Inspirations

Miniature Ink Drawings By Christian Watson

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These tiny illustrations are by Christian Watson, illustrator and owner of 1924. Christian posts his own miniature ink drawings (that are often less than a half an inch tall) on his Instagram.

After having a home cooked meal and a few scotches in a quaint little yard, I was able to have a small sit down chat with some new friends and talk about how things change. Technology to friendships, and love to politics, all the ranges of life were dipped into much like the nachos we were eating. But the best moment is in knowing that even in our differences – be it our accents, upbringings or dreams for life – we still connect. So to all the people you'll never imagine to meet, the ones you have and lost, and the ones you plan out: just be grateful. Life is too short to spend it complaining about shit you can't change, and even shorter if you can change it. Life's a good one, through and through. That much you can be sure of; this is true. So for all of the days that don't work out. Spend your time smiling, lips without pout. To be growing is well, and as well as can be. The world will not stop; not for you, nor for me. Goodnight from a kid thinking about Dr. Seuss. #illustration #drawing #inspiration #1924us #venture #cats

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

Back at home on the Sunshine Coast and Elle and I ran out to the coast just a few hours post-sunset. The moon was half covered in a silty sky full of breaking clouds and stars. The yellow cast out on a crazy ocean and in the distance we could see rain and I could swear to hear the faint crackle of thunder. I was lost in thought momentarily of the people that are out at sea still; their boats like stars themselves in the distance gleaming. And of the lighthouse, that unsung hero I spoke of some time ago and this little homage to it which I now pay again. So thanks to the moon, the stars, the distant ships and the lighthouse: you might only seem like a dim and passing light, but to some you're as important as the daylight. #home #1924us #australia #travel #pencil #penciltopdrawings #go #explore #adventure #wow #lighthouse #light #ocean #coast #boats #stars #mountains #forest #lifestyle #inspiration #christianwatson #ventureonward

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

Phew! Bear-ly hanging on today! Lots of work to do and it's gonna be a fun one! I'm emailing all my peeps back and most of the brand-clients who got spots in to have us design are already starting! it's funny, there's no such thing as vacation to us at 1924. We work hard and travel all the time and the two kind of go hand in hand for us. So Gavin and I, even at 14 hours apart, are laughing and talking next directions for brands. It's awesome to be working with so many incredible people, from books to advertisements to music labels – thank you! And to you! The lone wanderer, the leather maker or coffee brewer, jewelry crafter or cookie baker if you, (YES YOU) need some branding work done, we'll do it and it'll be a bear of a time. That pun makes zero sense, but our branding does. So come on down to 192— wait. Nevermind scratch that, basically if you need design work, get at us hahaa. Info@1924.us Need a little inspiration? Check out our last post on moving forward! #bear #1924us #illustration #work #branding #design #drawing #ventureonward #christianwatson #little #littledrawings #miniature #go #explore #adventure

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

Patience. I am reminded by a client today that the process is an enjoyable one. Having grown newly accustomed to the stress and heaviness of deadliness I sometimes forget to step back and see how enjoyable building it actually is. Sounds stupid, but one of the ingredients I'm always proud of including in branding (or any art) is the love and excitement you would find from a first date. I took the day to reflect and rest to the point I felt gross for not doing anything and as soon as I got back into it I felt overjoyed by what I was producing. Patience is such a key ingredient and yet I don't allow it into my life enough, I swear we treat everything like Netflix releases and Amazon Prime. Everything needs to happen right now in relativity to self! But the opposite couldn't be more true. Convenience can cost us the enjoyment of hype, process and even the hard work that goes into something. It's why I draw by hand and I needed that push. Here's a house that took me quite a while to perfect, if you're familiar with driving up and down the 101, this is a little White House on the side of the road about 60 miles outside Astoria. Keep your virtues close my friends, some days it's all we have. Tomorrow we announce the #1924Kindart winners! #travel #home #explore #studio #1924us #ventureonward #christianwatson #kindness #patience #integrity #house #illustration #art #miniature #drawings #minidrawings #penciltopdrawings #yay #fingers

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

Late night musings. #home #1924us #tree #art #littleguy #illustration

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

I took a few minutes to look back on myself when I was just growing into a young man. It was an accident that this happened. I stumbled on old love letters and photographs, stories from people who just don't take part in my life anymore. It was a very grounding series of moments, there were a lot of hearty laughs at the ridiculousness of who I used to be. But there was also the weight of why I was the way I was, and I looked back and saw myself in a light others would often tell me about. The over-reaching, dramatic, and confused but prideful boy I was. I'm still that boy some days. I was reading through letters and how impacted I felt at those times by people who, just a few short years later, ceased all interaction with me. People change, decompose and grow and learn all of these beautiful and horrifying facts about themselves. And it's good. If I could talk to my younger self I would tell him to listen more to those around him. I have a hard time believing I'm good enough for anything, and an even harder time trusting someone's intentions for my life. I push away everything that seems good because it just can't be real. People say I'm humble but more than not I'm just afraid of accepting that I'm at a good point in my life – it comes with the fear of losing it. So I drew this little skeleton looking away from a mirror of himself. It's ok to admit our faults and stare them deep in the face, but it's ok to move on too. The longer you hold onto your grave the more ready you are to die. Just as much, the longer you hold onto sadness the more comfortable you get with it. Growth is a slippery slope and can hit ya quicker than an avalanche. Reflection is just as important as looking forward. Hope everyone has a fantastic, quiet evening. #penciltopdrawings #1924us #ventureonward #go #explore #skeleton #art #illustrations #illustration #christianwatson #writing #thoughts #inspiration #depression #yagotthis

