This is a collection of sights, creations, experiences and reflections. Tune in if you are curious and keep an open-mind. If you have got any questions or feedback, please contact me by email at darrylwestley@hotmail.com
🟡 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 🦁
31/12/20
🔥
Chineasy day-to-day calendar.
I bought this calendar online in preparation for next year but I didn't realise it is for 2020. After another search I can't see a version for 2021. I'd rather not waste it so I'm going to use it for daily character practice anyway.
31/12/20
The art of paper folding
I've reached the end of the Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of December.
The scolli pig by Sok Song was challenging and I haven't completed it yet.
My favourite is the pine tree.
27/12/20
🖊️
A thoughtful gift.
These brush pens will be useful for character writing throughout 2021.
26/12/20
💬
Addressing my WeChat connections.
I'm experiencing some technical difficulties so unfortunately I won't be able to see any of your Moments or post any until the issue is resolved.
Thank you for your understanding.
26/12/20
Finish 🖊️
Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)
www.inktober.com
Lots of opportunities for thinking outside of the box. The most challenging prompts were drill, outpost and yawn.
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
26/12/20
🖊️
Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)
www.inktober.com
Week 45 - 52: satellite, hurt, ladder, yawn, book, yeti, trumpet, gift
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
25/12/20
🖊️
Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)
www.inktober.com
Week 52: gift
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
25/12/20
0.0%
It is Christmas afterall.
24/12/20
🎄
Festive celebration with a kind, welcoming family.
24/12/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
23/12/20
❤️
🐦
22/12/20
🔴
🦌
21/12/20
🌈
🎄
21/12/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
20/12/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
19/12/20
🌰
❤️
18/12/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
13/12/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
12/12/20
🎄
Origami pine tree
07/12/20
🎄
Origami wreath
06/12/20
❤️
I wonder who placed this mural here?
05/12/20
中文
Hànzì
03/12/20
🌈
🤖
01/12/20
🌬️
☃ ️
30/11/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of November.
My favourite is the yacht.
29/11/20
中文
Continuing with this standard.
29/11/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
28/11/20
中文
Still climbing.
I created these cards for revising Hanyu Pinyin.
26/11/20
🦃
There is a lot to be grateful for.
23/11/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
22/11/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
21/11/20
Persimmon
柿子 shìzi
15/11/20
🍪
comfort
13/11/20
Chineasy
The new way to read Chinese by Shaolan.
11/11/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
09/11/20
中文
Still climbing.
I created these cards for revising simplified Chinese characters.
03/11/20
功夫
Training continues...
01/11/20
📁
What does your choice of stationery say about you?
31/10/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of October.
My favourite is the $ snail by Jim Cowling.
31/10/20
finish 完 wán
31 days, 31 drawings
www.inktober.com
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
31/10/20
🥀
Happy Halloween
26/10/20
🍂
Has anyone got any shoelaces?
22/10/20
🌈
Lockdown Light
18/10/20
🐞
Hello, little one.
17/10/20
🖊️
Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)
www.inktober.com
Week 31 - 39: ufo, tail, brain, gauntlet, balance, drill, fragile, hats, dungeon
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
16/10/20
My new face mask
Disclaimer: I hope the tests stay negative.
15/10/20
🌈
Rainbow road
07/10/20
RIP
7 years of service
03/10/20
中文
It has been interesting doing independent study but now I'll focus on this standard.
03/10/20
A new sword
Initial ideas for this year's Inktober
31 days, 31 drawings
www.inktober.com
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
30/09/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of September.
The $ mountain goat by Janessa Munt was challenging and I haven't completed it yet.
My favourite is the basket.
26/09/20
🛍️💪
A gift from 2014.
A bag for life.
21/09/20
🌸
'Forgiveness is the final form of love.' - Reinhold Niebuhr
21/09/20
☮️
International Day of Peace
20/09/20
🥢
🥟
01/09/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of August.
My favourite is the woven cube.
16/08/20
🌈
Rainbow flag
04/08/20
✏️
I've unearthed some old sketches from when I was in Primary and Middle school.
I remember spending hours decorating my school exercise books but those are long gone.
