“Creativity takes courage.”
― Henri Matisse

i had one of my most successful art stalls this month! while i haven't done too many, it's a big enough number for me to pick up some valuable lessons along the way. i felt super prepared and organized for this pop-up compared to my previous ones, and the feedback on my art was fantastic. having a cohesive set of illustrated products made me feel even more prepared.

everything looked like it was crafted by the same artist, yet different enough to offer variety to my stall visitors. i made loads of new connections and had the chance to share my passion with several art enthusiasts. i'm genuinely thrilled to take these learnings and apply them to future events.

As you may have seen on my ✨ art ✨ Instagram (wink, wink), i’ve also started carrying around this adorable little A6 handmade sketchbook by my friend @colouritlisa - it's my pocket-sized companion!

the deal with this book? i've gotta spend at least 15 minutes each day doodling and filling up those pages with sketches. no rules on quality or quantity, just sit down and draw something. let me tell you, it's been a game-changer in how i approach art.

at first, starting was a bit tricky - I'd stare at those blank pages or churn out some objectively weird sketches. but once I embraced the no-judgment zone and just let the creativity flow, some seriously lovely ideas started sprouting. i'm making a go at turning this into a daily habit, dedicating a bit of time each day to create without overthinking.

alrighty, here's the scoop on the most exciting thing that went down this month -

i launched an instagram account for my shop! for years, i've been sharing my art and pictures of the illustrated goodies from my online shop and website. don't get me wrong, i've thoroughly enjoyed it. but as my business expands, and i whip up more products, the promo game has kicked up a notch. the hiccup? my actual art started getting lost in the sea of pictures.

even though these products are technically my creations too, i was struggling to give my paintings and sketches their own spotlight on my account. so, to make sure both get the attention they deserve, i decided to split them up, and let me tell you, it might just be the best call i've ever made! it feels like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. now, i can promote my products without worrying if my audience is missing out on my art. plus, it's given me the freedom to create more art in my own time. i'm absolutely loving what this separation between work and play is bringing

me - i can give proper love to both sides of what i enjoy.

you can check out what ive been up to on my shop account right here!

she's been my biggest inspiration this month, nudging me to create content that not only looks stunning but also tells a powerful story. it's not just about videos for me; it's about infusing that narrative magic into my art as well. because, let's be real, the story is where it's at.

check out her videos here~

next thing i know, i'm cruising through a playlist of videos all about what philosophy is. i've decided to dedicate a solid 30 minutes of my day to soak up whatever philosophical goodness is accessible to me. i'm on this exciting journey to expand my understanding, and who knows where it'll take me? hopefully, it'll help me think more deeply about my everyday life.

now, here's something new! the roadmap to my creative adventures for the next month -  so y’all can keep me accountable :) 

i'm setting these few simple goals for myself for the upcoming few weeks, taking inspiration from how this month went.

1. Consistently follow the 15-minute rule every day to fuel daily creativity.

2. Produce and share engaging YouTube videos weekly, ensuring quality
   storytelling and captivating visual and cinematographic elements.

3. Document my artistic adventures throughout the week in the
   digital journal on my website, publishing insightful blogs every week.

i asked yall to send in some questions for this newsletter, here are the answers!

Q. Do you sometimes feel restricted by keeping an art style?

 yup, absolutely. its a tough battle, on the one hand i wish to "find my voice" as an artist, but also give myself enough room to grow. there's constant pressure from everything online to have that "voice", especially on instagram, and how your feed looks. it does feel very restricting to try and fit into that box of finding your art style, but i have learnt to see "art style" as a myth. at least the way that social media has made it out to be.

its been difficult, but i have worked hard to remind myself that the art i create - all the art i create - is my art style. the only thing i need to work on is experimenting, learning and growing. even if that means my instagram feed doesn't look consistent. whats important here as an artist is that you make mistakes, experiment and learn at the end of the day. the "art style" will come to you, without making you feel restricted.

Q. Are we gonna see summer specials this year?

well, i guess you guys get the first scoop. summer specials are coming. i've been working on a few things for my next shop update, a lot of stuff is cooking. i'll be sharing more as we go on my instagram :)