The Stories we tell ourselves
Notes on sketchbooks, our power as artists and creative growth.
Disclaimer : Bird Droppings does not pretend to be an expert in any of the topics mentioned below (except for somethings). Past performance is not indicative of future results. Bird Droppings does not take responsibility of any positive/negative side effects that may arise from the overload of positive creative inspiration below.
Consume at your own risk.
Over the past week, the internet has been flooded with anger, frustration, and, at times, hopelessness. It’s been a tough time for the creators' community, with AI appropriating artwork and big corporations facilitating and endorsing it. Amid explaining to my non-artist friends why this is problematic and enduring dismissive comments like ‘eventually technology catches up,’ I’ve been personally navigating how to advocate for myself in this situation.
The reality is, the internet ceased to be a fertile ground for creative growth nearly a decade ago. Now, it seems people can't tolerate it anymore. Loneliness has reached unprecedented levels, ironically exacerbated by ‘social media,’ originally designed to foster connections. I remember a time when relationships were more genuine, when validation didn’t hinge on online presence. We've created a sadly disconnected world for ourselves.
To live with sincerity in our culture of cynicism is a difficult dance — one that comes easily only to the very young and the very old.
Maria Popova beautifully articulates this struggle in her article on hope, cynicism, and the narratives we embrace in our polarized world.
Lately, I've pondered how artists can continue to contribute value despite the odds stacked against us—a perennial challenge throughout history. Artists document and preserve human history. Yet, our culture fixates on ‘making it,’ ‘10 things to achieve before 40,’ or ‘earning six figures from a side hustle,’ often missing the essence of why we create art in the first place. I'm weary of seeing these messages everywhere. While I am a huge advocate of self learning from ‘Youtube University’ - it’s not the platform that is the problem. It’s just us and what we want. What we tell ourselves. What we type into our search boxes and cram into our feeds and allow into our lives.
We are all so self-absorbed that we simply do not have time for anything else. Even ourselves. The irony is striking.
How do we stop doing this? I don’t know. I’m just figuring it out too. One way I've found solace is through sketchbooks. But that too is a battle against my inner perfectionist—ensuring it doesn’t become another project aimed at perfection..
Whenever I feel the stress of maintaining my sketchbook creeping in, I take a step back and pause until the perfectionism monster ebbs away. This is one of the beauties of something as simple as a sketchbook. It's not a project for a portfolio or a client, nor is it a social media obligation that demands daily posts. It's simply a book I open when and if I feel like it—those are my sketchbook rules.
I maintain sketchbooks as records of my life. I show it to my friends when they come over for dinner or take a peep to see what I am drawing. When they ask about my trip, I pass my sketchbook into their hands. Sometimes people ask “Is this personal? Can I read it?” Well, it is personal. But of course yes, you can read it.
I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality. - Frida Kahlo
That’s the whole point of the sketchbook. You are holding the artist’s experience. What they thought of, what they smelled, what food they ate, what their day was like, was it raining, did the uber eats guy forget their cutlery - All the details of lived human experience that would be quite impossible to ‘emulate’ or ‘generate’.
Though I speak of sketchbooks here, I speak of art more broadly. I think we should forget everything we know about the rules of ‘making it as an artist’ and ‘make art as an artist’ . The essence of art does not lie in a pretty picture or a perfect drawing or an immaculately written essay - the essence of it lies in the human experience. What YOU felt - your unique human experience which no-one else can ever hope to know.
The power of the artist lies in the ability to express their unique human experiences in ways that touches other’s lives.
And that, if you ask me, is great power indeed.
Meanwhile in the studio
Back to thinking about the best way to carrying supplies while traveling! I have an upcoming trip to Portland next week and have been obsessing about what to bring and how to carry essential sketchbook supplies! The ones you see below are leather tool and waxed canvas cases I have made to store my precious little supplies.
However I keep iterating and making myself more tool rolls and cases to see if I can fit all my supplies in one neat package.
Versions of tool rolls and supply pouches 
I have found waxed canvas and remnants from block printed canvas make good combinations! Successful attempts will end up in my etsy shop cause I usually make too much after my exploratory stage.
Designing patterns for another set of block prints! This pattern collection is called California springs and is inspired by springs in California - the pattern below showcases the California poppies that pop up all over the country in spring in an art nouveau styled pattern. I am making digital as well as physical block prints, will post the finished digital collection next week!
Some new patchwork pouches up in Etsy shop - I had a lot of scraps left over from my block printed and waxed canvas fabrics and decided to make them into these useful pouches. You can store your edc gear or small tools or even cash/coins/cards. Link to Etsy shop here!
Had my first buildspace session on Saturday and it was really cool. If you don’t know what it is - read up about it here. I’m going to starting my 6 week project soon and I’m so freaking excited!! I’ll post updates on it soon!
Some Cool stuff I read/did/heard this week :
- ‘s new article about making things really inspired me and is well worth a read!
The Curative properties of bitching by
was such a refreshing approach to the toxic positivity culture that I am SO tired of.- ‘s human intelligence badge challenge in case you had not seen it yet!
This is mine! This was the ONLY online challenge I have ever done, so it’s a big deal for me lol.
That’s it from me, this week. I am going to share some updates about my Portland sketchbook soon!
Take care!
