Last year I shared a review on a book called Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. This was the first book in the Chronicles of Ixia series. Although I was quite spectacle after the first book and had heard some bad things about the next novels I decided to go on and finish the Study series (so far) and ended up started on the Glass series too which this 'review' is about.
Recently I've been kind of feeling down about my work and been in a bit of a slump. I've still got work done, including my #create365 but I just haven't felt completely happy with it. But I feel that today I've started working myself out of it by doing things that have been working my mind in different ways and have really made me think about my work in a different light.
#1 Getting feedback | Both this week and last week I had two presentations for two of my modules, mainly the modules I've been feeling a bit off with recently. Having a time to get feedback has definitely helped as it's been from people with fresh pairs of eyes.
#2 People with a kick-ass attitude | Mainly for this point it's just been watching and hearing people be extremely passionate about their subject and hearing how they work. This week I've watched the James Victore Bold & Fearless Poster Design video series and it has really made me think about stuff a lot!
#3 Stepping away | Although I haven't done this fully with all work and all projects, stepping away from projects that have been making me feel a little suffocated and working on something else has helped me kind of procrastinate from doing it and in the process let me think through new ideas.
#4 Play about | Every week I make multiple doodles during the times I'm doing stuff for my #Create365 and in a weird therapeutic way, doing random doodles just helps clear my mind of junk and even just lets me play about with my materials in new and interesting ways.
#5 Not looking for inspiration | I'll admit it I am a inspiration/research-holic! I will forever look through Pinterest, Instagram and tumblr looking for awesome things to influence me. But stepping away, reading a book and getting lost in real life just opens your eyes up to the influences and the inspiration around you.
Day 50 Had a visit to the DCA and was inspired by all the different light patterns to create today's piece. Originally had just done the watercolour but decided to include loads of elements around the edges like in Rebecca Blair's Graphic Artwork. |
Day 51 Another Rebecca Blair inspired piece using watercolours and micron pens and an array of patterns! |
Day 52 Still felt hugely ill on Saturday so decided to do a 'Day in Doodles' by taking the things I did the most and creating a kind of pattern with them. |
Day 53 Left: Done another mandala that looks extremely like a flower! Right: Did a weird triangley thing too! |
Day 55 A little leafy pattern! |
Day 56 Another James Victore inspired piece! I love his philosophy on the whole 'feck perfuction' idea and just had to create my own typography piece using similar techniques as to how he does them! |
This week there has been a bit of a bump in the road for some reason I'm not too sure why. It was good at the start but in the middle of the week I had a bit of a slump, may have been to do with being ill but yeah anyway! Hopefully it gets better.
If you want to keep up with the daily uploads, you can find them on my Instagram and Facebook Page.
Is it bad that I agree with so many of these posters...? |
So many beautiful sketchbooks! Wish mine were like this! |
So many beautiful patterns! Need to add to my pattern inspiration bank! |
I love this girls hair- will be asking for a similar style the next time I'm a the hair dressers! |
> Perfect ideas about finding your calm> So many places I want to explore!
Other favourites from the week...> This guy trolling is amazing!
> My friend is so talented and I love her videography!
Weekly Wishlist...> I long for the day where I will suit these kind of trousers!
> More pretty shoes!
Over the past week I've been busy working my ass off and now at the end of it, I've spent it curled up in bed relaxing. I'm not exactly being lazy due to being at the Doctor's on Friday and being told I have tonsillitis! It has been pretty horrible to have but I'm actually glad to have been told I have it. This is literally the first time in my life I have been diagnosed with tonsillitis even though I battle with extremely bad sore throats and coughs +4 times a year!
Other than being ill I've had another visit to the DCA this week, spent a full day in Uni, had lunch at the Pancake Place and had a Presentation for my Communication & Interaction Module... actually that was all Thursday! I've really not had busy week which shows on my Instagram with only sharing two photos (not including #Create365) this week!
I've been thinking recently about streamlining my posts including this and my Favourites of the Week post so I have more days to share awesome goodness but now sure. I would realistically probably do it a similar fashion to The House That Lars Built post. Would you prefer these posts together or seperate?
Visit to the DCA // Saturday in Doodles // Having a child out day! |
A few days ago Lauren and I took another little visit to the DCA while in between classes as there was a few new exhibitions on show since the last time we'd been. The new ones on that we visited were the Visions of Void by Florian & Michael Quistrebert and one with new editions from Lucy Skaer. The exhibitions were extremely different with Visions of Void being more focused on the hypnotic usage of abstract video and paintings while Lucy Skaer's are collections of comissions created for the DCA.