04/08/20
🖊️
400 kilometers above
'Something people don't recognize is that being on the space station is probably a lot like being in some kind of confinement - like isolation.' (Scott Kelly)
Process illustration from my response to the word 'Imagination' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in April and May 2020.
Which do you prefer? Scratchy or more refinded?
Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum
02/08/20
⚠️
A sign of the times.
31/07/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of July.
My favourite is the executive toy.
29/07/20
laowai zaizhongguo
I'm reunited with this book and I remember who gave me this thoughtful gift. It has proved to be a valuable resource. I'm still struggling with the 2nd tone though.
28/07/20
🌱
I read this book: The courage to be disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.
27/07/20
🕊️
I read this book: Bullying in teams by Aryanne Oade.
25/07/20
🖊️
Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)
www.inktober.com
Week 21 - 30: robot, stranded, shell, puppet, lunar, half, eyes, wires, garden, sandy
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
22/07/20
唐獅子
I've focused a lot of attention and respect on Guardian Lions that I've seen over several years. The most impressive that I saw in Japan were these two Karajishi outside the Hanazono Shrine in Tokyo.
21/07/20
易经
The last time I was back in the UK my father spotlighted this book from his bookshelf. I was recently fascinated with the Japanese artist Kitawaki Noboru's paintings that reference the I Ching.
20/07/20
👞
Is this another one of life's tests?
19/07/20
🧘
I saw this signage on the pavement in Japan.
Is this a person riding a bicycle or is it a person in the Lotus Position levitating?
18/07/20
🌗
I was led to this exhibition almost a year ago. After experiencing it again in a different location I'm feeling connectedness. There were a couple of unique exhibits but most were the same as the showing in Guangzhou, China. The EN TEA HOUSE was one of those exceptions. A rare chance to observe digital flowers blossoming from a tea cup.
team⭐Lab
https://borderless.teamlab.art
17/07/20
🎎
I couldn't resist these two books in the Tokyo National Museum Shop: Origami Lucky Charms and Yōkai Origami. There are various exquisite models with detailed desciptions of their significance to Japanese culture.
17/07/20
👘
I visited all of the exhibitions at the Tokyo National Museum including Kimono the special exhibition.
Highlights in the Japanese Gallery were the relics linked to Buddhism and the art history research by scholars. The Asian Gallery had a diverse range of artifacts from countries including China, Korea, India and Egypt.
16/07/20
⛩️
I went temple spotting in Yanesen and walked under the Senbon Torii of Nezu Shrine.
15/07/20
🏯
I had a day filled with history and culture.
I explored the remains of Edo Castle and took influence from Japanese artists at the National Museum of Modern Art. Finally I stayed in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn.
14/07/20
🤖
I got to see some impressive collections today.
Yamashiroya is a toy store with a huge range. There was a lot of eye candy on show and an iron will was required not to make any purchases.
The National Museum of Nature and Science has a Global Gallery and a Japan Gallery. Both were equally stacked with engaging exhibits. Some of the signage was only in Japanese but visually this was enjoyable without being able to decipher all of the descriptions.
13/07/20
⛩️
I visited the Gojo Tenjinsha Shrine in the Ueno Imperial Grant Park.
12/07/20
⛩️
I visited the Meiji Jingu Shrine and the surrounding area including the Inner Garden and the Meiji Jingu Museum.
11/07/20
🗼
Some initial sights in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo, Japan.
Due to the Coronavirus threat the Robot Restaurant was closed. I was hoping to catch the famous show.
11/07/20
🎀
A selection of gifts for the next tenant who moves into my apartment.
I left a similar array of items for the next guest when I left China.
11/07/20
😷
Which mask should I wear today?
10/07/20
⛰️
Fortunately I haven't had to rely on this Disaster Prevention Map.
Although I did experience two mild earthquakes. One was during the middle of the day and it caused my chair to rotate. The other woke me up and I was really confused as to why my whole bed was shaking.
08/07/20
👨💼
I read this book: What you see is what you get: my autobiography by Alan Sugar.
07/07/20
📝
I've got a habit of putting till receipts in my wallet. Since arriving in Japan at the end of March I've been saving those receipts from mostly essential purchases and not recycling any of them. I've managed to amass quite a lot so I've decided to bind them into a notebook.
