Get Artsy

   So..... How have y'all been?  I hope everyone has been doing well and not going to crazy with quarantine and all. Now I'm not making fun. I'm being serious, because for some people quarantine can be hard. You can't hang around your friends, you can't be with your loved ones, and you can't go out in public places and just have a good time. I think that people being kept from seeing their loved ones is probably what I feel is the saddest about, but I get it. You also don't want to get them sick. It's all kinds of mixed feelings.
   I've been thinking. What kind of changes are we and did we make during our time of alone-ness? Did we exercise more, did we read more, did we clean more? I think there is a good opportunity to do many things when you are by yourself. I for one took it upon myself to exercise more. Is it fun? No, but I did do it. I still work because of what kind of job I have, but not going anywhere on the weekends takes away my excuses of why I can't do it.
    Another thing I pondered was 'living an artistic life'.  What does that mean to me. It could mean a lot of things. First of all I am an artist. So I can draw stuff when I feel like it. That's artsy. Pictures. Typically most people have pictures from artists who draw and artist who do photography. I enjoy both. Here is one of my favorite pictures I purchased from a fellow artist of mine who's tag is @celinelaven on instagram if you want to check out her artwork.

   I like artwork on pretty much anything. Books, boxes, blankets, coffee mugs cell phone cases. Speaking of cell phone cases. I recently got a new case for mine. So ya know those monopoly tickets that Albertsons does? Well, I traded one with a coworker of mine who had one for a free custom case from shutterfly. I put one of my own designs on it and it looks great. So I recommend getting your tickets even if you don't use them. Shutterfly stuff can be a valuable thing to an artist.

                                                

There are tons of different ways to spice up your life with art. What are some ways you use? Do you have a customized kitchen counter-top that is off the chart? They exist! I looked them up. Why I looked them up I don't know, but they are cool! Ya never know. Anyway have a good one peoples! Hang in there! Bye.

- Addyson

Stay Safe

    Hey guys! How are you doing. I hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. I am remaining healthy myself. I am doing my best to finish up some drawings I have started. Here is one I finished up. It is picture 1 in my cloud captor series.

    In my neck of the woods we haven't just been dealing with Covid-19. We have also had an earthquake along with a few aftershocks. It's been crazy. I can tell you that it was my first ever earthquake and I am not to anxious for another. 

    Let me know of anything wild or crazy going on with you. 

Have a great Monday!

Addyson

Corona Outbreak!!!

Hey guys! 
    So I decided that I wanted to talk about the very thing that has caused the entire world to lock themselves inside their houses, close the curtain, and snatch all the toilet paper off the shelves!!! The Corona virus!!!! It's been pretty wild the last few weeks. I decided to get a few opinions on the matter. We'll get to those, but I'll start with mine. I don't think we should lose our heads over the matter. Should we be concerned? Yes. I'm pretty sure that no one wants to get sick. I know I don't. We should use good healthy habits, mind personal space and exercise common sense. If you are sick then yes...please...stay home. I have heard that this virus is little more than the flu or a bad cold. Just like the flu the people who are most at risk for it are the elderly and people with weak immune systems. As for the shopping situation. Goodness! I know being prepared is important, but I think we should be considerate of others as well. Hoarding isn't necessary. What if someone actually needs something and people are clearing the shelves and rolling away with 10 in their cart. 
    Anyway, that's my take on the situation. While I'm not panicking, I'm trying to take precautions to not get sick or get anyone else sick. Just like I would if I had the cold or the flu. 


Now let's hear from some other people. 
(Please keep in mind when you are reading that these are opinions and you are not at liberty to agree.)

"Media sensationalism has unfortunately made the COVID-19 outbreak seem both terrifying and reminiscent of an apocalyptic catastrophe. However, it is important to stay focused on the facts, which can be found from sources like the US & China Centers Disease Control etc. So, unless you are an infant, elderly or have been/are immunocompromised, recovery rates are high and your chances of dying are quite low. In my personal opinion, I believe our main concern should be taking the right precautionary measures to contain the virus as best as possible, and offer assistance to those at risk. That’s really all we can do, but it gives me hope to see communities uniting together to combat this virus and assist those affected—after all, the world is only changed by working together."

- sarahjiafreeman

"I think this is a very bad situation, specially for the elderly and for people with previous pathologies. Here in Spain we are not facing the situation properly. A lot of young people think this is a vacation, you see them outside hanging out. There are crowded restaurants and beaches. It's very irresponsible. There are few infected people in my city but I'm staying home as much as possible. We should buy only necessary stuff, don't hoard everything, take the safety measures and stay at home. Even if we feel safe or like we would easily survive it, we may bring the virus to someone not as lucky. We shouldn't panic, but the danger is real and we have to act accordingly."

-luvamiart

Well at the moment I've been taking a year off from school since I graduated and have spent that time at home, taking care of a little puppy we got and focused on my art. I live on the country side on an island with not a lot going on so I've basically been living in a quarantine for months 😅 So personally it has not effected me at all but I hear a lot about the hysteria at grocery stores and such. The hysteria makes me almost more worried than the virus itself. I just wish people wouldn't panic so quickly and a part of me is also frustrated that all we hear about on the medias rn is concerning corona when we are in a climate crisis. I wish people would take the climate crisis just as seriously as corona because people, animals and our planet is dying because of our actions.

