An Important Artsy Update

Hello, dear friends.
   How have you been? I hope you've had a fantastic week, that you were able to compliment someone, that you were able to laugh at something. Please remember to keep going, and find that thread of hope that's always intertwined in the big picture.
   I feel like I haven't written a nice, deep blog post in awhile, and that makes me rather sad. I really, really want to do that, and I'm going to do it soon. But today I have some very important artsy updates, as you may have gleaned from the title.
   So. Let's not beat around the bush. In the past week or so, two people have approached me about illustrating cover art for their books. The first one is a friend of mine who is self-publishing her book and is having me do the cover and the frontispiece. The second is the author that had the illustrating contest for her books that I ended up being a part of. But instead of doing illustrations inside, I'm doing the lineart for. The. Cover.
   I honestly can't believe this is happening? I'm very excited, super freaked out and slightly overwhelmed. Because I'm also starting school again this Monday, and I'm trying to get started on Christmas presents, and also run an Etsy shop, not to mention that I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING. I've never done anything close to this!

   But the only way to learn is to start, I guess. And that's what I'm doing. Starting.
   So yeah. I've been busy. Well not really yet, but I'm about to get that way. It's like that calm before the storm feeling, you know? I kind of just want to jump into it and tackle everything as fast as I can, as perfectly as humanly possible, because that's how I like to do things. I'm just trying to prepare myself at the moment, 'cause I know it's coming soon.
   So yeah. This all happened, like, right after I started the 30 day drawing challenge. I'm going to try and complete that, and still post videos on Youtube and everything else I'm doing at the moment. I kind of missed/adjusted the last two days in the challenge, because a.) I had no idea what to draw for day 11, and I'm doing this and sharing some concepts for the picture for my friend's book for day 12, along with filming a video tonight. I'm going to try and get back on track tomorrow.
   And that's it. That's all I have to say for now. Sorry for my lack of quality content as of late. I am going to have a real blog post very, very soon, I promise. Forgive me! I will be back soon, dear readers. Thank you for taking the time to make your way through this post and for sticking with this mess of a blog. I love you all dearly. <3

MR

Liebster Tag!!

Hello again, my frens!!

So, the wonderful Abbie from Chronicles in Bloom tagged me in this Liebster tag thingy. She has a great blog, you should totally go check it out! This tag looks like a lot of fun though, so let's hop to it. :)

First, the rules:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Answer the eleven questions
3. Tag eleven bloggers and let them know you've done so
4. Ask your tagged bloggers eleven questions

I think it's already been established that I do not follow enough blogs, so I will be breaking the eleven people rule. But yeah, whatever, let's do this thing.

1. Is there any story as to who you were given your name? 
You know, not that I know of? I'm pretty sure that my parents just liked it, so they went with it. I do know that if I had a sister they would have named her Molly, so there would have been a Maggie and a Molly which would have been pretty cute. :D

2. Or you a night owl or early bird?
Absolutely, 110% night owl. I would be nocturnal if it was socially acceptable. But, I also feel like I could enjoy the morning? I really like the concept of getting a cup of coffee and watching the sunrise and listening to the birds tweet and feeling like you're the only one watching the world wake up. But I hate waking up early, and I just love nighttime so much... I don't  think I could give that up.

3. What is your favorite breakfast? 
TBH, I'm not too big on the whole breakfast thing. I usually just skip breakfast and go straight to lunch. That's usually because I sleep in too late and miss breakfast, but that's beside the point. I do, however, enjoy some warm, freshly made waffles. Like, when they're soft, but have just enough crispy-crunch to them, when you have the perfect ration of butter to syrup. Maybe there's a bit of fruit topping. You've got your orange juice and some coffee to drink... Mmm, yes, that is a level of perfection that puts me in a good mood just thinking about.

4. How would you describe your style? 
This question could be taken in a few ways, so I am going to answer all of them. My style in general, like, how I roll, what I do, who I am... That could only be described as weird, extremely eccentric and very socially awkward. Art style could be described the same way, though I'd like to think it has a little more of a classic feel. And honestly, my clothing style is the same as my art style. And yes, I am aware that was probably the most confusing answer you've ever seen, I'm so sorry.

