This year I’ve been trying to work on gratitude. I’m not very good at writing it down — things that I’m grateful for — because it almost gives me weird test anxiety. I worry that I’m not including the right things, or that my list is too repetitive. I just didn’t care for it. But I do like the idea of being more open to gratitude. For me, I tend to understand it as a feeling, and I’m trying to be better about noticing that feeling. Noticing that a sunset is gorgeous and I’m grateful to witness it. Noticing how content I feel while curled up on the couch with my cats and a good book. But even using these examples makes me feel uncomfortable — should these be the things I’m supposed to notice, or are they too cliche? Does it matter?

I’ve read in so many places that gratitude is important. But the details on what to do with it are pretty vague. We’re supposed to work on it, and practice gratitude. But besides recognizing an emotion, what else should it involve? What does it look like to adequately demonstrate gratitude? I know saying “thank you” is important. But sometimes it’s either difficult to express, or just not sufficient. Plus, I admit, I’m not great at expressing myself emotionally anyway. Usually that looks a lot like getting flustered and teary-eyed when I’m mad. But I’m just as bad at giving thanks.

Sure, I try to remember to say “thank you” in transactional exchanges — thanking the kid that bags my groceries at the store, thanking a barista or server, as examples. But how do I thank friends or family for something like emotional support? Oof. Just saying “thank you” doesn’t seem to make sense. And gratitude of a social nature requires a level of vulnerability that makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I can simultaneously realize that I value the relationships in my life AND not want to tell them. Oops.

No wonder the idea of Thanksgiving stresses me out. I definitely enjoy getting together with family and eating a delicious meal. But we don’t really have any traditions or rituals about giving formal thanks. And honestly, the few times I can remember being asked “what are you thankful for this year?” I tend to panic answer, “this dessert.” Cool.

So I think Thanksgiving is important, but I’m worried I’ve become just a little cynical about it.

The only way I can think to remedy this is to lean in to the holiday. I’ve decided that Thanksgiving, not unlike Halloween or Christmas, should be celebrated in the approach. I think this November I’m going to take a moment each day to really reflect on the year, and practice gratitude. This won’t be super formal, like a ritual, but it will be intentional. Then, on Thanksgiving, I think I will try to shift focus from contemplation to celebration and being thankful with others.

I almost mean to turn it into an early New Year’s Eve. But rather than focus on the future and new beginnings, I’m hoping that at Thanksgiving I will take a moment to celebrate the good things that happened this year and the gratitude that came with it…It’s not a contest or competition or a test. It should just be like a comfortable, chill party, with good food and great company…

Actually, that sounds pretty reasonable. In fact, it sounds a lot like Thanksgiving as it already is…

Maybe I just need to be more grateful.

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I’m not going ask you to share your Thanksgiving traditions (unless you want to!), but if you want to read more about gratitude (that is written a lot better), I highly recommend Diana Butler Bass’ Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks. A perfect Thanksgiving read!

A few months ago, I wanted to challenge myself to drawing everyday. As an extra challenge, I wanted the sketchbook to be cohesive. So, the task was two-fold– be consistent, and don’t get bored. (I usually can handle a “theme” but I don’t typically draw the same subject matter multiple times in a row.)

But then I accidentally ordered an accordion sketchbook, and then the challenge became like a dozen-fold.

Now I had to pick something that made sense in a sketchbook that could be folded out into one really, really, really long page…

First, I was inspired by artist Minnie Small and her illustrations of houses (check her out! She’s my favorite!). Then, I remembered I used to draw houses as a kid, and I just really like architectural drawings. Plus, I thought it would be kind of interesting to see a bunch of different houses all in a row, when the sketchbook is unfolded.

Each drawing uses Tombow Dual Brush markers, because I had a bunch and liked how they worked but wanted to get more practice with them. It also limited my color palette, but in a good way. And the linework was all done with my trusty Copic multiliner pens.

All the photos came from either Google Maps (just picking random locations) or Unsplash (which is, for the record, where I get all my reference photos in my work. Highly recommend!)

So here it is:

“The Neighborhood”

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The coolest part of the sketchbook is that it unfolds into one ridiculously long page of illustrations. However, I do not currently possess a table long enough to hold it all. Here is a picture that kind of demonstrates the overall effect:

So there you have it — another sketchbook tour! I hope you enjoyed this one! I definitely did!

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Have you ever created a mini-challenge for yourself to learn something new? Any tips for building up a new habit, art related or otherwise? Share in the comments below!

— In case you missed it, HERE is Part One! —

This sketchbook started out as a place to work on ink and watercolor pencils. But by the end, I was getting restless and was rushing through it. I was using all kinda of media, and struggled to find quotes. I was much less worried about how neat and pretty the finished project was for the second half, and honestly it shows. Instead I was focused on consistency in my work habit, making sure I put pen and pencil (and marker and paint) to paper everyday.

I didn’t love the over all look, by the end of it. But I can’t really complain since it did keep me working. And if you follow my work closely, you might see a few pieces that were basically rough drafts for other finished works I did separately from the sketchbook. If there has been one less I’ve learned this year, it’s been the value of practice and sketching (two things I normally try to skip, if I can).

Let’s begin!

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So there you have it! A finished sketchbook!

I have a few other sketchbooks I’ve been working on lately, and if you want to see some of the work before it makes it to the blog, check out my Instagram! If social media is not your thing, I definitely plan on posting more sketchbook tours on the blog soon!

