I am Irina, a designer based in San Francisco. I've started drawing during the lockdown to deal with stress and have been doing it ever since. There's something very satisfying about having an idea pop in your head and seeing it on paper (or on the iPad) just a few minutes later.
I get inspired by the daily struggles of being an imperfect human and dealing with various emotions. Some are more "deep" about how your past affects your future or how to adjust your expectations to reality, and some are more comical, like being on the toilet is "my happy place."
I've enjoyed making these. I hope you like these too! You can follow me on Instagram for mored drawings; I try to publish a new one each day.
If you've missed my previous posts that are in a similar vein, you may find them here: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X.
More info: Instagram | irinablok.com | twitter.com
This post may include affiliate links.
Meditation
Actually that's pretty accurate. You can't make yourself not have thoughts, but you can acknowledge them without engaging.
Yes. Most people do not meditate long enough or intensely enough to advance their practice. A half-hour every day is a healthy habit, but probably won't get you into samadhi.
Load More Replies...I have tried.... I think some people are just better at mediation than others.
Anyone can meditate. You may simply not like doing it, or have unrealistic expectations, but you *can* do it. Also, there is no 'better' in meditation. Some people may find it easier to sit still for long periods of them, so they're better at that. But that's not what meditation is about.
Load More Replies...Transcendental Meditation works effectively to shut off thoughts. It takes about ten minutes of meditation and then at the twenty minute mark, your brain starts up again. You wonder what happened to your thoughts and worries those last ten minutes. Tremendously restful for the brain.
* can work, as can other forms of meditation. No guarantees though.
Load More Replies...That's the most significant part of literally every guided meditations I've ever heard. You are NOT supposed to have no thoughts at all. It is completely all right to have thoughts come and go about anything. The point is to guide your attention back to whatever you're anchoring on (like breathing), or to accept and view your thoughts as they are, without judgement. I'm unsure if whoever drew this actually informed themselves about meditation beforehand or tried to use a guided meditation, or just sat down and expected their mind to become empty at command. Because you couldn't be farther from the actual goals of meditation with that.
This is why I cant meditate unless its a guided meditation and even then I might just have to stop
I am originally from Russia, my family came to the US a while ago to work in the Silicon Valley. Since I was a kid I loved to draw and have been studying art, becoming a designer was a natural choice for me. I've been working designing brands and products mostly in the tech industry. One of my most known projects was the design of the Google Android mascot. You can see more of my design work on my website.
Science Of Pseudoscience
Exactly. Because those whom "do their own research" (i.e. a cursory, sloppy Google search) are so much smarter than actual college/university educated scientists who dedicate hundreds of hours of peer reviewed actual research. The pseudoscientists TERRIFY and baffle me!
Load More Replies...I’m not a goat I do not want to be what I am Far from fleeing and Yitewowetelli
You are not allowed to cry, Boomerang! Don't let me hurt the camels. (I absolutely ADORE Twisted Translations!! So nice to have someone on this site who likes it too!)
Load More Replies...Is real science an authority figure making a claim and saying trust me because I’m an expert? No, experts still have to offer rational explanations and be subjected to criticism. That’s the deal with being an expert. Especially if you turn out to be wrong the first time. Your responsibility to be able to explain a position only increases if you’re the expert.
Fine print under "read it on the internet" would read "taken from a completely unreliable source"
So, I guess listening to science is subjective on the situationZ. Same people that are against SCIENCE and the human anatomy saying there are only 2 genders are the same sheep no asking to listen to to science for the shot.. which btw, science says it has many complications. Science also says if you already have the antibodies you don't bend this PSEUDO antibody the vaccine mimics
Ever notice how the people confidently telling you that you can't trust them evil scientists (but you CAN 100% trust them, of course), are almost always trying to sell you something? Yeah, me too.
Self-Doubt
I always think why clutter up the world - no-one's interested in what you have to say. But if everyone thought the way I do, we'd have missed out on books, inventions, art, creativity, fun, wonder and humanity going beyond just being a mammal with a brain. Note to self: be brave.
For me... add another foot there called "coworker with insecurity issues" and "Manager who is a control freak"... it's like a football/soccer match.
