Last week I was in a terrible depression and couldn’t think straight or do anything properly and every time I tried to draw something I hated it because I couldn’t make it match what was in my head, so instead I decided to just do something calming and receptive and that’s how I ended up with a billion leaves. I highly recommend them. Then I added a trunk because I couldn’t figure out how to finish it and a mound of grass made of a thousand tiny lines. I always write little sayings on my drawings and I considered writing “Don’t get this one tattooed on you” because a lot of people have tattooed my drawings on them (you totally can and I’m flattered) but this one would probably kill you and the poor tattoo artist. But instead I went for something slightly more poetic even though I couldn’t quite get my words to work correctly because depression exists:
Text: I sit in the shade of trees planted by strangers I can never thank, except by planting my own trees for strangers I may never meet."
In vaguely related news…I’m writing a new book! And you are technically a co-author of the book because it’s about living and creating even when your brain is a fucking mess, and this project is helping me do both. If you want to read about it, the details are here. It’s terrifying. But exciting.
And in other news, I’m mailing out more little one-minute sketches to random subscribers so check your email next week in case you’re one.
THE THING INSPIRING ME THIS WEEK: This 110-year-old love letter that opens up to form a tiny art gallery. Now I want to make one. I wonder if I could do it?
Wow, the details on that tree! And I love the quote <3
I've been an artist since I can remember, and I used to be able to sit down for hours on end, drawing and being lost in a sketch. I used to sketch with great attention to detail. I can't anymore. I'm not quite sure, but I think, in part, the culprit is my phone and the internet feeding us fast-paced and bite-sized pieces of information because my attention span has decreased drastically throughout the years.
Thank you for letting us know about your recent depression episode… My heart goes out to you as I am right there with you. Thank you for talking about it. It just scares my family if I try to talk about it. Your art! The best! I love the quote… Keep shining through, OK? Or not… Just keep drawing and talking to all of us… We are your sisters. Both of my sisters have stage four terminal cancer right now and it feels good to have another sister out there…