In my last post I announced my participation in the 100 Day Project.  Well, I have since quit said project.  It's a delicate thing to know when to push yourself, and when to step back.  I was feeling uninspired by drawing-what-I-saw everyday. I only have so much time to spend creating art, and so decided to focus on what actually excited me.

Currently, I'm digging loose, fun patterns, like these flowers . . .

and my series of bugs. 

This moth is now coloring sheet worthy, I think.   I'm not super excited about the moon, but am not sure what to do about it ... 

I'm thinking my next bug will be ants. I've been seeing them daily in my kitchen, so I may as well honor their hard work.

The little dude (who is 8 months old now!!) has been giving me awesome naps the last few days.  Hopefully this is his new rhythm and I will get lots of art accomplished this week!

Lastly, if you're around Portland this Saturday, you should stop by Multnomah Village Saturday night to and say hi to me and my art. We'll be at ....

Last year I really enjoyed participating in the 100 Day Project, so I've decided to dive in again.

Last year I drew a new pattern everyday for 100 days, and this year I am drawing what I see.  I figured that theme was flexible and challenging enough. 

My life is a little more complicated this time around -- thanks to a certain 6 month-old-cutie-pie. I'm 18 days in (still have to do my drawing today sometime), and everyday I think about throwing in the towel.

But then I somehow manage to get it done.

I'm trying to find the balance in challenging myself, while also having grace for myself.

I also don't want to neglect my bug project too much. 

 I hope to gain confidence in drawing-what-I-see, and to make art-making a priority. 

But my bigger priority is this guy, so we'll see what happens..

 I am no longer going to apologize for not updating my blog consistently.  I hang out with a three-month old (!) all day and so .... that's all I need to say about that. But since I have a moment right now, I'll update you on two projects I'm working on.

The first is a personal project--a series of sketches of Ransom's Favorite Things (Ransom being the aforementioned three-month-old.  He's currently chilling/wiggling in his bouncer next to me.) These are just little drawings in my sketchbook, honoring the things that make Ransom smile.  I have two so far.  Here they are followed by evidence that they are indeed his favorite things.

As he grows, I know his favorite things will grow and change as well,  so who knows what I'll be sketching next.

Another project I'm working on is a bug coloring book.  People are always encouraging me to put out a coloring book, and I think 2017 is the year to do it.  So I'm slowly starting to develop the pages.  I'm creating the drawings, scanning them when they are coloring-sheet worthy -- and then adding more to the drawing so it can become a finished piece of art.  So far I've finished my praying mantis ...

Next I'm embarking upon a dragonfly. 

Let me know in the comments if there is a particular bug you'd like to see featured in the book

 It will be many months before I'm ready to actually get the book printed (and I'll have to figure out how to do that ... ), but -- never fear -- until then I'll make the coloring pages available for instant download in my Etsy shop. Stay tuned for that.

Until then ...

It's been two months since I've posted!  My life has gotten shaken up a bit since then, because of this little guy.

Since little Ransom William has gotten here (almost five weeks ago), I've barely had time to open my sketchbook, let alone update my blog.  Sometimes he graces me with a long nap, though, so here I am.

Right now, the two times I am able to create are while he is napping or eating. One of the things I love about drawing is just how accessible it is--it's relatively easy to put my sketchbook and pens within arms reach while nursing.  That's how I drew this charming little pattern yesterday.  Things that belong in the sky ...

And this skunk was drawn during two long naps.

Hopefully he'll someday get to the point where he'll let me draw while he's awake. Right now he usually demands to be in my arms.  Which sounds cute, and I know I should be cherishing these times --and often I do -- but I also sometimes just want a break. 

I'm thankful I have a good partner in this.

I don't have any big projects going on, because I'm afraid baby will come any day and I won't be able to finish them.  I've been enjoying smaller, playful art making.  Like these little watercolor mountains.

 I've been super excited about the Fall colors that I'm starting to see, so I've painted a little Autumn Mandala.

On weekends, when I try to be less production-oriented, I sometimes just like to draw what's in front of me, imprecisely with a black  brush pen.

I start with one object (like a lamp, or a foot) and then fill in the pieces around it, like a puzzle. 

In the meantime, baby is getting bigger and is due in 2.5 weeks! 

