Somehow it is already November. We are less than two months away from a new DECADE. Ten years ago I came to Korea, and also left, thinking I wouldn’t be back. Yet here I am, right in the middle of yet another autumn in Seoul.
This month was all about Inktober. Inktober Inktober Inktober. Planning for the prompts, sketching, stamping, filming and editing. Honestly it was the attempt to film and upload for all the prompts which really took up a lot of time, but I’m glad I at least tried it, and I definitely learned more about how to use my editing software.
(Started my new 1/4 Year Diary I mentioned before from ALL WRITE SHOP. One month in and I like it so far!
I briefly scrolled through my camera roll and it really is just all Inktober until the last week, when I traveled to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for work. It was my third trip to Bangkok and first to KL. As with most of my travel destinations, since I only go for work, I always leave wishing for more. I purposefully kept some Thai Bhat because I would like to return to Thailand and visit Chiang Mai someday. A lot of Korean creatives around me have spent time there, and they recommend it as a place for artists and creators. In between all the work, I did manage to take some photos and videos of inspirations I’d like to incorporate into future creations, so hopefully I will do that! Below is a random sampling of some bits.
I put together clips from three days in October for my last uploaded Inktober video which I think sums up the non-travel part of my October (outside of work) pretty well. Eating Korean food, exploring the city, consuming all the handicrafts, and trying to just enjoy my time here. Watch for the music–I recorded (with permission) a violin and acoustic musician duo busking, and it’s just beautiful. And a testament to the power of music–the gorgeous performance definitely elevate my generally boring clips.
Behind Modern Art Museum 
NagNe cafe and guesthouse 
Women artisans handicrafts market 
Finally, I’d like to thank my blogger friends who left such nice comments on my last post. I actually meant to post to record and share my Inktober workspace, but you all picked up on my discouragement and shared such kind words. Just recently though, I listened to the latest episode of Creative Pep Talk, How to Find your Style and it really helped get me over that creative funk. I also want to write more about this later after I’ve fully digested everything, but I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who has wondered about “how to find your style.”
The bottom line for me: I am in “The Gap” phase of my creative journey where I have good taste, I know I’m passionate about creating, I’m experimenting with all the bits that influence and inspire me, but it’s just not quite cohesive yet. So I’m totally OVER feeling insecure about not having a distinct style and REALLY just excited to keep exploring and experimenting. I just need to persevere and push through this mish-mash experimentation phase to find my style, and I’d really like to thank my blogger and IG friends who have been so supportive. THANK YOU! 🙂
In that vein, this post is part of Su’s Changing Seasons Challenge. I have met some lovely creatives through this community, so I’m ever grateful to Su for hosting. Please check it out to see how other creatives have spent their October!
A wonderful sheep 
I loved the video! You’re right the music elevated it, too. I’ve only been to Korea during a very long layover where they give you the option to take a day tour which I did. But it was rainy and cold that day. I’d like to really see Korea – 10 years – after all, you must like it. As much as I enjoy Thailand, I dream of being in a more developed country.
I also liked the mini vid of your flip through. I’m not sure about your search for a style, that’s something for you I guess, because I like your aesthetic and your sense of play, whimsy, and quirkiness. Thanks for taking us on a journey! xo
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Thanks for watching the video! As for Korea, I go through seasons of really enjoying Seoul, broken up by periods when I seriously consider leaving. I have been enjoying it more this year as I started doing crafty things, but I know next year will be my last. Korea really is a country of convenience and fast-fast culture. Once you get used to it though it’s hard to adjust to slower paced service and processes in other countries. I hope you get a chance to see more of Korea–in nice weather!
Thanks for the feedback on the mini vid and on my style. I really appreciate your commentd on how you perceive all these things I create. I think I’m starting to embrace that, to a degree, all this mish mash is part of my style, and maybe that can be one of my strengths 🙂
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Yes! I think style is important as much as finding your voice is for a writer, but being known as one thing can be stifling for a creative, so embrace all your sides, I think it’s better and more freeing in the long run. In other words, balance is the key! and so hard to achieve!
Thanks for elaborating about Korea. I wonder sometimes where is next…so, always on the look out. 😛
Oh, I did notice you drew a wagon on one of your Oct calendar days. I’m curious what that was about. No pressure though!
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It was for Inktober. It’s actually a gypsy caravan in response to the fourteenth’s prompt for “shelter,” which prompted discussion about children’s books and adventures and caravans on my IG. So that inspired me to draw another caravan coming out of a book for the fifteenth. 😃 That caravan drawing is actually one of my favorites from Inktober. And yes, for the most part I really enjoy living in Seoul. Let me know anytime if you’d like to know more about the city. 😍
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Thank you, will do!
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Your post is a visual feast. I love your experiments and explorations.
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Thank you, that means a lot coming from you!😍
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You’re welcome 😀
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… what Su said! This post is a visual treat!! I love your ‘doodle’ calendar!!
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Thank you very much! I think it’ll make a nice treat to look back on at the year’s end😀
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Another fabulous month. I loved the video scrolling through your visual diary. I’m also a sucker for tiles so it was great to see the Bangkok tiles. They are so pretty.
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Thanks very much! And I’m glad you liked the peek into my planner–I didn’t know if it’d be interesting to other people but I figured I like looking at other people’s journals and sketchbooks so I added it 🙂 I love tiles too! The Grand Palace had so much intricate tile and mosaic work covering the buildings!
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My pleasure. I could go on a tile holiday to all the places with wonderful mosaics. 🙂
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May I join you? 😉
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If it ever happens, Sarah, I will let you know. You would love it.
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😀
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There’s so much to love in this post!!! I love your vids – a look into your planner is always so inspiring! and seeing bits of Seoul so fun (loved that secret drawer for silverware 😉) And the music is wonderful too! I’m so glad to hear that you’re back on track with your creative journey. 😄 And i will have a look into the pep talk you’ve linked! I can imagine all the hard work you put into filming and editing – it’s why I suck at it! 😂 But it’s totally worth it because it really draws attention to your art and everybody loves watching other creatives, at least I do. 😊
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Thank you Sarah! Video has been a fun experiment for me and I hope to continue it next year. I hope you do film your yarn bowls — it doesn’t have to be fancy, just showing off your artisitic creation and how it is practical too!
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I’ll give it a try as soon as the bowl is glazed! 😀
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