- elsiart_

Read Psalm 91. God's got this. 

It’s amazing to me how hard times show how strong people are. It’s beautiful how it brings them together, how it can create a beautiful community of people relying on God even if they aren’t necessarily believers. God will get us through these hard times even if it does mean he must return for his children ❤️

-needtobreathefngrl

“keep positive and stay at home! Be thankful that techology allows us to connect with our loved ones in isolation and self-entertain. Keep washing hands and sanitising and follow the official health guidlines. We will get over this!” 

-artofnoxis

Well that's it for now. I thought everyone's opinion was very interesting. It you guys have more to say please leave it in the comment section below. Please remember to keep it pleasant otherwise your comment will be annihilated. Thank you to all the people who participated and submitted a statement for my blog post. I really appreciate it. Their instagram tags are under their statements if you want to check them out, which you do because they are awesome! 
I hope everyone out there stays healthy and safe. I'll see you next time. Have a great Monday!

Addyson

Stuck with nowhere to look.

    Inspiration! Artists constantly struggle with ways to come up with something to draw or paint or write about. I know I do. Art block, writers block, 'the well is dry';whatever you want to call it, I'm sure we can all agree that it's an irritating thing to have to go through.
    If you don't go through this tell us down in the comments and tell us your secrets because I don't believe you.

    *Ahem* So What are some ways to overcome these issues? I for one am always on the lookout for good methods to good ways to beat the cruelty of art block.
    Here are a few things I have done:

1. Go for a nice quiet walk. (No music, just my thoughts)
2. Go out with friends
3. Take something from my past works
4. Flip through a dictionary
5. Internet prompts.

    There are a few things I like to do. Let's break it down.

1. Go for a nice quiet walk.

Sometimes it's nice to just go outside and get some fresh air into your lungs. Just being outside stimulates my brain and when I don't have any music to distract me if forces me to notice the things going on around me. Suddenly I notice that strange bush, that weird looking tree, or even the neighbors farm animals. It's good to take a break from sitting for a while and get some exercise as well.

2. Go out with friends

Distraction is nice. When you focus on one thing for too long it becomes a pile of mud. It all meshes together until it just doesn't look like anything at all. This leads to frustration. When I'm out with friends it provides distraction and a good time. Plus sometimes you end up in places like a restaurant or a coffee shop. This can also provide good inspiration. Sometimes my friends laugh at me because one of them would say something inspirational and my eyes would light up. They would tell me that they could see the wheels turning in my head.

3. Take something from my past works

I have actually recently done this. I took an old picture of a pegasus and reworked it into what my skills are today. I'm not sure how old I was when I drew the old one, but I'm happy that I have improved.


    

4. Flip through a dictionary

As long as you land on a good work, this can be a fun thing to do. If you flip through and land on the word 'cow' then that's what you build your drawing around. Sometimes I'm not that lucky and I land on a word like 'this' or 'reluctant'. It's possible, but a lot harder.

5. Internet prompts

There are several websites that will have word generators for you. Sometimes I just like to search for one of those and generate 1 or 2 topics. depending on which generator you use that can also be difficult. Sometimes i'll pick up to three words and build a story around it. That can make an interesting picture. This is one picture which I used three words on. I can't remember the exact words, but one of them was was a phrase 'to our last goodnight'. The two words were something like 'moonlight', and 'green'.

So! That's how I defeat art block. Some days I just ignore the fact I'm an artist and do nothing. In my book that is a valid thing to do. It's called 'give your brain a rest'!!!
I hope that you guys enjoyed this little chat about inspiration. If you guys have methods you like to use share them in the comment section. Help a fellow artist/writer/cook/ 'whoever you are' out.

See ya next week!
Addyson

Edible Art

    Happy Monday peoples!!!

    Now I know that Monday’s tend to be the least of everyone’s favorite days of the week, but I hope that I can help make things a bit better. You want to to know what makes me super happy in the mornings of everyday of the week? A nice big mug of hot coffee! A yes Coffee/caffeine just has that way of making everything better!
    So today I want to tell you about the other fun adventure I experienced this year! Chinese pork buns! Yes. So let me start from the beginning! I went to a friend of mine’s birthday party at a Chinese restaurant that served pork buns. I didn’t think much of it and then after eating this I’m like “This is pretty good!” A few days later I’m like “I really want another pork bun, but without the pork!”
    I hopped online and I found this video where this guy was making them and I’m like ok I can do this. I had pretty much everything except the steamer. What was recommended to use was a bamboo steamer. It looks like this:

    I have no such thing therefore I used an instant pot steamer. After a lot of research online I discovered a good way to cook my "beef" buns. I had planned on showing pictures of my creations, but they have mysteriously vanished. I'm bummed, but they turned out delicious. 

