Hi! I'm Yanuary, the creative director for BynBeary.com and a mixed-media author/illustrator. I write about creativity, art & illustration, and running a small creative business.
Country Road Country Road
Dear Reader, I'm looking out my new window and smiling at the rain cutting through the morning air. Did I take out the trash? Is the laundry dry? What's next on my agenda? Those worries melt away as I watch the gentle drizzle scatter when it hits the ground. I love the feeling of "newness." I wish I could capture it in a bottle. That first sigh of contentment, those gentle butterflies in the stomach. I want to remember those feelings years from now when everything starts to feel not so new. What is something new to you that is awakening that bubbling feeling of possibility? Write it down and describe how it's making you feel today and save that note for inspiration when you feel stuck in a rut. This month, I've been caught off guard by the hilly, roller coaster-style country roads. The good news is that the experience made for fun comic-making. After being under the weather, I decided to keep things simple with a black-and-white comic. It allowed me to have more fun with the composition and drawing. What were your favorite comics growing up? I actually never read comics growing up. I picked up my first comic Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi in my college years, after a field trip to a local comic book store. Yes, a field trip! From then on I was hooked. The simplicity, effectiveness, and clarity of Satrapi's black-and-white storytelling blew my mind. Marjane Satrapi is a genius and my favorite comic artist. Chicken Feet SoupChicken Feet Soup is the slice-of-life webcomic I started in 2022. Lovingly named after a soup my mom makes that may sound strange but is surprisingly delicious. I find that life is that way. Strange yet surprisingly delicious. I intended it to be wordless but, I can't seem to shut up, which is great for improving my writing. I've also used each page as an opportunity to improve my design thinking. In the StudioI've separated my digital/admin work area from my painting and creative writing area. I do the final writing on the computer but use my bullet journal for brainstorming. Every time I think, " I should really just do everything digitally to save time," something remarkable happens. My computer crashes or freezes. I've decided it's the universe reminding me not to be 100% reliant on it for my work. Even if in the timeline of my life I'll produce less work—more slowly. I'm trying to avoid getting where I dream of getting only to realize I've designed a situation I don't enjoy. Something I've done in the past. Can that really be avoided though? Or is creative compromise unavoidable to make a living? Let me know your thoughts. My current painting setup is minimal. It may stay that way. I can't promise I won't make a mess of things.If you're thinking, "wow, she really needs to clean that palette." I agree, but, with certain brands of gouache, the paint can actually be reactivated. This means I can continue to use this dried paint for months by adding water to it. It saves a lot of money and helps reduce waste. Community MomentsArtist Rose Marie Prins shared she also moved! She moved from Florida (my home state) to picturesque New Mexico. Read her blog post and learn more about her compelling artwork. Thank you so much for being here and keeping in touch, sending sweet messages, and starting conversations.I want to know how you're doing.
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BynBeary
Hi! I'm Yanuary, the creative director for BynBeary.com and a mixed-media author/illustrator. I write about creativity, art & illustration, and running a small creative business.
Hi Reader, We're inching closer and closer to the new year. Sheesh! Did it fly by for you too? I managed to move across states and finally participated in more in-person art events. I have a tiny and cozy home with a workspace by a big window. My indie shop is finally coming together after a decade of it falling apart. So many wishes granted. What were your goals for this year? Do you usually choose a specific milestone to focus on each year? Or do you wing it? I've learned over the years...
Archival Prints About Newsletter Hi Reader, As an artist and parent, I've had to juggle full-time parenting and working full-time for about three years. I have the grey hairs to prove it! I've done all the things possible to protect my mind from the stress of it all (self-care, therapy, journaling, finding support) but it's still a challenging experience to go through. Our minds can only handle so much before it becomes "too much." I like to share what it's like to offer comfort that hard...
Indigo Bunting, Gouache, marker on watercolor paper, 2024 Hi Reader I hope the warmer weather has found you lately. It's back to 30 degrees here. If you ever visit the Nashville/Tennessee area during "winter" months. Make sure to pack shorts and heavy jackets because one day will feel like summer and the next your nose will burn from the cold wind. Variety is the spice of life always keeping things interesting. :) I wanted to say hello and wish you a smooth flow into March.At the moment, I'm...