I'm still wearing sundresses here in Portland, but I'm thinking about cooler times coming up soon.  Which is why I recently completed this cute little fall illustration.  (She's already available for purchase on Society6 if you need to start decorating for Fall)

In my last post I mentioned I was going to draw a reindeer next, and I'm actually doing it! (I have a long list of all the things I say I'm going to draw and still haven't). Yesterday I began painting her.  

I myself plan on putting her on a sweatshirt to wear around town all in November and December.  Way better than a tacky Christmas sweater.

Other than that I've just been busy preparing for the baby boy expected to come in October -- in a little over a month!  Perhaps he'll need a reindeer onsie to match me.  That'll be sure to help sales at holiday art markets. :)

Do you all have any other holiday inspired designs you would like to see?  Now's the time!

I've recently completed a drawing of a lion. I then scanned it and changed some of the colors up.  Now I can't decide which version I like better. What do you all think?

While you're deciding, you should go color it yourself. I have a printable available in my Etsy shop.

I'm really digging drawing animals right now, especially ones the seem like they are trying to say something to you, that have a personality.  Like my bear and raccoon

Any suggestions for my next animal?  Ooo, maybe I should get a head start and do a reindeer.  In the fall, creating Christmas/Winter designs won't be my top priority...

... 'cause there's a baby in there.

And I'm 30 now!  That happened last week.  Pretty crazy, but also pretty normal.  The baby thing is a little bigger deal to me than turning 30.

So many yummy drawings!

Today is day 101 of the 100 Day Project, which means yes, it is over.  The picture above is just a fraction of all the patterned drawings I completed within the 100 days of patterns.  Others are still in sketchbooks or under a stacks of papers.

It's been such a fun journey, and one of the most fun parts has been how excited other people have been to see it unfold.  I thought of this challenge as just a personal artistic endeavor, and posting about it on social media would keep me accountable.  Other people got excited about it too, though, which was surprising and encouraging. So thanks for all the support!

Obviously I'm not going stop  drawing or posting about my drawings, but now I can slow down and maybe take some of these ideas into something bigger.

And some I'll probably keep tucked in sketchbooks and never look at again, because obviously I'm not in love with all 100 of the designs.

It's just good to keep moving.

Since I have so many little artworks as a result of the 100 Day Project (13 days left!), it's been fun to slowly go back and add color and such to them.   For instance, one of my favorites so far is this little lighthouse.

The drawing was loosely based off my favorite lighthouse that I've visited.  It's on the Oregon Coast, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. We visited it last Fall with Ryan's family.

I then scanned the drawing, and added color on the computer.

I think it's fun, and then it makes the original even more special, since it's the only black and white version. 

And I JUST put some signed prints of this design in my Etsy shop.

That's probably enough images of lighthouses for one blog post...

Here are two more I've added life to with color after scanning.

What do you think -- do you like the black and white or color versions better?

I'm 73 days into my 100 days of patterns challenge, and I'm still having tons of fun with it.  I feel like it has been really transformative for my artistic style and creative practice (apparently transformative is not a word because it keeps underlining it red, but you get what I mean). Mainly it has helped me to loosen up and be more playful.  I used to take FOR-EV-ER to finish a piece, making sure it was perfect and precise...

... But to finish a drawing in a day, I've had to loosen up ...

It will be nice to work on some bigger pieces once this challenge is done, but for now I'm enjoying the little guys still.

They make my heart happy.

I'm also working on revamping my Etsy shop.  Since I'm going to be a stay at home Momma-Artist (which also isn't a word) in a few short months, I would like to amp things up for my online presence.  So I'm learning some tips through classes on Skill Share, and this week I'm rephotographing some products.

My goal this summer is to also learn more about Adobe Illustrator -- particularly how to design repeating patterns -- so I can get more into Surface Pattern Design (i.e. creating designs that seamlessly repeat for things like fabric, wrapping paper, wall paper -- pretty much anything that can potentially have patterns on it). Hopefully I can share about that journey on here soon!

And at some point I need to get our nursery ready for baby boy coming in October.  So far I've painted the room sage green ... He's going to need more than green walls though ...

Here's Olive, Baby, and me on the coast this past Monday (it's getting harder to get in and out of those short camping chairs).

We camped, it was nice.