
Now when she yawns,
A chirping is heard!
Poor Yawning Yarnie,
All she wants is to play.
But poor Yawning Yarnie,
Yawned her friends all away.
Poor Yawning Yarnie…
But there’s one thing to do —
If you want to see Yarnie,
You must start yawning too!
Then make it a game,
And go yawning about,
This could help Yarnie
Yawn ALL her yawns out!

Thanks for reading! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2020 Kristina Durst All Rights Reserved.

Blog, Self-Help, Self-Love

The Kristy Monster: Gettin’ Silly!

March 30, 2020 Kristy Fae

Today’s blog will be short. I had a busy week working on an illustration contract, which was awesome and challenging, and now it’s time for some self-care and play. In busy times, or in times of stress, us humans know that balance is hard to maintain. We can easily slip down the slope of not prioritizing our health, our joy, and our other priorities. In the middle of a pandemic, life is definitely challenging for pretty much all of us— very little is at its “normal” for us. So just remember, amidst it all, that you can’t expect to be at your normal either. Take care of you and keep connecting with those you love. Find joy in whatever small moments or activities you can. Be easy on yourself. Give yourself the gift of space and grace and now more than ever … the gift of nonsense!

Not everything has to be so serious. Last week, I had a great play date with Mother Nature, and it did me a lot of good. I’ve attached some pictures that I hope will also inspire you— to play, to create, to do something new or different or spontaneous. Whatever it is for you that feeds your body, mind and soul in a healthy way. This week, my goal (and feel free to join me) is to bring in more play. More arts and crafts with no end goal. More terrible “Glee” re-enactments from my living room. More laughing at myself or instigating smiles with silly selfies. What will it be that brings more light to your life this week? Feel free to share with a comment or photo! Best wishes, everyone.

Thanks for reading! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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Project Finishing- not as scary as it seems!

art, Blog, Monster Monday, Self-Improvement

The Finisher: How Finishing Projects Makes You Unstoppable

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 Kristy Fae

Some of you may have already seen the below acrylic-pouring paintings, because I created them on Christmas vacation when I was away visiting my family. I then shipped them back across the country— only to keep them packed in a box, until today, because they were awaiting a final gloss varnish and hook attachments. Well today I finally finished them.

Now there’s something especially satisfying about finishing a project that’s been ominously seeking your attention like a monster under the bed (the paintings were, in fact, being stored in a box under my bed). Here are the benefits of finishing projects that I’ve come up with:

It frees up space. No, I’m not talking about the space under the bed, though that is an added benefit, but more-so the crucial space in your mind that is needed for working on other awesome projects and goals. If you’re constantly thinking about, or even guilting yourself for, unfinished projects, what better way to clear your conscience than to just FINISH THEM?
It puts hair on your chest— or at least makes you feel like pounding your chest while hollering maniacally. Confidence and pride is boosted when you believe in yourself and feel like you’re accomplishing things that you are passionate about. Furthermore, finishing projects will help you grow and develop your talents and skills, further snowballing you towards more of the aforementioned desirable traits as well as improving your overall work. Win-win!
It stimulates the appetite. Seeing your work finished and out there in the world can help inspire and motivate you in ways you never expected. You may find yourself hungry for more or indulging on new creative ideas. Plus, you very well could end up with ogling clients or supporters drooling over your stuff. Every artist’s dream!
It’s fun. The joy of finishing a project speaks for itself, does it not?
It builds muscle— though unless your chosen medium involves lifting and building very large, very heavy structures, probably just metaphorical ones. Muscle memory is a real thing, routines are real as well, therefore it’s logical to deduce that a consistency in completing projects can become second-nature. The more projects you finish, the more of a habit project-finishing becomes.

*“The Finisher” … not as scary as it seems!*

Once you’ve become a brave, strong, hungry monster with lots of space to play in, you’re ready to take on the world— or at least the next project that starts bobbling into your head. So go grab one of those projects you have stashed away like a squirrel, and get crackin’! Sorry, I’m metaphor rich today. See? The project-finishing really does inspire the mind.

Seriously, what are you doing still reading this? GO GET TO IT.

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on future posts! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Monster Monday, Self-Love

The Peaceful Breezer: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos

March 16, 2020 Kristy Fae

If you’ve found even a bit more stress or disruption in your life than usual lately, you likely already know that you aren’t alone. Yes, the world is being impacted by COVID-19 in countless ways and I’m not here to talk about it. What I do want to discuss are the little things we can do to find peace, inspiration, grounding, and even joy when we find ourselves amidst chaotic, uncertain or confusing times— for whatever reason.

Yesterday I chose the simple act of taking a long, leisurely walk at the oceanside with a good friend. The sun was shining so brightly it sparkled on the water like a disco ball, while a seal popped his head up next to us and an eagle soared overhead. The wind was blowing the waves into a synchronized dance and scuba divers reminded us of the mysterious world that lay beneath them. The land felt at peace and, for a few hours, everything felt normal again. We couldn’t help but feel our interconnectedness with nature, the sense of how infinitesimal we humans are, and how much peace can be found by just stepping away. Away from the house. Away from the hustle and bustle. Away from routine. Away from social media and news. Away in whatever form of awayness is needed for you at any given time. By the time we left, I for one was feeling free of life’s problems, safe, in control, and enlivened— things I hadn’t felt much of all week.

