August

For August, I am thinking that I would like to dig in to being a bit more creative. It's my break from school and I will have a week off of work in there too and while it is tempting to take on big projects like cleaning up my WHOLE APARTMENT, I think what I need most is some fun. So I've decided to join up with Susannah's August Break. Which, given how infrequently I post is maybe not a "break" exactly. But I have not been taking many photos lately, and I'd like to. I like having a snapshot record as the seasons pass, even if they aren't all masterpieces (which, of course, I want them to be). I like taking a bit of time to find a new perspective, a pretty shot, a good angle.

(Caveat: I may not actually take a photo every day... when I am not up for new shots I may go back to my bulging files of photos that have yet to see the light of the internet and post one of those instead. We'll see.)

Want to play along? Don't worry. There are no rules.

Sketchy

I've started doing this thing. Actually, I always did it, I just didn't think of it that way. 

Artists/illustrators don't start with a whole painting/illustration. They start with sketches. I think one of the things that freaks me out when I try to write is that I want to be writing the Novel (capital N) right from that first moment of inspiration. But I suspect it doesn't work that way, not at first. A bit too much pressure, perhaps?

So I've started to think of what I do at this stage as sketching, but with words. Just rough outlines, something I can return to later and add detail, shading. Just a place-marker for a story.

For example. I have this image in mind of an elevator operator. I don't know where she works, exactly, except that the elevator itself is a kind of Victorian relic (brass buttons and those great folding doors). I don't know much, yet, but I have a few sketches. This is one of them:

I am an elevator operator. It may not seem like much of a job, but the view is terrific. I work in one of the old Garland apartment buildings. The elevators, there are nine of them in total, are all glass, and facing out. So, all night, up and down, I see the city. It is a good job for a day dreamer. Or, a night dreamer. I work the late shift.

The apartments are expensive so most of the people coming and going are rich. That doesn’t automatically make them jerks, but they often are. I’ve never seen so many small dogs and large jewels in all my life.

The night shift is not as quiet as you might think.

There are no stairs in the Garlands. Well, there are, but only for emergencies, so to get anywhere the residents and their guests must make use of the elevators.

I sit on a stool next to the control panel and say one thing only: “What floor please?”

Some of the people are chatty, some quiet. Some friendly, some cold. To most, I am invisible.

I like the ones who stand and look out at the view. It is breath-taking. Even for me, even after seeing it about a zillion times. 

 This unrelated, but very pretty picture was made by Matte Stephens, whose work, blog and 

etsy shop are found here. I love how often his illustrations have umbrellas in them. Not this one, but a lot.

Actually, I am not descended from monkeys either, but we do share a common ancestor

Ever since I discovered comics (aka web comics / graphic novels / bandes desinées) I've been desperately jealous. This is my usual reaction to things I like, actually. 

"I LOVE this! I HATE you for for making of it instead of me!" 

Not very healthy, really. 


I still can't believe it took me so long to discover them because the combination of drawings + stories (not just for kids!) + angst/melancholy/anxious introverted nerdy artists = right up my alley. 

Anyway. So now, naturally, I want to make my own. I'm not at all sure how this will pan out as the people whose work I admire have like Studied Art and stuff... like they have actually worked at it, and my entire artistic education consists of a) a 4-week water-colour painting class that I took with my grandmother and b) fine arts 101 (or something) that I took in college which resulted in the following critical analyses: 
"Well..." (derisive laughter) "I forrr one am not deescended frrom zee monkeeeys!"
[I'd done a wire sculpture of the human family tree, over time]
and: 
"Why are all of your pieces so small and so close to the ground? I think you lack confidence."
Um... right. 


However. These are but distant memories, and I do still like to draw & paint, and am prone to the odd fit of creativity. So I may pull out a sketchbook and give it a go. In the meantime I will entertain myself by brainstorming and imagining my future brilliance. And coming up with names for this as-yet non-existent project!


Spiral Bound (although that's already taken. which is totally unfair because his isn't even remotely about snails!)
Green Eyed Monster (because I have green eyes, can be monstrous and am often jealous! so it works on LOTS OF LEVELS) (ok, two)
{unrelated comment: Andie, ever since we talked/wrote about ALL CAPS in literature I've been feeling the urge to use ALL CAPS way more often. I am a rebel?}
ALL CAPS (except it won't be)
I am a Rebel! (er.... maybe?)
Indecisive Much? (har har)
Right Up My Alley (hmmm... that one sounds... dirty?)
Descended From Monkeys
Snail Trailz (please, do not let me call my comic this)
Total Daydream (because that's likely what it will stay!) (that sounds kind of negative, but really I'm just poking fun at myself)
Daydream Believer (monkeys again ... er Monkees, sorry)


Isn't it funny how when you are trying to think of a name for something, suddenly everything around you starts to sound like a clever title? 
I know I'll call it.... Messy Kitchen! Or no, wait, Procrastination Central! Oh!, I've got it, Homework That Is Waiting To Be Done! Oooh, how about Chocolate Covered Almonds. Sigh. 

Lucy Knisley who is very talented & clever and whose book French Milk is really lovely.