HQ Book Club- Find Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon

I decided to start my own little book club, right now party of one, but feel free to join in. This month I am reading "Find Your Artistic Voice" by Lisa Congdon. I've been a huge fan of Lisa's work and read several of her other books and taken a few of her online courses. She's such a huge inspiration on following your dreams, no matter the circumstances.

Please let me know if you read along and we can have a discussion on social media. I'll be doing another blog post to let you know my thoughts too!
PS Let me know what books you'd like us to read together! xx

Being Productive

With the new year always comes goals and resolutions (yes I know it's already February). I used to do the One Word for the year thing that I never thought of again and pick resolutions I never kept. I decided to keep it simple and challenge myself this year. A fellow illustrator (Anke Weckmann) started a goal of 100 Days of Productivity to hold herself accountable. She has some really fun printables for you to use too!

I also started using the DONE app. Which is simple and easily customized. Right now I have it set up to remind me to draw, do yoga, declutter something, and do my French lessons with my daughter daily. If I have a tracker with a streak involved it makes me competitive and not want to mess up my streak. Genius! (The app DUOLINGO that we use for French has a streak tracker too!)

Something else that helps me stay on track is calendars and planners. This month I am really focusing on some self care and yoga practice. Taking the time for myself and keeping that little promise to myself has been very important, especially as a busy mom. I'm really enjoying Yoga with Adriene.

Let me know if you have any fun ways to stay on track with your goals and being productive.

Stay Cute xx

Supporting Other Creatives

This year I haven't created much at all. I read books, crochet, drink coffee, and watch anime. I've been unmotivated and in the biggest slump. So far 2017 has brought me stress in the form of art theft that has left me bitter and on the verge of just giving up and becoming the cat lady I always wanted to be.

I follow lots of creatives on social media. I love supporting other artists and buy their amazing products + art whenever I can. Recently, a few creatives have inspired me and I decided to support them by becoming a Patreon.

Sonya Cheney has been such a huge inspiration throughout the years that I've followed + talked to her here in this crazy internet land. She has such a beautiful + deep soul. She knows who she is and what she wants from her dreams and life. I enjoy her zines and seeing little peeks into her very cute life. Her drive + passion for writing inspired me to sit down and think about what I'm doing and what I have a passion for. That maybe I could continue doing the things I enjoy even in the face those who would try and take it from me.

You can find Sonya's blog here and support her on Patreon here

Fran of Frannerd is one of my favorite artists + YouTubers. She reminds me so much of one of my friends that I haven't talked to in a long time. I love how down to earth and real she is about illustration + just living the artist life in general. I always look forward to her YouTube videos + she has inspired me to try new art supplies + techniques. 

You can find her YouTube here and support her on Patreon here.

I'm new to Patreon, but let me know who you support or if you have your very own Patreon! xo

The Artists Way

During my break I read through The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. I have owned this book since I graduated college, inheriting it from another artist friend. I've attempted to read it on multiple occasions, but at the time it seemed too hokey.

I found it again while cleaning and started reading it over a cup of coffee. I didn't do any of the exercises, but I did write down any little snippets + quotes that spoke to me. I found myself nodding my head a lot and thinking that sounds like me.

One of the things this book recommends as a daily practice is called Morning Pages, which is basically writing 3 pages of whatever is in your head. Since I adopted this practice, even if I can't do it in the morning, it has helped me start working on art again.

I revisited some old sketches that I hated and decided I was going to paint them anyway. This has led me to actually start working on a children's book, which has always been a dream of mine. Without trying to force it, by being present and writing whatever has made space for new ideas.

In the future, I think I might re-read the book and work through some of the exercises and see what happens. Have you read The Artists Way? What were your thoughts?

Princess Mononoke

Recently I was digging through my old sketch books looking for blank sheets (sometimes I don't finish a sketch book), and I came across this old Princess Mononoke sketch.

If you are not familiar with the character, this sketch is based on the 1997 Japanese historical fantasy animated film by Hayao Miyazaki. 

Princess Mononoke is one of my husband's favorite Miyazaki films, but to be honest it took me several attempts to finish it. I am more into cutesy and happy films, and this one was too violent for my tastes. 

Eventually, I finished the movie and grew to enjoy the edgy story and visually intoxicating artwork. Miyazaki's devotion to detail is part of what makes his films magical to me. I found it interesting that he and his art crew spent 3 days soaking in the landscapes of the ancient forests and mountains in Japan for this movie. His style is unwavering, and you know right away that you are watching a Studio Ghibli film. 

Although my sketch doesn't portray any edginess, I feel it captures a whimsy of how a Miyazaki film makes me feel. I plan to sketch more characters from his films in the future. 

If you've never seen Princess Mononoke I recommend watching it.

What is your favorite Miyazaki film?