5. What is your dream occupation? 
I really want to work in illustration. I'd love to do freelance, children's book illustrations, storyboarding. One or all of them would be great. :) I'm actually working toward that goal, so we'll see how it turn out, haha.

6. 3 favorite boy names?
David Arthur, Joshua, and Nathaniel. (If I have a boy, he will be named David Arthur, there is no arguing, it will be so)

7. 3 favorite girl names? 
This is a bit harder for me for some reason. But I'm going to say, Annette, Gwen, and... I don't know? Jenna, maybe? I like Jenna, I think Jenna is good.

8. Where would you like to travel? 
Okay, listen up because this is going to happen one of these days if I can make it. I want to go to Ireland, Scotland and England. When I get out of school, I'd say when I'm about 21, I want to go to all three of these places. I want to just live there for a few years, explore every nook and cranny and become seeped in the culture. I want to take it in and live and breathe it for as long as I possibly can. I'd like to go there for a couple weeks beforehand to get a taste, but I'm not going to bore you all with my in-depth travel plans, haha

9. Favorite part of your daily routine? 
Gooooooooood Mythical Morning!
No, haha, I'm just kidding, though I do love that show.
IDK, honestly. It's probably coffee? Coffee makes me happy. :)

10. What song gives you the most feels and why? 
I LITERALLY CANNOT ANSWER THIS, THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY OH MY GOSH!!!! 'The Last Goodbye' gives me a lot of feels, though I wouldn't say it gives me the most feels.

11. If you could learn to do one (creative) thing perfectly, what would it be? 
I honestly think it would be art. There's something that I enjoy about learning to write, and I can feel the same with art, but... It's so much harder to learn for some reason? I'd love to be able to just translate what's in my head right onto paper through art like that.

Boom, all the questions have been answered! Now I will be tagging...

Bronze the Sling: http://squigglyrambler.blogspot.com/

Chloe Womble: http://afangirlsfantasy.blogspot.com/

Mikaylea O'Brien: https://cometotheinkwell.wordpress.com/

And that's it because, as has already been established, I'm a loser who doesn't follow enough blogs. Also, if any of you have done this tag before, please ignore this and forgive me. I have a terrible memory, so I've probably forgotten if you have, I'm so sorry.

The questions are...

1. How does the rain make you feel?
2. What's the song that never fails to make you feel better?
3. What's your aesthetic? 
4. Is there anything that scares and entrances you at the same time? 
5. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why? 
6. What's your favorite fruit smell?
7. Which animal is the cutest? 
8. What do you want your bedroom to look like in ten years? 
9. What's the strangest sentimental thing you own? 
10. If you could change one thing about your physical self, would you, and what would it be?
11. Does the prospect of spending one night alone in the woods scare or excite you?

And that's it. If any of these questions don't make sense, please let me know and I will do my best to explain what I was trying to say. If I didn't tag you and you still want to do this, PLEASE DO SO AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT TELLING ME YOU DID BECAUSE I WANT TO HEAR YOUR ANSWERS.

That's it for now! I want to write up a blog post about everything that has been going on in my life recently, 'cause I have some exciting things going on. By the way, my artist alley table went great! If you'd like to know more about it, I have a vlog-type video on my channel. Be forewarned, it is very, very cringey because vlogging is hard.

I'll see you soon, my frens.
MR

Thought Process: Pieces

I think it's so funny.
   There are things that a person keeps to themselves. Some parts of them that are so deeply ingrained into them, some parts that define who they are, some parts that are so deeply personal. Parts that hurt, parts that are dark, parts that reveal too much of themselves. Parts that you feel like you can't share with another soul because then they would know every piece of you, what makes you you. Parts that you don't even fully understand yourself.
   But sometimes, you have to do something with these pieces. And since you can't share them, you write them down, You journal, you keep a diary, whatever you want to call it. It feels good to get them out there, to get them off of you and onto something else. You've shared them without actually sharing them.
  That's the part that's so funny to me. We can't share these pieces, because then someone would know us, who we actually are beneath whatever it is we present to people. Instead of sharing them with someone we trust, we put them in a place where anyone could pick it up and read it. Why is the latter okay, and not the former?
   Maybe that's it, though. Maybe there's something more okay with someone knowing, then having to explain it to someone. But maybe you just need to put the pieces somewhere, and the best you can do is write it down and hope that no one finds it. Maybe. I don't know.
   I just think it's funny.

