Thursday, July 26, 2012

you must live in the present...

You Must Live in the Present

I don't often post my own design work (illustration or clothing) on Bubby and Bean, but I wanted to share a recent project I completed because it's one of my personal favorites.  And also, spreading positive quotes and messages is always a good idea, right?  I have adored this quote by Henry David Thoreau for as long as I can remember, and a few months ago, decided that I needed something that I could look at everyday to remind me of it.  Because let's face it - once we reach adulthood, we become much more accustomed to getting buried by life's daily stresses than we do to living in and appreciating each moment.

As much as I enjoy working on graphic pieces, my heart belongs to the pen and ink drawing.  The style of my drawings is really quite different than the style of my graphic work (which tends to be modern and simple), but it's a style that I've carried with me since I was a child.  On the rare occasions that I sit down to draw, my ideas almost always manifest via a bunch of tiny doodles that interact with each other - and often with text as well - within one illustration.  And without fail, there will be one or more of the following: swirls, flowers, dots, dashes, stars.  (My 'Why Old Dogs are the Best Dogs' print is another example of this.)  I've never been very good at drawing people or landscapes or scenes that are supposed to fit together in any sort of realistic manner.  I think this is because there is more planning involved, and I am incredibly impatient.  Really, I am.  I always have an idea before I start a piece, but the concept forms along the way, not before the pen hits the paper.

I hope this magical quote inspires you guys to always challenge yourself, to seize the moment when you can, and to try your best to live in the present (today and everyday!). 

P.S. Here's a little shameless plug/coupon, if you'd like to snag one of these new prints >> Take 15% off with code BUBBYANDBEAN15 right here.


Follow Bubby and Bean

Bubby and Bean on Bloglovin

16 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous! And such a great reminder!
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's exactly how I like to draw.
    little elements all putted together with little dots or curly lines... I tend to do this during class in my schoolbooks too. Which is not such a good idea, haha. I love the quote too!

    love, Saar

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this so much!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so beautiful! You're really talented! A great sentiment too!

    Becky
    xx

    http://www.beckybedbug.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. melissa, i want to see more of your pen & ink drawings. maybe somewhere over the rainbow, in another time & place, when you aren't so bombarded with life's details.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amazing, just what I've been thinking all week! We have to live for today, tomorrow is not promised :)
    Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Jacy

    www.artbyjacy.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my, this is so, so beautiful. The quote and the art. I need to get one.

    ReplyDelete
  8. buying one RIGHT now! thanks for the promo code... living in the present continues to be one of my biggest struggles and your design work is absolutely amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, you rock Allie! Thanks so much. :) I hope you love it!

      Delete
  9. While I do love the quote, I love the design of it even more! Melissa, it's beautiful. It has every kind of doodle and drawing I like (leaves, flowers, waves, and dots). I love it! I hope you find more time to make these kinds of prints. You're really very good at it. This is the second print of yours I hope to buy one day. I have my eye on them and they're favorited already as reminders. One day I will have the wall space for both of them! And hopefully a few others you've drawn by then ; ]

    ReplyDelete
  10. Melissa! This is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You guys rock. Thank you so much for the kind words!

    ReplyDelete
  12. A true sentiment beautifully drawn! I woul love a larger version of the print, I think it would look perfect in pride of place over my bed

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting! We love reading your thoughts and we're grateful for your input. (All spam will be deleted.)