Inktober Days: Graceful, and Never Empty

From the moment I saw the word "graceful" on the list, there wasn't even a shadow of doubt in my mind who to call..... Ghostbusters. (Oh come on, you all know you saw it coming!)

But seriously, I did know exactly who would grace the page. Honestly, Emillee is one of the Creecher's who no matter how talented she is, my talents have yet to really do her justice. Kinda makes me feel inadequate. Here's something though, she doesn't even think she's all that great either! But let me share with you a little secret. To me, that's what Inktober is all about: pushing ourselves as artists; discovering and appreciating our strengths amongst the constant self-criticism (and jeers from outer sources too); accepting that messing up is part of growing up; and continuing on anyway, allowing our weak things the chance to become strong.

And that friends, (and you complete strangers as well) why I always part ways with you by saying; Keep on keepin' on!

Inktober Days: Teeming Up

(Yes, I realize that is the incorrect spelling for the context, it's called a play on words.)

Ever been just the best that it could ever get, and then life just decides to fire everything at you at once, just to see if you'll last? If you didn't at least grunt in agreement in your mind, you're lying. And by the way, the reason why I ask is this was my weekend. Thankfully I made it practically unscathed!

I had to look to a few sources to figure out what it meant, but here's my interpretation of a prompt like "teeming".

More than this has anything to do with the prompt though, it's just an accurate representation of how things are feeling in my life. Even so, prompts are just a pointer and not an absolute theme. So you can take it and bend it to your will. That's something I've always loved about drawing. Some days it's the one and only thing I have control over.

Whatever you're life is teeming with; joy or sorrow, hardships or victory.... just remember you actually never, ever face them alone. There's always help, and there's always hope. That's why I always say: Keep on keepin' on.

Ink-tober Days: Run For Your Life!

Welp, in order to keep the 'pace', here's our next Inktober drawing. Not my best work ever, but certainly a 'runner-up'.  (Bet you're tired of me 'running my mouth', so let's make a 'dash' right into our drawing.)

I bet you're wondering what the title has to do with anything. Obviously you've never broke the right vase. If you don't save that one vase, then you really do need to run for your life!

Keep on keepin' on!

Ink-tober Days: Shyin' Away

The prompt 'behind' this one is "shy".

.....Oh, I guess I should say a bit more, eh? Well.... this is definitely not too far off from the way I was when I was about Sheldon's size. In fact, I think every kidlet goes through something like this. Even if it's not as a visible shy-ness, every child relied on their parent for protection in some way. In the best of cases, that reliance will lessen, but never completely fade. For example, give it a couple hours and Sheldon will come out from behind his Mother's dress. But if he ever needs her, Linda is still always there for him, like any good mother. And she's always lovingly encouraging him to explore the world beyond the radius of her dress once again.

Wow, that turned into like, some kinda metaphor for life! Too bad nobody ever reads these things. Don't be afraid to venture beyond the dress radius, and keep on, keepin' on!

   

Ink-tober Days: Long Waits

So, I looked at the topics I had to choose from, and my bank of rough drafts in varying stages, and thought: "Hmmm, 'long'.... what could I do to demonstrate long?" The obvious answer was commercial breaks.

Okay, so it's a bit of a "stretch".

You know what the ironic thing is though? In case you can't tell from the back of his head as I can, that's Shorty. (If you catch the irony, you are awesome; you get a gold star, a hug, and a cookie.)

Anyway, this time around I decided to add a hint of color (because I don't like shading, as I mentioned here. But, who am I kidding? I've got a month of inking ahead of  me; sooner or later, I'm gonna half to shade.) Don't worry, I promise on my reputation I used colored inks. This image was not added to or taken from digitally in any way. That's my Inktober guarantee.

This particular image means a lot to me, because both the image on the TV screen and the picture on the wall are miniature reproductions of works I did in Elementary school. And that fish bears resemblance to the one my best friend in the world gave me for my birthday; like, a decade ago.

Alrighty. Remember, there's nothing wrong with taking a break once in a while. so long as you keep on keepin' on!

Ink-tober Days: Divided, we "Fall"

Heehee. Get it?

Anyhow, story-time. I was invited to participate in the 2017 Inktober initiative. Which means that not only will I actually be posting a bit more (oops), but also that for the month, I will be just posting the inked image. Absolutely no digital editing this month. It also should be noted that I only intend to do a half-marathon, as the kids call it. The idea is that every other day you'll get something from me based of one of the two prompts from the two days. Just enough to push me, and still give me room to tend to my life duties. Hopefully I can keep up. But even more-so important, here's hoping my talents and abilities broaden (as we can all benefit from that!). But if not, I have a feeling at least I'll get some joy out of this. 

