Sunday, January 3, 2021

Happy New Year! This past week I had planned out my content calendar as usual, but in 2020 fashion, it went awry. An unexpected scandal unfolded that turned into two doodles. 

Alec Baldwin's young yogi wife has apparently been pretending to be Spanish for a decade, even going as far as changing her name from Hillary to Hilaria (that's where the subject line came from) and speaking in an accent on and off. More on the scandal below.

I also finished a work-themed collaboration about asking for more budget at the end of the year. I drew about visiting Dyker Heights, the Christmas/holiday light capital of Brooklyn. And, I welcome 2021 with a barre class-inspired drawing and some videos. Enjoy!

How to live life like Hilaria Baldwin

When I learned of the Hilaria Baldwin scandal, I knew I had to doodle about it. She recently got more attention because Amy Schumer made fun of her for posting hot post-partum pics. Then, it came out that she claimed to be born in Mallorca, Spain (she was born in Boston) and split her time growing up between the US and Spain. Even when she did address the drama, the story got weirder, more confusing, and more unclear. The doodle above is inspired by following the story, her Instagram, and from this NYTimes article that featured an interview with her. 

Hilaria Baldwin pretended to be from Spain, I studied abroad there. I compare in two 30-second videos.

During my junior of college, I spent a semester studying abroad in Granada, Spain. I absolutely loved it. I will say it's impressive Hilaria was able to keep up a Spanish accent for so long, because I studied there and became fluent, but never totally got the accent. 

It was also only fitting that we ended the year with breaking news that was this harmless, frivolous, and entertaining. We deserved it. Plus, this doodles series got me the most likes of the year on Instagram and new followers on social media. So, gracias Hilaria/Hilary, whoever you are. See the full doodle here. 

How to ask for more budget for a new project at your end of year review

I connected with Caroline Cooke, a marketer who founded Bright Humor to help brands leverage humor to engage with customers. She makes graphics about relatable issues at work. We came up with a comic about the annual end of year review and the struggle to get budget for new projects.

This is not about me/my professional work, just about work in general. And yes, I'm active on a lot of content platforms but I don't have a podcast! But Danielle in Doodles has been asking for more budget for art supplies. I took her to Blick recently and said NO to colored pencils that cost $10 each. She can talk to her department head and try again next year.

To fully enjoy the holiday lights in Dyker Heights, you need this $10 prop

A couple of weeks ago, I visited Dyker Heights with my dad and sister. Homes from narrow townhouses to stucco mansions are decked out with detailed nativity scenes, real lights, projected lights, jazzed up trees, blow-up snowmen, Santa on the roof, elves, wreaths, and more.

But, what really caught my eye were the clear light-up inflatables on a stick being sold on every corner to children. My dad kindly bought me one. (Yes, this was recent, not a childhood memory). It made the experience much better and I felt like I fit in with all the kids. One child motioned that she wanted my unicorn balloon but despite the holiday season, I was not in a giving mood. The balloon is still in my apartment and makes me happy. Below is me letting my little sister hold it for a pic.

30-second summary of 2020 narrated and drawn by yours truly

I included this doodle about the phrases for each of the phases of 2020 in the last newsletter. Above is the video version.

Hello 2021!

My friend asked me to make her a doodle she can use for a New Years card, the classic move after missing the Christmas card window. I thought it was cute and relevant enough to everyone to share here, even if you don't do barre classes as much as Kate does! Let's hope 2020 has made us one year and at least two light dumbells stronger. 

I compare Jewish New Year to American New Year and blow a shofar while I'm at it

I posted this Rosh Hashana doodle in last week's newsletter, but I turned it into a video this week and had to share because it's new and it has footage of me playing the shofar, and those reasons were good enough.

New year, new ideas, same me. What should I doodle next? Reach out!

PS: Some email housekeeping:

1) Sometimes this newsletter goes to promotions, so add the address to contacts if you want to receive it in your main inbox. 

2) You can reply directly to this email and I will receive it!

Why did you get this email? Because I thought you'd like it, or you expressed interest in my doodles in one way or another. Unsubscribe or contact me if you want to be removed from the list.