06/07/20
🖊️
I love all 400 varieties
‘Virtue can only flourish among equals.’ (Mary Wollstonecraft)
Process illustration from my response to the word 'Equality' as part of filling in the gaps for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenges.
All of the challenges are posted here: @plymouthdesignforum
The remainder of my challenges will be documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
05/07/20
🐞
Hello, little one.
05/07/20
🖊️
R-400 is out now
‘The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.’ (B. F. Skinner)
Process illustration from my response to the word 'Technology' as part of filling in the gaps for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenges.
All of the challenges are posted here: @plymouthdesignforum
04/07/20
🖊️
I've got 400 options
‘Freedom is the right to live as we wish.’ (Epictetus)
Process illustrations from my response to the word 'Freedom' as part of filling in the gaps for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenges.
All of the challenges are posted here: @plymouthdesignforum
02/07/20
🐻
An impressive view from the Alps viewing platform and fortunately I didn't run into any bears.
01/07/20
🤏
Tiny origami paper.
30/06/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of June.
My favourite is the heart place card.
29/06/20
Love
The things we do for love.
28/06/20
💭
想家
27/06/20
🌾
Local rice fields.
26/06/20
🎧
A trip to Japan wouldn't be complete without buying something related to Pokemon.
'Listening to healing music with Koduck' is a tenuous link but it is relaxing.
25/06/20
🐉🚣♂️
Dragon Boat Festival
端午节
duān wǔ jié
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
24/06/20
💭
我想你
24/06/20
日本語
Studying Japanese with From Zero by George Trombley Jr. and Yukari Takenaka.
21/06/20
🐊
Completed animal origami designed by Makoto Yamaguchi.
18/06/20
中文
Still climbing.
Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.
15/06/20
😷
I can't wait to see natural smiles again.
14/06/20
Polka dots
A trip to Matsumoto City Museum of Art for a closer look at The Visionary Flowers by Yayoi Kusama.
13/06/20
中文
Still climbing.
Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.
11/06/20
Kanji
I've seen a lot of familar Chinese characters on products here in Japan.
09/06/20
Tenugui
These traditional Japanese towels are useful for drying hands on the go.
07/06/20
🐚
Week 23: shell
www.inktober.com
I thought I'd try a different approach using this SAI AKASHIYA Japanese Traditional Colours brush pen.
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
06/06/20
中文
Still climbing.
Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.
05/06/20
Love forever
The Visionary Flowers by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. An attractive design on the back of a bus.
03/06/20
🌥️
A moment of appreciation.
02/06/20
🌾
Local rice fields.
31/05/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of May.
My favourite is the ostrich and model base combined.
30/05/20
中文
Still climbing.
Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.
29/05/20
💭
'Who would have thought that play could be turned into work by rewarding people for doing what they like to do?' - Rosemarie Anderson et al
Quote discovered in this book: Punished by rewards by Alfie Kohn
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
27/05/20
🕹️
I saw some Pachinko arcade games here.
25/05/20
💮
In bloom.
24/05/20
Kashiwa Mochi
An impulse buy while shopping.
A Japanese rice cake filled with red bean wrapped in an oak leaf.
These were eaten as part of the Children's Day celebration at the beginning of May.
24/05/20
🥢
The perfect chopstick rest.
23/05/20
🚂
The train has right of way. One of the many level crossings I've encountered.
22/05/20
🐊
Animal origami set bought in TSUTAYA.
Designed and Diagram by Makoto Yamaguchi.
20/05/20
520
A special day in China.
17/05/20
日本語
Another mountain to climb.
Back to school to practise writing Hiragana characters.
17/05/20
Murder hornet
I found a dead Asian Giant Hornet.
16/05/20
🖊️
Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)
www.inktober.com
Week 11 - 20: tower, elephant, joy, green, red, blue, yellow, train, praying mantis, bubbles
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
15/05/20
⚔️
I read this book: The hidden leader by Scott K. Edinger and Laurie Sain.
14/05/20
🖊️
400 species threatened
‘It’s coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so. It’s not just climate change; it’s sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde. Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.’ (David Attenborough)
Process illustration from my response to the word 'Environment' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in March 2020.
Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum
13/05/20
💀
Human body origami set bought in TSUTAYA.
The most unsual set yet! Several organs can be folded and it comes with an educational booklet.
11/05/20
🌺
In bloom.
10/05/20
🍺
A collection of bottle caps from when I travelled East Africa in 2007.
These souvenirs seem more valuable now I'm more focused on living in a minimal way.
09/05/20
🏛️
Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.
I conducted a research project about listed buildings in Plymouth as part of my postgraduate study at the University of Plymouth in 2011.
The outcome was a large scale map/information panel, booklets of photographs and the process documented in a hand-bound book.
08/05/20
🇬🇧
A show of patriotism for Victory in Europe Day.
07/05/20
🖊️
400 avenues
'Imagination is more important than knowledge.' (Albert Einstein)
Process illustration from my response to the word 'Imagination' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in February 2020.
Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum
06/05/20
中文
A mountain to climb.
Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.
05/05/20
🍣
Sushi origami set bought in TSUTAYA.
I enjoy these two things and this combination.
05/05/20
May peace prevail on earth
I saw this peace marker and it instantly reminded me of the one I saw last year in Plymouth, UK.
For more information about the Peace Pole Project check out this link: https://www.worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/
04/05/20
🎰
I spotted a couple of unusual vending machines.
One was selling cigarettes and the other had fish stock in bottles with an important notice.
I wouldn't recommend smoking the cigarettes either.
04/05/20
Guardians
I was captivated by the various Imperial Guardian Lions that I saw in China.
Here I've seen these two Komainu guarding a local shrine through all weather conditions.
For more information about Japanese shrines check out this link: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html
03/05/20
Taberareru Mascot
An impulse buy whilst food shopping.
This might be one of those non-essentials.
03/05/20
🌷
In bloom.
02/05/20
Golden Week
Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク, Gōruden Wīku) is a Japanese holiday.
I've been advised not to travel due to the Coronavirus threat.
Stay Home Week (ステイホーム週間, Sutei hōmu shūkan) begins!
For more information vist: https://www.koho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/diary/news/stay_home.html
30/04/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of April.
My favourite is the super chicken by Susanna Kricskovics.
29/04/20
🍃
Greenery Day
みどりの日
Midori no Hi
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
28/04/20
🚴♂️
Back on two wheels and I saw some motivation along the way.
27/04/20
🦑
Delicious crackers bought in a local shop.
26/04/20
🎰
The vending machines on the street are convenient and surprisingly promote social distancing.
26/04/20
🦥
I read this book: Lobster is the best medicine by Liz Climo.
25/04/20
Naturalist
Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.
I conducted a research project about Charles Darwin as part of my postgraduate study at the University of Plymouth in 2010.
Here are some of the pages of the process documented in a hand-bound book.
24/04/20
🥚🐇
Fashionably late for a celebration about a rabbit that brings chocolate eggs.
How are they connected again?
23/04/20
Shoegaze
Two artists that consistantly put out quality records: Envy from Japan and Jesu from the UK.
The collaboration Envy/Jesu Split EP was originally released in Japan. Before that Jesu had several exclusive releases in the region with bonus tracks. I'm especially fond of the extras on Jesu's Silver EP.
21/04/20
💓🧠
I read this book: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.
19/04/20
Hope
This art was created in August 2019 as part of my reflection before leaving China. By looking at it with fresh eyes I interpret it differently now we're faced with a global threat.
A message created using hand cut alphabet letters that were used as teaching aids. The words are lyrics from the song You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers. It's a tune that was released way before my time. I remember it from family parties and its association with Liverpool Football Club. The alphabet letters were recycled afterwards.
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
18/04/20
A work tool that is a work of art
A gift that I received in the year of the goat.
I like all of the cultural details that are apart of this USB stick.
Information discovered about Chinese knots on this website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/knot.htm
17/04/20
⚰️
My mobile phone is out of action.
This marks the loss of my go-to camera and I won't be able to post on some social media platforms.
I hope to get a replacement soon.
14/04/20
🌃
A peaceful evening.
11/04/20
🖊️
400 inner voicess
'Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.' (W. Clement Stone)
Process illustrations from my response to the word 'Fear' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in January 2020.
Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum
11/04/20
🧒🏻🧒🏼🧒🧒🏽🧒🏾🧒🏿
I saw this signage on the pavement in Japan.
The symbol of adult and child holding hands is a reminder of all of the young people worldwide that are currently affected by social distancing. I hope soon this pandemic will pass and they can focus on their innocence without in some cases having to wear masks or being constantly reminded of preventative action.
11/04/20
🏯
The first Japanese castle I've seen in Matsumoto, Japan. Matsumoto Castle, the grounds and the perimeter were breathtaking.
Unfortunately it wasn't possible to enter the castle due to the Coronovirus threat.
10/04/20
protectors need protectors
I'm thinking of all of the doctors and nurses who have passed away while trying to save others during these challenging times.
A thoughtful gift from the past.
Converge T-shirt
Artwork by Jacob Bannon.
08/04/20
🌚
A moment of appreciation.
05/04/20
🦖
Dinosaur origami set bought in DAISO.
Some glue is required so it isn't pure origami but the printed paper is a plus.
04/04/20
🐞
Insect origami set bought in DAISO.
Some glue is required so it isn't pure origami but the printed paper is a plus.
31/03/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of March.
My favourite is the moth.
30/03/20
⛰️
A moment of appreciation.
29/03/20
🌸
Cherry blossom on a snowy day.
29/03/20
❄️
I woke up to this surprise!
28/03/20
🗑️
I'm learning about a local responsibility.
I bought these bags for sorting refuse. Each colour is for a different type of waste. Yellow is for plastic containers and packaging bags. Blue is for crushable and decomposable waste and red is for rubbish that can be burned.
28/03/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of February.
My favourite is the crane puppet by mvs.
27/03/20
The art of paper folding
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
All of the origami models folded for the month of January.
My favourite is the peacock chopstick rest by Dorothy Engleman.
26/03/20
✍🏻
Continuing to write and draw in my commonplace book.
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
26/03/20
Breakable
I drew this as part of Inktober in October 2018. As part of my creative process I tried to consider a deeper underlying message. This was the only illustration that I attached the meaning to in the description. All of the other sketches were open to interpretation
Saying: people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
Definition: This means that you should not criticize other people for bad qualities in their character that you have yourself.
Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/people-who-live-in-glass-houses-shouldn't-throw-stones
I invite you to look back and try to reinterpret my creative work. I will be spotlighting them on my Instagram: @daz.darryl.
25/03/20
🌸
Cherry blossom in the morning.
24/03/20
🍣
My attempt at writing my artist name: Daz in Japanese.
ダズ Dazu
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
23/03/20
🌊🐔
This product caught my eye. Apparently this tuna is refered to as sea chicken because it tastes like chicken breast. I'll give it the taste test later.
I read about it on this website: http://www.okinalearning.com/blog/what-is-sea-chicken/
22/03/20
🌸
Cherry blossom at dusk.
22/03/20
🖊️
Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)
www.inktober.com
Week 1 - 10: flight, shadow, brick, snake, balloon, hammer, dinner, spider, wave, elf
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
21/03/20
Surviving
Home cooking with limited food items.
21/03/20
An old, unused notebook with new content
14 days quarantine is an ideal time to start a commonplace book.
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
20/03/20
Quarantine
I've got access to these gadgets; the use of toilet roll is optional.
19/03/20
Hanko
I got a novel item: a hanko stamp of my name in Japanese. It was created using a vending machine in Aeon Mall. It will be used on official documents as a signature.
19/03/20
A view from a train
A journey out of Tokyo. There were mountains either side some seemingly snow capped and houses in the valley. A few of the houses were adorned with black traditional Japanese roof tiles.
18/03/20
A hand up
Before leaving the UK a man was offering to sell his Big Issue magazines for £1 because he needed to sell the remainder that day. At that price he takes a loss of 25p for each issue based on how much he paid for them but he does get back some of his assets.
Spare a thought for those that are vulnerable in our community especially during a crisis. Helping each other isn't about politics. It's about ethics.
17/03/20
I've arrived
Arrived in Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan.