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

Good morning! Or maybe it's early afternoon, or the middle of the night for some of ya! Either way, we're off to a good start this morning! Our interview with @augustapp just launched! If you're interested in a bit of a deeper read behind 1924, click the link in our profile! I felt this was a fitting drawing because I talk a bit about how we always get so fussy with where we come from, and where we're going. 90% of my day is spent either worrying about tomorrow or wondering if I did good enough the day before. That other 10% is me eating food, not really but I am in bliss in those moments where I'm content with being still. So I thought of the little climber who came from nothing to a humble little home, the success of difficulties is often not portrayed in our day to day. Mistakes looked down on as atrocities, and success as a reflection of an "easy life" "silver platter trust fund" or "luck". It's quite strange to find ourselves trapped between shitty and good enough. But it's the moment of process, the striving to be, that makes this world so beautiful. I genuinely believe if we worried less about how we got here, less about where we go, then we would spend more time continuing. And that's why we believe that no matter the circumstance, we should always… Venture Onward! #home #1924us #ventureonward #type #design #cabin #pencil #trees #mountains #climbing #christianwatson #branding #minimal #penciltopdrawings #birds #forest #campvibes

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

Ahhhh yes. The hate bandwagon. Isn't it an easy thing to jump on? Or any sort of bandwagon really. We all work so well together when our commonalities line up – so much so that we forget about differences and how okay they really are! Someone being different from you in anyway is not going to destroy your life and yet we feel so much more comfortable wrapped up in the blankets of things we understand. So, like a magnet, we get sucked up into each other – especially when we hate something. You will never see a group closer than the mob mentality. Hate something it's one thing, but hate something as a team? Hell you got burning torches and pitchforks flingin' bout and everyone's a shoutin' like there's no damn tomorrow. Togetherness is a beautiful thing, but not when we use it to the advantages of single ideas, or ideas that bring an opposing group down. I've been thinking a lot about the beyond talented Keith Haring, and my love for his legacy, so this post is inspired by his works. Ever find yourself in a car with friends talking about someone you hate at school, or work? It's easy to do, having a common enemy, but that "thrill" of downing someone else is like a high you can never get enough of. Hate begets more hate. Pry yourself away from the magnetic bandwagon of hatred and support each other. And yes, it's "the human condition" to naturally have enemies, but if we used that bullshit excuse for everything we'd all be running amuck like we were 200 years ago. We're not ignorant and we don't have that rationality to use that excuse any more. Outgrow the idea that hating someone betters you in anyway. Venture Onward. Song of the moment: "Fantasy on two folk songs" by Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra. #1924us #1924kindart #hatred #kindness #magnetism #media #ventureonward #christianwatson #kiethharing #go #explore #humanity #love #togetherness #art #illustration #littledrawings #oregon #build

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

As much as anything could go right in your life, you have a very equal chance of things going wrong. But does this stop you from trying? No. Each day we will ourselves groggily out of bed underneath the hot, comforting covers and we sit up, leap to, lean over or in some way – wake up. This right here is a choice, a blind faith that today whether good or bad, is gonna happen to you anyway. I always say that you can be afraid, just don't build a house based on it. And it's the same with sadness – there's always going to be shit days. Build your house above the clouds even if sometimes ya gotta get your butt back to reality. This little house with its warm brick chimney, porches that overlook the sky and a forest that hides it away is a good start. Find the place you're aiming for and set in that direction. You can be sad all day and mope around if you want to. But sometimes, choosing to shrug it off is just as well. Venture Onward. #illustration #art #small #drawing #penciltopdrawings #1924us #christianwatson #work #branding #design #pencil #hands #yes #finger #ink #mountains #forest #fog #rain

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

Branding this morning at the studio. Tomorrow we're taking a day trip down the 1 to prepare for the pre-launch of our book in the coming couple of weeks. Goal is to go through ten rolls and a special roll of Ektar gifted to us by @leicacraft. Gavin and I have been talking a lot about honesty and how when we share our feelings, opinions or vulnerabilities in the world we are opening up a whole new world of connection – both good and bad. It's sad that in a world where connection is so simple, we lock ourselves away out of fear. And trust me – we get it. It'll never cease to amaze me that people are so barbarically rude to each other. Here's my thought, it doesn't matter how big you are, what you're known for or how ya look – never underestimate anyone else. I've seen crows scare off Eagles, and dogs scare mountain lions. You might think someone's this huge intimidating thing only to realize how scared they actually are. Do not hate because you're afraid, or bring others down because you are sad. It's rough for all of us certain days. Some more than others – one of the many common traits we share is exactly that: we all have bad days. Don't make someone's worse. Remember, if you don't have anything nice to say, you can probably take it to the grave. #travel #branding #Oregon #explore #portland #penciltopdrawings #1924us #ventureonward #illustration #eagles #sparrow #hawk #home #lifestyle #coffee #adventure #christianwatson #art #miniaturedrawings

A photo posted by Christian Watson (@1924us) on

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