Vanilla Beans: It’s Just Coloring

Jul 5

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WHAT’S NEW ‘ROUND HERE?

I didn’t catch it on camera but one of the girls flew.

It was a Kitty Hawk moment. She glided about 20 feet with her toes dangling a couple inches off the ground.

But it still counts.

Someday, she’ll tell her grandchildren what it was like to touch the clouds.

Shop for colored pencils and Copic Markers at DickBlick.com

I purchase most of my art supplies from Dick Blick. Shop using my affiliate link to support this free newsletter.

I’m working on the new website and course system, that’s pretty much all I do now.

Then August is the month where I tell everyone I’m getting off-line but really, I use the time to work uninterrupted.

Yes, I’ve gotta stop doing that.

Anyway, in the spirit of making my life easier, enjoy this little gem from 2017.

IT’S JUST COLORING

We love this hobby and we value our coloring time. For some of us, it's keeps us sane.

But hey, let’s keep it in perspective.

I know this sounds weird coming from me ‘cuz I'm the one who normally yammers on and on about the importance of learning and taking your coloring more seriously.

And I really do believe it.

I’ve seen far too many students who could’a, would’a, should’a gone into art. More than a few of you have the makings of greatness, your life just didn’t go there.

Classes feel good because you’re doing the thing you were meant to do.

And it barely feels like a commitment.

But when you can't, you can't.

Maybe there's a heatwave turning your mind to mush, maybe it's your job. Perhaps you're like me and you've got things which need doing, now-now-now.

Then again, maybe this is how it always is. Your world is so darned full that regular coloring constantly gets put off, postponed, and rescheduled, time and time again.

Pssttt… this is normal.

This is life.

I've noticed over the years that Copics attract perfectionists.

We don't just dot our i's and cross our t's. We do it with all our heart.

So when there's a 12 week course or a 30 day challenge coming up, we mark it on the calendar, make lots of plans, organize our supplies, and pledge to do it all plus extra.

This is gonna be so incredibly awesome!

Then life smacks us in the face.

And I know you. We responsibly answer the call of duty but secretly? We berate ourselves for not coloring more.

So it’s reality check time for the color crazies. Say it with me now:

It's just coloring.

In the grand scheme of things, coloring should be low on the list.

Take care of family. Earn a living. Do the important stuff. Only a fool skips family beach day for me-time with markers.

It's. Just. Coloring.

I'm always a little worried when a student apologizes, "sorry, I'm behind" or "sorry, I haven't been to class in a while." Don't be sorry. You’re doing what you gotta do.

And I know, because I'm the same way- for every "sorry" you say, there were forty-two more times when you made yourself feel bad for not following through with the course assignments or the challenge schedule.

Remember and keep telling yourself: it's just coloring.

It'll keep until you're ready.

Now go do what you gotta do.