A “life” drawing.

OK, so this is my toy and not Milo’s…at least not yet.

John Updike died today. I have only read two of his books, but I am a big fan of Nicholson Baker who worshipped him (even wrote a book about it), and took Updike’s flair for writing beautifully about the banal to extremes. Below is a quote from Updike that sums up a love of craft that I think can apply as easily to drawing as to writing:

“I would write ads for deodorants or labels for catsup bottle, if I had to…The miracle of turning inklings into thoughts and thoughts into words and words into metal and print and ink never palls for me.”

- John Updike, RIP.

Here’s today’s toy. My favorite part is the floppy green “leaves” sewn on just below the mouth, I suppose so that it looks like he’s munching away. Instead, it makes it look like he has a lopsided goatee…he’s an goofy asymmetrical hipster giraffe (GAHG).

This week I will be drawing Milo’s toys. I thought this block would be easy, but I got confused and unsure with my crosshatching, particularly on the swirly shape and on the corners of the block.

Ok, so I haven’t gotten off to the roaring start this year that I had imagined. It’s become harder to find the time to concentrate on drawing and the time off over the holidays didn’t rejuvenate me as much as halt my momentum. I feel out of ideas, or at least without the energy to push ahead with the vague ideas I do have or the will to complete the more elaborate drawings I have that are unfinished. So, inspired by the awesome painting blog of Abbey Ryan, I’m going to do more of drawing the little things around me. Like this little spaceship.