This my friends, is 6 hours of hard pencil labor. SIX HOURS! It is by far the longest I've ever drawn in one sitting, and the best that I've ever done... so far. However, I was not alone and I'm so happy Joseph helped me out in the development because I seriously learned a great deal of what I had been doing wrong in my past. If it had been just me alone, I would have been happy with my results in my two hour mark and called it quits. But as fate would have it, I had to date an artist... and a perfectionist at that. So I drew until he was happy and until I couldn't stand to see her face, is that wrong?

My usual stuff has been described to look like a "Sim's Character", but I never really understood what it takes to draw something real to LOOK REAL. Joseph makes it look soooooo eaaaasy! But he's right about one thing, it's all about practice.

If you want to be remotely good at anything, it's Practice, Practice, Practice. And not just ANY Practice, you actually have to not limit yourself and work on it for longer periods of time. Its a commitment that most people fear to dedicate themselves to, but if you absolutely want it, then you absolutely need to give it your All and your Time! Just like any relationship in the World, if you want your relationship in your love life, with your family, with your co-workers, friends, even yourself... If you want it to work, you have to practice the art of giving it your All and your Time.

So my friends, take the time to reflect when you gave up on anything and ask yourself if you want to be better. If so, the secret is Practice, it's as plain and simple as that.

For those of you in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, if you'd like to draw and get tips on how to better your art, come join us at the Borders in the Arlington Highlands every Sunday's at Noon-6pm, and lets create art.

Love,
*Shaddai

"If there is anyone to whom I owe money, I am prepared to forget it if they are" - Errol Flynn

"I've got all the money I'll ever need, if I die by four o'clock this afternoon." - Henny Youngman

"Here is a useful shopping tip: You can get a pair of shoes for $2.50 at bowling alleys."
-Al Clethen

"I want a one-armed economist so that the guy could never make a statement and then say "on the other hand..." -Harry Truman

About 4 years ago, I was presented with a book by Donald Trump & Robert Kiyosaki "Why We Want You To Be Rich". This $25 hardback of a monster, explained in the purist of simple intelligence where our economy is as a country and where it was going. They knew where we were heading and why we are where we are. The sad and ugly truth is, the only way we can change it is if WE, the consumers, start producing.

Somewhere in the 20th century we became snotty brats where all we did is demand, demand, demand. For faster things, newer things, portable things all in the name of NOW.

Technology today is AMAZING! I'm still impressed by high speed internet, and how awesome it is to communicate with people in seconds. We are incredibly connected that people would start itching if they were without their phone for over 2 hours.

It seems that because of our NOW attitude, we're all paying the price and feeling it very much especially in our pockets. Cutting our expenses isn't enough, recycling isn't enough, and layoffs... well, who's that really helping?

I think the moral of this story is: If you want to work, then PRODUCE work. If you want a job, then CREATE a job. If you need money, then MAKE money (legally of course). It's easier said than done, but I know I'm not alone in pursuing my life in this way. Better to be successful in what you love to do for a life time, not in what you like in the mean time.

(photos: courtesy of my mom from an email/ photographers unknown)