It's interesting that the style of my drawings wasn't intentional, it just happened. It's a pretty badly drawn scribble, but the main goal is to communicate the idea. Overall it's a reflection of my personality as I love to make jokes and make people laugh.
Getting A Job
Destruction Is Easy
"To destroy is easier than to create, and that is why so many people are ready to demonstrate against what they reject." Ivan Clima
Exeption: A Nokia cellphone. Easy to build, IMPOSSIBLE to destroy.
there's more effort but it's a small price to pay...
Load More Replies...My creative process is simple, lots of times it starts with the blank sheet of paper. I get inspired by what happened during the day, reading the news and pretty much everything. Sometimes ideas come randomly and I write them down to draw later. I try to draw every single day and publish one drawing, this keeps me disciplined. My favorite part is coming up with the idea, and the least favorite thing is trying to draw something too complex, messing up and trying to redraw.
Scary Things
WAAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHHHH WIFI IS DOWN WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE WAAAAAAAAAAAHAHA oh look freddy krueger is standing outside
Are you SURE it's Freddie Kruger, maybe you should check online to ....NOOOOOOOO!!
Load More Replies...me when my wifi is down and the coreyxkenshin retirement video dropped
omg did you hear cory's back now??? im so happy about ittt
Load More Replies...spiders are more scary than a zombie apocalypse this chart is inaccurate
Get Vaxxed
I can list many verifiable both independently funded objective reports and studies that refute this. This simply ironically illustrates a previous pyramid image.
Load More Replies...I admit I have evil thoughts now... that maybe those who refuse (despite having the availability and easy ability to get one)... should be corralled into areas (you know... 'refusal' areas) - and... well, let them all get Darwin Awards...
Where did u get that info? some clickbait on the internet? And vaccines arent sup post to make you super immune and that you cant get it, it's supposed to make it so you have a less chance of dying next time you do get it.
Load More Replies...My life is pretty ordinary and I draw about that. I love doing hands-on projects that help other people like cooking, drawing, designing products, etc. I am planning to continue doing this in one form or another.
Working And Relaxing
Reward For Finishing Work Early
Add another box labelled "snide comments an accusations of cheating at work"
Vacation Mood
My dream vacation is no husband,no family and I love them to the moon and back. All alone in my home sweet home.
I have a moment between before and during that I allow myself to drink in all my unrealistic vacation expectation lies. It's a glorious moment. It makes it all worth it for me.
time of dreaming and hoping just before the reality hits again
Load More Replies...The Fixer
MythBusters discovered that you can in fact polish a turd. But it still stinks to high hell.
Load More Replies...No, harder than that. Try again! Okay, that's a little better, but...
Load More Replies...This is never a good idea! If you don't like the person the way they are, go find somebody else! Everyone will be happier!
Path To Happiness
That would just be changing your expectations to meet your crappy life, he's changing his crappy life to make it what he wants
Load More Replies...It can still happen you adjust your expectations and you're still miserable because what you expected was objectively bad
R.I.P.
On graves sometimes they’ll say something they accomplished or what they did in life (“Saved a life” “Worked hard” etc.) So that being a grave means what they did was “Started blankly at the screen”.
Load More Replies...Being Ballanced
Being An Adult
Kids wanting to be adults... am I the only person that when I was a kid growing up was something that just nagged at me forever
Other People's Lives
The Old Way To Work
Your Past
Learn from it and leave the rest behind you. Dont dwell on things you can't change
How is he supposed to let it go? He is chained to it. Its not a choice. He needs to find the key first.
Moving to a city where nobody knows you, and everyone minds their own business, can help you leave the burden of your past and rebuild your life. For people will know you for what you show them, not for the illusions they created about yourself growing up together. I know that's expensive, but it's worth a try.
Just One More..
Three days later...."WHY is the second season taking SO long?!?!"
Load More Replies...when i was 8 me and my brothers watched Avatar the last airbender till 12:00 without realizing and we knew it was late but... ONE MORE EPISODE
Mask Wearing Guidelines
Meh, in Korea we just keep it on so long as the pandemic is on. There's exceptions, sure, but most of us do. Vaccine or not, it's not safe until it's officially over.
