The world outside is muted—a hush composed of rain on the pane and the delicate, crystalline song of wind chimes. Swaddled in comforting warmth, I return to the place of deep rest: my drawing desk. Here, in this simple sanctuary, I do not merely make art; I re-encounter the essential self.
This profound peace is the gift of the line. Drawing, such a primal and simple act, is paradoxically the most rigorous demand we can place on our attention. It requires not just years to develop the hand, but an entire lifetime to deepen the eye. And yet, who amongst the truly devoted is in any hurry? The journey is the reward.
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| "Blooming" Variety of pens on paper |
Drawing as a Philosophical Act
The day has begged me to shed the skin of haste, to step from the frantic current of 'doing' and simply be. What better ritual than a warm mug of Atole de Arroz—a milky, ancient comfort (recipe follows)—and the luminous waiting of a blank page? This is the fertile ground for what I call Zen Drawing. It is the convergence where the art of meditation meets the act of creation, forging a sacred space for clarity, presence, and profound focus.
What is drawing? It is not merely the rendering of form; it is a devotional act of seeing.
Drawing is time slowed, It forces you out of the mind’s anxious cycle. Each deliberate line, each whisper of the pen, is an anchor, gently mooring you to the unavoidable Now. You cannot outrun the stroke, and in that necessity, the turbulent waters of the mind grow still. Drawing is observation made holy, to draw a leaf is to know its every curve, its resilience, its brief dance with light. It is to acknowledge the sheer, intricate fact of its existence. We are not sketching an idea of a thing, but tracing the irrefutable truth of its structure. Drawing is giving form to the Inner silence, when the line flows, the chatter of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow dissolve. The reward is not the finished piece, but the rhythmic, quiet state you inhabit while creating it—a palpable clarity where the hand, eye, and heart move as one.
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| "Blooming" crop |
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| "Sitting with my thoughts" Colored pencils and pen on paper. |
The Tools of Tranquility
For this week of immersion, I’ve used tools not just for utility, but for the distinct texture of experience they offer. They are the instruments of my peace:
The Whispering Start: I begin every journey with the silver-point grace of a mechanical pencil, laying down the initial, forgiving bone structure of the form.
The Ink of Intention: To speak with certainty, I turn to ink. The Micron 005 offers the minute, crisp detail that maps a soul, while a Zig Calligraphy pen provides the bold, weighted stroke of a defined thought. The Faber-Castell Brush pen adds a liquid, expressive flow—the artist’s spontaneous poetry.
Color as Subtlety: I prefer the dry mediums for their matte humility—Lyra and Derwent pencils used dry—giving the color a soft, textured finish that complements the soothing sepia paper. This gentle tone is instantly calming, lending the finished work an almost timeless quality.
The canvas of art is not a destination, but a continuing revelation. Whether you are drafting a detailed study or simply allowing a doodle to escape the mind, taking the time to draw is an act of deep self-care. It is tending to the interior garden.
Find your quiet moment. Brew your comfort. Give Zen Drawing a try, and listen to what the unfolding line has to say about the world, and about yourself.
✨Gallery✨
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| "Freedom" Pastel on paper |
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| Art journal page, charcoal, collage and pen. |
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| "Innocence" Pencil on paper |
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| Charcoal, guesso, acrylics on paper art journal page. |
Creamy Atole de Arroz (Mexican Rice Drink)
This traditional Mexican hot beverage is thick, creamy, and gently spiced with cinnamon. It's the perfect sweet treat for a chilly day.
Yields: 6-8 servings Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Base:
1 cup Long-Grain White Rice
3 cups Water
1 large (or 2 small) Cinnamon Stick (preferably Mexican canela)
For the Creaminess & Sweetness:
1 can (12 oz) Evaporated Milk
1 can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 cups Whole Milk (or 2% milk)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (plus extra for garnish)
Soul comfort
Instructions
1. Cook the Rice Base
Rinse the Rice: Rinse the 1 cup of white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
Boil: In a large saucepan or pot, combine the 3 cups of water, the rinsed rice, and the cinnamon stick(s). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the water has been absorbed.
2. Blend to Creaminess
Remove Cinnamon: Take out and discard the whole cinnamon stick(s).
Blend: Transfer the cooked rice and any remaining liquid into a blender. Add the Evaporated Milk and the Vanilla Extract.
Purée: Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth. You want a very fine, creamy texture.
3. Thicken and Sweeten
Combine Milks: Pour the blended rice mixture back into the saucepan. Stir in the Whole Milk and the Sweetened Condensed Milk.
Heat and Stir: Return the saucepan to the stove over medium-low heat. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently (and scraping the bottom of the pot!) to prevent the milk from scorching or sticking.
Finish: Continue to cook until the atole has thickened to your desired consistency—it should lightly coat the back of a spoon. Finally, stir in the 21 teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon.
Serving
Ladle the hot Atole into mugs or small cups. Garnish each serving with a light sprinkle of extra ground cinnamon. Enjoy immediately with your Zen drawing session!
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| "My Frida cup" Watercolor and pen on paper |
Pro-Tip for Consistency
Too Thick? If the atole becomes too thick as it cools, simply add a splash of whole milk or water when reheating it on the stovetop until you reach your preferred drinkable consistency.
Flavor Boost: For an extra layer of flavor, you can swap out 41 cup of the water in step 1 for a good quality coconut milk.
✨Thank you for your visit, please enjoy my blog, may peace come to the world and everyone's heart. Namaste 🙏🏻🥰✨
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