The Shallow End – April 2020

Hello April!

Where do I even begin?

In case you missed it, I’ve decided to temporarily close my Etsy shop. I’m super disappointed, but I also believe it is the right decision for me right now.

In the meantime, I’ve been trying to keep busy working. So a smidge of good news is that I’ll probably have a lot of new art added to my store when it is finally safe to re-open!

I recently tried a course from Laura Horn in watercolor abstracts. I absolutely loved it, and am finding so much joy in the painting process again. I’ve enjoyed drawing a lot recently, but after that course I just keep wanting to paint!

I really wanted to spend more time this year working with my physical art media, including watercolors. I never would have imagined this is the direction it would go, but I couldn’t be happier with it. While admittedly naps have increased significantly, I’m so grateful that I’m still finding energy to work, and finding joy in my art again. It’s a small comfort, in the scheme of things, but it can make a big difference in my day. I don’t want to take it for granted.

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I’m struggling to watch much TV or movies right now. Classics like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice seem to be forms of escape and entertainment for me, but that’s about it. These kinds of films are relateable in their humanity, but foreign in the lifestyle depicted. I can’t be nostalgic about Victorian or Regency England the same way I am about say, I don’t know… January? …This aversion to contemporary stories seems to be boundary I have drawn to protect myself from grief when what I’m seeking is to be entertained.

The only exception is The Amazing World of Gumball because it’s a ridiculous cartoon that makes us laugh at dinner time.

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I’m reading a bit, as usual. But I’m definitely struggling to focus on any one book. (I’m making steady progress through Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, in case you were wondering.) But I’m also reading a few other fantasy or historical fiction books. And then there is Untamed by Glennon Doyle, which is fantastic. I haven’t finished it yet but I love it (and also her previous memoir Love Warrior). Both are sooo good.

I’m also considering re-reading one of my favorite books (although I haven’t decided which one). I used to re-read a lot, but I haven’t lately and think it might be a good source of comfort now. Do you have books you like to revisit? Let me know in the comments!

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For the record, it actually feels like I spend the entire day playing Animal Crossing on the Switch and have no idea how there are enough hours in the day for any of the above to be true. 😉

Thanks for joining me at The Shallow End!