Mother, wife and inspiration. Cruelly taken way too soon. Would have told me off if I didn’t do my #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/R3On6RTw8C
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) October 29, 2017
On his 54th birthday, TV animation director Gary Andrews started a Doodle Diary. This still-ongoing project is simple, but it has proved powerful over the past year; he chronicles his day in a sketch. When he first began the endeavor, Andrews often depicted his life as a happily married man, enjoying the world with his wife Joy and their two young kids. But now, it’s a different story. Joy suddenly passed away on October 27, 2017, from multi-organ failure caused by sepsis. Andrews was on a business trip at the time and was unable to say goodbye to his wife before she died.
With Joy’s passing, the Doodle Diary changed overnight. Although Andrews missed drawing on the date his wife died, he was back to sketching the next day. He used the notebook as an outlet to channel his feelings and poured his emotions onto paper. “I was crying so hard it was difficult to focus on the page,” Andrews recalls. “I was drawing through tears.”
The sketches that followed the family tragedy show Andrews as he navigates being a widower. They chronicle the intensity of his grief as well as adjusting to life as a single parent. Sometimes, it’s as common as coordinating busy kids’ schedules, while other times it’s a look into how the family grieves together. But always, the poignant drawings offer a powerful reminder that life goes, for better or for worse.
A selection of drawings from the Doodle Diary were turned into an animation that appeared on the BBC. It’s a beautiful tribute to Andrews’ late wife by honoring their life before her death and what has come after. Watch it, below.
When TV animation director Gary Andrews’ wife Joy suddenly passed away, he chronicled what he was feeling through his Doodle Diary.
Farewell to my love #doodleaday No more words. pic.twitter.com/Jbkyfmo2jn
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 26, 2017
My daughter keeping it real and stopping me from getting over emotional. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/HfrDgrs5OV
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 21, 2017
They feature the family grieving the loss of their dear wife and mother…
She is my total hero. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/kHiKi5e03v
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) December 8, 2017
… as well as Andrews as he navigates being a widower and a single parent.
Just this. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/ooBD3F2roZ
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 2, 2017
It really is!#doodleaday pic.twitter.com/SAfolLKKwX
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 7, 2017
Quite a day. Moving on whilst still holding the past in my heart. #doodleaday. @UKSepsisTrust @Jason__Watkins – talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. pic.twitter.com/g51ESm5ETV
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) January 13, 2018
Nearly 5 months gone. Didn’t think I had any more heart left to break but it turns out I was wrong. So beautiful and talented. #Sepsis sucks. #doodleaday #widowerlife pic.twitter.com/yA8CJiT6jC
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) March 18, 2018
So proud of our children today as they scattered mummy’s ashes – It was a beautiful experience – very positive and peaceful. Although I still find it hard to accept that she’s gone, I am starting to feel that there is hope, and light, and happiness to be had. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/uGEHDUkwbI
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) January 26, 2018
Half a year. Still hard to process. Keep expecting you to come through the door. #doodleaday #widowerlife pic.twitter.com/ky0fRjEM2B
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) April 27, 2018
A selection of the drawings have been turned into an animation that is a beautiful tribute to Andrews' late wife:
Gary Andrews: Website | Twitter
h/t: [Design TAXI]
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