<center><h2>A few days ago I purchased a new sketchbook</h2></center>

<center><h5>after running out of pages in the previous book. I shared some of [those pages](https://steemit.com/art/@enternamehere/recent-test-sketches-with-new-water-brush) recently. Today I have a few more, along with a side of insight.</h5></center>

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<center>Five days ago, I got word from my father that my grandma passed away. I had been drawing the face below prior to learning about her passing.
After completing it, I felt the facial expression matched my emotional state after hearing the news. It has been my experience that coping with death doesn't get much easier with practice. Perhaps that means there's a lesson I haven't taken away from the situation yet.</center>

<center>*Aversion and sadness*
![20170918_143819-650x600.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdv4hJcSvTDjhhdcsYB9qE5cWK9MVyX229AaspAT4JWWq/20170918_143819-650x600.jpg)</center>

<center>Over the weekend, I happened across this Shakespeare quote that resonated within my mind as I recalled old memories of my grandmother from my childhood.</center>

<center>*I spent some time walking down memory lane while my hand did its work with the brush.*
![20170918_143932-750x515.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZu6cbVQLLVxoxz5UeVSJzHhrZokuXLuVLmGZo1npdtDL/20170918_143932-750x515.jpg)
![20170918_143858-750x531.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeACaUXcbNKxcmA5ApkgkSXs8PjdGrMPeontQVGYN8htx/20170918_143858-750x531.jpg)
![20170918_143959-850x573.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdwN24XQpuKZG9mq5T2ggxRCimfrNbhBmGeuJeFwq9cYC/20170918_143959-850x573.jpg)</center>

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<center>Despite a death in the family, I feel compelled to keep drawing. Whenever I get a new sketchbook, I draw a certain phrase to remind myself to stay focused:
<h3>Today is the first day; today is the best day</h3></center>

<center>*I erased my name here, but there is the little reminder at the bottom. I like this page a lot.*
![20170919_102020-650x884.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPv4qFVHg2QeUHQpURgvgGYxPJ2ZDAgudMMT8EmKxNutu/20170919_102020-650x884.jpg)</center>

<center>*Another reminder for myself from the previous sketchbook*
![20170919_102113-650x973.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVmNPekhbDajmJ5s61EdEtxQL77EfwsXUaqJLMHYMuKvP/20170919_102113-650x973.jpg)</center>

<center>In the current book I have completed the title page. As you can see from the streaky smudge, I have so much enthusiasm I forgot to let the ink dry. But it's okay!</center>

<center>*Now I am **ready** to manifest ideas*
![20170919_101746-600x834.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSDij3cQtKwhZJ7V8iaQxDgZXAnS7NkSVeegsfaUhu5cJ/20170919_101746-600x834.jpg)</center>
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<center><h4>I went back and forth for a day or two, debating with myself if I wanted to include the part about my grandmother's death.</h4> 
Sharing intimate details about my life is not always easy for me, especially online
for any and all to see. I want to share in this community experience and I feel sharing a certain degree of information about ourselves is mandatory. Yet, as information can be a double-edged sword, ultimately I remain wary of opening every personal or secret trove. Maybe all I need is practice to feel more comfortable. </center>
  

<center>_**Thanks for reading!**_</center>
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