Motivation

I've been waiting since HIGH SCHOOL for this book to come out. 
Seven. Whole. Years! 
Seven years of constantly checking his blog and seeing what new benchmark had been made (like the 500 page mark). Finally- 672 pages of an amazingly masterfully crafted, gorgeous work in my possession. I read it over this past weekend, and am already looking forward to re-reading it. 

The design of the book, the calligraphy, the storytelling, and the drawings are all equally breathtaking. It's not a comfortable read, being very dark in multiple ways (one of them being the multiple sex scenes, including those involving rape and a sex with a child), and the story is largely propelled by agony and loss - but it's beautiful regardless. 

from dootdootgarden.com

Drawing influence from Arabic calligraphy, Islamic art, and the Koran, the artistry in the book- from start to finish- is a marvel. I can't even IMAGINE the kind of dedication and perseverance and SKILL it takes to be able to be so meticulous with each and every page, especially with something this voluminous. All six hundred and seventy two pages. By one single person. With just paper, rulers, pens, ink and one's own hands. It's kinda inspirational when I'm in a productive mood, and discouraging when I'm not (the ole, 'I'm never going to be able to produce anything as amazing or just-plain good as this! Why bother doing anything?')

In any case, I got my copy of Habibi on its release day, and got it signed-- so it's pretty much one of the most awesome things I own now. 

Also got a fan snapshot (which, believe me, I would not have had the balls to have gotten if it wasn't for everybody else getting them, and because Thompson seemed really gracious about it and happy to oblige us all) . 

Oh yeaaaaaah, soakin' up the talent by osmosisss.

If I ever produce something half as good as that book, I'd be satisfied with myself for the rest of my life. 
Welp, have my goals set. 

Here's an example of me feeling creatively discouraged:

Here's me breaking out the ink jar [and out of the funk] and scratching out a drawing:

Kinda similar to my last one, but this one is based off of being in Venice, while the other Bruges. On a canal kick, I guess.

This one I did today is based on how there's been this bamboo plant growing in a small glass soft drink bottle in my house now for what seems like forever-- probably for 10 years now. I've never paid much attention to it until recently, when I noticed how top-heavy it looked.
Not having quite fully outgrown its container yet, but silly-looking nonetheless.

And this is me playing around with color from a few days ago, which isn't my "thing" typically, but I still enjoy experimentation. 
I personally think that the first set works, and the second set doesn't at all. Trial and error, is all. 

What's come out of these experiments is a potential idea for a new project. Maybe one that I can actually finish! I just have to actually get started, heh. I'm still milling around with it, and feel guilty working/thinking about it sometimes when I should be doing schoolwork, but I'll find a more comfortable balance soon enough.