This is short, and dramatic, and a little strange, but it's been on my mind. Sorry if it's confusing. 
MR

I Have an Artist Alley Table????

Hello, my dearest readers. :)
   How are you? I know I ask you that all the time, but I truly want to know. I hope you're doing well and that you've taken some time to enjoy life a little bit.
   As for me, I've been busy. Very. Busy.
   I've been catching up on my Mabel sweater orders, I've been playing piano, I've been trying to prepare my mind for another year of school. But this last week has been completely bonkers. Why? Well, if you've read the title or saw my little announcement on Pinterest, then you'll know...
   I HAVE AN ARTIST ALLEY TABLE AT A LITTLE LOCAL CONVENTION!!!!!
   And I have been preparing maniacally ever since I found out last Monday.
   Like, I've had to order prints. I've decided to stick with just 4x6 prints this time around, since all the other sizes are a bit too expensive and I'm running a little low on cash, hahaaaa.
   I've been making homemade stickers. Which took a bit of figuring out at first, but now they're loads of fun.
   I've been trying to finish this final Mabel sweater. Which I succeeded in doing tonight, haHA!
   I've been buying and making things for my table. Like a tablecloth, signs, stands, boxes for prints and stickers, all that stuff.
   I've been  printing business cards. Which took FOREVER, but I'm done with them, thank goodness.
   I've been frantically drawing and painting in an attempt to have more originals and prints to sell.
   I'VE BEEN INSANELY BUSY.
   AND I ONLY HAVE ONE WEEK TO FINISH GETTING READY.
   SO I AM ALSO GOING A LITTLE INSANE.
   Not to mention that I am suuuuuuppppper nervous about the whole thing, and hoping that I can make a bit of money, at least enough to pay for what I've put into this.
   But I've also been suuuuper excited. BECAUSE I AM GOING TO HAVE AN ARTIST ALLEY TABLE, WHICH IS LIKE SO COOL. Granted, the con is itty bitty teeny tiny, but this is such a great opportunity, and I'm hoping to meet some other artists, and gaaaah, it's gonna be so much fun!
   So yes. This isn't much of a post, but I just wanted to let you all know about what's been going on in my life. And if it wasn't for this, then there wouldn't have been a post at all. So there's that too.
   I'm hoping to make a vlog kind of thing going over how I prepared for the whole thing and how it went and all that, so keep an eye open on my youtube for that sometime next week. And whatever doesn't sell at con (which us probably going to be most of the things, ahha :') ), I will have up on my Etsy for a discounted rate, so keep your eyes open for thaaaaat...
   And yeah. That's it. That's all I have to say. I have to go and cut out stickers and edit a video and package a sweater and paint and draw another picture. So goodbye, my frens, and I'll see you on the flipside!

MR
 

Lists, Living Life and Lane

Hello, dearest readers. :)
   How are you? Well, I hope. If not, please remember that you are never alone in whatever issue you're going through. God is always there for you even when other people can't be, even though it really can seem like He is not. He always is. And He is always more than ready to listen to you and take your burdens as his own. <3
   I for one have been alright. My life has mostly been consumed with making Mabel sweaters, which is both a blessing and a curse, haha. Aside from that, nothing too exhilarating has happened.
   To start things off in this post, yes, I am late once again. Yes, I didn't post last week. Yes, I'm going to try to do better.
   Which kind of ties into what this post is about.
   I made a list the other day in my little journal. A list of things that I'd like to do more of in my life, a list of things that I want to start doing. A list of things that will makes me a better person, a person more like who I want to be. A list of things that will make life better in general and keep my outlook more positive. Seeing as how these things might benefit you all, I thought I would share this list in the hope that it would help to encourage and motivate you. So here it goes.

