Kate Ristau's Blog, page 36
March 21, 2018
You know when you try to fix something? Drawing Dragons Day 79
You know when you mess something up, and then you try to make it better, but you just kind of keep making it progressively worse? Sometimes it’s a haircut, or maybe a snowflake you are cutting out for your kid. Most of these mistakes often involve scissors.
Today, it was in the eyes. Don’t look this dragon in the eyes.
But keep creating,
Kate
The post You know when you try to fix something? Drawing Dragons Day 79 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
March 20, 2018
Roly Poly Pudding and Pie: Drawing Dragons Day 78
Late meeting, quick sketch, roly poly little guy.
He makes me happy in an uncomplicated way.
Keep creating,
Kate
The post Roly Poly Pudding and Pie: Drawing Dragons Day 78 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
March 19, 2018
Hey there, Little Fella: Drawing Dragons Day 77
I tried giving him face flaps.
Cheek wings.
Floppy ears.
Lips.
Spikes.
Spines.
In the end, I gave him a little grin and a rhino horn.
He took longer than you’d think, but he’s a cute Little Fella.
I’m going to keep experimenting with those rhino horns.
I saw a rhino in Florida, and it was majestic and haughty and beautiful and kind. It was all the things I laid upon it; all the dreams I’ve had of rhinos. It was what my mind told me it should be, and it stood in the distance, just out of my reach.
So these things go.
Keep creating,
Kate
The post Hey there, Little Fella: Drawing Dragons Day 77 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
March 18, 2018
Friends: Drawing Dragons Day 76
I have a younger friend that is imaginative and thinks so far outside the box that she is making her own galaxies.
Today, I got two dragons from this big thinker. How lucky am I to get to see her hard work? She’s leaps and bounds ahead of me already, but I decided to draw a dragon just like hers. I couldn’t get my eyes to stop being creepy, so I added a tiny smile. Her dragon is a wonder in red, mine is purple and needs to be colored in. Clearly, they are friends.
I’m going to ask her for coloring lessons, too.
Keep drawing, BIG THINKER. The world needs all the joy and dragons that we have in us.
Shine on,
Kate
The post Friends: Drawing Dragons Day 76 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Drawing Dragons Day 75
All the luck of the Irish to you, my friends. I hope your day was full of laughter and light. Here’s a dragon to wrap up your day. Wishing you a bright tomorrow. 
The post Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Drawing Dragons Day 75 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
March 16, 2018
Can I have your socks? Drawing Dragons Day 74
Ya’ll, I really love St. Patrick’s Day. It’s such a blatantly big and boisterous holiday celebrating all things Irish.
This year, I met a six-year old/almost seven-year old who loves it more than I do. Her socks had rainbows on them. She was wearing a shamrock necklace and a green skirt. And it’s her birthday tomorrow.
I’m pretty sure that if anyone has the luck o’ the Irish, it’s her. So, in celebration of her birthday tomorrow, a little dragon that is asking, quite politely, if I can have her socks. They are amaze.
Keep creating,
Kate
The post Can I have your socks? Drawing Dragons Day 74 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
March 15, 2018
Peek-A-Boo: Drawing Dragons Day 73
For one year olds, the game of peek-a-boo is endlessly entertaining. I remember sitting in front of Wonder day after day, repeating the same exercise:
I’m gone.
I’m here!
I’m gone.
I’m here!
It didn’t matter if you said the words”Peek-a-boo.” His joy was clear and unending. YOU WERE GONE AND NOW YOU’RE HERE. LIFE IS PERFECT.
Researchers say peek-a-boo engages infants because they are learning object permanence; they’re dealing with the idea that objects exist even when we can’t see them. When they don’t have a good grasp on that, peek-a-boo is a riot. Your face is like a jack-in-the-box that they’re seeing for the first time, every time.
After his heart surgery, I realized his peek-a-boo joy in a very simple way because I had imagined the reality of him being gone. For a long time, I was stuck in that moment of joy — seeing his face, running my hand down his cheek. He was right in front of me. He really was. He still is.
How lucky am I? It makes me giggle. It makes me smile. It makes me snuggle into bed or tuck into a long board game. It makes these moments matter.
So, I drew a peek-a-boo dragon.
He’s not all I want him to be, but the dragon I received from my friend Lee Moyer reminded me that the journey is long and full of wonders. I’ve peeked at Lee’s work time and time again, and this dragon represents my curiosity, coupled with astonishment.
You see, Lee colored in the dragon that I worked on a few days ago, and it’s like the dragon took flight.
I could see him hovering there in the air, on the edge of joy, holding up the sky for one breathtaking moment.
It was like peek-a-boo. I didn’t expect that dragon to be there, but it was, and oh my gosh, it is a beauty — full of possibility and grace.
Thank you, Lee, for all the joy you bring me, and all the surprises.
Keep creating,
Kate
The post Peek-A-Boo: Drawing Dragons Day 73 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
March 14, 2018
Peek: Drawing Dragons Day 72
Today, I received a dragon that filled me with wonder. I’ll share it with you tomorrow, when I finish this little gift for my friend, Lee Moyer, in return.
The dragon I’ve started for him is peeking over the side of the page. The face went from stout and short to long and lean. I want to do more with the shading, and develop the horns a bit more. Plus, there will be claws, and wings.
But for now, for you, just this little peak.
Wait till you see what tomorrow brings.
Keep creating,
Kate
The post Peek: Drawing Dragons Day 72 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
Pearl the MerDragon: Drawing Dragons Day 71
A couple of days ago, I finished this sketch of a dragon for Wonder to color.
I also asked all of you if you wanted to color the page too, and I received some beautiful responses. I thought I would share them with you over the next week.
The first dragon that came in was from Wonder Woman Kristin Noreen.
Kristin writes this fantastic blog on Psych Central called Our Hidden Disabilities. She is a friend and a great supporter of the writing community. Plus, she can color. Her dragon SHINES.
When I began this project, it was for myself. I wanted to learn to draw; I knew I needed to find the patience to actually finish something – to not walk away when frustration crawled down my fingers.
I didn’t think that anyone would really be following along. But Kristin, and friends like you, have made the process – the journey – so much easier. Kristin has constantly encouraged me, and pointed toward successes and little details that she has loved.
To get a dragon from her was a gift, and I am thrilled to share it with you, and send her one in return.
As for Pearl, her MerDragon, I love her tails, and her finesse. She is a cousin to my earlier Naga dragon. She is a quiet beauty.
I hope she makes you happy, and encourages you to keep going too.
Keep creating,
Kate
The post Pearl the MerDragon: Drawing Dragons Day 71 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
March 11, 2018
RAWR: Drawing Dragons Day 70
RAWR!
Sometimes we need a bellow, a yell, a cry, and a roar; we’ve got it here for you today.
Open your mouth, and give it a roar too. You’ll feel better on the other side.
RAWR!
Reference is here and FABULOUS.Be a dragon today.
Kate
The post RAWR: Drawing Dragons Day 70 appeared first on Kate Ristau.
