July 2025 Thoughts Archive

Life is about practice. It’s about spending time with those activities that I most want to excel at. Often these pursuits are subjects that I love. But often I don’t take the time. I allow myself to be distracted.

If I want to get better at drawing trees, I need to spend time drawing trees. I truly enjoy drawing trees. Trees come in so many textures and shapes. Trees have so many personalities. I’ve learned to take photos of trees for reference… or sometimes I see an interesting pic online. I learn by tracing or eyeballing the details… trying to capture the specificity, the texture. Experimenting. Remembering the hours of drawing in my adolescence… when there were no deadlines to hit or clients to please. Trial and error. Discovery.

If I spend the evening watching TV, I have nothing to show for it. My skills have not increased. My mind has not likely been challenged much. And yet all too often, it is the path I choose.

I want to spend more hours creating and less time consuming.

I have had a lot of satisfaction creating this year… I’ve stepped back from the trap of TV somewhat. The Camel Train diorama, the chess pieces, or the assorted minis that I’ve painted and am proud of. They might not affect world peace, but they are fun to do. And with every hour, my skills improve.

There are so many projects to finish, to start – if I simply choose to do so. If I choose to make creative time a daily habit.

I encourage you to do the same. What could you do if you weren’t scrolling the internet right now? Don’t get me wrong. I love that you’re visiting The Purple Fantastic. Please visit again and again… but… what could you be creating in this moment?

So many projects keep whispering in my ear… so going forward… I’m going to push harder at making creation time a daily practice. Please join me. 🙂