This week was long, tiring, and freakin’ awesome.
I’m so amazed at the changes taking place in my life right now. I wanted to end the week by sharing with you this week’s artistic accomplishment, and also share a little bit about my life changing, soul fulfilling events.
To begin I want you to think about stick figures. Yes, the round headed, lines for body doodle. Remember drawing him in elementary schools or the occasional Hangman game? Well, take everything you remember about it and throw it out the window. Really, this is going to blow your mind, and possibly get you addicted to drawing stick figures.
This week’s Lifebook lesson was taught by the amazing Mandy van Goeije, a Dutch illustrator, artist, and teacher. She introduced us to a brand new spin on stick figure drawing. So whether you can draw or not, you will be able to create this simple doodle. The surprising part of doing so is the therapeutic message these little stick figures can add to your life. Mandy encouraged us to add as little detail as possible while creating a small storyboard consisting of two or three frames. In each frame, stick figures would depict our story, message, ideas, anything really. At first I thought “Hmm..really? How can I tell a story with so little detail?” Well, you can, and it turns out that letting stick figures depict your story is much more powerful than filling a whole page with words or painting a masterpiece. Below are some examples of my stick figures.
Drawing them made me feel like a five year old again….and for all the right reasons. You see, you NEED to approach art with a child-like innocence to express your true, raw, meaningful stories. When we grow up we have to become “responsible”, “sensible”, “wise”…and we tend to lose our child-like imagination. Art doesn’t work well with stern, methodical approaches. It yearns to be free, simple even, always expecting nothing but your true self. When I connected with my fellow artists and we exchanged our stick figure stories, we saw how this process unlocked so many emotions. Some expressed and processed grief in their drawings; others expressed gratitude; everything was simple, raw, and yet incredibly powerful.
I was so inspired by this process that I created a journal where I can add all of my stick figure stories, short frames telling about my feelings, my day, and my dreams. And yes, even the silly and mundane moments, because they all matter and they add up to this thing we call life.
So why don’t you give these little figures a chance to enter your own life? But I must warn you…they’re highly addicting. You may find yourself drawing dozens and dozens of storyboards, stick figures becoming what words can’t express and the neatest companion you ever had. Please share your stick figure storyboards with me, I would love to see what they have to say 
And finally, I must say I’m so incredibly thankful for the events unfolding in my life right now. I recently joined Devorah Spilman’s InStory group, where I have a mentorship for my creative visions, purpose in life, and soul calling. Being mentored and supported by people who get me is an unbelievable feeling. I have so many projects ahead and for the first time in a long time, I am confident in all of them, knowing that they’ll enrich my life, connections, and soul in so many ways.
And…..to add more sparkle to my life, I have also signed up for Over The Rainbow, Jane Davenport’s newest 8 week long art course, where I’ll be making Emerald City come to life, with all its darling (and some a little evil) characters. I’m so excited. Join me on this adventure, connect with me and other artists, and find your tribe.
Till next time, love yourself and others, honor the calling, and create like a child. XO
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This seventh Chakra, Sahaswara, meditates on our personal enlightenment and spiritual connection. I’ve chosen to include this symbol in my work because of my reconnection with who I want to be and what I want to do. Finding the connection to my higher self and always keeping my Creator deeply rooted in my soul, I have been enlightened into a brand new artistic world.
For me, it was easy. I am on a journey to renew myself and purse my passion in arts. The stumbling blocks have been self-doubt, fear of failure, and the overwhelming weight of the unknown. I knew that what I needed to hear were words of encouragement, an inner cheerleader telling me that I’m good enough, that I have a bright future ahead, that I should trust my instincts and give my soul what it craves.
The process of making this card deck was lengthy but well worth it. There’s nothing like creating your very own cards, each message carved by your and only for you. We marveled at our creations, knowing that it’s something we will cherish for the rest of our lives—especially the time we spent together creating these beautiful cards.
So here she is, my star girl, leaving behind fears, anxiety, judgment, over thinking, and self doubt. In her basket she carries her hopes and dreams for the year ahead. She wants to create, take care of her self, believe in the magic of living in the moment.
Tamara Rokicki 