It began with Mariko’s invite to “Draw Together with WendyMac.”

A call to create in the midst of the ever-changing landscape of January and beyond–

just 10 minutes a day.

Ali said yes, and so did Nancy, and then Jackie.

The group chat began–

a virtual space since physical reality set us oceans apart.

We painted, drew, collaged, the same prompt inspiring

different interpretations

uncovering and stirring emotions.

We responded from heart and head spaces

our collective Care created

a place for vulnerable exploration

and delight.

 

When just about everything seeks to quash positivity and hope, our space

cultivates joy.

 

January came and went and it’s March and we are still posting our creations.

Still responding, still acknowledging that we all exist and that this creation matters–

that sharing our work and play strengthens the intricate web that connects us all–

whether we like it or knot.

 

We do.

 

My accountability to you and you and us and yours to me and them and we will hold us

when everything else seems broken.

We are held.

Care-full.

 

Screen shots of a group text exchange featuring handmade art (watercolor, marker, colored pencil, ink, pencil, collage)

Click here for accessible text

The image is a 3-column collection of screengrabs from a group text message thread where four people share images they have drawn. The text is small and not meant to be read in its entirety but taken in as a whole. Below is an approximation of the text and images depicted. Dates, times, and names are very small and are not included.

[marker drawing of the tips of a scissors on an orange background]
Scissor blades
Or fish lips

Oooh LOVE! Hahahahah fish lips!
I see it too

[a green kohlrabi sitting on a tabletop next to a pencil drawing of the kohlrabi in a notebook]
What is this called again?

Kohlrabi! Cool!

Whoa! Kohlrabi is so delightful!

This kohlrabi looks like it will start talking! How will you cook it?

Great drawing too! You got the eyes and mouth and hair…

Yes—I see it now! How did I miss that?!

And therein lies my Delight
So many faces

Were we always drawing like this? Or did everyone’s drawings suddenly jump up a level?

[high contrast black ink drawing resembling some kind of fruit or vegetable with finger-like ends]
Nancy, your hand drawing inspired me to choose this buddhas hand citrus that my mom bought and hasn’t yet figured out how to use. It smells very strongly like soap.

Oh and Nancy your hand series came out cool! Especially the red green one…did you write hand a bajillion times in the background!? Love that

Yes variations of hand and lend me a hand

I love that the next ones are about finding delight
You all are delightful

[a hand holding up a drawing of a tea cup and a potato labeled “Day 26 Delightful Spud”]

That’s a hundred percent a delightful spud! It really did make me smile

[collage/drawing of a human figure with a hat, brown clothing and green shoes]
I can’t stop

So much good foliage to choose from. Winter time is a bit rough over here.

I thought about that when I was collecting my stuff… let do this one again when you come to hi!

Whoa! These are so beautiful, Mariko! I love the ferns and the strap on the shoes

I see a children’s book brewing

Oh wow-these are gorgeous!

I was stoked about the fern shoes too! Thanks everyone oh and I added another prompt to the doc: collage dogs! Or cats… my brain is weirdly obsessing about these plant collages right now.

Reacted to “This is all I can manage today so far. And the more paint the worse it gets. Maybe I will add white on top or it later. cuz you know how sometimes if you keep going you break thru to the light on the other side? Lol”

It’s definitely giving water

Rivers of my tears haha!

[squiggly abstract watercolor with a subtle face and eyes, in yellow, green, orange, and black]
did some horrible watercoloring yesterday!

Edited to “Not horrible”

Feels stormy
Like how I feel

I really don’t know what I was thinking other than they had crayons in the waiting room when I did this and the pink jumped out at me

[drawing of monsters titled “doodle monster” and a face “mr face”]

These are so fun

So fun I could do this all day!

[woman giving the peace sign from behind lettering that reads “good enough”]

Well I listened to the commencement speech and made my sign. cried a little. We did it!!! Thank you Ali and Nancy and Jackie for being here and doing this with me, fitting some drawing into your very busy lives. Thank you for putting your eyeballs on my drawings. I probably would have quit halfway thru if i didn’t have friends to share with. So much gratitude. It was super fun!

Totally agree! I was thinking that we should probably keep this going or our own. What about if each of us offer up one prompt or idea per week…so just three per week? We could have a shared doc where they live and post what we end up doing here in our group text? You could pick and choose which prompts you want to tackle…but complete at least one if not all of them. What chew all think?
Love you all!

Let’s do it!