When I later sat down to work on today’s artwork and blog, I could still see those beachy views in my mind’s eye: the grassy mounds in the foreground framed by stunning mountaintops and blue skies far beyond. While I had many illustrations that I “should/could” have been working on for my various projects, something from this vivid landscape was still speaking to me: whispering to the needs of my soul for further peace, freedom and trust. I knew there was a creature hiding behind the whisper but I couldn’t see her yet. But still, there she was encouraging me to gently put aside any additional pressure amidst an already stressful time; to “go with the flow” and create something just for the joy of it. I pulled out my oil pastels, a medium I rarely work in nowadays but one that I relate to a time in my younger days when I would draw for the sheer love of it, without (as much) concern for the end goal.

I knew this medium would help set me up for this “therapeutic art” session. And it worked. Instead of first sketching and perfecting the outlines of an image, I drew with the pastels directly onto the paper, trusting the permanence of the lines as I laid them down. I let it happen. I didn’t fight anything yet I felt in control. I limited expectations. I mixed colours. I smeared the oily pigments with my bare fingertips. And this is what came out— a creature seemingly born from those grassy cliffs of Ogden Point in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. I still plan on adding in that mountain crested background another day, but for now, this Peaceful Breezer sleeps in the caress of the sun without a worry in mind. She reminds me, and anyone else who wishes to take her lead, that stepping away to enjoy life’s simplicities, trusting the flow, and letting the breeze tousle your hair can sometimes be the best thing we can do for ourselves to come back to our centre. That and turning our fingertips green with creative delight…

So let your freedom flow like the wind and allow yourself to connect to those small things that make you feel as I did, hugged between ocean and eagle, in the shimmering sunlight.

Be well everyone.

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on future posts! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Monster Monday, Poetry

The Biscuit Monster: A Sneak Peek…

March 9, 2020March 9, 2020 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday everyone! Today I have a special treat for you. You may have seen this kooky critter creeping around my pages before- but what you may not know is that she made it into the children’s picture book that I’m currently working on! “My Very Hairy Monster Friends” is a collection of short poems accompanied by wild and whimsical creature illustrations. Adventures, life lessons, and celebrating diversity are some themes that come out of this book. I’m ecstatic about releasing these unique creations into the world, and today I’d like to share a sneak peek of one of the featured poems along with the original watercolour painting I did of the Biscuit Monster (I’ll share the actual page illustration when I complete it)! Enjoy…

The Biscuit Monster

The Biscuit Monster is lots of fun,

She eats her cookies one by one,

And if she’s hungry when she’s done…

Hide your treats and run, run, run!

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to the Blog to follow the progress of “My Very Hairy Monster Friends” and other creative adventures…

Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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Blog, Monster Monday, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Self-Love

The Gobbling Goblin: On Self-Improvement

February 10, 2020February 17, 2020 Kristy Fae

Do you ever find yourself thinking things like, “I’ll be good enough when I’m that way; loveable when I have this skill or knowledge; worthy when I land myself in such-and-such position”? If so, don’t fret, you’re one in a sea of monsters having the same malevolent thoughts.

Here’s the thing— development and growth are great, building skills can be useful, new knowledge can be insightful, and different experiences can be life-changing, but a problem arises when you start believing about such things that:

a) they will fix all of your challenges completely and immediately.

b) without them you are somehow broken or deficient and won’t be “good enough” until you’ve achieved them.

c) they are all very serious business, so you’d better crack down hard!

In these cases, you might end up like The Gobbling Goblin: gorging yourself on self-improvement until you have a belly ache and your eyes are rolling maniacally around in your head to such a point that you’re left sitting there in a daze, unable to remember what the darned feast even tasted like, thinking, “I did the work. Why’m I not good nuf yet?”

But self-improvement doesn’t work that way. We simply can’t digest growth and change in one sitting, and apply it consistently for dessert. These things take time, patience, and practice. Think of it like taste testing: try a little bit here, take another bite there, perhaps one worked for you, and another one didn’t. Maybe you dropped a few pieces on the floor or spit one inconspicuously into your napkin. It’s all okay. The point is, keep tasting. Just try not to devour the entire platter at once, and refrain from expecting the next bite to turn you into some grandiose version of yourself Alice in Wonderland style.

At the end of the day, know that you already are, and you always have been, good enough, and loveable, and worthy. So by all means, invest in learning and growing in ways that feel beneficial to you— just remember to do so gently and to enjoy your life and love yourself while you’re at it! And exploring how to do just that is exactly what this strange, monsterly, self-helpish blog is all about, so be sure to subscribe to join in on the journey…

Thanks for reading! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2020 Kristina Durst All Rights Reserved.