Quirky Birds first came to me about 6/7 years ago in 2013. I found myself doodling one day and ended up creating this odd/ strange/ asymmetrical little bird characters who seemed to be totally happy within themselves. They had a joy of life in them and a self love and self acceptance I envied for sure!
Unlike the humans in my world and culture, who are often busy criticising themselves trying to change seemingly unimportant ‘flaws’ and ‘quirks’, the Quirky Bird was blissfully herself and in fact celebrated all her little quirks and perceived flaws!
I was onboard with her message! I myself had and (still sometimes) suffered from perfectionism and endless self criticism often resulting in unhappiness and at times stopping me from simply enjoying life! So Quirky Birds with their self love message were very welcome in my life!
I go through phases of creating quite a lot of these little beings. Here are some of my favourites I’ve made over the years:
I’ve developed and changed techniques quite a bit over the years, my most recent Quirky Birds include techniques like:
- working with watercolours & inks wet in wet
- incorporating collage
- looking at colour choices/ combinations
- using unusual tools to change the quality of line work and mark making
They are wonderfully fun creatures to create and function as a reminder for you too to fully love and accept yourself, just as you are, flaws and all.
In my book, Create Your Life Book, I dedicate a project to this too:
Here is an excerpt from the book:
Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!
– Dr Seuss”Something that helps me cultivate happiness and contentment in life is being less judgemental and more accepting of myself including my more unusual and quirky personality traits.
We are often taught that we are not good enough and told we have to change things about ourselves to be ‘acceptable’ to others. I personally think it is harmful to people’s self worth and self esteem to constantly be told or given the impression that we are not good enough and have to change or improve on ourselves to be acceptable to society. I’m no longer interested in pursuing some sort of ‘elusive’ definition of ‘perfection’ and I have decided to embrace all my quirky and weird personality traits! I’ll tell you it’s a huge relief and brings much freedom to be at peace with yourself.
So, instead of feeling ashamed of the fact that we love to sing in the shower, wear bright purple clothing, talk to ourselves or that we are star wars geeks, I encourage you to embrace all of your quirky traits by embodying them in one of my signature ‘Quirky Birds’.
These little birds are easy to make, elicit great joy and can help you accept YOU for who you are, flaws and all. Quirky birds are deliberately created somewhat asymmetrically to represent that we all have flaws and quirky traits that make us, us. They are here to remind you that you are wonderful just as you are. Join me in making your own Quirky Bird as a reminder to always accept yourself wholly and fully including your unique quirky traits!
What do you do to accept yourself just as you are and what do you do to consciously be more kind to yourself?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
I’ll be teaching this specific Wintery Quirky Bird on my new up and coming class Whimsy Wonderland which you may like to consider joining if you love Quirky Birds too! But I won’t only be teaching Quirky Birds on that course, I’ll also teach a wonderful Winter Girl and 9 of my artist friends have joined as well who all have some wonderful projects lined up for you all! Come check out here what we’ll be teaching. Much love!
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