\(> ~ <)/ ("¬_¬) (•_•*)
Maybe drawing with poor eyesight and shaky lines is something I can work with. And yes, that's my title*.
I intent to draw more. On paper. As a way to avoid looking at screens.
I look at screens a lot. A. LOT. Like right now as I type this post on my laptop. Because also, it’s impossible to write and post on Substack offline, non-digitally. I have not learned any magical spells to achieve this yet.
Anyway, as I was saying, I intent to draw more.
I actually have Procreate, which I used occasionally. But after spending the whole day working on my laptop – I work in social media, by the way – another screen is not what I look forward to at the end of the day.
My eyesight suffers the most from the constant screen time for years. I can feel the change in my vision, declining with age as well, getting less clear each year. It worries me. I need to set myself firm boundaries to minimise screen time and unplug often.
I always enjoy my time when I get to draw or even write on paper. Also, I love stationery, and notebooks and sketchbooks, so this is a bonus to use them.
It’s the whole tactile experience, and doing things with my hands. Feeling the pen, pencil or brush glide on paper. And the opportunities to “accessorise” with highlighters, stamps, stickers, and scraps of other paper for keepsakes.
I don’t journal on paper as often. But I always have a notebook to jot down ideas, random thoughts and sketches, and capture the sudden rush of inspiration when it hits.
My drawings tend to be about sharing personal stories and humour. Naturally, it features me as the Main Character, and sometimes with supporting characters like Momok, a cute ghost, and Shiba Inu the oracle-reading, wise-cracking dog. I draw other things from time to time.
These days, my drawings tend to look less neat. I create line art usually, and my poor eyesight is not helping when I line. This was partly the reason, I did less.
Maybe I should draw larger. Maybe I should try other mediums like gouache or acrylic on bigger canvases. Maybe try a different art style that is less forgiving than line art in ink. Maybe I should play with colours more than just black ink.
But I like black ink. And its stark contrast on white paper.
Maybe I can find a way to still express myself with it. There are no rules, really. Creativity and expression is determined by the creator, regardless of medium, style, or execution. I am free to experiment and push myself to try new things.
So I intent to play more. Create things with words, and lines and dots. I haven’t felt the pull to get creative in a long while, and this is gradually returning. It’s a nice feeling.
Made a digital zine recently. About one of my obsessions: a very specific subject on Chiron Return in Western astrology. I’m no astrologer but I’ve been fascinated with Chiron, a minor “planet”, representing our core wounds and shadow work in this lifetime. I’m experiencing my Chiron Return now – that happens around age 49 to 51. So it’s an interesting subject to explore about what is surfacing for a “midlife review”. Get a copy here.
What should I create next? Perhaps a drawing and a mini comic? Maybe that. And some more. There’s a new year ahead to do all of them! I’m excited about that, really.
*What’s with the title? \(> ~ <)/ (”¬_¬) (•_•*) I think the expressions would suffice to reflect my frustrations and acceptance that I can work with what I have. No words required.
“2026 is the Year of the Analog”
I read that somewhere. I’m already seeing more interest with people doing embroidery and pottery, using digital pocket cameras, print-making, writing on the typewriter, to making their own clothes and such.
It would be nice to see where this is heading… Like a return to crafts and craftsmanship. Not that it was never there, but in a broader sense and with the digital-native generation today, carrying forward to do things by hand and the low- or zero-tech way.
We can’t get away with how tech and digital world is growing. But I hope craft-making, in all its glorious forms, whether done as a hobby or as a job, will not fade away or lose its lustre in the shiny AI era. Where a number of creative work are now easily “done-for-you” instead of “do-it-yourself”.
Sure, it’s easy and convenient to have things completed swiftly and minimise your stress, especially when you don’t have the necessary skills to achieve your intention. A little help makes a difference. I get it. I use AI too, for some tasks when I need a bit of an assistance to get the ball rolling, especially when I’m overwhelmed and time-poor.
Still, I will return to good old pen and paper, or anything that doesn’t need me to look at a screen when I can. The action of working with my hands is comforting. And my eyes will thank me for the break. I hope.
Perhaps I should start doing those eye exercises regularly too.