Tuesday, January 29, 2013

What To Do While Waiting



We're all waiting, right? Some of us are waiting to hear back from editors and agents. Some of us are waiting for our burrito to warm up in the microwave or the laundry to finish its cycle. Some of us are waiting for true love or for the kids to get home from school, but we're all waiting.

So to pass the time, I came up with a list of things to do while waiting. Feel free to copy it if you'd like and if you have any really great secrets about how to suddenly become a more patient person, PLEASE let me know.

1. Watch the snow fall outside the window (sorry this won't work if you live in Hawaii).

2. Write a "book page" poem. To do this, tear a single page from a book (obviously not a good book) and circle one or two words from each line to create a poem. If you like black markers, you can cross out all the words besides the ones you've circled.

3. Draw a picture. It doesn't have to be good. It can be a doodle or a perfect copy of the Sistine Chapel (or a picture of a very bored looking girl with crazy hair)... you choose.

4. Clean the fridge. This is a boring one, but it sure feels good when you're done.

5. Learn some new vocabulary words. Pick a couple words randomly from the dictionary and see how many times you can use them today.

6. Learn French. This one might take a while.

7. Write a thank you note... and actually mail it.

8. Give the dog a bath and then laugh at it when it rolls around on the carpet trying to dry off.

9. Go get a hot dog at Costco and sit and people watch for an hour. Bring a notebook and write a sentence about each of their stories.

10. Clean out the junk drawer and make a collage with the trash. 

What... you're still waiting? Maybe it's time you tried making your own list.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Super-Gigantic-Knock-Your-Socks-Off Contest #2

It's a new year and time for another contest, but not just any contest. It's time again for a super-gigantic-knock-your-socks-off contest. 

I love knowing that my artwork is spread throughout the country and I REALLY love it when it ends up in the homes of people I love and admire. That's why I'm giving you, dear reader, a chance to win one of my original paintings.

Up for grabs is Silverwood II 24" x 12" (valued at $400) 


It's easy to ENTER. All you have to do is make sure that you're a follower and then blog, tweet, facebook or email about my contest (anything to spread the word). Then just write me a message letting me know how you did it.

All new followers will automatically be entered (Please let me know in the comments that you're a new follower so that I can keep track of your entries). 

And like always... the more ways you spread the word, the more times you'll be entered!!!

The contest will end January 31st.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Five Stages of Grief (I Mean Revision)

1. Denial

This manuscript isn't that bad. Really. I bet it only needs a few tweaks and it'll be perfect. 

2. Anger



Who wrote this thing? It's terrible. You're telling me this is a character arc? The voice is inauthentic, the characters are flat  and the plot is convoluted. AAAGGGGGHHHH!!!!

3. Bargaining


Just let me check my email one time and then I promise I'll start revising. Wait, I'll send one more tweet and then really... I'll add that new chapter. 

4. Depression


Why do I even bother? Nobody is going to like this book anyway. I might as well just toss it and take up needlepoint.

5. Acceptance

No one else is going to write this book for me. I guess I'll do it. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

On My Feet



There's nothing like a day or two of being ill to make you appreciate life. Today's sketch is all about celebrating being on my feet again. 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Crazy Hair



Today's sketch might resemble my hair first thing in the morning. 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year



In keeping with my resolution to create more and to try to draw in my sketchbook daily, I spent a little extra time today to draw a little something to welcome in the new year.