The Unfolding Line: What Drawing Whispers to the Soul

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.

"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.

"Blooming" crop

"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✨

All original artwork by Monica Zuniga/ Hands and Heart

"Freedom" Pastel on paper

Art journal page, charcoal, collage and pen.

"Innocence" Pencil on paper

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

1. Rinse the Rice: Rinse the 1​ cup of white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

2. 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.

3. 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

1. Remove Cinnamon: Take out and discard the whole cinnamon stick(s).

2. Blend: Transfer the cooked rice and any remaining liquid into a blender. Add the Evaporated Milk and the Vanilla Extract.

3. Purée: Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth. You want a very fine, creamy texture.

3. Thicken and Sweeten

1. Combine Milks: Pour the blended rice mixture back into the saucepan. Stir in the Whole Milk and the Sweetened Condensed Milk.

2. 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.

3. 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!

"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 🙏🏻🥰✨

Welcome 2018

The year of new changes!

Growing, to me, means to let go of the old so the new can become part of us,

removing the old skin and mold the new one, it has to be larger and more comfortable,

easier to carry, happier, one that stretches and can be molded at will.

My vision for the new year is of me flying towards it, with confidence and peace

 on top of my freedom, meaning that I am free to go anywhere I want and 

do the things I love, this ain´t easy, it´s work, inner work but that is my main goal.

I am sharing with you a little about my process here so you can be inspired 

to create a vision for your year, I, we call it, true intentions and it´s 

something my mom created a few years a go with a tree of abundance and had 

many leaves meaning different things for her, I did mine based on what I call 

those things that are true, the ones that make us who we are like, peace, happiness, 

honesty, the new job and new car is not part of this, only things that mean working 

on your self and that´s why I call them true for those are the things that 

you will truly own and this year I am doing the same but with a different image, 

in my journal bellow I wrote about those intentions, then did a study in a 

small journal and finally the painting.

I took my time to think about those things I want and how, I did some

meditation work and this vision came to me...

From there, all I did was play with the different ideas that came to me.

You can download this drawing and transfer it if you want or use it as an inspiration!

I received many gifts for my studio time and I am already making use of them!

I love golden and I also use the Mexican brand which is pretty good too and 

super affordable and I don´t have to pay for delivery which is very expensive!

I am also expecting some open acrylics and alkyne oil paints to try them and

of course I can´t wait! :D

I use a simple notebook, pens and markers, soft pastels to play this way!

Grace to let go and hope to find

will to change and stamina to fulfill 

dreams to conquer and work to reach them

laughter and happiness

peace and truth

honesty and growth

love and the self.

I hope you create a beautiful vision for your self this new cycle,

you deserve beautiful things, inspiration, love and beautiful people

around you, you deserve to be loved and cared, you deserve all of

the good things life, God always is putting in our hands, be open to them

embrace all of your goodness ad say good bye to those things that 

no longer serve your purpose by adding new ones.

Much love to you!

 Happy 2018!

El cuento de nunca acabar.

Los pensamientos van y vienen como olas en nuestra mente, 

saber cuáles han sido sembrados por la repetición de lo que 

vemos y de lo que nos han dicho y dejar solo los que 

son verdaderos, es el cuento de nunca acabar.

Encontrar la verdad en ese laberinto de pensamientos, es el
verdadero acto de un guerrero, es pulirte, sacar el brillo del ser,
encontrar la perla, el diamante de lo que uno es en verdad, es el
verdadero trabajo de la vida y finalmente es lo único que nos
vamos a llevar de este mundo.

Esa frase, "el cuento de nunca acabar", lo aprendí de mi abuela, 

la señora que me crió cuando era niña, de ella aprendí muchas 

cosas sobre el mundo y una de ellas es que en él, siempre habrían
cosas que no se terminan nunca.  

El arte para mi así es, una tarea, un oficio y una pasión que 

no se termina y que siempre habrá algo nuevo que aprender,
estirar y magullar.  Aunque los días son nuevos y lo que hagamos
parece repetitivo, no lo es, es siempre nuevo, la evolución de mi
creatividad es lenta y casi no lo podemos notar sino hasta algunos
años después y es como una receta, una pizca de integridad, un
gramo de belleza, un kilo de paciencia, una taza de amor, una
cucharadita de tenacidad y luego viene la mezcla, lo que lleva más
tiempo en un tazón aparte, en otro lo delicado, mézclese con dulzura
y deje reposar, vuelva a mezclar y horneé.

Tamal de rajas, queso y salsa de jitomate acompañado de café de
olla y un delicioso bolillo recién salido del horno.

 Mi mente compite entre las ideas de crear arte que "venda" e
improvisar y experimentar aunque esto no siempre me lleve a una obra
maestra, es un proceso largo y que a veces duele pero que para mí es la
única forma de aprender lo nuevo y avanzar, quizá no se trate de
 hacer sólo obras maestras y vender grandes cantidades,  ser una súper
estrella en el mundo como los medios nos insisten en mostrar, la vida
también es aprender, crecer, gozar ese proceso y evolucionar a algo más.  

