I Want To Believe

Let's talk about using existing work as a springboard for new work and paying homage to 90s TV.

Thanks for the kind words on my tiny matchbook sketchbook drawings over the past couple weeks! In case you missed it, I shared a sketchbook tour and talked about the life of creative projects in three parts: Part 1: The Beginning, Part 2: The Soggy Middle, and Part 3 : The Final Stretch!

Something I’m trying to do a better job of is using existing work as a springboard for new work. I have a tendency to finish something and think, “Welp! Glad that’s done. Now what?” Then I shove the finished thing in a drawer and forget about it. Why do I do this?! I’m wasting creative momentum! I could use the last finished project to propel me into the next one!

So, instead of letting my tiny sketchbook drawings fade into oblivion, I’m using them as inspiration for larger illustrations. The first one I made is called “I Want To Believe” inspired by this drawing:

I liked how the sky looked kind of like a vinyl record. I decided it might be cool to use a full record shape to encapsulate the sky. I used the app Procreate on my iPad to digitally draw a nice big version that would be suitable for printing.

Originally I was going to stick with gray scale, but I played around with alternate colors and ended up liking this blue-green gradient. Now it felt other worldly! So obviously I had to add a UFO. And since it’s a record, I felt compelled to put words on the label. For inspiration, I turned to 90s sci-fi staple “The X-Files.”

I have to admit, I’m a big fan of The X-Files. I love the theme song. I love Scully and Mulder, even when they are being foolish and going into the woods at night or walking into a dark creepy room when of course they left gun in the other room…! Dang it, Mulder and Scully! Anticipate the danger!

Anyway, my version of “I Want To Believe” is available as a T-Shirt, Tote Bag, and Mug available in my shop!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for being here! It truly means the world to me. In case you missed it, a couple weeks ago I shared a free art print download with ALL subscribers. Check it out here.

Paid subscribers, please keep scrolling to download “I Want To Believe” as an art print!