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: 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!

Green Thumbs

So, after a long discussion, I decided Lizzie was right, in that a day of hard work is not the same as a day of service. So we reached a compromise, and decided to merge two darkness fighting techniques into one week: Diligent labor and spreading the good news of Christ. Jesus himself compared both to gardening in one way or another* anyway, so it worked out okay, even if it wasn't 'plant' this way! Remember, you guys will only reap what you sow, don't let your 'garden' down and end up with it only being 'sow-sow'.  

*Here's the sources, the first and the last, if you will.

"Good tidings of great joy"

Nothing gets the Christmas Spirit flowing quite like a Nativity re-enactment. Am I right? Yeah, I am.

What better way to remember that a Savior is born? 

Personally, I'm surprised that the angel outfits last as long as they do before getting stained. I guess all that dreaming of a white Christmas helps... 

Anyway, Merry Christmas to all the peoples (and all the Creechers too!) And we'll see you in 2016!

It's Autumn!

 It's that time of year again! Breathe in that fall air! The weather has made a turn to chilly, the leaves are abandoning their roots (pun intended), and pumpkins are showing up everywhere. This beautiful season calls for a drawing! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaf-ing.