1. Be a lot cleaner

2.Draw everyday

3.Keep a blogging schedule

4.Pray everyday

5.Start collecting art prints

6. Look into getting a job

7.Schedule things

8.Write/journal everyday

9.Read everyday

10.Get up earlier

11.Plan outfits everyday

12. Do hairstyles

13.Use my book-nook more

14.Drive a lot more. 

   The majority of these things are somewhat silly things that I enjoy and want to do more. Some of these things are going to help me as I become an adult and start preparing myself for "the real world". And other things will, as I said earlier, help me become more of the person that I want to be, the person that I want to become. (Also, when I say 'be more clean' I mean keep my room clean, I am a very clean person, my room is just a nightmare, haha). By no means do you have to do anything on this list. I just thought I'd put it out there in case you were feeling a little 'blegh' in life or feeling like you want to do something different. I wanted to encourage you to make a list of your own and follow it. Do the things that you want to do, become the person you want to be, become the person that God wants you to be. Just do it. 

   Secondly, I want to ask you all for something. Do you remember awhile back that I posted about the little girl in my church fighting cancer, the little girl that I asked you to pray for? Well, she needs your prayers more than ever now. A lot has been happening, a lot of very difficult decisions have had to be made. Gah, she just really needs your guys' prayers. Her name is Lane, by the way, and I'm going to link you to her mom's blog so you can get a bit more info on everything that's been going on and all that stuff. So please, please pray for her and her family. Please share this blog and tell other about her and get them praying as well. Because they desperately need it. 

Here's the link: https://chargingthemountain.com/ 

   So yes. That's all I have to say for now. I hope you have a fantastic week, remember that God is there for you, that I love you and I think you are awesome, and that if you ever need someone to talk to I am totally cool with being that someone. :) Until next time, frens. 

MR

Thought Process: Humility and the Over-Abundance of it

Humility is a very important thing in life.
   Pride can so easily prevent you from making that decision you need to make. It can prevent you from doing that thing you know you need to do. It can keep you from reaching out to that person you know you need to reach out to. Thusly, many a sermon and many a blog post on pride has been preached on and and written about. And rightly so, seeing as how we all struggle with pride from time to time.
   But I'm writing this post for those of us who don't. For those of us who, as a matter of fact, struggle with the exact opposite thing. You could say that we have a little too much humility. Or to put it a little more bluntly, we think lowly of ourselves. I'm writing this for those of us who think we aren't worth much or that we could never be good enough. I'm writing this for myself. I'm writing this for anyone who thinks and feels the same way I do. So if you wouldn't mind, please take a moment and listen to what I have to say. Take a seat, get comfortable. I want to talk to you as personally as you will let me.
   Comfortable? Good, I'm glad. Now, there are a few things I want to say in regards to this issue of self worth that I've been thinking about lately. I know you're a busy person, so I'll make it quick.
  To start things off, I feel like the only way I'm going to be able to approach this post correctly is to talk about what you might call "the cliche answer" first.
   I want you to remember that no matter how you feel about yourself, no matter what others tell you, you are good enough. Why? Well, because God made you good enough. Jesus loved you so much and believed in what he created so much that he willingly gave his life on the cross for you. God made you with a very specific purpose and plan in mind, a plan that only you are able to complete and no one else. Don't try and tell yourself otherwise, because it's true.
   That's the most important thing to remember. But the other thing I want you to think about and consider, is that in a way, you aren't good enough. You're probably either freaking out right now or grinning and nodding because you know where I'm going with this. Without God, none of us are good enough. Without God we could never hope to be what we're supposed to be, there would be no point in living. So aside from remembering my first point, I want you to think about this one. Try to use how you feel about yourself, use those insecurities and that low self-esteem in what could be called a positive light. Remember that the only way you could ever be good enough is with God. Without Him, you aren't good enough. So use those feelings as a stepping stone to get closer to God, to realize more and more how much you need Him.
   And also, please remember that you are awesome, and lovely, and great and there are so many people who love you and I love you and yeah. :)
   That's the end of the post. I told you it was short, didn't I?
   So yes. That's all for now, but I will see you again on Friday! Keep pluggin' along, my friend, and have a wonderful rest of your week.
   MR

Into the Woods

Hello, my dear friends. :)

  I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day. Whilst you were having fun lighting off fireworks and barbecuing hamburgers, I hope you took some time to think about our country. I hope you took some time to think about how great it is, but to also think about how deeply in need we are. Most importantly, I hope you took some time to pray. Because oh my, do we need it, as I'm sure you are aware.

