Monday, Dec 9, 2024 | Art |
Day 9 Prompt
Draw & write. Subject: your nose.
Notes: Well this was a weird one! I knew it would be coming at some point, but I’d kinda forgotten about it. I’m smelling lentil stew simmering as I write this. I have a very sensitive nose, which is often a curse, but sometimes a joy. I took an unflattering selfie super-close-up so I could see my nose to draw it. And then I drew it in pen and daubed it with water colour. And that’s about as grand as it got. Not every day can be a winner.
xo, Carrie
Sunday, Dec 8, 2024 | Art, Confessions, Drawing, Friends, Manifest, Reading, Source, Space, Writing |
Day 8 Prompt
Draw an object from nature. Describe what it’s telling you?
Notes: This plant in my office, a succulent, reminds me of a plant at my brother and sister-in-law’s farmhouse, where I’ve gotten to go and write sometimes with my writing group. This plant reminds me of friendship and mutual support, and laughter, and how meaningful it feels to pause and breathe and listen to each other’s stories. Meaningful, too, to feel cared for and cherished and seen. I judge myself harshly and crave recognition (not all the time, but these temptations slip into my mind, these habits and patterns of thinking are hard to break). I long to be loved for my imperfect self and I long to be my best self as often as possible. Some days, this feels harder than others. But here is this plant. I’ve over-watered it and let it dry out way too much, and nevertheless it rewards my imperfect attention by continuing to exist. I am reassured by its presence on my desk.
xo, Carrie
Saturday, Dec 7, 2024 | Adventure, Art, Current events, Drawing, School, Spirit, Success, Work |
Day 7 Prompt
Draw & describe yourself through someone else’s eyes.
Notes: Rushed and messy, just like today. Amazed I even got it done, just like today. Grateful for the small acts of kindness I saw reflected and refracting back through this brief but powerful exercise, just like today. Materials: crayons and black pen. Songs: “Delicate Transitions” by Gavin Luke and “World Without Tears” by Lucinda Williams.
xo, Carrie
Friday, Dec 6, 2024 | Art, Drawing, Organizing, Peace, Play, Spirit, Winter |
Day 6 Prompt
Draw & write. What’s in your pocket and why?
Notes: Items are from the pockets of my pink ski jacket. Materials used: black pen, crayon, watercolours. Songs included “Landslide” by the Chicks, “Quiet – Stripped” by MILCK, and “Battlefields” by Twin Flames. I’ve been spending way more time, proportionally, on the drawing piece of each “pause”; drawing and colouring is such a peaceful activity. I wrote the answer to why these items might have been in my pockets on the following page (approximately 5 minutes; no music while writing).
xo, Carrie
Thursday, Dec 5, 2024 | Art, Drawing, Meditation, Peace, Space, Spirit |
Day 5 Prompt
Draw while listening to whale song — eyes open or closed. Free-write for 5 mins.
Note: Listen to Humpback whale song by scrolling down this wikipedia link. Materials: black pen, crayons, water colours. Music: whale song. I wrote about what it feels like when someone doesn’t have time for my whimsy and playfulness, and I see myself through their eyes. I understand their impatience, even their disgust at my time-wasting; and yet, the delight of doing projects (like this one — of my own invention, for no super-obvious practical reason) carries me along. I notice when what I’m doing isn’t landing. And I’m patient. Most of the things that matter to me take time to unfold. Lots of time. It takes time to go deep. But like the whale, I need to surface too, and breathe in the world.
xo, Carrie
Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024 | Art, Drawing, Fire, Manifest, Play, Source |
Day 4 Prompt
Draw & write. Something you asked for and did not receive. (Do you still want it?)
Notes: pen & watercolour; songs: “Basement Apartment” by Sarah Harmer and “Atlantic,” by The Weather Station. The text reads a bit like a series of grievances, which was not where I’d originally imagined this going. But I got somewhere interesting. The final scrawl on the page reads: I asked to not have to ask — and that did not happen.
xo, Carrie
