A Date with the Gremlin
detail
I use the term “Gremlin” to describe my inner critic who at times can be rather merciless. Check out this audio clip about the monster in our heads – in my case it’s sitting on my head. Taming the gremlin by breathing and being in the moment among other helpful tools (you’ll find in the book Taming your Gremlin) can help. All the folks who visit this blog possess the gift of creativity so you have one more tool to Tame the Gremlin that zaps your energy or waylays your creative dreams. You can use any form of art to express the energy of the nasty creature that mutters negative things inside your head. You can sculpt it, make a doll, do a drawing, create an abstract mixed media piece or do a fantastic assemblage.
My gremlin used to look like this:
and sometimes like this:
But last night the pesky little critter showed up like the first image (I’m still going to colour the image in). I spent 2 and a half hours in front of the TV last night drawing my gremlin image. I was having a conversation with him while drawing – it went something like this:
me: What a minute – you don’t look like my old Gremlin!
gremlin: Who cares, this is me NOW you idiot!
me: Okay fine then, have it your way
gremlin: Now we’re talking – and hey – don’t forget the speedos!
me: What the heck? You’re wearing speedos? How ridiculous!
gremlin: just do it already – draw the stupid speedos on me.
me: Okay fine then! Silly speedos it is!
I’ve depicted the gremlin plugging my ears and covering up my eyes – this is symbolic of his preventing me from seeing and hearing the “good things”. I couldn’t believe how much fun i was having working on this page and following the guidance of my intuition – even listening to the Gremlin dictating what he looked like and was wearing. At the end of it all i asked myself, “Now what was the Gremlin saying to me the last few days?” and you know what? I couldn’t’ even remember! Creating the drawing had actually helped dissipate the nasty thoughts, the put downs and negativity. How Powerful!
What does your Gremlin look like? I would like to know!
How marvelous, not only the the creation of your gremlin, in Speedos no less, but the cessation of the nasty thoughts and put downs. Yes. Powerful!
Girl you have so much talent with pen and brush, just love these cartoon depictions of your ever evolving gremlin. These are wonderful and so powerful in depicting just what our inner critic gets up to. Love it!
Your gremlins make me laugh! There is just no way you can take a gremlin in a speedo serious…and that actually makes all the negativity go away!
Oh my…. the cousin to your gremlin buddy jumped on me in the middle of the night. Here I am on a lovely vacation, lavish condo, warm weather, a 6′ table filled with art supplies, and I wake up with negative, worrisom, miffed at the world thoughts! I was blaming myself… but now I see clearly!!
Guess I’ll be drawing my gremlin today. Get the bugger out in the light!
I just love your art, blog, thoughts, and CREATIVITY!
Sweet Blessings from California
[...] the Gremlin art journal page i was working on yesterday with a bit of colour. First i inked the piece in with micron pens and then used copic markers [...]
Hi Chris,
Oh my gosh you made me laugh! Oh – how lucky for you to be in such a lovely environment! Please…….can i see your gremlin when he is done?
Thanks so much for your kind words Chris!
Love, violette
Jenna – you’re right……maybe that’s why he told me to put him in speedos?? lol…….i think you’re right! Thanks!
Love, violette
Thank you Bren………so kind! I’m glad you like it……i seriously think it’s a wonderful theraputic tool – drawing, sculpting your gremlin.
Love, violette
Bo – thanks…it is so powerful it blows me away….what a great tool – drawing your gremlin!
Love, violette
Thanks for sharing how you brought the gremlins to fruition (sorry big word alert – couldn’t think of a simpler one.)
I will have to think about what my gremlin looks like. I think he carries a big clock and wears ballet shoes on one foot and soccer cleats on the other.
Great Concept, what fun!!! Just an idea; I think February’s theme should Gremlins, Gnomes, and Fairies!
Hey Dear Violette, Well, I hit the sweets instead!! You can check out my cupcakes here:
http://redwoodmountainmusings.blogspot.com/
Here’s a calorie free hug!
Chris
Hello, Violette! I am a new follower of your blog. Your gremlin pages are great. I really love how the new one popped when you added the color. Thanks for sharing the conversation you were having with the gremlin while drawing – I love that he insisted on the speedo!
This past weekend I was sorting through odds and ends while finishing up the switch of my craft area from one room to another. I found a few goodies from when I won your Peace Talking Head. Today I’m just catching up on the past few days of your blog as I’ve been out of town on business. Imagine my joy at finding that one of the items I found in my stash is a print of your original Gremlin! I’ve layed it aside to find a frame for to put in my newly established Bliss Zone. Thank you!
Hey Donna – this ended up in my spam folder? Sorry. Oh – i’m so happy you found the Gremlin journal page and will be framing it! Sweet……i hope it inspires you to ignore your gremlins!
Love, violette
[...] Critic I recently read a blog post on the inner critic written by Violette. I love her book, Journal Bliss, so I check in on her blog periodically and [...]
[...] by a book by Diana Trout – Journal Spilling – and another online artist – Violette. Thanks to the ladies who put their hearts into this evening – I hope that it has tempered [...]