Anxiety Drawings and Desktop Shredders

| M. R. Kessell
A maccabre pencil illustration of a man without a head but instead a large gritty, speckled black hole near the top of his torso.

Hey everybody!

I’m still plugging along. Some days my stress and anxiety get out of hand. Other days I channel it into art. See above.

An artist friend recently suggested that I try it. I think I always have done that to some extent, especially when it comes to my darker and more macabre pieces. But in the past few weeks I’ve made a more conscious effort to try it.

A sad, tired face wearing a mask to protect against COVID-19 infection.

Greetings

from the year

2020

How about you? How do you deal with stress and anxiety?

Another pursuit of mine is music. Lately I’ve enjoyed putting together some playlists on Spotify. Check out this one below that I call “Unknown Originals.” Famous songs performed by the original artists that you might not have ever heard before.

And finally, below is something I dug up in my archives from 2009. I recently revamped, polished up and uploaded to YouTube. It’s short and amusing and ridiculous and I had way too much fun working on it. Enjoy!

A Lowbrow Haiku

| M. R. Kessell

I’m trying something a little different today. Some of you may recall the first version of this from a few months back on the blog, it existed only as a pencil drawing in my sketchbook. But today I bring it to you in full color with sound and motion. Or at least the illusion of motion. I hope you enjoy!

Speed Drawing for Horror Enthusiasts On-The-Go

| M. R. Kessell

Here’s a quick little speed drawing over at my YouTube channel for any skull aficionados out there.

No? None? Just me? Okay then.

I’ve been going a bit crazy lately because I have a few big projects in the works and I can’t share any info just yet. They’re top secret!

So I’ve been keeping busy in between by creating these very random art and animation videos. Hopefully some of you enjoy them and maybe have felt some slight inspiration tickling your cranium. And if it’s not inspiration tickling your cranium I suggest that you do not turn around. There have been reports of a cranium tickler on the loose in your area.

That got weird pretty quick.

Anyway, until next time, keep doing whatever it is you do with gusto.

Anxiety Drawing and Soul Music

| M. R. Kessell

I’ve had a bit of anxiety and been a bit stressed out lately. That might be apparent in my latest speed drawing video. This week I’ve taken a break from drawing cute and fuzzy things to draw something creepy and fuzzy.

While I have you…

As you may know, I love all sorts of music, but I’m especially fond of old funk and soul music. In my spare time I’ve created some public Spotify playlists that are available for your enjoyment, completely free of charge. Click below to listen!

Funk and Soul Covers from Other Mothers

Let me know if you enjoyed that. In the future I can share some of my other playlists.

Or if you’d prefer I can get out my Wookulele.

Why Aren’t You Drawing RN?

| M. R. Kessell

In an effort to show that I’m still alive and kicking (well maybe not kicking so much) I want to share a new introductory video from my YouTube channel.

It’s a short, somewhat motivational video intended to inspire the viewer through shame.

“What, are you watching too many YouTube videos?”

It’s my first attempt at a video other than a speed drawing, it’s a bit experimental, I hope you enjoy!

How To Draw A Cute Chewbacca

| M. R. Kessell

If you’re like me, you’ve enjoyed seeing The Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda (The Child) on screen and maybe it has you wondering “What would some other Star Wars characters look like if they were smaller and more cute?”

Here’s a quick speed drawing showing you the steps I take to create a loose pencil illustration of a cute, cartoony Chewbacca.

If you like the video please check out my channel and subscribe! I really appreciate it!!

Live long and prosper! Oh wait, wrong franchise. Never mind!

Disturbing Depths

| M. R. Kessell

Butch coughed up the last of his tobacco smoke as the screams escaped the mouth of the mine.

“You hear that?” he looked at Red. The bug-eyed man gripped his rusty pickaxe tight across his chest.

A low vibration started in their boots; an explosion deep in the tunnel. Hot air and dust erupted, knocking them to the ground. Through the cloud, Young-Johnny came running, face bloodied, and a fine rope trailing behind.

As he reached daylight, the rope glinted then snapped taut, pulling him backward off his feet. Arms flailing, trying to grab ahold of anything, Johnny shrieked, “Spiders!”

Coming Out of Stasis

| M. R. Kessell

How have y’all been? How you holding up in these strange days of COVID-19?

I hope you are well.

Even though the past few months have been spent mostly indoors, I haven’t accomplished very much creatively. I’ve discovered that working remotely in the construction industry is just as stressful as being there in person. Plus making home cooked meals on a daily basis and the dirty dishes that follow take up quite a bit of time and energy.

And don’t get me started on Dr. Mario:

Clip of Nintendo game in which Doctor Mario drops a yellow pill onto the germs

In the past few weeks things have started returning somewhat to normal here in New York City. We can now get haircuts again. We can drink alcohol and dine outdoors at tables set up literally in the street. Everyone’s riding bikes because the subway creeps them out. Most people are wearing masks. I’m exhausted again having returned to the office full time.

Noir Spiderman Into the Spiderverse costume with Rubik's cube.
On the bright side, I didn’t think I would ever get to wear this Halloween costume again.

I’m a bit more motivated now coming out of stasis and trying to produce some new works.

Vampire creature flying in front of full moon pencil sketch by M. R. Kessell

I recently finished a decent sized short story. I’ve started sketching up a horror comedy comic book. I’ve made a handful of digital illustrations. I’ve started recording music again. And there was something else I wanted to tell you…

Oh yeah, I started a YouTube channel.

This channel will be a place to showcase my art, animation and music. And to possibly offer tips and tricks. Please check it out and subscribe if you have a few minutes.

Alejandro Jodorowsky digital oil portrait by M. R. Kessell
Alejandro Jodorowsky offering us a glimpse deep into his mind. There’s a bunch of weird stuff there.