Tag: #black&white

Inktober is Drawing Near!

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Artist Inspiration, Sketchbook

I am looking forward to Inktober this year. I had a lot of fun with it last year. I followed the Inktober prompts as well as my own theme. Each sketch was from a horror/monster movie. This year I am thinking about doing something similar. I enjoy sticking with a horror theme to get geared up for Halloween! I have started a list of legendary monsters that I think I will stick to this year. Although, I do have another idea that I might change to at the last minute.

The official prompt list has been released and a lot of the prompts tie in with my legendary monsters so that will make things easier. Although it is always fun to try and come up with a creative idea that relates to the prompt.

This will be my fourth year participating in Inktober. Here are a few of my favorite sketches from previous years.

It’s nice to compare my work and see how I have improved over the years and also areas where I could still improve. It’s all about getting better, right? Practice makes perfect!

If you want to check out more, here are my previous posts related to Inktober. Inktober 2016 | Inktober 2017 ~ Part 1 & Part 2 | Inktober 2018

Are you participating in Inktober this year? What are your plans or thoughts? Leave a comment below! Or share a photo of your own sketches! Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time, free spirits!

“Ink is the transcript of thought.” ~Alphonse De Lamartine

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#1 Rocky the Snowman

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Megtography

Let’s give “Megtography” another shot. I used it as a type of therapy, I suppose you can call it, after my family suffered the house fire. I posted one black and white photo a day and now looking back I am glad I did it. In such a terrible moment in my life, that doesn’t have to remain my only memory from that point in time. I have pictures with friends and family, dinners together, funny moments with pets and other great memories for me to hang on to. So I know no matter what happens, I can always find the light in the dark.

I’m not struggling with life right now but looking back at those photos inspired me to start Megtography again. I enjoy having a journal in pictures to remind me of all the great times I had that I may otherwise forget.

So here we go…

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3/11/18, Megtography #1 – Rocky the Snowman

 

Totem Animal: Raccoon

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Totem Animals, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Raccoon is a powerful totem. These fuzzy ninjas of the night represent protection and generosity. It is common for males to band together for greater strength against predators or other male raccoons from different territories. A group of raccoons is called a gaze. The gaze will have a dominant male who will stand watch and defend the group while the others forage for food. The best morsels will be given to the dominant male as a sign of respect and gratitude for the protection he offers. Raccoon is generous and protects the young and elderly. They are the guardians for those who feel like a dark horse, the underdog. They offer strength and wisdom gained from self experiences.

If Raccoon has bumbled it’s way across your path, it is time to share your wisdom with others in need. Does anyone around you need help or guidance that you can offer? You possess knowledge that you have worked hard to obtain. It is time to share this with others. Do not become a crutch but rather equip them with the tools necessary to obtain their own strength. Lift them up, dust them off and show them the way. Speak up when others speak ill behind another’s back. Do not tolerate unfounded judgement and gossip. Recognize the guardian within you. The protector is always rewarded for their great deeds. Though beware of those who refuse to help themselves; those who are lazy and greedy. They will drain you of your resources while refusing to learn how to stand on their own.

Perhaps it is you that needs to be lifted up. Are you stuck in self pity and feeling like you’ve hit rock bottom. Change your perspective and see the strength you hold within. Do not become a victim but fight. Help someone. Do not become selfish but instead be giving. The gratitude and appreciation you will receive for helping another will give you the boost of confidence you need.

On the contrary, Raccoon could be warning you to take time for yourself. Female raccoons often live solitary lives excluding mating season and when raising young. Have you been giving too much energy and have left nothing to care for yourself. An empty pot feeds no one. If you do not tend to your own needs first, you will have nothing to offer those who depend on you. Take time for yourself and recharge.

It’s no surprise that I enjoyed creating this piece. I enjoy creating all my totems yet I believe Raccoon may be my cutest so far. I still need to add color to

this piece as well as moose and owl. I’ll talk about Owl symbolism next week! My prismacolor pencils are preforming beautifully and I can’t wait to finish these three totems completely. I have much more coming that I’m excited to share with everyone. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning the different totem animals with me. I know I have!

