I forgot I draw for a living
The guilt that comes with a day of drawing
Hey lovely souls,
Truth be told, I’m sending this a week on from writing it because life got very admin heavy (stick around until the end for a new venture!)
Now let’s rewind a little…
It’s a Monday morning and I’ve ticked off all my major tasks on my to-do list over the weekend. With nothing pressing hanging over, I pick up my sketchbook and begin scribbling when this huge wave of guilt washes over me.
When my partner asks me what’s on my agenda I immediately feel defensive and think up an elaborate list of stuff to be done - but really I just wanted to devote my day to drawing. He had to remind me drawing is “productive”. Drawing is my job.
When an activity feels therapeutic it doesn’t feel like work and if it doesn’t feel like work it doesn’t feel productive and if it doesn’t feel productive I immediately feel guilty… (somebody please tell me I’m not the only one).
“I can’t fight this feeling anymore”
Although, I don’t think REO Speedwagon were talking about painting
This year I’ve curbed my appetite to create until I did some form of “work”. Before I knew it 10 hours have passed and I can’t be bothered drawing. The urge to draw can be fleeting and you should make the most of it whilst you feel keen (note to self)!
My love language is…
…drawing people. Cute, quirky people!
I’ve devoted so much of my practice to experimenting and evolving my character style and just when I think “this is it!”, a year on, they’ve subtly adapted again.
Create first - think later
Strange coming from someone who literally overthinks everything!
Often when your hobby becomes your job it’s easy to only create if it can be monetised. In my splodgey, sketchy, character drawing session, I realised much of my work can be monetised - but that incentive shouldn’t negate creating out of pure love just because it might not initially bring in the cha-ching!
I dream of someday working with publishers on a book of fashion through the decades or with clothing companies to create look-book illustrations to promote their new collections. For said client to find me I have to make the work I want to be commissioned for! Common sense I suppose.
Dream big and small
Whilst I might be awaiting dream clients I want to help capture the wonderful people of our little planet so I've created a section on my shop for custom painted portraits… Like a caricature but cuter! Personally I think it’s an adorable Christmas pressie idea! Alongside these, I’ve added a bunch of new prints and original paintings to brighten your winter!
Tehe you found me… 15% off everything on my shop because I think you’re cute! Thaaanks in advance! Use code WINTERSUNSHINE
I rarely do discounts so make this one count!
Drum-roll please…
We (meaning me and my partner) launched Nella Folla - curated moments in a crowded market. Nella Folla (Italian for ‘in the crowd’) is a space in which we want to shine a light on creatives and small businesses through various means such as markets, podcasts, meet-ups and catalogues. It’s a mammoth task to compile 38 creatives and do their work justice, but we are so happy to present issue 1 of Nella Folla… which you can browse here!
Well lovely souls, I hope this one is a nice reminder that doing something because you love it is more than a good enough reason to make time for it! Simple.
Until next time,
P.s. You can find me at Kelvingrove Art Museum in Glasgow this Saturday if you prefer a spot of in-person shopping! ♡♡♡
You are definitely not the only one. I even feel guilty if I watch TV while folding the laundry - which is absolutely ridiculous. Imagine drawing just for the fun - which my husband reminds me to do all the time. I don’t know about you, but for me I think it comes from the culture I grew up in, where if you called something ‘work’ it had to involve financial renumeration with a big dollop of suffering on top. Ridiculous, but so hard to change that ironed in mindset.
So excited to find artists on here…had no idea! I just my paints back out after 6 years with them boxed up after a move. I’m so grateful I have a little time now and then to “play” again! I LOVE your illustrations - so creative and colorful!!!