Thanks so much, Maddy! As you know, it's always fun to hear what jumps out to people. I really did used to find 4-leafers all the time. And MAN did that Aveda vs Africa moment hit me.
And yes, big shout-out and HELLO to K for the inspiration!
Honestly, I have only ever referred to it as “sketchbooking.” But it’s definitely of a diary sort.
I think my choice of words is significant for my art renaissance because for many years I thought it was too late for me to be a person who keeps a sketchbook. But I was so wrong!
This post was really helpful - creating a 1-frame moment that is resonant and doesn't have to have a narrative story arc - beginning, middle, end. Maybe it is all there, but condensed. The categories are also helpful.
Now you've done it: I've got to see if my hands that have lost so many nerves to decades of Raynaud's can still draw! I think it was the Aveda versus Africa comment that did it. So relatable! Thanks for the humor, the wisdom, and the inspiration, Kelcey.
Glad to hear you're inspired, Susan! Don't worry about the quality of the drawing. You don't HAVE to show anyone. But if you're interested in low-stress drawing tips, you might check out this post of mine from a while back: https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/10-ways-to-draw-a-dead-author
And now you've inspired me to write a letter to a dead author. And to draw him. I used to draw precise pen and ink botanical illustrations (back in the days when we used pens and ink, that is), and then my hands got too shaky from the nerve loss. So I guess I'll be learning a new style of drawing with my current abilities. :)
How fascinating that you drew botanical illustrations, Susan! And I'm sorry about the nerve loss from Raynaud's. But even if a shaky hand can't make precise illustrations, it can still make evocative art. I'll message you about the dead author letter!
Timely and inspiring, as usual with you Kelcey!! No doubt influenced by you or one of your colleagues, I bought new supplies and started a diary comic / drawing recently. I’m glad I did. They are simple, but fun to do. I love the way they help one notice and think. Have a great summer.
Thanks, Jana! wondered if I should mention the medium because I am always curious to know. It's a medley! They are, in order: colored pencil on acrylic background (Skyline), gouache (mourning dove), digital over photo (yellow bra), watercolor (nighttime sounds), gouache (Target), digital x3 (martini, ice cream, Spaghettios), acryla gouache (FB couch), digital (flowers), ink (sea creatures), gouache (cat bowl), digital (4-leaf clover), gouache (bloody mary), gouache (Aveda), ink (Ireland).
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the details. I’d love to be a fly on the wall and see that dance of mediums in action! Or see your drawing table/studio. 🎨❤️Maybe you’ve shared it before—I’ll do some scrolling to see later. So many great options; you are a master of story telling and design with them all!
Perfect thanks! And I’m the same way. I am always playing with something different. I’m currently obsessed with printmaking but also working in gouache and pencils, pens and crayons.
I absolutely love all of these and the way you manage to convey emotions -- especially your sense of humor-- and how you capture small but rich details of your day like a snippet of the guy's convo with his grandma. 😄 I just retired from my teaching job in December, and your post is the only thing so far that makes me really miss teaching my creative writing classes. ♥️
Congratulations on your retirement, Kat! Hopefully you'll have all sorts of adventures--and time--to make diary comics or more beautiful art for your book! ❤️
I love these drawings! Maybe they're just for you, day by day, but I'd be happy to have them show up in my Substack feed! My problem with doing diary comics is I wait til the end of the day - so I have content! - but then they take so long to develop that I'm up wait too late. Diary Comics - a challenge to getting my sleep quotient in!
I totally get that, Barbara! I don't do them all the time for that very reason. And I don't usually do multiple panels for that same reason. In class, I make them a weekly-ish assignment (one per week!). Thanks for the invitation to share some in the Substack feed!
Great as always, Kelcey. My husband David and I are going to be in Copenhagen for the entire summer and you've inspired me to draw more while I'm there, whether it be diary comics or drawing what's in front of me. I struggle with drawing, but honestly, we're going to have all the time in the world, so it could be kind of perfect. Also---Lynda Barry ❤️. THE BEST.
Yes, all of July and August! Crazy, I know. We're doing a house exchange, otherwise we'd never be able to stay that long. We've been there a few times for short visits because I have family in Denmark (though not in Copenhagen). We were actually just there at Christmas, and wanted to find a way to go back---not just to spend more time in Copenhagen, but also because I'd like to spend more time with my family in Denmark (we're none of us getting any younger 👀). The only plans so far are going to the west coast for a week in July to be close to family, and then again in August for a family wedding. We were talking about side trips (Ireland? Berlin again?), but we might not even do that... might just chill in Copenhagen. Maybe some some forays into Sweden?
Ooh, I might need to look in a house exchange for the future! That's great you'll get to reconnect with family. My grandfather is from Norway and we've still got family there. My grandmother's parents were from Copenhagen, and we were able to find the location of their last address there in 2024, which was awesome. But we don't have current family connections. We're still working on travel plans but probably July!
The Home Exchange Network (https://www.homeexchange.com/) is pretty amazing, and I feel super fortunate that we got such an amazing exchange our first time trying. But you kind of have to be flexible, and be open to what might come your way. We weren't planning on travelling in summer, and we weren't planning on being away that long. But the offer was too good to refuse!
