Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic

SCARY IMAGE - Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic ©Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I was having a bad morning and when I saw this challenge the above image materialized. Too many of us are familiar with this beast.

My son said, "Hey, mom, your inner critic is scary."

Yes, yes it is.

This is my psyche at it's worse.  This is when I lose all confidence in myself; when I cannot remember that there are are good things in my life.

When I posted the above image on Facebook I was surprised at the amount of comments that came my way. Here is a sample of those comments.
Facebook Comments
Facebook Comments - Used with permission
My friend, Sherry Power, of Power Home Solutions wrote a lovely blog post about this situation entitled Silencing Your Inner Critic. Please take a moment to go read it.

Thankfully I don't go to this place very often, anymore. I have mechanisms in place now to keep me from getting here, or staying long, if I do go here.  


  • I have a list of accomplishments that I keep in a file on the computer. I add to this list as I go along.
  • I keep emails, letters, notes of nice things people have said to me or about me. I read these when I need to remember that I am not as horrible as my critic is telling me.
  • I have gone for counseling in the past, and, although I am not longer in counseling, I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed. It really does help you to see outside the box and get a fresh perspective on what is going on in your life.
  • I am on low-dose antidepressant.
  • I surround myself with positive people.
  • I draw, read, create art, have coffee with friends, interact with people, mentor people (online and off), get involved with others with similar interests

I created this image, that is supposed to be far more positive, in response to the inner critic. This is supposed to be my inner cheerleader.

Inner Cheerleader © Ana Tirolese
Inner Cheerleader - More positive image
My family and friends think I drew myself looking too scary.
However, I think it the cartoon of me is just as scary as the critic cartoon. It was supposed to be me cheering, however, I drew the teeth in the wrong angle.  Still, the colours are prettier and the words are nicer. I strive to be the things in this image, although I have not always succeeded. 

There were more Facebook comments left regarding this image.

Facebook comments about the Inner Cheerleader image
Facebook Comments - Used with permission
I read a blog post some time ago about 20 Bad Habits Holding Good People Back. It is from the blog Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Living and was written by Marc. I suggest you follow the link to read the full description of the 20 bad habits. It is well worth the read. Here is a quick listing of the habits.

  1. Expecting life to be easy
  2. Overlooking your true path and purpose
  3. Chasing after those who don’t want to be caught
  4. Not asking for help when you know you need it
  5. Letting one dark cloud cover the entire sky
  6. Holding on to things you need to let go of
  7. Spending time with people who make you unhappy
  8. Not making time for those who matter most
  9. Denying personal responsibility
  10. Letting everyone else make decisions for you
  11. Giving up who YOU are
  12. Quitting as soon as things get slightly difficult
  13. Doing too much and pushing too hard, without pausing
  14. Discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t
  15. Running from current problems and fears
  16. Constantly mulling over past hardships
  17. Denying your mistakes
  18. Expecting your significant other to be perfect
  19. Focusing on the negatives
  20. Not allowing things to be good enough

Through the magic of computers and digital technology I have created a less scary cheerleader image. Here it is.

My Inner Cheerleader, Rebooted. © Ana Tirolese
My Inner Cheerleader - Rebooted 
Pen and Ink, Manipulated Photo, Digital Colour.

Thank you for reading my blog.


Monday, June 25, 2012

My Sketchbook is Viewed at the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour

Sketchbook Project photo by ©Sharon Lynn
Sharon Lynn checks out my sketchbook at the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour
at the Pop-Up Library in Oakland, CA
Sharon surprised me by posting the above photo on my Facebook page. She went to the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour exhibit in her city. She wrote that she enjoyed viewing my sketchbook (and other sketchbooks) in person.

I am thrilled that someone who I know from my online art groups was able to view my sketchbook in a city so far away from my home. This is quite exciting for me.  I look forward to going to Toronto in July to see the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour for myself.

You may see my profile here: Dollinha

Or you can view my archived posts re: The Sketchbook Project 2012






Monday, June 4, 2012

642 THINGS TO DRAW - A Drawing Journal

642 Things to Draw 
Designed by Eloise Leigh © 2010 by Chronicle Books

I purchased this book last time I was at Chapters with My Sweetie!

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I enjoy drawing. A couple years ago I came across Danny Gregory's book An Illustrated Life and the Every Day Matters web group.

Recently I completed the Every Day in May Drawing Challenges.

So, when I came across this book in Chapters it was no surprise that I wanted it. I will admit, it took three visits to Chapters before I gave in and purchased it.

Each page has one to four sections to draw in, and each section has a word or phrase that you are to draw in that section.

Sample Blank Spread


Sample Spread After I Drew in the book

I jumped right it and started drawing like crazy. I'll be posting the actual drawings, here, on this blog. Pen and Ink are a bit of a challenge for me so I will try to do the majority of my drawings in pen and ink in this book.  I hope you enjoy viewing these as much as I enjoy drawing them.