Author: Joy Murray

Today’s energy got consumed by making slime with a few of the neighborhood kids here at Bridge Meadows.  Slime is a substance made with glue and borax, it’s both icky and soothing and very good for kids who like hands on experiences.

I did some writing in my journal, but no daily draw.  Instead I looked back through some of my sketchbooks from August of last year and found this one that I didn’t like when I painted it.  Now I have no idea what I didn’t like about it.  I saw this boy in a group photo from an old tutoring guide I was reading at the time, one face among many, but he captured me, his pink shirt and serene expression.

I didn’t think I did him justice.   I realize now I was judging my work through the filter of depression.  It’s a filter I still struggle with, so it was nice to find this piece, see it with new eyes, and now share it.

Sometimes taking time to look back provides as much healing as moving forward.

I’m drawing daily to help manage depression, long-term disability, and life in general.  If you’d like to see the beginning of this project, you can see it here.  You can also follow me through WordPress or on Facebook.

Your thoughts and shares are appreciated.

Every once in awhile, I paint with acrylics.  I like the vivid colors and the way they dry between layers.  No chance of muddying colors or back-runs.  More frequently, I make portraits of everyday saints — just people I see really.  But I believe we all divine in some way.  It was good to contemplate such things on Sunday.

And as spring leaps to life, I did a watercolor of magnolia buds.

I’m drawing daily to help manage depression, long-term disability, and life in general.  If you’d like to see the beginning of this project, you can see it here.  You can also follow me through WordPress or on Facebook.

Your thoughts and shares are appreciated.

I went downtown today to run some errands and see the cherry trees in bloom along the Willamette river.  It was cloudy and chilly, but the bright pink blossoms warmed my heart.  We had some sun breaks, too.

On the way home on the Max light rail, I saw this family returning home after enjoying the blossoms.  I almost took a picture, but decided to do a quick sketch that I finished and painted at home.

What a nice day!

I’m drawing daily to help manage depression, long-term disability, and life in general.  If you’d like to see the beginning of this project, you can see it here.  You can also follow me through WordPress or on Facebook.

Your thoughts and shares are appreciated.

Yesterday, that old lizard brain got hold of me, but I faced it and went on with my daily draw.  It’s becoming a habit — acknowledging the negative, frightened, reptile voice and drawing a map away from it.  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to silence it, but I’m gaining confidence in my ability to manage it.   And who knows, maybe we’ll become friends.  A critical mind can be good at editing and discernment.  It could, I think, help me with my boundaries.   The important thing is to learn to channel it in positive directions.

So today, I did my 50th daily draw.  The sun is shining.  It’s going to be a good day.

I’m drawing daily to help manage depression, long-term disability, and life in general.  If you’d like to see the beginning of this project, you can see it here.  You can also follow me through WordPress or on Facebook.

Your thoughts and shares are appreciated.

I’m linking this to Paint Party Friday,  a group I haven’t been active in for awhile, but would like to check in again today.