Sunday 24 May 2015

The Loopy Doodles: Eyes On You (+ IBR)

Have you ever had perhaps two tabs opened on your browser, and you're conscientiously attempting to complete a task, but decide to open several other tabs instead? You've made the decision to complete that single task, and think to yourself - yes, this is what I'm going to stick to and do for the next hour. Minutes later, you find yourself on another task picked out from your endless to-do list and attempt to do several things at once clumsily.

In our hurried lives, we always want to get things done all at once, and multitasking seems like the best way to check off the boxes of the never-ending list. It often ends with not completing the tasks at all, or even if we do, they aren't of the best quality. Most might think that they've been multitasking well, but if we already find difficulty in focusing on a single task, multitasking is in fact an even more difficult skill to cultivate. 

After what felt like the hundredth time my sister expressed her constant annoyance at the numerous tabs opened in my browser, I found myself returning to the first task and saying to it, "This is it. I'm keeping my eyes on you. Come on, focus."

The notion occurred to me that perhaps before we can multitask, it's important to find focus. There's just too many things to look at that we fail to keep focus at each of them one at a time. There's nothing inherently wrong with multitasking, but one has to be extremely skilled at it to not just complete all of the tasks, but complete it well.

As part of my very own collection called The Loopy Doodles Series (a series of GIFs and animated illustrations with lettering), I've created a lettering with this uplifting quote that has become a state of mind, or perhaps a disposition, that I'd like to work towards.

This image is an animation. Click to play; image will play in an infinite loop without stopping. 
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. Sarah Williams. The Old Astronomer. Quote Brush Lettering Print.

These lines were taken from a poem written by Sarah Williams called The Old Astronomer to his Pupil. They are no doubt the reason to the poem's outstanding recognition. Though the lines works well on its own, it becomes even more enchanting when read with the poem itself, and I'd certainly recommend anyone to read it if they're interested. The poem explored the humbling aspirations of a mentor to his student and the themes of death, knowledge and love.

For the interest of this post, if we take a look at the line on its own, being so fond of the stars is what makes the line so poignant. It's magical to fondly gaze upon the universe and the stars and eventually determine the dark night to be negligible. It's liberating to be so concentrated on a task and eventually become immune to the small petty issues - to keep so focused on a specific task, that we do not notice the darkness or challenges enveloping it. This is the level of focus that perhaps we should aspire to work towards in order to achieve our goals. 

I do realise that this Loopy Doodles Series was supposed to be done monthly, and I truly apologise for not keeping to my word about it. There's been so many new projects and things to deal with lately that it's been pushed back since March. So I've made a decision that it's best if this series is made in to a bi-monthly or tri-monthly (once in two/three months) series instead of a monthly one. I've been quite busy these few weeks and probably will continue to be for the coming weeks because I've been working on these new projects and collaborations that I'm really excited to showcase soon here as well.  :)

In completing these projects, I did find myself toggling from one task to the next. I wasn't a splendid multitasker, so I attempted to focus on one task at a time, and I'd like to think that completing this post without becoming too distracted is a legitimately first successful attempt.

Most of us are always looking for ways to kill two birds with one stone - we've been given numerous opportunities to do so - from the option of opening tabs in browsers to using floating widgets on mobile phones. However perhaps what we need to learn first, is to kill a bird well and effectively, before we attempt the slightly more arduous task of killing both at once, only to merely injure both of them instead.

Until next time ♥ 

Lettering + illustration + animated gif by me 

For more lettering work from the Loopy Doodles Series, click here.


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The Loopy Doodles Series a bi/tri-monthly series of moving drawings + animations with lettering. They'll mostly be in the form of GIFs, and the drawings + lettering will be shown in an animated loop, just like the one above. 

+ This post was also written for the linkup 'Inspired By Random' (IBR), hosted by Fatima from That Delete Button. The linkup includes a writing a post based on a random book title chosen without it being related to the book. (The linkup was hosted back in March, but I haven't gotten the chance to do it, not sure if it's too late or if it's still working. But I've always wanted to do a linkup, and this is my first time participating in one, hope I'm doing this right.) 

+ 'Eyes on You' is the title of a book written by Kate White. I picked out the book at random from my to-read list. It's a psychological thriller, and I'm making it a point to read the random book I've chosen for the linkup after this post. :) 

You can also find me on Pinterest and Goodreads

14 comments

  1. Amazing work as usual, sis. :) Loopy Doodles are my favourite!

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    1. Thank you! They're my favourite too. :)

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  2. I love this animation Dian! I can't wait to see more of these

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  3. Hey! It's not too late to join :) glad you did! I love the animation and am looking forward to the next ones :)

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    1. Hi Fatima, glad you loved the animation. Thank you for your kind comment! :)

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  4. Your lettering is amazing. You are really talented!

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  5. Dian... I love your lettering... you are so talented xox ... as far as multi tasking I don't think it is something many people are good at... I try it but then as always I end up focusing on one point... then go from there...

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    1. Yes, I agree, multitasking is a difficult skill to pick up. It's great that you focus on one point and go from there, the task can be completed much better. :) Thank you for your generous comment, Launna. :)

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  6. *Applause*
    I'm a big fan of your work Dian. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times.That lettering is so beautifully done. Talent and Intelligence is a rare mixture,you've got it both i.e. you're a unicorn Dian :P (Okay enough with the flattery :P).
    I agree about everything you've said in this post.I open my browser to do something useful and productive but then I can't resist opening that twitter and facebook tab. I am not very good at multitask either and I get distracted real easily like if I'm reading something on the internet and I see a cool animal photograph or a funny video I'll spend a lot of time watching it!
    Most multitasking I'm able to do is work while listening to music or watching tv.I can't multitask with internet it distracts me way too much.
    Also animation is amazing what software are you using for it? :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Neal! I'm very grateful for your continuous support. I didn't know unicorns are talented and intelligent, haha. I appreciate your comment. :) Yeah, we often get distracted due to the choices we make and the increasing opportunities we have to multitask. Don't think I'm able to watch television while doing work, though. For the animation, I just used an online GIF maker where we can upload multiple images to create the animation. :)

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  7. I loved the quote and I agree with you: sometimes, we have so many things to do, that we try to do them all at once... And not everyone is a skilled multitasker (not me, at least), so we fail on that desperate attempt to meet deadlines.
    I'm trying to learn how to control myself and keep me away from multitasking, but sometimes I find it necessary, as time doesn't seem to be enough for doing one thing at the time...

    I really love your blog, the content, your writing style, everything! So I decided to nominate you for the Liebster Award. If you would like to be part of it, visit the following link: I've been nominated for the Liebster Award :)

    The Journeys of a Girl

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    1. Hi Salha, the quote is beautiful, I love it too. Yes, it's tough to do different things at the same time, and I'm not a good multitasker either, haha. We can certainly try our best to be extra focused when it's necessary if there's not enough time though. :)

      Thank you so much for your kind comment, and I really appreciate your nomination. Will check it out. :)

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