"I Must Have Something Better to do than Watch YouTube"

 I want to share this AMAZING drawing I created!

The drawing was created on 11"x 14" Strathmore Bristol (smooth surface) drawing paper, with Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens, an India Ink wash and watercolor (specifically Castle Arts Watercolor Pencils). Originally the drawing was going to be black and white (thus the second picture), however as I started out to only highlight the drawing...well, one thing led to another and thus, its in full color! I'm very happy with the results! This drawing has life! This drawing is fun! Most importantly,  this drawing makes me happy!

This drawing is the first of a series of Caricatures that i'm creating. I'm naming the series, "I Must Have Something Better to do than Watch YouTube". The genesis of this series is laziness. Basically, I've been slacking in the drawing department. While slacking, I occasionally zone out on YouTube. So I figured I'd put that "zoning out" to good use and start drawing caricatures of characters I'm watching on YouTube.

First up is @jordanvainikka. Her YouTube channel is, Flight Attendant JoJo. Besides being easy on the eyes, Jordan can be pretty entertaining (in a Mary Tyler Moore sorta way). Everyone should definitely give her channel a look, especially if you find yourself watching YouTube with nothing better to do (but trust me, there's always something better to do). Anyways…Judging from Flight Attendant JoJo's response (or lack thereof) I'm assuming she didn't like the drawing (yes, I tagged her Instagram account), but that's OK, because I love the drawing and hope you enjoy it as well.

Speaking of YouTube, is it amazing how it's made "celebrities " out of ordinary people. YouTube channels (if executed correctly) have to be the best marketing value for the dollar. Where else could an unknown person become known nationwide (even worldwide) with just a phone and internet access?? This is why I'm considering marketing my art through YouTube. Instagram is limited, unless you want to purchase followers (one way or another). I've bought ads on Facebook with limited success and a limited budget. However, even though I have a YouTube channel, I haven’t taken it seriously and think that has been a mistake. Note to self, Let’s correct that mistake.

Correcting Confucius

 “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” 

Confucius

Actually, I believe that Confucius wasn’t exactly correct (Yes, I’m correcting Confucius).  I don't think one chooses the job, as much as the job chooses you. 

Anyways…If what Confucius said is (partially) true, I'll never work another day in my life after August 1st, 2022. That's right my friends, it's the time for...

136 days...

If you look back at my last blog, I mentioned that I’m easily distracted. Well I just proved it. It's been over two months since I've written a blog (Yikes!!!). Well, the time is now  to do away with the distractions and move forward. Actually, there’s no choice now. My life is changing on August 1st, 2022. So the time is now (whether I like it or not) to get the proverbial head out of the proverbial ass and fix this situation.

Excuses like, I’m tired. Distractions, excuses, deduces, adduces, misuses (and whatever else rhymes). Whether it’s, work related (my secret identity as a mild mannered fueler), being tired (caused by being a Fueler that starts work at 3am) or food (purchased by a guy who is a fueler, that starts work at 3am and does not have the time (i.e., energy) to prepare and partake nutritious food to bring to work at 3am. It’s a rut that I need to get out of, in order to get on that train, August 1st. The train is leaving and I will be on it..

Another part of my problem (i.e., being artistically inactive) is that although my brain is drawing pictures (there’s so many ideas floating around, it's giving me a headache) the body doesn't want to cooperate. So I will need to fix this issue as well. Thanks to my youngest son (who’s very persistent at reminding me what I need to accomplish) I took the first step towards health redemption last Sunday. I dragged my butt off the cozy burgundy sofa chair and followed him up the hill. Yes, I went hiking. Here’s some photos to prove it, in case you had your doubts (as did I).

So the first steps have been taken, I wrote another blog, I’ll be drawing tomorrow

and it's back up to those hills this Sunday. 

Before I end this blog, you probably want to know what’s happening August 1st? Stay tuned and you might just find out.

Michael