January Chat

What you’ll find this month:

• Blue January

• Inspiration Refill

• Mini About Me Q&A

• Lego Mural

• Launch of Tiny Trees Patreon

Blue January

I’ve heard January called Blue January because a lot of people get gloomy during this month. This is actually only something I’ve become aware of in the last few years. I actually tend to find November and March to be the gloomiest for me personally. However, I can see why January can be difficult, the holidays are over and it’s cold. The nights are still long. But since January is my favorite month, yes really! I’m going to try to get you to see January in a better light. The great thing about January is that it tends to be clearer and brighter, meaning less cloud and fog and more sunshine and blue skies, so it is actually blue, but more in the literal sense. There’s often snow as well so lots of pristine glittery snow banks and icicles hanging on branches. I’ve picked a few of my personal photos, taken during January through the years to help get you inspired and maybe encourage the tiniest bit of January appreciation.

One of the photos is actually from March, but I included it anyways because it’s beautiful. Can you guess which one is the March photo? Hint: it’s not the one with the greenery.

Feeling Sluggish? Try some inspiration.

Stuck on getting started with a new piece? Feeling a bit burnt out entering the new year?

Here are a few things you could draw to get you back in your groove post holidays.

• Your zodiac sign: personify it, draw something with colors inspired by it, draw out the symbol and add some personal pizzazz.

• Collaborate: Ask a friend if they’d like to draw an illustration with you. Were you too busy for #palloween? What about trying it with a wintery twist? How about a snowball fight between friends?

• Expand Ideas: Take a character from one illustration and put them in a new setting? What does their family look like? Where do they explore? Who are their friends?

• Palette Exploration: Redraw something old in a new color palette. Maybe expand that into a this is how much I’ve improved over the last year activity.

Not really in the mood for drawing, but want something to mix things up? Try a new podcast and if you’re able, go on a nice walk or run while you listen. Here is a list of some of my favorites sans true crime because honestly I’m kind of over it with that genre.

• Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

• Artslice

• Every Little Thing

• Sidedoor

• Stuff the British Stole

• Maintenence Phase

• UnderUnderstood

• 99% Invisible

• Noble Blood

This might be the boring part…

I just jumped right in with my newsletter in August and didn’t really think about laying the groundwork about who I am or what I’m about, which is a little ironic since one reason I started this newsletter was to be a bit more personal than I can be on social media. The other reason was to inject some creativity and inspiration into the lives of those who take the time to read it! Anyways, I thought January might be a good time to come back to that personal connection because it’s the start of a fresh new year and it’s my Birthday month so if any month can focus on me, I guess it should be this one!

What’s my background? Did you study for this career?

No, I didn’t study anything creative in college. I was a history major with a minor in German. When I came to Austria, I ended up studing a second time and focused on education for middle and high school with a focus on English and history as my two subjects.

I started making art in 2013 with a wacom tablet and the help of youtube. At the time, life was hard in Austria, I was here on a student visa and could earn and work very little so I had time, but no money. I started channeling my frustration into making art. I think I was enjoying it because I could see growth and I didn’t feel stuck like I did with everything else. It continued to grow and get better and then in 2016, I sent my work and joined Bright. That’s also the year I finished my degree and I started teaching full time. Things started to improve a lot at that point.

How’d you end up in Austria?

I graduated from college the first time in 2008, mid recession and I couldn’t find a job and I didn’t really have a plan. I had a year off, working at a local pizza shop in the meantime, while I tried to figure something out. I applied for a program to come to Austria in 2009 and teach English as a foreign language. I was accepted and since it was really my only option at the time, I moved abroad. I then stayed on to study again, work at a newly opened international school and now to open my illustration business here. I’m slowly transitioning back to Ohio. I don’t plan to move back full time, but I am looking for ways to divide my time more like 50/50 instead of 80/20 like it has been the last years.

You made your hobby your job, so do you have any other hobbies?

• Video Games: Anything with a map you have to explore, something open ended that can be played endlessly, a little strategy, nothing too competitive because I get stressed, especially if it’s an online play game where people can be mean to you. That’s not my thing.

• Sporty Stuff: I do actually enjoy running even though it can be hard to get out there sometimes. I also like to ski, kayak and do some stand up paddle boarding. Long walks are great too.

• Lego: I like to build lego. I have a lot of Harry Potter lego. It’s kind of becoming a problem because I’m not totally sure where to put them all.

• Reading: I do read quite a bit and usually make time for some reading everyday before bed. I’m usually reading something fantasy or sci fi.

• Making my own art: Yes, making art is still a hobby for me. There is a real difference between making something for yourself and making something for a client. So, I still get something out of making art just for me.

Lego Mural

It’s finally ready and will be on display at my local library starting on January 7! I’m so excited to see it all in one piece! Just wanted to share these little photos from the Lego build I was lucky to get to attend! I’ll be sure to get a few of it on display too.

Tiny Trees Patreon

I decided to launch a patreon. I’ve decided to name it “tiny trees” to link with the dogwood tree in my user name and as a reminder of my brother because he loved bonsai trees.

It was a big decision that I’ve been contemplating since leaving teaching this past July. I didn’t have time to dedicate to something like this and I always knew if I did it, I wanted to do it right. I hope I can get the recipe right to make an awesome place for everyone.

My ultimate goal is to create a little community of people who:

• Are interested in kidlit

• Are curious about my work and process

• Looking for more insight into the children’s book field

• Love making art

• Like tutorial videos and painting process videos

• Enjoy getting little doses of creative inspiration

• Like downloadable bits and pieces each month like: printable stationery, calendars, wallpapers, cards, etc

• More process and behind the scenes type content from me

• Want to support my art

I’ll do my absolute best to not disappoint anyone! And if you can’t join me on patreon, I’ll still be sending out these newsletters each month just as I have been with creative inspiration and hopefully interesting content!