Late summer, a "productive" walk and a pop-up lighthouse
Clearing my head and finding a routine.
Autumn is approaching. The days are getting milder, the evenings longer and the sun more golden. My garden is greener than I’d thought possible: this year’s heatwave had turned everything prematurely to straw. But now, with the rain, it’s bouncing back with amazing vigour, as if it has no time to lose. I feel the same way about my work! More on that in a bit, but first…
This month I received a pack of samples of a greetings card I designed with Up With Paper. It has all the bells and whistles - not only does it pop up, it LIGHTS up too. I was briefed to send a flat illustration, which was then adapted by a paper engineer to make it pop up. It was very exciting to hold the final product in my hands! The company is based in the US and doesn’t ship abroad, so I suppose I have the only copies in Europe (which makes me feel very important)!
I was thinking that it would be nice to give one away to one of you, as a thank you for reading. Just comment or reply to this if you’d like to enter. Open worldwide, I’ll choose a winner at random and email them by the end of the month.
Lately I had been feeling indecisive: there were so many paths I wanted to take with my illustration/painting practice, but I didn’t know where to focus my efforts. I was stuck. One day the inertia became so unbearable that I went for a very, very long walk. I tried to have no expectations (though secretly I hoped that it would solve everything). I brought a pen and a blank notebook to sketch and write as I went. I don’t often draw with pen, but there was something about its permanence which suited my intention to work things out.
Well, it really did the trick! I managed to organise ideas that had been floating around in chaos, weigh up my options and actually make some decisions. All whilst spending time in nature, something which is so important to me, yet which I frequently deny myself because it is “not productive”!
That evening I set myself some goals, proper working hours and a routine that made room for a long walk every day. I want to encourage you, if you get stuck, to let yourself do those other things that you know are important to you. Sometimes it’s the most “productive” thing you can do!
And finally, tomorrow I’m going to England! I'm very excited to see my family and friends again and hopefully do lots of sketching in the Dorset countryside. Some materials I’ll be taking with me:
By the way, I know quite a lot of you are based in the UK and that ordering things online post-Brexit is a bit of a mess. So, if you had your eye on anything in my shop, order it now and I’ll post it when I'm there! I’ve added a special shipping option.
I’m looking forward to sharing my travels with you when I get back. Au revoir!
PS. Don’t forget to reply if you want to enter the lighthouse card thing!
A lovely newsletter! It made me want to go on a long walk! I rarely go for walks even though I know how good I feel while and after going for a walk. For some reasons it’s just so hard to get myself up and going. Even if it’s for something I know will do me good🤷🏼♀️ (not sure of any of that makes sense, it’s late and I’m tired:) )
Always heartwarming to read your newsletter! I wish I could go back to England,especially during this time :/ if there’s any pop up card left, is it possible to get one please ?