This $H!T is Banana(s)

Gwen Stefani taught me how to spell the word 'bananas'

A long time ago, I made this banana in my sketchbook as part of a guided online art class hosted by an amazing creative named Jenny Granberry. I'm sad to say that out of three prompts, I only finished two of them, and since then, Jenny’s site is no more. So I hold on to this page in my sketchbook; it’s probably my favorite page, if I am honest.

Although this drawing is somewhat old, I believe it's at least two years old, possibly more. It’s the page I turn to when I feel like I am not really an artist. It reminds me that I can create, that I’m actually pretty okay at it and that even though time stands between me and my last page, it doesn’t diminish the fact that my art exists.

This thread on my Substack is hopefully going to be my accountability partner. I want to post here at least once a month with something — even if it’s terrible, honestly, especially if it’s terrible because art is meant to be made even if it’s ugly.

So, onward I go into this new chapter of creating art again, filling pages in a sketchbook, writing words, and smearing paint… making it all, at least that’s what I plan to do!

I can feel myself returning to the version of me that was always covered in paint and ink, that didn’t own a single piece of clothing that wasn’t stained by a studio session well spent, that lived on coffee and tea alone because stopping to eat meant leaving the muse at the easel, and we just can’t ever do that! I was created to create, and I exist to take up space creatively and share it.

I’m excited to share it all here! I hope you enjoy it too!

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Thanks for reading along and spending your time with me! What should I add to my sketchbook? A bug, a kettle, a squirrel? What little wonder would you like to see next?

— R