getcreativewith – Play. Create. Discover…

Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, play, Self-Love, Writing

The Dragon and the Fly: Sitting on the Water

May 24, 2021 Kristy Fae

Hi monster fans! Just dropping in with a little reminder and a touch of inspiration this Monster Monster. For those of you who have been trying to do too much, yet feeling more worn out and “less than” the more you do…this post may be for you!

If you’re anything like me, you have plenty of creative ideas as well as a never-ending list of to-do’s on multiple lists. If so, let’s just take a pause. Breathe. Seriously, just take a few deep ones as though you’re gathering up your fiery breath to roar it out at a gigantic marshmallow OR it could be a gentle subtle breath, like the breath of a fly, peaceful and easy. Do it in whatever way feels good to you right now and most importantly: enjoy it, savour it, like a delectable treat. Because it is one.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve adored dragonflies. With their enlarged, inquisitive, reflective eyes, thin bodies, and delicate wings, they truly strike me as something from out of this world. When I was young, I would take the dinghy out into the bay on the lake and rescue the dragonflies that had swooped too low for a fresh fly and gotten their winged waterlogged. I would retrieve them from the top of the lake’s surface, set them on the side of the dinghy, and watch as they would flutter their wings in the sunlight until they were dry enough to transport their bodies back into flight once more. Me, sitting in blow-up raft in the middle of the lake surrounded by bugs: and I couldn’t have been happier.

What magic comes to us when we are willing to pay attention to the small things around us? To sit still and hear our heart’s longing? To act on those gentle, shimmering impulses… like a dragonfly’s wing…?

So that’s where I’ve been and why I haven’t been keeping up with this blog lately. I haven’t been on the lake with the dragonflies, but out in the sun, at my drawing desk and craft table, with the little inspirations that come, trying to enjoy each minute of it all. And I don’t pretend that it’s easy to do less, slow down, and pay attention… but I guarantee, it is worth the effort to try.

“The Dragon and the Fly” by Kristy Biscuit

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook and Instagram or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for more monsterly inspiration!

…

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! © 2021 Kristina Durst aka Kristy Biscuit All Rights Reserved.

art, Blog, Colour-ME, Colouring Page, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, Self-Love

The Heart Monster: Colour-Me with Love!

February 8, 2021February 8, 2021 Kristy Fae

Whether you’re currently out there dodging, seeking, or tending to cupid’s arrow, you’ve probably noticed that it’s February— and February is a month abundant in reminders of love, hearts, chocolate and otherwise festive symbols and gestures. Despite any prevalent customs, Valentine’s Day is still a very different experience for each and every one of us. For some, yes, romantic and exciting; for others sorrowful; and for certain people, dull or meaningless…and the list goes on. Like any other day on planet Earth, we don’t know what our fellow humans are going through, how they’re feeling, or what they’ve endured. May this time of year remind us to be gentle, compassionate, and loving: to ourselves; to our loved ones; to the strangers we pass throughout our day; and to all people and living things outside of our bubbles, our cities, and even our countries.

Love knows no bounds. And in order to celebrate LOVE from whatever position you’re viewing it from this February, I’d like to offer you this sweet and loving Heart Monster! Feel free to print him out, colour him brightly, and fill in the hearts with people or beings you’d like to send love out to this month! Let this Heart Monster be a reminder that love is in our own hearts first and foremost, and that we can extend it outwards into the world just by setting the intention to do so. I hope you enjoy this fun monster colouring page and I would love to hear about who you filled your hearts with (and I recommend including YOU!) in the comments below…

Happy Love Day Everyone!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterestor visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable creatures and other products.

…

art, Blog, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, play, Poetry

The Simple Scribbler: Meaningful Meaninglessness

January 25, 2021 Kristy Fae

Sometimes it’s fun to simply draw,

Without the need to hum and haw,

So to the page the pencil goes,

And watch it as it simply flows…

Whether you’re a student of art, a professional artist, or a creative dabbler, it’s important to step away from the confines of projects and end results once in a while (or even more often than that preferably). Giving yourself time to experiment, scribble, scratch, doodle— and otherwise mess around— can not only be fun and therapeutic, but it can also give way to creations and ideas that could inspire a future project. You never know just what you might find: an outlet, a new technique, or a wacky character that jumps off the page and steals your heart! Here’s the little one born of my scribbles this week… what do you think? Should this Scribbler have his own story?

Take some time out this week to do something creative just for the sake of doing it! No means to an end. No agenda. No perfectionism. No erasing or un-doing even! Hide away from distractions and technology while you do it. Give it your full attention. Run wild with it! Take special notice of how you feel during the process— I’d love to hear about your experience and see what you end up with!

Happy creating!

If you want more nonsensical fun, find us @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable creatures and other products.