What raccoon stories do you have to share? Leave a comment below and thanks for stopping by this week!

Until next time,

“Don’t call me raccoon. -I’m sorry. I took it too far. I meant trash panda.”

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Sources: Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams & David Carson

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/r/raccoon/

http://insider.si.edu/2013/07/suburban-life-does-not-alter-solitary-ways-of-the-raccoon/

https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/89/3/646/862216

Totem Animal: Moose

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Totem Animals, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

I have always wanted to see a moose in the wild. I have yet to have the opportunity but until then I can incorporate them into my work. I enjoyed creating this piece very much. I still try to rush through my work sometimes if I get too antsy but creating zentangles and doing so in pen forces me to slow down. To enjoy it more rather than being overwhelmed, feeling the urge to hurry and finish pieces. It is not the destination. It is the journey.

Moose is a powerful totem for self esteem. Perhaps that is why I was able to approach this piece more calmly and confidently than I felt creating the bear. If you are a lucky soul who have encountered these massive beasts in the wild, you may have heard the male and his mighty call. They confidently holler, looking for a mate as they strut their massive rack, sometimes weighing up to 40 pounds! They are the largest deer species in the world.

If Moose has crossed your path today, it may be time to start giving yourself a little more credit for your accomplishments. No matter how big or small, everything we achieve is worth a “good job” and we must tell ourselves that. Encourage yourself and become empowered with your “git ‘er done” attitude. Moose energy gives you the power to encourage others to get the work done while also not being afraid to get your own hands dirty. You are a leader; a leader that can lift the ones around you. Wisdom comes from Moose and is often associated with our elders. The wise ones that have the knowledge and encouragement that is to be given to the younger generations. Moose tend to eat tall grasses so there is no need to keep their heads low in an uncomfortable manor. You too should hold your head high, taking great pride in the success you have achieved and the enlightenment you can offer to others in having such a confident attitude.

Or maybe you are being too bull-headed? If taken too far, this confidence can be turned into selfishness. Do not stand on top of others while you keep your head held high. Becoming too egotistical is detrimental to you and your relationship with others. Do not forget that we all have something to learn and everyone has something to teach. No one is better than the other. If we lose sight of this, we are hindering our opportunities to grow further.

Between Bear and Moose, I’d say it is time to stand strong in my decisions and continue with confidence. This way of life becomes easier the more I work on my art. So I will continue to do so! Stop by again soon to check out the next totem animal, the raccoon!

I hope you enjoyed this weeks post. Have you seen a moose in the wild? What lessons has Moose taught you? Share your story in the comments below! Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

“Great men are not born great, they grow great.”

Inktober 2017 #2

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Sketchbook

I did it! I completed the entire month, no slip ups. I have 31 sketches completed for the month of October and what a challenge it was! Some days I couldn’t start my sketch until late at night and I would end up falling asleep while sketching! I got it done though. I am very happy I succeeded this year. Something new I discovered, I did not know there is an official inktober list with word prompts you can use. Next year I will have to try it out.

This year, I did whatever inspired me at the very moment. I did go on a horror movie kick for a little bit and of course some animal sketches! A little of this… a little of that…and what do you get? My Inktober 2017 collection!