Day 43 Midnight house because midnight is when I do my most work *winkwink* |
Day 44 Paper mountains made with nespaper and ink! Love how this one looks although I played around with it for a few days |
Day 45 A heart for valentine's day cause I'm that cute? |
Day 46 Playing around with more collage. Just ripped paper and painted it and pasted it because it felt right. |
Day 47 Watercolour mandala because who doesn't love watercolours and mandalas? |
Day 48 Not been feeling so great so I did a simple watercolour thing inspired by the Maria V Snyder 'Glass' novels |
Day 49 Yep, still obsessed with the book so I did some gems! |
So many beautiful pieces of photography |
James Victore's new artwork needs to be on my wall! |
Lot's of great tips and ideas to use within a journal/sketchbook |
I love this idea for using flowers! |
> I continue to be amazed by Katie's optimistic views on life
> Beautiful photos & Great advice!
> Love this post on becoming a Happier Creative
> These examples of Album Artwork just pushes me to want to do this in my life
> Meditation is such a great thing to start getting into!
Other favourites from the week...
> This article will be shown to everybody when they complain about my room being a mess
> The outfits put together by Bellessa's toddler are so adorable!
> So many amazing (and tasty) breakfast ideas!
Weekly Wishlist...
> My love for Aztec print will never die!
> Ok I may be going a bit on about James Victore but I love his Feck Perfuction ideal that I signed up for his course!
Every time it comes around to writing on of these posts I have myself just thinking back over the week to think what have I actually done? And usually, I pass my weeks off as being quite laid back, boring, etc. I can't say that this week has been much different but it has been somewhat-productive and fun.
Oh wow it's been a long time since I've shared a book review! I swear I have been reading just I never get round to reviewing or sharing them other than what I write in my monthly round ups! However, I was sent Hiraeth A Mark* by Liz back in December shortly before Christmas. After finishing a few books I finally plunged into it!
Obviously by now you all know I'm taking part in a little creative project throughout 2015. The main reason I started this is because I want to just push myself and creativity more. I had originally said I would easily work in loads of different mediums and just create anything that came to mind but so far I've just mainly done sketchbook work.
I am in love with Rebecca Blair's artwork/design |
I am in love with the illustrations made for the BAFTA's! |
> hmm... should maybe get one of these jobs so I can go travelling??
> Naomi makes me jealous once again by visiting the Cereal Killer Cafe!
Other favourites from the week...
> Definitely trying this technique to go to sleep tonight!
Weekly Wishlist...
> I'm really loving simple, minimal statement necklaces like this just now!
> Really want another pair of loafers for Spring!
> Totally need these bed covers in my life!
At this point, I don't think it's a secret that I am a pretty busy person- even if I do spend a lot of my time on my laptop. During a normal week I'm in Uni 4 days (not full ones though), work twice a week (usually weekends), go out as an Avon Representative, see Darren and other things like this blog, twitter chats and meeting up with friends. So yeah I'm pretty busy.
This week I fell of the barrel slightly with missing my Saturday date! But I did do an extra one during the week to make up for it, so I still have 7!
Day 29 Progress shot of watercolour I'm working on for a competition brief |
Day 30 More galaxy/space doodles |
Day 32 Another collage- this ones called "Moon Flower" |
Day 31 (late) Blue triangle doodles! Why do blue pens only seem to come in a couple of different shades? |
Day 33 Wibbly wobbly lines- looks a bit like tree trunks! |
Day 34 Some clouds! |
Day 35 Jungle forest leaves. |
Yeah I think it's becoming pretty obvious more and more with each week I love space, nature and the colour blue...
These photos are breath-takingly-beautiful! |
This dad is amazing to get his child's tattooed on himself! |
Such a beautiful collage! |
On blog land
> Pretty sure all bloggers have to deal with these at some point
>When was the last time you used an inspirograph?
> Leona's smear test story is so inspiring, glad to see people doing more than just a 'smear for smear' photo...
Other favourites...
> If you haven't heard about Pretty Little Liars yet, then you really ought to go watch it all now...
> Emma Watson is going to be Belle, I can't ever!
> What does your favourite curse word say about you?
Weekly Wishlist
Dear January,
Already a month in to 2015 and I cannot get my mind around that. This month has been pretty chilled back even though I've had a few different things going on. Through January though I have just been so bogged down for some reason. I don't know if it's some weird lasting rut that has made it's way into all walks of my life but it's been here which is pretty crappy. I've been so inconsistent with this blog and my uni work that I feel I just need a good right ol' kick up the butt to get going again.