I thought I’d shake things up a bit this month, I hope that’s okay!

First, I want to offer my gratitude.

Like any community, the internet is not an inherently welcoming place. We all have the opportunity to participate and share, but there is no guarantee for how it will be received. In the time that I’ve been blogging and sharing my art, I’ve been fortunate to only feel supported and encouraged by others. I do not take this for granted. I am incredibly grateful for every order, like, share, and comment (in person or online). I notice and appreciate it more than I can say. So instead let me just say, thank you!!

Second, I want to take a survey of sorts…

Whether you have just started following, or have been here from the beginning, I’m curious — what kind of content do you prefer to see here at Summer Child Designs?

I have a general idea of what kind of posts to share each month, and try to have a fairly specific area of focus. I tend to share general updates for what I’m working on, my attitudes on work in general, and in the Summer I tend to share a little reading list. That said, I’d love to know if there are any kinds of posts that you would like to see that I’m not currently doing…

There are other things I can talk about as an artist: more behind the scenes of how I work, art project tutorials, home decor ideas, and maybe even lifestyle or philosophy stuff. I would even be open to starting an unofficial book club – maybe even focusing on books about artists, or the “art world” if that’s something people are interested in…?

Basically, as we shift gears into Summer, now is a great time to let me know what you think! This blog, like my art, is always a work in progress. So if there is something I can do to be of more use (or more realistically– entertainment) in your inbox or feed, I would love to hear it!

Thank you again for your support!

Happy Summer!

I would like to introduce my newest surface pattern collection!

Camp Sunshine!

This collection was inspired by a summer spent outdoors, and the aesthetics of the 70s. I never went to camp as a kid, and I wasn’t around in the 70s either, but this collection is how I imagine it — yet updated to fit in a modern setting. I tried to keep the colors bright, but in motifs that are comfortable and cozy.

With that said, these patterns are now available today as throw pillows in my Etsy shop! It’s a very limited run, of only a few of my favorite patterns. But I do plan on adding more soon!

Happy Summer!

Can you believe it is May already?!

I can — the holidays feel like forever ago… and I cannot — should it be only like March?

I thought this month would be a good time to give a general update about things here at Summer Child Designs. I don’t have any big announcements this time, or musings on life and art right now.

I’m mostly just focusing on my work and making sure I’m actively doing things to reach the goals I had set for this year. It can be very easy for me to lose sight of what I’m working towards, which then becomes work just for the sake of it. I’d rather be less “busy” and instead be intentional with how I spend my time.

There. How’s that for an epiphany? (Although if social media is any indication, I feel like that’s just #goals for everyone in 2019. I dig it.)

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In case you missed it — I’ve been pretty good about adding new artwork to Etsy recently! There are a handful of new “achievement” stickers (affectionately known as Meritless Badges).

I’ve also added quite a few illustrations to the shop. While I love using colored pencils, and learning to watercolor, I’ve really enjoyed going back to drawing in ink for a bit. It’s fairly relaxing for me, and doesn’t take much in terms of supplies — so I can easily work on drawings while re-watching New Girl from the couch. Don’t judge. 🙂

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I’ve also decided to revisit surface pattern design. I haven’t done much in that area since I first released The Prologue Collection when I started Summer Child Designs. I’ve added a few new designs to my Society6 since then, but nothing featuring repeating patterns.

While I’m still proud of the work I did for that collection years ago, I think my style of illustration has evolved quite a bit since then. My goal now is to create a new collection for this year that features more of my drawings — something that wasn’t really incorporated in The Prologue Collection at all.

So, I’m really excited for this new project! It’s still very much in the early stages, mostly just brainstorming. But the good news is that I have A LOT of ideas right now. It’s pretty refreshing since sometimes I can hit a definite lull in coming up with ideas for standalone drawings. I think it will be a good challenge for me, and it doesn’t mean I can’t work on both moving forward… And believe me, I will definitely share my collection when it’s ready!

I signed up for my first trade show.

Okay, technically, it’s not my first trade show by a long shot. (For those who don’t know, my last career was trade shows. I basically grew up in the industry, thanks to my hard-workin’ Mama). But this will be the first show where I’m running a booth and not the dock.

I am equal parts excited and nervous.

In the past, when it was time for the conference to start, my job was finished. I could literally hide behind the curtains until everyone had left. Not so anymore! I will have to find my courage and gasp talk to people! Or at least stand around and watch people walk by and think, “well that is… colorful.” (AND IT WILL BE.)

I’m nervous because one of my goals is to become such a successful artist that I can justify being eccentric enough to never leave my home. I’ll only have friends over for annual house parties, but they will be catered and very posh and exclusive. And no one will be able to judge me because my work is so brilliant. (Okay, so not really. But I am very comfortable not leaving my house for long periods of time. A fun excursion out is typically a second trip to the grocery store for the week.)

I’m excited because one of my goals is to take up space. I don’t want to feel like I need permission to share my thoughts, ideas, and art. Or, better yet, if I could just use a relevant hashtag on Instagram without having to basically do research first– man, that would be courage! And I think part of what motivated me to sign up for a show was that it forces me to physically take up space too. 80 square feet, to be exact! Dedicated for my work– to share my art. With others. On purpose.

And of course, hopefully to sell something too…

Even if I don’t though, I’m excited for the opportunity and challenge to demonstrate for at least a little while that I can be as bright and bold as my illustrations.

Maybe.

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I’ll definitely share the event info as we get closer! But I couldn’t wait to share the initial excitement now!