Drawing Challenge & Free Download
I’m a full-time mom of two boys, who are now 3 and 1.5. Needless to say, they keep me busy! Yet, I think about art every day. I think about painting every day. I yearn to bust out of bed every morning not to crying kiddos who want to be fed, but to an art easel with a blank canvas just waiting to be filled with the ideas that occupied my dreams.
I know this is just a season. Art is something I’ve learned to incorporate into my very demanding life as a mother – even if it’s just admiring and soaking in the beauty around me. But recently, I’ve just been unable to shake the need to draw. To not just hurriedly doodle an idea or image, but to really sit down and take some time to sketch. So I recently challenged myself after being inspired by a friend to a 30-day drawing challenge. It was just that, a challenge. My house got really messy – chores were neglected – but in those rare moments when a baby was napping or playing peacefully I would get out my sketch book and draw. Some drawings were short and hurried, some I was able to labor over the details. I didn’t make it 30 days straight. I skipped a day or two (or five) in between, but I managed to squeeze out about 20 drawings over a period of a couple months.
I wanted to share some of them with you. One in particular I’m making available as a free download, in case you like it. 🙂 My oldest son does love to paint, and he will sit down with me for a good 20-30 minutes to create art. The colored background in this piece in particular was done with my son’s watercolors, then later that night when the boys were in bed, I quickly sketched the peafowl over it with ink. I like the pop of color. I hope you like it too!
Even more, I hope it inspires you to make time for what’s burning deep inside you – even if it means letting your house go to pot.
Love this post! Keep drawing!!! The download link doesn’t work… love the art though!
I am in love with the watercolor bird!!! Is there a way to download it, the link doesn’t work 😔
What a vibrant and lovely bird…..and so true what you write too. I love all the drawings you show here. Have a quiet rest to your Sunday…..
I love the bird! That is a lovely piece of art.
This is gorgeous, thank you so much! Very inspirational post xx
my husband does quick sketches with markers of the kids while they sit at the table and eat or colour. it is really tricky to find time for art with two little kids (we have a 3 and 1.5 also) but i think the trick is to find art in what you are doing…. sculpting play doh, marker sketches, architecture in building blocks etc. x
You are so talented!
And I’m with you- I’m all for doing more of what we love to do, even if it means neglecting other tasks 🙂
This is inspiring! I think a messy house is something beautiful if it is messy because of the way you have prioritized. And you choose you for 30 days.
I really needed to hear this, thank you… Your sketches are lovely 🙂
Thank you Ashley for the heads up…the link is fixed. And thank you ladies, it’s encouraging to hear from you all!
@fanfamfun – you are totally right – having children has actually trained my senses to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary. I see art everywhere!
You are so generous to share your awesome art with everyone. I printed it out for my little girl’s room. She is 9 months and ever since she has been in my life I find my mind exploding with things to paint or draw but little time to make it happen….all that left brain focus on feeding and changing allows for beautiful right brain freedom right?! Its also nice to hear someone acknowledge that if you choose to do something like art, other things will fall aside, like meals and housework, and that is okay! Your honesty is always refreshing.
It’s like your my long lost kindred spirit! I have two kids ages 2 and 3 – so I completely understand the struggle of trying to keep your creative side from being trampled by toddlers and drowned in dust. I have learned that a little bit of clutter and a pile of laundry to fold will not ruin my life, but not taking a minute to create a little bit of beauty (like your gorgeous bird) can darken my day. I am also doing a 30-day challenge (self-imposed!) to make and post at least once item a day to my Etsy shop. Today is the first day I missed . . . hopefully I can get back on the wagon tomorrow!
It’s not a messy house – it’s a lived-in house! Nice art! Even nicer to know you’re a God-follower!! God Bless!!
Thank you!! I am looking for wall art to fill empty spaces in my home. Have decided to get creative again and make most of it myself, but it will be tricky as my boys are now also 3 and1,5 years! So, now I have one beautiful print to hang from you, and the mindset that the house can take a hit and be messy while I get creative for a few days!