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
16/03/20
My next step
Here's my story of how I've spent my time during my unpaid sabbatical:
I've practiced the art of looking sideways, embraced the light and dark through my illustration. Inktober challenges and Plymouth Design Forum 400x400 challenges have helped to think outside of the box. I hope one day to have other platforms to share my creativity.
I've studied to improve my teaching and leadership skills. Volunteered to retain contact with students and hopefully passed on experience to contribute to the local community. I've worked on ways to organise the things I do to better separate business from pleasure.
I've trained Wing Chun for meditation, focus and to keep physically active. I've achieved the yellow sash and aim to continue my Martial Arts journey.
I'm glad I've also had this time to attempt to properly reconnect with friends, family and fellow students after a lot of distance and minimal visits to the UK. Thank you for listening, being supportive and giving me the opportunities to care.
14/03/20
💭
I've highlighted this card before on Instagram. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.
'Walking is man's best medicine.' - Hippocrates
Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
14/03/20
From broken to beautiful
Inspiring messages can be found in the most unexpected places. I saw this paper food mat in a Wagamama restaurant in London, UK.
It reads: 'Share more than a meal with a friend kintsugi is the japanese art of mending broken pottery. Instead of conceiling the cracks, gold is used to emphasise the beauty of what was once broken.
The moment we accept and share our struggles, is the moment we begin to paint our own cracks with gold.
Wear them with pride as they are a map of a life lived, leaving us stronger and more beautiful than before.'
#shareandrepair
13/03/20
💭
I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.
'I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.' - Pablo Picasso
Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
13/03/20
👧🏻
I read this book: No one is too small to make a difference by Greta Thunberg.
12/03/20
💭
I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.
'Joy, feeling one's own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul.' - Maria Montessori
Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
12/03/20
🐪🚴♂️
My father and I cycled 22 miles along the Camel Trail in Cornwall, UK. The route was from Bodmin Boscarne to Padstow then we looped back. Sporadic weather conditions included sunshine, rain, heavy winds and hail.
12/03/20
Fear candy
Fear Candy CDs were free with issues of the extreme music magazine: Terrorizer. Pushing the boundaries of listening pleasure or pain. I used to be able to chew on these treats all day long. Possible side effects: ear damage and I don't scare easily. This is theatre. This is art.
11/03/20
💭
I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.
'If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress.' - Barack Obama
Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
11/03/20
A hand up
The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless people in the UK. A quote from inside the magazine 'This magazine was bought by your vendor for £1.25 and sold to you for £2.50. They are proudly working, not begging. Buy it, take it, spread the word.'
Support the men who have made changes and are trying to get their life back on track. All of the vendors who I bought from were men.
10/03/20
💭
I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.
'Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'.' - Friedrich Nietzsche
Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
10/03/20
⌨️
Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.
I bought this Erika typewriter from a Charity Shop in Swansea, UK.
I experimented with it as part of a project as a postgraduate at the University of Plymouth in 2010.
I fed a large sheet of newsprint through the typewriter at different angles. I typed multiple messages and created illustrations using letters and glyphs.
10/03/20
🦖
I read this book: What if? by Randall Munroe.
09/03/20
🎲
We returned to the friendly Board Game Group for a night of gaming at Marina Bar, Plymouth, UK.
09/03/20
🍂
Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.
Here are some watercolour landscape scenes from a book titled Life Cycles that I created as an undergraduate at the University of Plymouth in 2004.
The paper was fed through a printer to print the typography on top while the words describe how wildlife interacts with and uses the land.
After this experiment I decided to create more but to abstract the landscape with a simple wash of colour.
08/03/20
🍂
I read this book: Compassion by Dani DiPirro.
08/03/20
👭
Happy International Women's Day
07/03/20
Trophy scars
In the spirit of focusing on the truth I've been looking through this common place book that I worked on while I had cancer in 2003. I started and dated the book on the 15/01/03.
Inside I wrote about all of the procedures, my thoughts, my feelings in the form of poetry and illustrations of the experience. This became a focus especially during long periods of chemotherapy.
There was no running away when this happened to me at the age of 20. I faced it and I fought to survive.
I'm eternally grateful for the treatment and care I received through the National Health Service in the UK.