…

art, Blog, Creative Learning, inspiration, Monster Monday, play

The Curious Critter: Part 2

January 18, 2021 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday! I hope everyone’s had a great week. Here in Victoria, we were blessed with many sunny days and I’ve had a tough time staying inside to work (it’s been so much fun playing outside with the bobs of seals and the romps of otters— which, I’ve learned, are real terms for the families of these marine mammals! How cute is that? Oh, by the way, you can find me at “Kristy Durst Photography” on Facebook if you want to see glimpses of those adventures and more to come).

Nonetheless, I did manage to make some progress on the Curious Critter from last week, and as promised, I’m here to share the progress— so behold the first pass of colour. In case you missed last week’s blog, this is following the “Beginner’s Guide to Digital Drawing in Procreate” on 21-draw.com

And I hereby challenge you this week: go get creative or get out and play! Both are equally as important and nourishing…

*Blocking out Colour on my *Character Design* in Procreate*

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable creatures and other fun products!

…

art, Blog, Creative Learning, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Improvement, Writing

The Curious Critter: Expanding Horizons

January 11, 2021January 18, 2021 Kristy Fae

While I have done digital art over the years, mostly for school assignments, my main mediums of choice have always been physical ones. Whether acrylics, pastels or colour pencils, I was drawn to holding tangible tools and creating something new with my bare hands. I don’t think that the pleasure of paper drawing will ever go away for me, and for a long time, I rebelled against digital art (just as I evaded digital photography after learning film and well, has THAT ever changed! Now I’m a digital photography adorer). There is something pure and simple about the traditional way of doing art and it is an invaluable practice to keep up. Yes— and also, everything has its place…

Over the past several years, I have been honing my skills as an illustrator, but not without frustration and setbacks. I was up against chronic pain, which limited my work time, and a lack of mastery in the mediums I had settled on using for my style of illustration. Yes, I could learn with time and training, but I often got stuck and discouraged in the process and I wasn’t putting out the content or finishing the projects that my heart so longed to get out into the world. It was a bit of a coincidence when I had the chance to try drawing on an iPad for the first time. Yes, I had tried a Wacom tablet back in University and later dabbled with the Apple Trackpad, but I found them extremely imprecise, frustrating and painful to draw with (they work for many people, but I have fussy wrists!).

Now, I’m not oblivious to the benefits, conveniences and beauty of digital art, but it wasn’t until I actually tried drawing with the iPad that I went, “Ohhhhhh, WOW! It’s just like drawing on paper!” Only with layers. And innumerable colour palettes at the click of a button. And so many other options including this artist’s favourite tool— the UNDO button! But wait, do all of these fancy tools and the ability to easily change or manipulate your images mean that digital artists are less skilled, fine-tuned or talented? I admit that I had this judgement for a while, like somehow giving into digital art would discredit me as an artist. But I beg to disagree with myself. To be a good artist, you need a set of creative talents and skills, say like precision, a sense of composition and colour theory, as well as in depth knowledge of your chosen medium. Well, how about that? All of these things apply to both physical and digital art! Knowing how to use your software is just as important as knowing how to use your paint and brush to achieve the effects you desire. Art, by any other name, is still art. An artist, no matter his or her medium, is still an artist.

What I discovered about creating digital art with the iPad is that it enables me to work more efficiently, thus not overdoing myself, while creating versatile art for my many applications (much of which is used or delivered digitally, so it streamlines my process). Procreate on the iPad has been a game changer. It has opened up the possibility for me to create so much more than before! And no, I don’t intend to give up on my watercolour and gouache and whatever other medium I feel like expressing in. It’s that I now know that both digital and traditional art have their proper uses and both can actually be enjoyed more because I can choose the one that is appropriate for my project’s/schedule’s/body’s needs. While more isn’t necessarily always better, it is when doing so makes you happy!

So I’m diving into this digital world, friends, with ferocious excitement and possibility! Over the last week, I’ve started growing my skills through 21-draw.com, an online membership site of illustration tutorials (with a handful specific to Procreate). I’m working through the “Beginner’s Guide to Digital Drawing in Procreate” which is how the first few stages of this little Curious Critter character design below came to be (I’ll post the final stages once I complete them). I’m learning some new tips, tools and techniques, getting some good practise in and, of course, having a blast! When learning is fun, you know you’re learning the right stuff.

In closing, yes, there will probably be controversy on the subject of digital vs traditional art, but these are the questions that I think will give you your own specific answer: what tools and mediums enable you to let your most creative, expressive, artistic self shine through? What will allow you to make art in a way that is feasible, accessible, efficient and effective for you and your unique applications, needs, barriers, skills, etc? So what do I think? I say, who cares how you create your art— JUST CREATE IT!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable creatures and other fun products!

…