1/30/2018 2 Comments January UpdateI feel SO GOOD right now!! Read more to find out why! ArtThis month was rather productive for art. I had a pretty steady pace on making drawings, and I hope to continue drawing this way. First, I accidentally redrew my very FIRST drawing of Crystal, EVER. It ended up being a really awesome side-by-side comparison. Next, I got a new sketchbook, and used acrylic paints to make it look all pretty, similar to my first sketchbook, but nicer-looking. In that sketchbook, I started off by drawing me and Crystal, with the quote, “My characters are not me; they are a part of me” written in. I experimented with as many traditional mediums as I could—watercolors, colored pencils, water-based and alcohol-based markers. This month I ended up creating two new characters, along with ideas for their stories. First, Princess Sentire, who I drew three times. (The third one was pretty awful after I looked at it again. I may redraw that one in February.) The second was Holly London, who I actually drew in an attempt at a redraw! I didn’t like it, because the character didn’t look quite like the original, but I’ve resolved to waste nothing in this new sketchbook! If you want to find out more about these characters, read the descriptions on DA. I tried my hand at a little more realism, plus legs. When I was finished with the body, I realized that it was a really weird pose, but I kept it and turned it into a silly hot tub ad. I still rather like it. Finally, I did the Style Swap challenge with Kittykazoo! It was super fun, analyzing her art style, comparing it with mine and attempting her dramatic and childish-looking style myself! I learned a lot when she drew my style, and realized that I definitely wanted to make my mouths and poses more expressive. Thus, come the creepy bald heads with no eyes. Oh, and of course I drew Crystal this month. I also drew George, the first Stellarian Crystal ever meets on earth! He’s taken the form of an old man, but it was only a bit of a challenge because it was a side view. I hope to draw him more often, from other angles, and in full body poses. WritingI’ll admit, I’ve really been putting of a few projects. But I did end up writing a poem this month. I became frustrated with myself because I didn’t feel adequate as a composer, and kept comparing myself to other composers on NoteFlight. It’s not healthy, and I know that. But when emotions swell inside, I tend to release them through writing. So here it is: Can't I be that way, Too?These people around me are so talented, so I compare myself ‘til we’re equal, y’know? But the problem is, I don’t know where to go next ‘Cause I’m too busy gawking at each of their steps. I’m an artist, a poet, a writer of songs I used to think music was where I belonged But I don’t know nothin’ I just like what sounds cool And composing for followers just makes me a fool. I’ve wracked my brain for a song that sounds right That everyone’ll love, and that won’t sound trite But these words just flow through me, these pages are clear I am no expert, but I write out of fear. When I’m stopped in my progress and click on the links My motivation drops and my heart starts to sink. I’ll comment real nicely, with tools that I know Then stay up at night, mind dancing to and fro. “I don’t understand them, I’m stupid at best!” “Oh, hush up, you’re silly—just give it a rest.” “But I can’t! I have to know all that they do! “They’re such great composers, can’t I be that way, too?” MusicThis is why I’m so happy. I DID IT! I wrote the first four pieces of the year, just as I resolved to! They may not be good, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I actually did it. And for someone who has a doctorate in laziness and is a professional procrastinator, this boosts my motivation like you wouldn’t dream. So here they are! The first was a piano waltz—"Waltz of a Winter Morning”—somehow a rather easy type of piece to write. It doesn’t SOUND very original, at least not as much as “Waltz of the Rainy Night” (I’m noticing a trend in these titles…). But it was written a little later than I hoped; January 13. I would have much rather written it in the first week, but oh, well. The second was actually a pop-sounding song called “The Song I Bleed,” written three days later. It was a deliberate push to write a song, describing how tough it was to compose anything I liked, but that I just HAD to get it done. I apologize, I have no way to let you listen to this one. The third is a worship song that I started a month before I finished it (January 26): “Come to the Throne Room.” It’s the first worship song that I’ve ever written. I’ve thought a lot about the worship songs that we sing in church; often they don’t evoke images of things God has done, or bring to mind any reason to worship God—which I need very much to worship genuinely. But that’s a post for another day. I also don't have any way to show you this one. Maybe one day! Finally, the last piece I composed: Icicle Dance. It’s a short vibraphone duet, rather simple, but I’m mostly proud of the chord progressions, which I came up with on a vibraphone and piano. Like the waltz, this was composed mostly in a morning (January 30) with ideas I had the night before. Enjoy!
2 Comments
Curlycuz
2/8/2018 11:01:01 pm
Wow Lydia!Congrats on accomplishing so much.
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Lily Calico
2/9/2018 09:30:49 am
Aw, thanks Cuz! <3 I know I should get on my first no-pressure letter... Still, I'm so glad you're now reading this! :D
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Lily Calicois an aspiring composer, writer, artist and musician. Archives
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