Love this post and the single panels! I'm always so curious to see other artists' daily life. I've been doing the Lynda Barry daily diary ever somewhat consistently, not daily, but it's still such a great way to record the day and make a quick visual (though mine are all just ink lines and if I really like it, I'll redraw it for others to enjoy). Omg I can't wait to hear about your workshop with Lynda Barry! Will you please convince her to get a Substack! 😆😅
Your captions on Substack make many of them feel like a comic to me. I'm blanking on examples now of course, but your rhymes and word-play like when you put a "coot on a fruit" (I just made that up) are always so delightful!
I love this Kelcey! Something I’ve been trying to do daily is at the end of the day, recording in my phone calendar what made me laugh that day. It’s so much fun to flip through and be reminded about funny things that happened or video clips I saw. Instant good cheer! Today’s will be your « existential conundrum » panel … and maybe I’ll even start drawing them too!
Wow, Jennifer, of all the things to record at the end of the day, what made you laugh sounds like the BEST! I love that! And I'm so happy to have made it on your list! :)
I adore Lynda Barry and have used both her 4-pane diary as well as the 6 minute diary so many times!
Also, I did NOT expect to see a can of Skyline. Amazing.
I'll be back in the 452xx (I'm from Anderson/Turpin), folks from Norwood end of September.
What?! I'm from 45230! I went to Anderson HS! I later lived in Norwood! And Clifton!
I love it. Small town Substack.
Cincinnati and Substack are two large small towns!
I was 45244.
I especially love that four-leave clover one. And lol’d at the dream big Aveda vs. Africa trip epiphany. ☺️
K’s series has also made me reflect on my own way of visually documenting my days! 🤪Cheers to K (👋) for starting this conversation!
Thanks so much, Maddy! As you know, it's always fun to hear what jumps out to people. I really did used to find 4-leafers all the time. And MAN did that Aveda vs Africa moment hit me.
And yes, big shout-out and HELLO to K for the inspiration!
Well then! I’ll keep sharing what jumps out at me, cuz it’s fun for me, too. ☺️
Also I'm curious to know how you'd describe your practice?
Honestly, I have only ever referred to it as “sketchbooking.” But it’s definitely of a diary sort.
I think my choice of words is significant for my art renaissance because for many years I thought it was too late for me to be a person who keeps a sketchbook. But I was so wrong!
Love it! It seems like your sketchbook provides fodder for your Substack stories too.
Also: Isn't it amazing how young we are when we decide it's "too late" to be a certain type of person?
Yes!!!
And I believe “18” was my belief of “too late.” So so so so wrong!
I love reading this exchange! You two both rock.
EiGhTeEn!!!! 🙀
Omg a full day workshop with Lynda Barry! Can’t wait to hear your recap.
I saw it announced on Instagram at nearly midnight one night, and I registered IMMEDIATELY. I will share all about it!
This post was really helpful - creating a 1-frame moment that is resonant and doesn't have to have a narrative story arc - beginning, middle, end. Maybe it is all there, but condensed. The categories are also helpful.
Glad to hear it, Joanne! I realize that this approach fits in my theme of "Think Small" for this year.
Now you've done it: I've got to see if my hands that have lost so many nerves to decades of Raynaud's can still draw! I think it was the Aveda versus Africa comment that did it. So relatable! Thanks for the humor, the wisdom, and the inspiration, Kelcey.
Glad to hear you're inspired, Susan! Don't worry about the quality of the drawing. You don't HAVE to show anyone. But if you're interested in low-stress drawing tips, you might check out this post of mine from a while back: https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/10-ways-to-draw-a-dead-author
And now you've inspired me to write a letter to a dead author. And to draw him. I used to draw precise pen and ink botanical illustrations (back in the days when we used pens and ink, that is), and then my hands got too shaky from the nerve loss. So I guess I'll be learning a new style of drawing with my current abilities. :)
How fascinating that you drew botanical illustrations, Susan! And I'm sorry about the nerve loss from Raynaud's. But even if a shaky hand can't make precise illustrations, it can still make evocative art. I'll message you about the dead author letter!
Timely and inspiring, as usual with you Kelcey!! No doubt influenced by you or one of your colleagues, I bought new supplies and started a diary comic / drawing recently. I’m glad I did. They are simple, but fun to do. I love the way they help one notice and think. Have a great summer.
No way! That's great! I'll be excited to see them, Diane!
I posted one to IG and FB yesterday.
I have not been hanging out there much lately but will check it out!
I love this! Are these gouache, digital or both?
Thanks, Jana! wondered if I should mention the medium because I am always curious to know. It's a medley! They are, in order: colored pencil on acrylic background (Skyline), gouache (mourning dove), digital over photo (yellow bra), watercolor (nighttime sounds), gouache (Target), digital x3 (martini, ice cream, Spaghettios), acryla gouache (FB couch), digital (flowers), ink (sea creatures), gouache (cat bowl), digital (4-leaf clover), gouache (bloody mary), gouache (Aveda), ink (Ireland).
