sketchbook drawing by Christina Kwan | tide & bloom

Now that I’m an “adult”, I no longer have school assignments leading my art practice. This is liberating and terrifying. Without any limits, how do you chose to represent yourself? Wait, I’m wrong. There are definitely limits – the limits of self-doubt, financial resources, physical space, mentor support. I’ve been slowly and painstakingly inching towards finding imagery from within. While I could very easily just draw from life (and sometimes I do), my true self is only revealed in abstract gestures. What you see here is a small series from my sketchbook that I’ve titled “Lock”. They’re all 14 x 11 inches and done in Micron pen.

sketchbook drawing by Christina Kwan | tide & bloom

I envisioned these in my mind laying in bed one night, thinking about how to distill my mark to a pure form. They end up looking a lot like feathers or hair (hence the series title) and I love – yes, I love – how delicate they ended up. The movement in each line is subtle and sometimes strained, but always organic. It’s really difficult to take accurate pictures of my drawings, but I edited them to the best of my ability.

sketchbook drawing by Christina Kwan | tide & bloom

I decided to share this series as a part of the Love Yourself Linkup because the act of exposing my drawings is an act of self-love. It takes everything in me to be proud of myself. If you know me in real life then you know how ridiculously true this is. I’m terribly self-conscious about speaking about my work or showing my work – even more so if you’re my friend or loved one. So here I am, allowing myself to receive whatever reaction may come… including praise.

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6 Comments

  1. This is so great! Thank you so much for sharing your art with us, and for putting yourself out there. These drawings are so cool! And I love your thoughts behind them.

  2. I totally understand when you say it’s harder to share your work with friends and loved ones. Sometimes being known is scarier than being unknown. Thanks for sharing your work!

    • Showing it to friend and family makes it real, which is scary. But it’s healthy and worthwhile to face your fears, especially when it’s something you love. Thank you for reading!

  3. it’s weird how it’s easier to share something with a complete stranger than with someone you’re close to, trust, and love.. but you have every reason to be proud of yourself!

    • thanks nicole. it IS weird. it’s always the most difficult to show it to my boyfriend and my mom, which makes total sense. i really appreciate your support!

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