Hi friends,
Here's an update of what I've been up to in March!
What I've been up to…
To be honest, this post is delayed because the lockdown in Toronto was extended just after I wrote this, and what I had written really just didn't fit how I was feeling after the announcement, so here's a revised edition…
Obviously the new 28 day lockdown extension is pretty heartbreaking for me. I haven't been able to tattoo since 23rd November, and finding out the earliest I could start up again will be in May (if I'm lucky), is just awful. I understand why the lockdown has been extended, but it is frustrating. I feel like I've been treading water for the last year, and now I'm just tired. But I know I'm not alone, and plenty of people have it worse than me, so I'm trying to not dwell in my own self-pity too much. Also some really terrible things happened in the world in March, but I'm going to try to keep this update light.
So lets focus on some good things… it's technically Spring!!!! I have been loving the warm days we've had in Toronto recently. I've been taking my sketchbook and morning cuppa over to the park on warm mornings, which has been wonderful. I live in a basement so getting some vitD first thing is a game changer. I've also been taking longer walks down to the beaches for some good dog-watching sessions, which is always a winning combo.
We did move into the ‘grey’ zone in March (from what I assume was some sort of void of despair that could not be accurately depicted by a colour?) which means I can now go inside my local art store, and not have to do curbside pick up when I lose my eraser for the millionth time, which is PRETTY EXCITING in my world.
I've been lucky enough to have been asked to engrave some bottles, draw up a couple of custom art pieces, and design a wedding invitation during March. So that's been keeping me busy. And I've also started a project with a poet which I'm sooooo excited about, but I'm not going to be sharing any details on that for a while.
These smaller projects have been a lifesaver. Obviously they are helping me cover some of my bills at the moment (to be honest, it's far from being enough to live on, without CRB life would be pretty scary for me right now). But also in terms of keeping me busy. I am a terrible overthinker, and all of this free time to worry is not doing me any good. So if you have any small projects in mind feel free to get in touch!
I've also been really enjoying making drawing video tutorials for my Patreon in March. I started making video tutorials in February, and in March I made my first full-length design video, which I'm really stoked for my Patrons to see. I talked through making a full magnolia and blossom design, and also made videos and step-by-step guides to drawing the individual flowers. If you're interested you can take a look HERE.
Making these videos has been a learning curve, as I know absolutely nothing about shooting or editing video, so obviously I've spent a decent amount of time watch ‘how to make iphone video tutorial’ on youtube.
For personal projects I have been working on some new tattoo designs. I have a collection coming along for when I can take new bookings that I'm pretty excited about. They'll be going out in a newsletter as soon as I can take new booking requests, so keep an eye out for that. I've also been playing around with some acrylic paint, which has been a fun challenge (I have no idea what I'm doing, but skillshare classes have been helpful). I also got a woodburning tool, which is a new learning curve too! If I make anything remotely presentable with it I'll make an IG post.
And that's really all I've got to say about March. I'm planning on keeping busy during April. I'm going to be working on new videos for Patreon, and trying to explore different medium (like the acrylic), and just making new things (fingers crossed).
Here's what you've been looking for….
This month….
- I discovered the lapse-it app.
So I've been able to turn my full length drawing videos into timelapses, so prepare for an onslaught of those on my IG, it is free, but you can upgrade to remove the lapse-it logo for $6.49CA.
- I found an affordable newsletter provider!
I'm going to send out a newsletter all about my newsletter soon, lol. But if you want to jump right in, I'm using Flodesk, and here's a link to get your subscription at $19/month forever, no matter how many subscribers you have (that's WILD in case you're wondering, all the other providers I looked at have a sliding scale of payment that accelerates too damn quickly).
- I made a new ‘Music to draw to' playlist on spotify
But mostly I've been listening to Mac Miller and getting sad. Want to know an easy way to break your own heart? Start listening to Mac Miller in 2021, damn it's so sad.
- I signed up to a new art school course
I try to take a course each semester at the Toronto School of Art. I just finished up The Self Portrait: A Personal Landscape I'm looking forward to beginning Composition: Learning to See Creatively in April. Luckily I had some credits from in-person courses that were cancelled due to covid in 2020, so I've used those towards these online courses.
- I learnt that I should be storing my pens horizontally thanks to Peggy Dean
Yes, I didn't know that before, lol
- I've not read much this month, but two books I've really enjoyed are….
Queenie by Candice Carty- Williams
How to pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa
I listened to them both on audio book, via the library app Libby (you'll probably hear me harp on about Libby a lot in these newsletters, but free audiobooks are my favourite thing)
- Random one, but here's a video of a portrait artist drawing after taking LSD
Anyone else's youtube started recommending suuuuper old videos lately?
Thanks for reading!
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