processing JOY through ART + 13 drawing prompts (an ode)

A great Artist is a tormented one.
Art is a tool to process negative emotions, a tool to escape from certain situations, the tool with which we can elaborate sorrow and struggle.

It seems that to be a great Artist, you need to use art as the tool to process misery. And I couldn’t disagree more with all of that.

Today I want to talk about the art of processing joy, which is something I’ve actually never thought about until the 22nd of December of 2025.

During my morning reflections in my journal, I started remembering something I had experienced in that liminal space between being awake and falling asleep.
It resulted in a reflection on why I think it’s crucial to learn to process joy and all of these so-called positive emotions especially for us artists.

I usually have the strangest, most impactful revelations when I’m in the process of falling asleep.

Joy is the child parents never had to worry about. The one that never disappointed or caused trouble. And so, often, that very child ends up being left on their own cuz they can take care of themselves. They become the neglected ones. And all of the sudden something deems their light. They become unstable. They seem changed. And their parents ask themselves, “How can it be? They never caused trouble. We never had to worry about them.” I started thinking that maybe I’ve been treating joy like the untroubled child I never had to worry about. I never hold it, let it run its course. I let joy slide away, confident it’ll come back for a very good moment time after time.

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Last week I couldn’t curate my usual YouTube newsletter and I didn’t share with you the second chapter for the mindset shifts to stay consistent with making ART

In this chapter, I share with you 13 drawing prompts for you to tap into whenever in need, and I walk you through each prompt by showing you how I worked with it in my last sketchbook!

Here are the 13 prompts:

1. original characters

2. illustrations for affirmations

3. dreams you dreamt

4. silly things

5. trinkets (your favourite things)

6. tarot cards

7. gravestones and tombstones

8. random ideas at random times

9. things you desire to have

10. draw live outside

11. practice calligraphy

12. studies (for work or personal projects)

13. your spirit animal
    

You see it, you like it, you want it: draw it.

I really hope this two video can be of help, inspiration and encouragement to you all <3 Feel free to let me know what you think (I love to read your thoughts and feedback).

See you next time!
In the meantime…let’s make art!

- V