Pero no es fácil pues el mundo requiere de que vendas para tener recursos
y poder seguir haciendo lo que amas y es ahí donde se complica la cosa,
este cuento de nunca acabar y tener que perseguir la chuleta por donde
se pueda y como se entienda y si se puede, de forma abundante.

Aquí un show maravilloso en donde participé.

Vendí! Pero me cuesta separarme de mis cuadros favoritos, es una agonía
no saber dónde estarán y que ya no los veré más, sí, estoy consciente
de que eso no está bien y que debo seguir adelante, buscar lo nuevo y
saber desprenderme de las cosas, finalmente lo hago pero con renuencia
aunque muy agradecida de que alguien se haya enamorado de esas
creaciones, es una gran bendición para mi y el mejor cumplido que
pudiera tener un artista!

Amo ver arte, ir a galerías, físicas ó en línea y descubrir algo especial,
algo que me hable hasta lo más profundo de mi ser, a veces, es una simple 

flor, una ilustración, un ser que no se distingue y lo observo buscando 

ese algo especial para llevarlo a mi ser con la esperanza de que algún 

día yo también pueda hacer eso, para mi es alcanzar la poesía pictórica,

 pero como dije, es un proceso y lleva una vida, quizá más, llegar ahí, 

así que a practicar la paciencia y el amor por lo que se hace aún cuando 

todavía no se llegue a ese lugar.

Y hablando de cosas que te llenan, la película de Van Gogh, "Loving Vincent"
is a most if you like art and movies, I am in love with it, so much work,
so much love, a great message and artist. I am inspired to try and paint
his style, just to have a glimpse on his soul, I wish the movie would show
more of what he was like but that is hard, I am so grateful I can watch this
story and the mazing work behind all this, I hope you get the chance to
watch it, it would be a nice gift for an artist friend.



"Corazón de fresa"
Straw-very heart

Now I catch my self writing in English, it´s funny cause I am like so,
I live in both languages, some times thinking in Spanish and others
in English, it´s funny!  I want to be more of my self in this blog so
I will be this way too from now on and won´t correct it for I think
that is part of me.

I try many different things, each new day I jump into my art journal, 

sketch book or drawing pad to find new ways of doing things, this is 

my teacher, observing, allowing, searching, falling in love with new 

colors, regretting going a step forward when the work was already done

 an perfect, this teaches me, sometimes the hard way, but I keep trying.

To me, there is no point in holding a work half done just because you think  

it´s safe to stay there, adventure into the unknown and find out what amazing

 new paths your self can bring into the work, perhaps that´s what the great 

ones did at some point and they found new styles, new ways, new techniques.

Un recuerdo de Guanajuato, un lugarcito que nadie veía y que brillaba,

ahí me senté, toda yo, como soy, libre y feliz, niña y mujer, inocente y 

corrupta, una dualidad incoherente que habita el mundo, su mundo propio

y que no comparte más que a travez de su arte para aquellos que deseen 

ver y escuchar, para el universo y para el ser.

Sé con todo lo que eres. 

En este momento sé que crear tantas cosas diferentes me llena, no podría hacer

la misma cosa una y otra vez como muchos lo hacen, para mi es vital la variación,

el cambio, la búsqueda.  Finalmente cuando fui a exponer, mi trabajo sí tenía una

coherencia entre si, fuera de una galería o expo me seguiré permitiendo esa libertad

de jugar, me parece que hay tanto por explorar que sería una gran pérdida para mi

no hacerlo, no me estaría permitiendo ser.

Por mucho tiempo pensé que estaba mal, que hacer de chile, de mole y de manteca

era un gran error, que no debía mostrarlo, que pensarían que no tengo "hilo",

(cuando se trata de vender claro, si no fuese necesario eso, no habría ningún conflicto)

después de años de hacerlo aún con mis miedos, sé que mi camino es mi camino,

que nadie más ha ido por ahí y que está en mi y sólo en mi explorarlo, si me lleva

a algún lado o no es algo que ya no tiene la importancia de antes, arte significa

expresarse, ser, vivir y emocionarse y regalarle a otros eso, reglarse así mismo

y para ello se debe ser honesto.

Cada pieza te enseña algo, sacarlo a la luz y verlo es importante para mi,

el escritor escribe y escribe mucho, no todo va a dar a el libro pero finalmente

el proceso que lo llevó a eso es parte del libro, igualmente para un artista, crear

y crear y verlo fuera de ti para llegar a la obra es vital.

Finalmente hice mis tarjetas de presentación, esa imagen me gusta mucho, es como 

una mezcla de cubismo con ilustración y abstractos, muy libre y que parece fácil

de haberse logrado, un rincón de mi mente que se abrió en un momento único en 

el tiempo y espacio y que floreció, por eso la escogí, espero les guste.

Gracias por venir.