Double Tap

8 inspirational Austin Instagram accounts to follow right now

If you ever want to feel bad about your life choices, open the Battery section of your iPhone and look at the amount of time you've spent using Instagram. As I write this, I've been awake for eight hours, at work for six hours, and have already spent one hour and 13 minutes liking other people's photos and scrolling through their stories.

And while, yes, some Instagrammers choose to document every minute detail of their day, others are using the platform to elevate their art, to shape their point of view, and to add to the collective cultural conversation. Here, we share eight local accounts worth the scroll.

Jackie Lee Young —@jackieleeyoung
True story: Last year during their Best of Austin poll, I wrote to the Austin Chronicle explaining why they needed to broaden their Best Local Instagrammer category, and specifically used photographer Jackie Lee Young as an example. Bleached out portraits interspersed with vibrant still lifes and concert snaps make this one of the dreamiest feeds to follow. Oh, and if her work looks familiar, she's also the photographer for Bunkhouse, the hospitality group behind such gems as El Cosmico, Hotel San Jose, and Hotel Saint Cecilia.

My Name is Joe Coffee — @mynameisjoecoffee
Chef Philip Speer began My Name is Joe Coffee Co. as a thoughtful way to provide support to people in addiction recovery. Curated in this feed are beautiful photos of the trailer's coffee and food offerings, as well as portraits of staff and customers alike. Each photograph is accompanied by a piece of sage wisdom from "Joe," that resonate no matter what challenges you've faced.

Peach Fuzz Magazine —@peachfuzzmag
This lady-run, print-only, sex-positive mag is based Austin, but their feed is a celebration of women everywhere. Though you may find the feed borderline NSFW depending on your personal proclivities, no one can deny that these days, a positive, empowered point of view is always welcome.

Bryan Schutmaat — @bryanschutmaat
Technically, we lost Bryan Schutmaat to Houston a few years ago, but for the sake of this story, we'll lay claim to the photographer. Ethereal landscapes of the West are his specialty, and through his lens, Schutmaat captures expansive and haunting scenes.

Dope Toast — @dopetoast
This relatively new account documents Lauren Dunkin's work as a slow poke tattoo artist. Slow poke tattooing (which GQpoints out is on the "stylish rise," whatever that means) forgoes the electric tattoo machines in favor of a simple needle and ink process. The tattoos are whimsical and sometimes downright funny, and her feed provides a voyeur's look into Austin's tattoo culture.

Le Politique — @lepolitiqueaustin
If there is a more Insta-friendly restaurant in Austin, we'd like to see it. Before this downtown restaurant even opened its doors, Le Politque was curating a light, airy, French-inspired feed. Expect shots of their dreamy interiors and beautiful snaps of their top dishes.

Virginia Cumberbatch — @vacumberbatch
In addition to documenting her own style, which is a mix of on-trend pieces and classic silhouettes, Cumberbatch takes portraits of stylish friends and family members. While the clothes are cool, it's her penchant for pairing the photos with thoughtful calls to action that has us double-tapping.

Land Boys —@land_boys
This design house turns out work that somehow manages to feel both timeless and modern — with a Western twist. Their Instagram highlights the house's unique partnerships with companies like Stumptown Coffee, STAG Provisions, and Hochstadter's Slow & Low.

Here in Austin, Le Politique is upping the restaurant Instagram game.

Photo by Le Politique/Instagram

Here in Austin, Le Politique is upping the restaurant Instagram game.

bests

Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

visual art drawing books