Day 73

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...

I worked on this guy, on and off, for months.

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

I can't look at this one without smiling.

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.

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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.

5x7 "Roses are Red" Print

"Tribal Triangles" instant download coloring sheet

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!

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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.