I found myself at a crossroads in the heart of a bustling city, where skyscrapers reach for the clouds and technology buzzes like the ever-present hum of life. I was Silly No, a designer whose life had been intertwined with the digital for so long that I almost forgot the feel of a pencil in my hand.
Years ago, I had this whimsical idea that danced in my mind like the flicker of a candle in a dark room. I drew a line with pencils ranging from the lightest H to the deepest B. It wasn’t just a line, a narrative, a testament to the tools that once defined my creativity. But as computers became my canvas, that memory dimmed like a sketch fading in the sun.
Yet, the thought lingered, like a whisper from the past, urging me to return to the essence of art. The simplicity of a pencil and the dance of graphite on paper all called out to me, tugging at the strings of my creative heart.
One day, inspired by nostalgia or perhaps the need to reconnect with something tangible, I decided to play again. I pulled out those pencils, each labelled with its grade, each holding its own story.
- H4: Clarity in focus, light and precise beginnings.
- H2: Intentions sharpened, steady and deliberate progress.
- H: Light ideas, the beginning of clarity.
- HB: Balance in life, a perfect midpoint of soft and strong.
- F: Focused precision, where every detail matters.
- B: Subtle confidence, lightly bold and steady.
- B2: Exploring depth, where ideas take form.
- B3: Gentle intensity, stepping into creativity.
- B4: Rich emotions, bold yet controlled.
- B5: Shadows of curiosity, seeking deeper truths.
- B6: Raw passion, intense and unapologetic.
- B7: Unseen mysteries, life’s deeper dimensions.
- B8: Infinite depth, where imagination thrives.
- EE: Boundless expression, the ultimate mark of creativity.
I started with a blank sheet, just like starting anew. The first stroke was hesitant, like a first step after a long rest. But as I continued, each line, each shade became a rediscovery. I was no longer just creating; I felt and lived through each stroke. The tactile sensation of the pencil and the resistance of the paper were all parts of me I had forgotten.
This wasn’t just art; it was therapy. It was reconnecting with a part of myself that I had let the digital world overshadow. Each pencil grade reminded me of different facets of my life, thoughts, and emotions. The project wasn’t just about art; it was about understanding myself, my journey, and my evolution as both an artist and a person.
I decided to share this journey. I designed a T-shirt as a piece of clothing and a canvas for my story. Each coloured pencil on the fabric was a vibrant and bold chapter of my life, a celebration of the tactile joy of art.
As I write this, I’m a few days into a new project that will encapsulate this rediscovery. I’m not just drawing; I live each moment through these pencils. They are tools and extensions of my thoughts, feelings, and essence.
This journey back to the basics, to the simplicity of a pencil, has been enlightening. It has taught me that creativity doesn’t always need complexity; sometimes, it just needs the courage to play, explore, and be. And here, in the quiet moments with my pencils, I’ve found that part of me again – the artist who simply loves to create, with or without the digital world’s approval.
So, to anyone reading this, I ask: What tools do you need to reconnect with your creative self? What simple acts can take you back to who you indeed are? Let’s celebrate that together, one line, one shade at a time.
noeltmng blog 