    Basically I made dough. Then I took some hamburger and mixed seasonings into it. Then after shaping the dough into circle shapes I placed the meat into the dough. Next I twisted the top closed, I put parchment paper under them, placed them in the instant pot, and cooked them for 3 min. 

    The taste wasn't bad. It wasn't great either! They needed to be improved, but the weren't without hope. I cooked them in two rounds. I added a little bbq sauce to the second round which improved the flavor more. 

    I might try a veggie bun next time. I'll be sure not to misplace the pictures when I do.

Have you guys ever cooked these before? If so let me know. If you have any suggestions I would love to learn about them.

I hope you had a great Monday!

Addyson 

 
 

In Memory of Qinni

Hello Friends,

    I had a different post planned for this week, but other plans came into action. In this post I would like to take the time to acknowledge Qing Han (aka) @qinniArt who has recently and suddenly passed away on February 8th 2020.
    She had survived 4 open heart surgeries and had battled cancer. The way I discovered her was through another artist @nepucat who was hosting a #galaxysforqinni art theme. Qinni was feeling down so a bunch of artists including myself started drawing galaxies for her.
 
 I drew this one:

This one was drawn by @viiree.

                                        

        "When I heard the news about @qinniart my heart broke. She was such a kind and inspirational artist and such a tough person! May her memory be a blessing."

    

                - @viiree

    Here are some pictures drawn by @qinniArt that really caught my eye and inspired me. I am praying for the family as they go through their time of healing.

(All pictures down below are drawn
 by @qinniArt)



    "I didn't know Qinni in a personal way yet she managed to touch me through her story and her artwork. She was so talented. Even though she was going through so much she told the story through her artwork. It was like she used it as an outlet. Thanks Qinni for sharing your talent.

 

    If I could say anything to the family, I would say that I will be praying for you and that I am sorry for your loss. Losing a family member is so very hard. I pray that you find comfort that Qinni inspired so many people."

   

I love this picture because of the cozy feeling I'm getting from it.

   This picture is a really good example of how she would continue on with her artwork to the best of her abilities even though she was hurting. I found that really inspiring.
                                                                   

               



    Finally, I really like this one. I can feel the imagination oozing out of it. Reading is magic for some people. I have never been much of a reader, but when I get into it my imagination goes wild. It doesn't always take a book for me though 🤪.

   


    I hoped you enjoyed these pictures. If you want to see more artwork stop by qinni's instagram page or facebook page and check out more of her stuff. Her tag is @qinni for facebook and @qinniart for instagram.

'Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.'
    -James 4:14

I think that Matthew 6:34 is a good verse to remember as well.

'So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own'
    -Mathew 6:34
 
    Life is short. We are never guaranteed tomorrow. We should try to live it to the fullest of our abilities.

    Have a good Monday,
    Addyson

Shen Whaaaat!!!,

Welcome back!

    So here I am posting on a Monday just like I said! This is equivalent to watering a plant when you are suppose to! 😂😂😂😂. Let’s not get carried away it’s only week one!
    So last week I told you that a couple cool things happened this year. Let's get into the first one.

    Thing one: Shen Yun! For those of you who aren’t familiar with this, it is a theatrical play that involves Classical Chinese dance.
    I have always wanted to go to this play and I was finally able to go  this year. I went with my mom and she also enjoyed it!
    It was an amazing performance! The outfits were beautiful, colorful, and had flow! The dancing was mind blowing! Even the technology was unbelievable! Let's talk about that.
    There were moments where they were on the stage and then someone would jump behind the stage and be flying away on the screen! Sometimes they would touch the screen and an object would appear in their hand. Sometimes they would be writing on the screen with their finger and words would appear on the screen. It was magical🧙‍♂️ and very well put together.
    I was impressed by the dancing. The level of flexibility that the dancers had was incredible. We're talking splits, leaps, backbends, tumbling, spinning at high speeds🥴, and more!!!
    I think the stories were my favorite. An introduction was given at the beginning of each of the performances, but after the intro not a word was spoken. I could understand exactly what was going on. There was lots of laughing and I even got misty eyed a couple of times.
    There wasn't just dancing, they had two singers and a young lady played an ErHu. Basically it's a two string fiddle. She played beautifully.
    Being able to attend this performance was really amazing and inspiring. I would 100% recommend it.
     Pictures were not permitted which is understandable, but I did get this poster in the end:



   It was worth it. I hope you guys enjoyed my description of Shen Yun. If you guys want to read more about this play here is the link to their website: Shen Yun Website
    Have any of you ever seen this performance, what did you think of it?
    Have a wonderful week!

- Addyson

2020

    Hey guys! I’m back again! It’s been a long time since I have done a blog post. I have been busy and there have been times where I’m just trying to figure myself out. I know someone out there can relate to that! I even considered not having a blog for a while, but then I’m like “I could be sharing a lot more stuff with my art friends! I should be using my blog to do this!”
    So here I am in 2020 ready to take you guys with me on an artistic journey. I have already done a few exciting things this year and have some updates that we will talk about next week, Feb. 10. Stay tuned! 💜

-Addyson