Today is the official reflections post for the A-Z challenge. Yes, it’s an official thing. I’m not just being overly introspective. I would have provided a link or something, but as it is almost every day when I try to check out someone's site, blogger is down, so I don't have a link to share.
Despite the fact that I’ve been blogging since 2009, I didn’t participate in the A-Z challenge until this year. Mostly because my immediate reaction to anything that everyone else is doing makes me not want to be a part. I realize that makes no sense, since I’m blogging in order to be a part of the social landscape, so why would I do that and then not want to participate?
I have no idea.
So, realizing this, I decided to face my issues head on by jumping in and being a part.
And what a time it was. I met some great folks that I had not met before, and I saw some really clever themes out there.
But, what about my own posts? What did I learn?
Well, I learned that I can produce a lot of stuff relatively quickly if I need to. Churning out a sketch per day seemed easy breezy at first, but as I started dabbling in using colors and more and more elements, I started spending more and more time on each image.
I also started feeling like I was doing the same thing more and more… here’s a breakdown of what I drew*:
Total images: 25
Men 17
Women 1
Monsters/animals 2
Inanimate things 2
Group scenes 2
From a story I wrote 6
That just says to me that I’m probably not the versatile of an artist.
I did start running out of steam right at the end, I got a tooth infection** that was little more than an annoyance at first, but by that last weekend I was in some serious trouble. I managed to get it all done though, and it feels like a victory.
The tooth, that may be the topic of an upcoming post, because my pain should be shared with everyone.
*I made up all the numbers involved aside from the total, which is accurate, as I drew 25 images during the month, and one I farmed out to my wife.
**Not an infection, technically, I don't think. It's really complicated, but I tell people its an infection so they can kinda understand, since the symptoms are similar. As of this writing, I'm still suffering more than a week later, I've lost more than 10 pounds because I cannot eat, and I generally feel like my ailing tooth is destroying my life.
20 comments:
Sorry about your tooth!
But you got through it and soared over three hundred followers, which is really cool.
I think it's incredible to draw a picture a day. You should have drawn a picture of your angry tooth. Hope you're feeling better.
OUCH! So sorry about your tooth pain. That's one of the worst kinds of pain out there. I hope the trouble is resolved soon.
I really loved your A-Z theme, and maybe I'll even challenge myself to do something similar sometime this year - I really haven't done enough art lately (like, for years and years and yeeeears).
I've got a couple wisdom teeth I should probably get pulled, but like most people I put it off until I can't take the pain of it anymore. I can't tell you how many root canals I've had in the last 10 years. Really though people need to take care of their teeth, starting when they're little because otherwise you get into big problems down the road.
Tooth infection sounds damn painful!
A sketch a day is a pretty daunting task, but you did it (with a little help from the wifey at the end). That's still pretty incredible.
I did the A-Z for the exact same reasons. Just decided to give it a try despite my better judgment, and it was a GOOD thing.
Your breakdown (although you say is not accurate) is interesting. Are men easier to draw? More interesting to draw?
Weird... I came down with a toothache, by my counting, the same day you did. Can't be a coincidence. Cue the Illuminati and Black Helicopters and that other group Andrew Leon mentioned that's always up to their neck in this stuff!
I went to the dentist, and they said "Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth," because my teeth are easily offended, apparently and I now have to watch what I say around them. The toothache went away, so I can only assume that Illuminati, etc., are laying low.
For now.
When the dentist called last week for a follow-up, I told Sweetie to ignore them because I was going to take a page from that guy who starred in the real-life story "A Beautiful Mind" and I was going to think my teeth healthy, and then write an autobiography called "A Beautiful Smile."
Oh, common courtesy dictates that I say "I hope your tooth feels better." I'd have said it aloud but then my overly-sensitive teeth would have felt inadequate, as though I was paying more attention to your teeth than I should be.
I hope your tooth is feeling better. You created some amazing art to share with us. I really enjoyed your posts.
I really enjoyed your pictures.
I hope your tooth starts to feel better soon, or gets yanked out (but you may not be wanting to think about that right now!)
Ouch! and that comes with fellow feeling. I spent several of the Challenge days at the dentist having root canal work done. Hope yours improves soon. Great drawings, and have you considered that the reason you draw more men is your story-line rather than a straight choice? Well done for finishing despite the odds.
I like how you can draw any subject well. I can only draw blond guys. That's my singular talent.
Sorry to hear about your tooth. I hope you feel up to eating soon.
I'm sorry to hear about your tooth!
You had a great A-Z Challenge theme. I can't think of any other blogger (off the top of my head) who created original art for each letter!
Dude! What's up with your tooth? Is this because of your baby teeth or whatever it was that I can't remember now and don't have time to go back and look for?
@Briane: I have no response to anything you just said. If I did, I might have to... well, I can't say that either.
Glad you made it through the month, Rusty! Hope your tooth feels better soon. Toothache is the worst!
Hmm, what's with the lack of ladies in your art??
But gotta say, your blog was a lot of fun this challenge. Mostly because I've always enjoy your blog, but also because it was really cool to see something different, aka. your awesome artwork, instead of another written post. And it's always amazing to see characters come to life with brush strokes as well as words.
P.S. (and incredible off topic) The Avengers - have you see the first of the triumvirate yet???
Sorry about your tooth. I am in process of having major work done on my teeth so I feel your pain.
I loved your images and think you are immensely talented. I'm glad you participated this year and thought your theme with the drawings was one of the coolest.
The Challenge was loads of fun. Whoops! Didn't realize the reflections post was "official". Oh well. I was in DC at the time attending a bloggers conference, which was tons of fun and very educational.
I'm stopping by the blogs that I missed during the challenge as part of the Road Trip. Your art work is amazing!
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