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the details. I’d love to be a fly on the wall and see that dance of mediums in action! Or see your drawing table/studio. 🎨❤️Maybe you’ve shared it before—I’ll do some scrolling to see later. So many great options; you are a master of story telling and design with them all!
That's so nice, Jana, thank you. I've got an illustration of my work space on my About page, and I don't know if this is helpful but I wrote about moving among mediums (one per month) in this post: https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/notes-from-an-unpleasant-start-to
I can't seem to commit to just one! :)
Perfect thanks! And I’m the same way. I am always playing with something different. I’m currently obsessed with printmaking but also working in gouache and pencils, pens and crayons.
It's all so fun! Printmaking is on my horizon!
I feel you on the cat bowl. I've had similar experiences.
Aw. It's strange how the love and grief sneaks up on you. ❤️
Love love love! The laundry and the Aveda products…just love the details. Always inspiring me to paint more.
Thank you, dear Amy! 🥰
I absolutely love all of these and the way you manage to convey emotions -- especially your sense of humor-- and how you capture small but rich details of your day like a snippet of the guy's convo with his grandma. 😄 I just retired from my teaching job in December, and your post is the only thing so far that makes me really miss teaching my creative writing classes. ♥️
Congratulations on your retirement, Kat! Hopefully you'll have all sorts of adventures--and time--to make diary comics or more beautiful art for your book! ❤️
Thanks, Kelcey!
This is great work. Love all the different examples you have here in the article. I hope your knee is on the mend 🥰
Thanks, Lucy! These are all examples over time (like the quarantine comfort food!), so luckily my knee has healed!
I love these drawings! Maybe they're just for you, day by day, but I'd be happy to have them show up in my Substack feed! My problem with doing diary comics is I wait til the end of the day - so I have content! - but then they take so long to develop that I'm up wait too late. Diary Comics - a challenge to getting my sleep quotient in!
I totally get that, Barbara! I don't do them all the time for that very reason. And I don't usually do multiple panels for that same reason. In class, I make them a weekly-ish assignment (one per week!). Thanks for the invitation to share some in the Substack feed!
Great as always, Kelcey. My husband David and I are going to be in Copenhagen for the entire summer and you've inspired me to draw more while I'm there, whether it be diary comics or drawing what's in front of me. I struggle with drawing, but honestly, we're going to have all the time in the world, so it could be kind of perfect. Also---Lynda Barry ❤️. THE BEST.
Whoa! Copenhagen ALL summer?! Have you been there before? What are your plans? I'm making plans for Norway!
Yes, all of July and August! Crazy, I know. We're doing a house exchange, otherwise we'd never be able to stay that long. We've been there a few times for short visits because I have family in Denmark (though not in Copenhagen). We were actually just there at Christmas, and wanted to find a way to go back---not just to spend more time in Copenhagen, but also because I'd like to spend more time with my family in Denmark (we're none of us getting any younger 👀). The only plans so far are going to the west coast for a week in July to be close to family, and then again in August for a family wedding. We were talking about side trips (Ireland? Berlin again?), but we might not even do that... might just chill in Copenhagen. Maybe some some forays into Sweden?
When are you going to Norway?
Ooh, I might need to look in a house exchange for the future! That's great you'll get to reconnect with family. My grandfather is from Norway and we've still got family there. My grandmother's parents were from Copenhagen, and we were able to find the location of their last address there in 2024, which was awesome. But we don't have current family connections. We're still working on travel plans but probably July!
Oslo, or...?
The Home Exchange Network (https://www.homeexchange.com/) is pretty amazing, and I feel super fortunate that we got such an amazing exchange our first time trying. But you kind of have to be flexible, and be open to what might come your way. We weren't planning on travelling in summer, and we weren't planning on being away that long. But the offer was too good to refuse!
I just ran across Lynda Barry's diary exercise last week and felt inspired! And now your post is the extra kick in the booty that I need to do it.
Synchronicity! 💫🌟
Love this post and the single panels! I'm always so curious to see other artists' daily life. I've been doing the Lynda Barry daily diary ever somewhat consistently, not daily, but it's still such a great way to record the day and make a quick visual (though mine are all just ink lines and if I really like it, I'll redraw it for others to enjoy). Omg I can't wait to hear about your workshop with Lynda Barry! Will you please convince her to get a Substack! 😆😅
Haha, that would be epic if LB got on Substack! You seem to create from your days non-stop! I love your teeny-tiny paintings!
Thank you Kelcey! I think my mini paintings don't feel like a comic because I don't have any words. Maybe I can change that!
Your captions on Substack make many of them feel like a comic to me. I'm blanking on examples now of course, but your rhymes and word-play like when you put a "coot on a fruit" (I just made that up) are always so delightful!
I love this Kelcey! Something I’ve been trying to do daily is at the end of the day, recording in my phone calendar what made me laugh that day. It’s so much fun to flip through and be reminded about funny things that happened or video clips I saw. Instant good cheer! Today’s will be your « existential conundrum » panel … and maybe I’ll even start drawing them too!
Wow, Jennifer, of all the things to record at the end of the day, what made you laugh sounds like the BEST! I love that! And I'm so happy to have made it on your list! :)