05/03/20
🖊️
More than 400 words
'The average person talks at a rate of about 125 to 175 words per minute, while we listen and comprehend up to 450 words per minute.' (Carver, Johnson and Friedman)
Process illustrations of people's ears that were apart of a project for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in December 2019.
Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum
05/03/20
💭
'The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.' - Winston Churchill
Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
04/03/20
🐡
Today my mother and I visited the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, UK. We didn't get a lot of chances to spend time together over the past few years so this is a rare opportunity. The educational displays have received an upgrade since the last time I visited. There were some that touched on the dangers of plastic in the ocean and there was a polar bear made out of plastic bags. One interesting display aimed at children and 'big kids' allows you to guess how many humans, on average, are killed each year by the following... What do you think?
01/03/20
Memory lane
A reunion in Exeter, UK. Great to reminisce by walking around a lot of the old haunts. A lot of memories from our University days and some of it looked untouched.
01/03/20
Chinese tea culture
I practised the tea ceremony with an unused tea set. I brewed Jasmine tea that was sourced from an Asian Oriental Store Ltd. in Plymouth, UK.
28/02/20
🤘
Impressive performance by Rammstein tribute band: Rammlied at The Junction, Plymouth, UK. It has been a long time since I've listened to the original German group. Stage presence was captivating with all of the elaborate props including arm mounted fireworks, firelighters and some appendages (tongue firmly in cheek). It was a fun show! This is theatre. This is art.
24/02/20
🥋
Staying focused and keeping the drive!
Wutan Martial Arts Website: http://wutan.kungfu-wutan.co.uk/
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
19/02/20
Chinese tea culture
Introducing and learning about Chinese calligraphy with family. We prepared the ink by rubbing an inkstick on the inkstone. We wrote various Chinese characters and tried to follow the correct stroke order.
16/02/20
💖
Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.
A great way to practice origami daily.
15/02/20
🔥
I read this book: Gaslighting by Dr Stephanie Sarkis.
The message inside the front cover: ‘To everyone who is experiencing gaslighting – may you find light, hope, and healing.’
The message on the back cover: ‘He’s the charmer – the witty, confident, but overly controlling date. She’s the woman on your team who always manages to take credit for your good work. He’s the neighbour who swears you’ve been putting your rubbish into his bins, or the politician who can never admit to a mistake. Gaslighters are master controllers and manipulators, often challenging your very sense of reality. They distort the truth – by lying, withholding, triangulation, and more – making their victims question their own sanity.’
13/02/20
A hand up
The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless people in the UK. A quote from inside the magazine 'This magazine was bought by your vendor for £1.25 and sold to you for £2.50. They are proudly working, not begging. Buy it, take it, spread the word.'
Support the men who have made changes and are trying to get their life back on track. All of the vendors who I bought from were men.
12/02/20
🥊
I read this book: Getting old deal with it by Lee Janogly.
For all of the ageists out there or if you're aware of any... recommend this book!
10/02/20
🦄
I read this book: What would unicorn do? Magical rules for a happy life by Sarah Ford.
07/02/20
💓
A wall mural I saw in London, UK.
06/02/20
Create a souvenir
Drawing on location in London, UK.
My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl
05/02/20
💭
Tate Modern, London, UK. Installation design by Hunting and Narud. Graphic Design by Nina Jua Klein, Tate Design Studio. Content devised by Tate Interpretation Team.
Quotes by Joseph Beuys, Al Weiwei, Meschac Gaba, Lygia Clark, Yayoi Kusama, Pablo Picasso.
07/02/20
💓🌱🧑🤝🧑🌎🎨
I read this magazine: Be Kind.
28/01/20
For one another
Inspiring messages can be found in the most unexpected places. Take this Toms shoe box for example.
It reads: 'We are artists: we are optimists. We are global citizens. We are local changemakers. Each of us is different, but we believe there is more that unites us than divides us. One for one because we are one.'
27/01/20
🙏
I read this book: The little book of mindfulness by Toddy Rowan.
25/01/20
🐀
Happy New Year
新年快乐
Xīnnián kuàilè
All the best for 2020! 🐀
21/01/20
The rainbow after the rain
A special reunion in Hong Kong.
