Get Out from Slump

Friends, thank you and I feel much better in this long weekend. BTW, aren't we sometimes in slump and hard to find a way out? Friends, a librarian's death has turned my doldrums into a "creative"  birth pain. It's very sad when people we love and cherish are taken from us far too early, but sometimes it forces us to enjoy the present and make the most of it. If you do not mind, let us share my story.

  Sydney Uni Quadrangle (*we called it "Clock Tower")

I often visit libraries to get inspirations and do research at such as uni, state and local council libraries. You know I've been at stuck and struggling hard to make a new storyboard. I was down and out these days. So, I popped up a library to lift me up from the slump. Librarians welcomed me and celebrated my good news, especially, an ongoing picture book project. Although the project is undercover, we enjoyed a chat. But I could not find a familiar face....

Another librarian said with sorry, "He passed away...." I cried a lot. The quiet and so caring librarian had always encouraged me, saying, "Let me know when you'll have an exhibition or a new picture book. I'll come!" Oh, no..., I kept on sobbing and regretted my "too late" good news.

But, grief drove me to be creative again. Right after leaving the library, I felt my sluggish mood changing into active. His death taught me "Time does not await us," and "Never waste your time." Then, I nearly made a new storyboard in a pub!  I felt, that was the only way to stop my regretting and would move on.

(*I go anywhere with my mentor's emails, sketch books and roughs. Often people ask me, "Such heavy stuff you carry!" ...my professionalism.)  

A dear illustrator friend comforted me, 
"We are fortunate to have things to hope for and to work on."
True, it motivates us to live on and get out of slump. For me, picture book projects and portraits are hope and tasks. Sounds being contradicted that I languished in the picture book project -- in fact, I was blinded with ineffective ways and forgot an objective view about my old storyboards. I cleared up my sleepy head!  Now, I work on the storyboard well. Good!

Sure, I will make this project published next year! I'll invite familiar librarians, involved people, dear friends and of course, you, Friends, too.

I'll work on portraits, too. These days, picture book projetcs have occupied me. I haven't tried portraits for comps. No way! Sadami, never narrow yourself.

I also wanted to tell you this. Tell "I love you," for anyone who has cared for us, as many as possible and at anytime. 
Please take care and enjoy drawing!
Friends, Happy Painting!! 

Get Out from Slump