I only came across your blog today and laughed heartily at this piece - like everyone else I convince myself that I'm actually writing, but I just haven't started typing yet...The tyranny of not finishing as I call it - I'd love to know about the scientist who can offer quantative stats to back up my procrastination!!

Finding things to do other than write is something I've always been very good at. Cleaning your computer keyboard is always a good task, or starting a family newsletter (a great task that tricks your mind into thinking you're actually doing work)...baking muffins...watching movies...repotting plants...throwing out old pens...organizing your sock drawer...

Unfortunately I live in an apartment building so I can't see anything going on outside -- at my mom's at least I could watch the bad boys wash cop cars for their community service... ahh I guess watching the pigeons bump into my balcony netting will have to do...

Erika,
Yes, the drawing of Charlie was done with a brush and ink, then scanned. I have not yet found a way to replicate the brush lines in Photoshop or illustrator. It has to do with applying 'weight' to the brush, leaning on it for variation in the line. It also requires the tip of the brush to have a good point. I am the one in the art supply store who must always stick the tip of the brush in my mouth before I will purchase it. It's the only way to know for sure. Just call me the "brush licker".

Does anyone else do this?

creeeepy.
this is exactly what i was battling with just yesterday. also, and this might sound extreme, but oh well, reading thru your site has made me start reevaluating my freelance work... and whether i want to continue doing it. basically, i now think i will. so, thank you. :)

I am glad I am not the only one who has this problem some days. I never can understand it. Some days I hit the ground running and other days I do not mentally get with it until after lunch.

Oh boy! Good to know I'm not alone. I could've written that essay. It sounds just like me, and hey, tea does sound good. Think I will make some now!
Sue

oy . . . this post rings so true :) I have a novel sitting in my computer that I'm told is pretty good - it just needs a major overhaul. Have I worked on it while I've been up here in my idyllic quiet mountain hideaway? No. Oy. Discipline. Know where I can buy a six pack of it? :)

As always keri
you are fantabulous.
and my number one site to come to while procrastinating at work.
big hugs and smiles.
I will be up north soon, maybe we can catch a hike in the hills.
r

Keri:
I purchased your book and it was money well spent. I have really been inspired to get back into my art and writing.

And coming from the Queen of Procrastination...it catches up to you eventually, but I have to say you came up with a creative way of dealing with your. :)

haha! I think we all need that sometimes... it's that initial stroke. Once we get started there's no stopping u s;)

hilarious keri! i never thought of taping myself to furniture, i'll bet it would help a ton with getting more jewellery made.

At the moment I'm reading a book by a Swedish scientist who writes about time, and she says that the time you spend procrastinating is just the time you need to get focused in your subconscious. Just like the farmer who needs to spend time harnessing his horse before it can do any work in the field, you need time to get ready for the project. She finds that the work gets done more quickly after procrastinating (not because of the deadline so much as the subconscious thinking done while procrastinating). Personally I think this is the best excuse ever - also I think she might be on to something!

Of course I have more questions. Thanks for sharing by the way. I also wanted to know if those are the same techniques you used for your recent picture of the woman with a drink and the man carrying garbage. Do you ink them and then scan them in? This summer I'm going to get back into knitting and I'm going to try my hand at inking too. I wish there was a tool in Painter or Photoshop that gave the same line variation but I guess that's a lost cause.

Thank you thank you, love your site!

YOu guys are killing me!!! YEs, I identify with this strongly. I've never seen Keri answer so many of the comments as she has today. It must be bad! Call it a day and have some fun! You will be rested and up to working tomorrow! :)

Ooh girlie, I do this too! I like to call it "interrupt-driven" and embrace the flow... try to stay out of the guilt zone.

Oh, this made me laugh - this is my life! I do mean to get on with my art but hey, there's the dishes to wash and the dinner to make and the laundry to do and suddenly, what do you know, it's 9.30pm and I haven't sat down and made any art and then I'm cross with myself! Still, there's still a couple of hours left in the day if I don't find something else to distract me. Is this a curse of the creative, do you suppose?

Ah! You're distracting me. I almost had a descent sketch ready.

things you can do while taped to your desk -a list

origami
eat licorice
blog
chair dancing
drink tea
spin pens
doodle in the journal
spit paper balls at the window to see if they stick
glue peeling (on hands)
write 'i don't feel like working' over and over
sing songs
smell paints
draw temporary tattoos
stare out the window
watch Charlie go into the legion (must be 3:30 pm)
practice your autograph
trace your fingers
pretend you are working
count the raindrops on the window
wish you were outside
play with your finger puppets
make a mini puppet theatre for your puppets
put on a show
make mini tickets for the show

Oh wow! You are me today or I am you or something like that. :)

Erika,
I use many different things. This one was a rotring art pen with gouache. Sometimes watercolor, or pentel pens (not waterproof). The thicker linework is done with a brush (#4) and ink, i am addicted to Dr. Martins ink, both matte and high carb. I like it BLACK!!! I was introduced to it by my friend Kathryn ( http://www.kathrynadams.com/ ) who always buys out the store when she sees it. I would like to purchase stock in the company at some point.

any other questions. come on. anything you want to know.

ack.

This is SO me, it is not even funny. I need someone to lock me in my studio this week. I will try the tape method first. Although. I may still be able to get into a lot of trouble taped to my desk...

so whataddya saying?

and why am i reading a site about a guy who makes paintings of blonde girls out of chewed gum?

aaah yes, procrastination. hmm, like how I'm here reading your site and it's already noon & I *still* haven't pulled together my invoices! you'd think invoicing my clients would be something I would get to - but then again, accounting isn't the most exciting thing for an arteest :) now close your email and get to work!

Been there. In fact... I'm there right now., Have a project I need to get done. Right after I post this comment... read a little email, have some more iced coffee, pet the cat. Oh yes, the project. Gotta do that...

p.s. my real email address is on my site but I hate spam so I put "bogus@hotmail.com". just in case you were going to email me :)

It's so hard to stay focused sometimes. I'm in school and I have projects due that take so much thought and order. It's hard to hold it together at times.

I love your chair illustration. What do you draw your illustrations with? I'm curious because of the colors, textures, and the line variation you have. Do tell :)

Thank you for the giggle! You have just described the story of my life! There is always one wonderful distraction after another!