Hi Reader,

I hope this letter finds you doing well with time to put your feet up for a well-deserved break. Right now, in the hills of Tennessee new leaves have persisted past the bitter cold. Gifting me with an early preview of spring. I’m a late bloomer, with March being the time I’ve decided on my intention for the year.

My overall intention this year is to simplify. The first area where I tested this notion is laundry.

Do you ever feel like it’s never ending? I could do it all day and it keeps piling up. There might be some gremlins playing tricks on me and filling up the baskets when I'm not looking.

So I decided to try minimizing my wardrobe in an attempt to reduce my workload.

Since I have less items to wash, fold, and hang, it takes less time to keep up with my laundry. This has empowered me to continue finding ways to simplify other areas - beyond my laundry gremlin dilemmas.

I’m learning that simplifying is…uh…complicated. Irony, it keeps me on my toes. Simplifying requires trying new experiences. So where do I start? What’s the next best thing to simplify? This is what’s bouncing around in my brain this month. Those questions can be overwhelming. A very wise person taught me how to pull myself back out of the whirlpool of overthinking with these two questions as my compass: What do I want? What do I feel? What do I want? What do I feel? Say it with me, What do I want? What do I feel?

Here’s my conclusion: I want to simplify how much work I have to take on. I love busyness (buzz, buzz). Working gives me satisfaction and a sense of purpose.

Sometimes though, there’s just too much. That’s why I’m trying alternative ways to support my work and dream projects. I’ve created an Art Studio Membership Community where I share in-depth videos and art content, live sessions, and can have more intimate conversations with members and supporters.

Of course, if you are reading these words you already are one of my greatest supporters! Thank you!

Studio Happenings:

Character designs and book dummy progress (sharing keeps me accountable)

If you've been reading my letters for a while you've possibly heard me mention a character named Rubin. His story has been taking shape for a few years and it's the reason I started taking more writing classes. I have a box full of sketches and the first ever book dummy I did. After a couple of years of taking writing workshops and regularly meeting up with a writing group of much more skilled writers, I'm starting to find my groove with the story.

Here's a sample character design I recently painted with gouache and acrylic. I'm trying to find the mood through color design and texture.

I go into a bit more detail and share a sample spread I've been drawing in a video for Episode 2 of What's On My Desk? It's an exclusive video series shared with members of my Art Studio.

Watch Video

Fun Illustration Brainstorm Session:

Sometimes I create multiple things at the same time. It helps to keep ideas flowing and brings back the FUN into the hard work of creating things. Plus, it helps reduce paint and supply waste by turning extra paint into something new.

Behind the Comic inspiration:

This month's comic was inspired by the History Channel show ALONE. In this show master survivalists are dropped off on a remote location where they have to survive only using: 10 items, their knowledge of the natural world, and their survival skills. Although there are some parts I don't like about it I'm inspired by their persistence in the face of adversity and their passion for what they do.

Thank you so much for gifting me with your precious time and attention. I truly appreciate you. See you in April!