Here in the US, it's a constant fight. So many angry anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers and we've been fighting about it from the start and it is sooooo exhausting. Can you adopt me and move me to Korea, please?
Load More Replies...Let me put it this way, on Prince Edward Island we had a strict mask guideline and during 2020 our flu season was non existent. Masks work.
Side point, but I love PEI. I want to be able to travel again
Load More Replies...Aging
Pets Rule
Under The Weather
Am I the only one who would rather this? I live the rain and not blistering heat imo
Spreading Ideas
#covidlife
Sadly, just like Yellow Fever, Dengue, Malaria, Lyme Disease, Polio, Ebola, Swine Flu, N1H1, SARS and MERS… COVID-19 is here to stay. Hopefully it will greatly subside over time.
I hate wearing a mask but if It takes getting rid of Covid I'm in
Load More Replies...To all the “COVID is a hoax” people, GET YOUR FREAKING VAX OR WEAR A MASK
or do both (get the vax and still wear a mask in certain situations)
Load More Replies...Real Reality
Excuse me, but your username appears to be from Wings of Fire. I've read Darkstalker, which I highly enjoyed, but have never read any others. An ex boyfriend and one of my best friends both really like the series, but since I lost contact with one when I was 12 and the other is currently 12, I'm wondering what the plot is like and if it's more for kids. (This I say with the complete knowledge that there is a 95%chance you are 14 or younger. Please do not state your age to prove me wrong, this is a speculation and it's not safe to reveal your age on the Internet)
Load More Replies...My Happy Place
The only room with a lock on the door is my parents room like smh cant get any privacy
Load More Replies...They’re not hemorrhoids from sitting there too long. They’re happyrhoids!
The Success Formula
Accomplishments
First you have to subtract self-doubt, lack of motivation, and other people needing you to do stuff for them from the equation.
Wfh Work/Life Balance
The Truth
Work Week
Consumerism
Great illustration on how the rich can be so miserable...declining returns on all that spending in terms of mood and happiness...once you have bought, well, everything...been everywhere...the excitement goes southward.
Follow The Leader
Thanks to Pokémon Go, I no longer look lost when I'm looking for directions on the map app. ♡
Load More Replies...It's the same with books. I once stupidly decided to read 'n' walk, and it ended with me falling down the stairs and nearly breaking my nose.
Mixed Feelings
The Constant Battle
I am a left-brained person. I prefer lables and technical stuff to creativity. However, sometimes I combine that. *pronouns art*
Actually, we use both sides of the brain, depending on what we are doing... you don't just use a certain part of your brain all the time, you use certain parts of your brain when doing certain activities... there is a strong belief though that intuitive people use their right side of the brain more.
I'm a "both brain". However, when I do tasks where my left brain is required, my right brain is the one to come to work and vice versa. Eventually both brains give up, leaving the place vacant. ♡
You have a brain after my own heart (a weird adage to use in this context 😃)
Load More Replies...I am the left brain, i am the left brain. I work really hard until my my inevitable death brain….
You got a job to do, you better do it right, and the right way is with the left brain’s might
Load More Replies...Making Money
Some Relationships
Digital Life
State Of Mind
Doesn't matter what state I'm in, I'm in a Southern state of mind...
Everything's Fine
Instagram Ego
Mood
Love
Each person is different, some have hearts in different places and some got multiple hearts.
And it's people like you that make sure we never get back to normal. Heres your award: a possible couple more years like this. We all hate masks but the more you wear them and if you get double jabbed, the sooner we get back to the old days when we didnt have to stay six feet apart and have conversations with our relatives though a window. Please just take the vaccine. Please just wear your mask. I'm trying to be as nice as possible with this. You will be ok, you will be better than ok! It's not poison, it wont kill you, and soon this will all be over. Please.
Load More Replies...And it's people like you that make sure we never get back to normal. Heres your award: a possible couple more years like this. We all hate masks but the more you wear them and if you get double jabbed, the sooner we get back to the old days when we didnt have to stay six feet apart and have conversations with our relatives though a window. Please just take the vaccine. Please just wear your mask. I'm trying to be as nice as possible with this. You will be ok, you will be better than ok! It's not poison, it wont kill you, and soon this will all be over. Please.
Load More Replies...
