Wandering Thoughts of a Writer: #art

Showing posts with label #art. Show all posts

As you guys know, Kevin (hubby) and I are moving towards living a minimalist lifestyle, and we’re loving it.

Did you know, Kevin is an artist?

I don’t remember if I’ve told you that or not.

. . . Well, he is, and the other day he created some cool ass steampunk/futuristic designs with only two things.

Can you guess what they were?

It was totally organic/natural . . .

. . . He created the following designs with only a flippin’ ink pen and pad of paper.

Here’s what they look like on paper.

Wouldn’t they look good on a T-shirt and sweatshirt hoodie?

Hell ya, they would!

The steampunk gangsta car would look sweet on a sweatshirt hoodie.

-So, I decided to take his hand drawn designs another step forward and did just that.

They are now in our Etsy store (DARETOLIVESHOP), because those designs are too cool not to share them with the world and give the
people who appreciate organic/hand drawn art, the opportunity to wear it.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/651402984/unisex-steampunk-hooded-sweatshirt?ref=shop_home_active_4

There will be more hand drawn by pen designs by Kevin in the future, and I’m excited to find out what he comes up with next. I’m trying to talk him into creating a steampunk-type cat that is writing for a T-shirt design, but being an author, I understand you can’t force creativity, so if he’s feeling inspired to draw it, he will, if not, something else kickass will come into fruition.

-Anyway, this is another step towards the life we’re creating.

Baby steps, remember?

Our Etsy store is a side hustle that I haven’t had time to focus on to grow because I’ve been working on other projects that’ll eventually come into play with the life we’re creating.

This shit takes time, and sometimes it seems like it’s taking forever and nothing is working. That’s where patience comes in and me giving myself a pep talk on not to give up, keep going.

Eventually, everything will come together and all our hard work will pay off.

We recently did an overview on everything we’ve done this year. We’re proud of ourselves for all that we’ve accomplished, and we’re happy where we’re at and the path we’re on.

Here’s a little reminder.

#art, #etsy, #goals, #hustle, #lifestyle, #minimalist, #patience, #projects, #shirts, #tshirts, 0 Comments

It’s been a miserable hot and humid summer here. Even my sunflower has lost its energy under the weight of the brutal sunrays and thick ass, suffocating air.

We haven’t been able to work on the RV in weeks now. However, we have continued to get things for it (flooring to install, lumber to build shelves, etc.), so when it cools off next month we’ll be able to finish renovating the inside.

In the meantime, while we lounge in our perfect climate control abode, we’re practicing to be here now—in the moment.

Tomorrow doesn’t exist.

What exist is right now.

-But the human brain gets in the way. The pestilent child emerges and wants to be entertained.

It loves drama, so worrisome or stressful thoughts run rampant through the mind.

"What if we can’t get done with everything before winter?"

"There’s a lot of shit to still do."

"It figures. We buy an RV, and this summer has been the hottest and most miserable one since we’ve been here (12+ yrs.). WTF?"

"I’ve been tired a lot lately and I’ve had a headache every day. What if it’s cancer?"

"That guy the other day was such an asshole. If he ever crosses my path again and is a dick to me, like he was to the poor cashier at the grocery store, I’ll tell him to fuck off (a scene plays out of that situation happening)."

See what I mean? The brain thrives off of that shit. It’ll create outlandish scenarios because it wants to be entertained, and most importantly, it’s a protection mechanism that’s hardwired into us.

What helps silence the mind?

-Meditation.

-Focusing on the moment and your surroundings.

-And when the pestilent child bombards you with bogus thoughts, recognize them, and then push them aside.

This takes a lot of practice. It's an art, but the more you do it the easier it’ll be and a lot happier and enlightened you’ll become.

The other day Kevin told me he read this quote that I found amusing:

“I have lived with several Zen master—all of them cats.”—Eckhart Tolle

Wow. I’ve been living with a Zen master for eleven years and didn’t even know it. :)

#art, #beherenow, #brain, #cat, #child, #drama, #enlightment, #entertain, #hot, #human, #humid, #master, #meditation, #misery, #renovation, #RV, #weather, #zen, 0 Comments

I’ve been writing the second book to Legends of Deceit since the end of last summer.

Do I have a title name yet?

Nope.

There will be a title after I tackle the first revision.

When will it be out?

I’m hoping this year.

*fingers and piggies crossed*

I’m almost done with the first draft. I would have been done sooner, but I have other things going on in my life that require my attention as well.

#futureplansinthemaking

Writing a book is a long ass process. I know there are authors who write a book a month or every other month.

I don’t know how they do it.

But I’ve come to the realization every writer is different.

If I were to compare myself to others, I’d be doing myself a disservice.

The only author/writer I should be comparing myself to is myself.

Am I advancing in my craft/art?

Do I love to write?

Am I having fun writing?

So I no longer fret or get all balled up in a knot over how long it takes for me to churn out a novel. The important part is if those three questions are answered with a yes, and that I put out good quality stories for you guys—the readers.

Legends of Deceit is a two book series.