That being said, today's drawing is a nice start, hey? With a prompt like "Divided" and a brain like mine..... well, you get the "picture". In my expert opinion, childish bickering seems to be the root of all contention, and one of the biggest ways to cause a divide between anyone. Family, co-workers, the best of friends, even. And to passers-by, it can look a little silly, ridiculous, confusing and just sad. Like, I'm not even sure who broke the shovel here, guys. Did that start the fight, or was it the "breaking point"?

Oh yeah, one last thing. I don't think you've met Kimberly yet. See the little girl with the adorable tongue? Yeah, that's her. Promise she's not always this immature. In fact, I was quite surprised to see her behaving this way, myself. She does like to see things go her way though, but who doesn't? I guarantee as time goes on we'll see some of her better days.

Alright guys; stay strong, and keep on keepin' on!

April Showers bring May flowers!

Don't know what it's like for all you people, but here it's finally feeling like a Mid-Summer night's dream! (Just weather-wise, though. It's nothing like the play.) There are ups and downs to this weather, though. With this semi-Spring, semi-Summer atmosphere comes cook-outs and camping, blossoms and bird-songs, Frisbee and flowers. On the other hand though, mosquitoes. 'Nuff said. 

Stay cool, and keep on keepin' on!

Just in time for Easter!

Once again, the celebration of new life is upon us! Personally, with my Religious course on the life and ministry of the Savior ending just in time for Easter, my thoughts have been turned to Christ and his role in our Spiritual progress in this life. (Actually, today's drawing and my final project for that course have some incredible similarities!) 

As is quite common with the Scriptures, the Savior's instruction to various people during His life can be applied to our own lives. He said; “Come, follow me.[ Luke 18:22] For, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me;[ John 14:6] therefore, be not afraid, only believe,[ Mark 5:36] all things are possible to them that believe.[ Mark 9:23]” The Savior also never failed to emphasize throughout His ministry that His will and that of the Father were in constant unison.[ Matthew 12:50, Luke 2:49, John; 4:34, 5:30, 6:38, among others.] Thus we see that the Father and the Son both truly love us and wish our redemption and exaltation, our immortality and eternal life.[ Moses 1:39] As Elder Holland said, “Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, suffered, died, and rose from death in order that He could, like lightning in a summer storm, grasp us as we fall, hold us with His might, and through our obedience to His commandments, lift us to eternal life.”[ “Where Justice, love, and mercy meet”; Elder Jeffery R. Holland, April 2015.] 

So, much like Peter in his attempt to come to the Savior on the water;[ Matthew 14:25-31] as we stay focused on Him, through the Atonement and the Holy Ghost, the Savior is with us every step in the right direction that we take. “For with God all things are possible.”[ Mark 10:27] When you put it that way, it's quite apparent we’re loved the exact same way as the men Jesus himself handpicked to hold His Priesthood and teach His word. As I see it, this shouldn’t lower our leaders to our level, but rather raise us to their plain. The Lord’s servants, all of them, are equal, and have the same job; to pay forward the help we receive from the Savior, spread the good news, find and feed His sheep.[ John 21:15-17; “Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd”, 4th verse, Hymns no. 221 ] Coming full circle here, the biggest part of our God-given responsibility as servants of Him is to lift other’s up to join us, as our Savior first lifted us up. He that ascended up on high, has also he descended below all things… that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth”[ Doctrine and Covenants 88:6]. 

Yeah, I've put a lot of thought into this. Happy Easter, and keep on keepin' on!

Nothing is Ever Just Black and White

        One of the most stressful things about this blog, as time goes on, has to be coming up with something original to say about the works I post on here. Provide some kind of way to justify posting what I post, some great big tie-in to life or current events, or some lengthy and deep metaphor -so it seems like I know what I'm doing. You can see how it starts to get a little taxing. There's also a standard of excellence I've set for the work I post. These combine with being busy, and a bunch of other silly excuses and before you know it, I've only posted once in the last seven months! So today I say; "phooey to the rules I've set for no reason!" Because if rules are holding you back from achieving your goals, they aren't rules at all! I believe the word is 'limitation'. That said, here's a post that doesn't meet my personal expectations for what is blog worthy, but is still awesome.One of my biggest achievements actually, because I have never been much for shading.

 Unfortunately, it appears I can't break all my limitations in one post. Just look at that beautifully deep and lengthy metaphor. Isn't life wonderful? So, until next time; Remember who you are, and keep on keepin' on!