Our camp from a distance

   What did you do to celebrate the holiday? This year, my family and I decided to take a camping trip up a river not too far from where we live. We decided to go the week before the 4th, so that we could avoid the crazy holiday traffic. Which was both a good and bad idea. 

   It was good because it worked. 

   It was bad because it was so. Stinking. Hot. 

I wasn't too overjoyed at the prospect of camping, I must admit. I like to get outdoors and go up in the mountains, and I like the concept of camping out in the woods, sleeping under the stars, etc. But it's everything else that deters me. Everything else, as in, I hate not having my own space/room to sleep in. I don't know, there's just something about sharing my sleeping space with someone else that really freaks me out? Is that just me? I also enjoy being clean, and when you're out in the woods for a week with no running water available.... I'm sure you can put the pieces together. Not to mention there's the constant thoughts going through my mind of everything that could go wrong and how far away from civilization we are which also means that we are far away from a hospital if something were to happen, yadda yadda ya, you get the point. 

   But there are a few things I do like about camping. One of which is that it forces me to actually go outside and enjoy some of God's beautiful creation. I love being able to go and breathe some fresh air, open up my mind a bit. I love being able to spend some time with my family, making new memories, creating new inside jokes. (*Fondly remembers a certain "passing babies" joke that will always make me laugh*). I love being able to set aside some time to draw and read a LOT. I like to take pretty pictures, I like to take walks, I like to relax, I love to look at the shining beauty of the stars at night. So yes, there are plenty of things about camping that I do enjoy.  

I was hoping to get a lot more work done on this camping trip than I did. But, as previously mentioned, it was just too dang hot. The thought of picking up my yarn and actually making something was too much for my poor sun-baked brain to handle. So instead I drew a lot...

Although, I didn't draw quite as much as I would have liked. Though I always feel like I could do more, so that isn't anything new.

          

I took plenty of pictures too. I really liked the one directly below of the sun and the river and the trees. It was so pretty, and I'm glad I could capture it.

                                                                

I also drank an unholy amount of coffee, but again, nothing new there, since I do that on a very regular basis.

Due to the warm weather, I did a lot of swimming. Well, I mostly put my feet in the water a lot and read, but it was still nice.

This is a terrible picture, but there were a ton of animals that came down by our camp to get water. There was one night where a herd of about 13 elk with little tiny babies came down in the meadow. I got it on film, so that was neat. :)

I did a lot of thinking and writing on this trip too. Which, yet again, isn't anything new for me, but getting out in the woods away from everything can be a good way to sort through some stuff. Which is why I think this picture to the left might be one of my favorites. Last year in the area we were at, there were some pretty big wildfires. Nothing to damage the woods too severely, just enough so that you could actually see three feet in front of you in the trees, haha. We were camped really close to the river, but about 200 yards or so away from our camp were two big trees that provided some shade in an otherwise shade-less meadow. I went over there a few times, and was met with this view. Now, I'm the kind of person that will find analogy and symbolism in everything. Don't question my abilities, because I genuinely can and do. And the instant I saw this, it got me thinking. Isn't life a lot like this? Part of it can be beautiful and full of like, flourishing and happy. And the other part can be dead and twisted, burnt and broken. When you look at them separately, one is obviously more desirable than the other. But together, it creates a contrast that is startlingly beautiful, something that you wouldn't have if you took either side away. Both parts of life are there for a reason. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and realize that the dark parts make everything a little more beautiful.

So yes. I hope you enjoyed that bit of analyzing of the day and this blog post. Do any of you have a love/hate relationship with camping like I do? I'll be back next week (hopefully) with another blog post, so see you then.

Have a wonderful week, dear readers.
MR