“We all have our demons” inspired by two of my favorite movies “It”, the original and the remake!
Scarecrows have always freaked me out.
The majestic tiger. They have always fascinated me and I’ve been wanted to draw another one for a long time. I think another fine art tiger piece is in order!
My son loves King Julien from Madagascar. I was inspired to draw a lemur as we watched “All Hail King Julien”.
I came up with this in my head. I’m pretty proud of it. Trippy!
…Be a simple man. I didn’t have a lot of time to draw that day so I drew “a line” from a favorite song.
Our lovely lady Chloe. She’s a queen.
The snails are everywhere! They are very interesting in the way they move and can contort their gelatinous bodies.
I have always admired elephants. They are wisdom keepers. The whales look after the sea and the elephants look after the lands.
Decided to try out some doodles and see what I came up with.
“I am a free spirit. Either admire me from the ground or fly with me but don’t ever try to cage me.”
My absolute favorite painting from Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night. I am in love! I thought it would be fun to replicate it in black and white and see how it turned out. Pretty cool!
So bittersweet to have Oct. 13th be a Friday! Muahahaha! All the masks of Jason Voorhees.
Eye have always loved drawing eyes. (See what I did there) Ever since I was a kid and has been a popular subject of mine. These are all human except one. Can you find it?
This is Halloween inspired by “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Is it a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? It’s an on-going family debate!
I don’t know why but I really enjoy drawing bones, especially skulls.
Most spiders I encounter don’t bother me at all. I let them crawl on me and everything. Thank Frank I don’t live where these guys do! Whole ‘nother story!
Bats totally freak me out. As long as they are not flying I can admire them. Once they start diving for bugs by your head fluttering about like a baby bird on crack, then I’m scared.
Blade from the movie “Puppet Master”. Puppets creep me out! Pupaphobia, the fear of puppets.
Stripe from the movie “Gremlins” Definitely another one of my favorites!
Chucky from the movie “Child’s Play”. Just like puppets, I hate dolls! Pediophobia, the fear of dolls.
“The Invisible Man” Can you imagine how terrible it would to have see-through eyelids! I’d go mad, I say!
“The Babadook” How do people come up with this sh!t! Creepy!
Slenderman. What a creepily interesting concept.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!!!!! I mean, I hate tomatoes as much as the next person but really?
October 26 was the day we brought home our Little Exmoor! He was one of the greatest cats I’ve ever known!
Samara from the movie “The Ring”. She’s going to walk right off the paper and grab you!
“Scream” A classic horror milestone for any kid in the 90’s.
Hannibal Lecter from “Silence of the Lambs”.
If a tree were to hand you an apple, what would it look like?
I was doing the landscaping at a place with beautiful stone stairs draped in Juniper. I took a photo and used it to create this scene. I added the iron fence at the top which was not truly there.

I learned a lot with this exersize and enhanced my skill furthermore in such a short time. I practiced different techniques and figured out the best way to execute them. I would definitely recommend this challenge to anyone looking to improve their drawing skills.

Thanks for stopping by this week. Which sketch did you like best? Which sketch was your least favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Until next time,

“I could be sitting on the beach thinking man, I wish I was drawing.”

Check out my previous blog post Inktober #1

Also, The Official Inktober Website by Jake Parker

What Is Megtography?

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Megtography

Megtography is…well…you guessed it! Meg + Photography = Megtography. I’ve decided to share one photo a day that encompasses my life. With my family’s recent house fire, I lost all of my images saved on my harddrive. About 10,000 or more pictures gone forever. Luckily, I do have many shared on social media sites and a small collection on photobucket but nowhere near what I had. Therefore I need to start from scratch. I want to photograph my life and the moments that stand out to me from day to day. Perhaps I did something really special that day and I want to highlight it. Maybe I saw something funny that made me smile. The scenery might have put me at ease from the sight of it. There are so many instances that grab my attention and I want to remember the feelings I experienced. I want to share those moments with everyone. I decided to do all black and white photography. It is all about what is going on in the picture and the feeling it creates. I don’t want color to distract from that.

Doing this daily will help keep me focused. It keeps me positive and motivated. It gives me a chance to go back and look at what I do everyday and everything I have to be thankful for. I have the opportunity to share my free spirit life style with you! I also have a safe collection of my photos if any accidents were to happen again. I know I can always come back here, go through my images, read my blog and feel a sense of accomplishment.

What about YOUtography? It’s a great exercise for anyone to try. It is quite similiar to the 365 day challenge. It takes discipline, patience, and passion. If you have those qualities or need to improve them, give it a try! You just might see what you’ve been missing! Thanks for stopping by this week.

Until next time,

“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it.”