The Lardner Report

Unleash your creative superpowers!

The Perfect One-Liner

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Sketch by artist @shouxin13141

A minimalist drawing that inspires my lazy ass.

My excitement over this sketch is this: It’s packed with energy, loose in style, and created basically with one stroke. it’s probably a 10-second work. It’s also proof that simplicity can be a beautiful artistic statement. In one jittery marking, the artist here has captured “the essence of cat.”

If you’re considering a dive into some basic drawing, try this. Look at the image above, and see if you can create your own one-liner. It’s super satisfying, and just might tackle your fear. There is no perfect way to draw a cat, and you could consider it a sort of warm-up for other sketches. It’s easy, pressure-free and requires no art-making experience. Try this approach with a cool wide-tip marker or piece of charcoal, and find time to draw every day.

For more from this artist, check out images and videos on Instagram: @shouxin13141

Fleeting Moments: Catch Them When You Can

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(Pic #1) Mukluk finds a fashionable moment with my blue bandana. Ten seconds later she was out the door.

Savor the seconds. Save the sentiment.

I’ve started relying on my iPhone for little visual bursts of joy. Whether it’s a goofy or graceful pose choreographed by our cat, one of our garden blooms reaching up toward the morning light, or a concrete wall sporting abstract patterns of smudges and cracks, I make sure to document the moment. (Pics #1,2,3)

(Pic #2) Okay, this pic was shot by Josh — but the point is the same — it’s all about capturing the moment — and it’s why he ALWAYS has his Fuji Camera in tow.

These flashes of beauty, art, and love can disappear in an instant. In nature, they can leave as quickly as they came into view. I’m making a point to cherish these ephemeral gifts, as long as they keep presenting themselves.

(Pic #3) A deteriorating exterior wall (with cool smudges) outside an old recording studio in San Pedro, Cal.

When The Creative Bug Bites — Let Him

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(Pic #1) Left: Living room wall yesterday. (Pic #2) Right: Living room wall today. Amazon box series.

It’s called answering the “artistic need.”

It came through like a brain-bending tornado. And I don’t know why it hit exactly when it did. I had been immersed launching a new small business this week, and felt a bit choked by the complexities of our tech and marketing tasks. I had promised my art partner that I’d stay focused on our business, and try to meet the deadlines in front of us. I felt the pressure and knew that at any minute the dam could break.

Suddenly, I felt sucked into a dizzying vortex. I became defiant, practically childlike in my need to express myself — NOW. It went beyond urge — it felt more like panic. If I didn’t start making art — in some form — I would blow. F**K my promise — I had to make something.

(Pic #3) Detail, Amazon box wall sculpture.

So I ran to the trash and rescued a load of Amazon boxes. I started ripping (therapeutic on its own) and then with absolutely no plan in mind, started squirting and splashing paint all over them. It felt so fantastic, I ripped more and splashed more. Pretty soon I had a multi-level cardboard structure in the house, (Pic #2) and while flimsy, it satisfied me completely. I know it’s not great art. But, as I share in my creativity workshops, that is 100-percent irrelevant. What matters is that I got to answer the call. I soothed a part of my soul and remarkably, came back the next day stronger than ever in my pressing work.

Many studies show that it is critical for human beings to create. The benefits of making art (in any form) are infinite. Art can: 1) Boost our brain function and our immune systems. 2) Improve our mental and emotional health, and 3) Help us process trauma, express difficult feelings, and work through stressful experiences. Case in point: During this year’s pandemic, sales of art and craft supplies jumped by over 200-percent.

It’s a basic human need, and one we should never ignore. Today, I had one of the most productive days I’ve ever had — and I know allowing art back into my routine enriched the hell out of everything else.