2:365

 

Thanks for all your comments and excitement! It's really great to hear so many of you excited to play along.

If you are wanting to participate in the #365DRAWINGS adventure, just comment below my posts and add the link to your blog, or if you are on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook, just use the hashtag #365drawings and leave a link in those places too.

Again. No perfection here. Just energy being used towards doing something illustrative every day. Come Play along!

Or just check in daily and watch me sweat it out. Ha. Just kidding. This is the play time I never seem to allow myself:)

xoxo

#365 Drawings

 

This year is one where I am seriously determined to really become better at what I do all around. There are lots of ways to go about that, and one of them is to make sure I'm drawing as much as I can.

I've been motivated by Fifth& Hazel and Alma Loveland with their #365 Patterns project, and Loobyloo's 365 sketch project. Both are super realistic, and I don't promise to post all of my sketches to this space. Although I'm pretty motivated to.

I know having a public space can intimidate some to take risks, expose growth and change, especially when for someone like me, I've worked really hard at branding myself in a certain style. But, I'll be the first to tell you that taking risks and being willing to produce stuff that's lousy or mediocre is the first step to cracking the code to successful growth.

Basically, what I'm saying here, is that I've always been terrified of posting sketches and doodles on a frequent basis here, which is exactly why I need to.

So, hello #365 Drawing Project.

Anyone who wants to join in, please do. Or just come here and visit, and maybe say "Nice Job" or something like that, just to make this not so intimidating!

There will be doodles, sketches, art....some rendered and some super loose and quick. Mama does need to get dinner on the table too. But this is my race this year. How far can I push myself? Let's see!

Printable Pick-me-ups

 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PDF PRINT 

How about something new? I've been toying with the idea of having some printable small prints in the shop, and I'm excited to start a new little collection.

I'm a MANTRA kinda girl. I'll get a phrase, motto, quote or lyric in my head, and use it to give me that pick me up when I need it.

This poster was inspired this week by a friend who was going through an unbearable hardship, and in some cases, she was treated a bit unfairly and she just wanted to shout out and let everyone know how challenging her life was in that moment. And I was reminded once again, that if we were all to treat each other like they were going through an unbearable hardship of some kind, we'd all treat each other with a little more understanding, patience and kindness. And maybe even offer more help, even when it isn't asked for.

And this thought came to my mind: "Treat everyone you meet like they are climbing mountains, because they probably are."

This is a 5x7 print and it's just the right size to hang by your desk, or right in the kitchen.

I'm going to be making more of these...easy little illustrated words of wisdom. Have any you'd like to see me make? It could be really fun to hear your ideas;)

Valentines Printables are up again!

Due to popular demand, these little friends are back for Valentines day.

Complete with 2 envelopes and 2 cards.

Have fun with these! These two are such a pleasure to illustrate:)

CLICK HERE to purchase PDF DOWNLOAD

xo

sarah

 

I'm just starting to work on the portraits for the portrait project this year. And it's so much fun! Every month, I'll be posting new portraits. This is my way of keeping my art up, my skills in check and making sure that I'm drawing every day. Deadlines are great motivators!

This portrait was a wedding present to the little girl on the left, who isn't so little, given to her by her big sister on the right, now a big broadway actress. Love her blog. 

And maybe you know of the middle sister? Brilliantly talented family.

And just an FYI, this year is sold out, but if you email me (click the contact button on the top right of my blog) and title the email WAIT LIST I'll notify you when the first round of openings will be. (You'll want to know, cause this last round sold out in less than 24 hours).

So.....here's to more art making this year! Thanks for being my motivation to draw every day:)

xo

sarah

According to a 6 year old....

 

Ian, my 6 year old, came up to me this week, and made this very profound statement. It really took me back (especially since he loves reading books on magic, dragons, and all kinds of fantasy creatures).

And I found myself so wrapped up in that thought. I've spent a lot of time as a mother valuing pretend play, imaginary play and all the ways that children experiment with that they know, see, fear and love. And that fact that he shows so much confidence in his pretending makes me so happy. But that he would take something like "magic," recognize that it doesn't exist, but acknowledge that anything can exist when he's pretending it to, made me smile.

I love childhood. I really do. I don't really know what I'll do when my kids grow up, or when I grow up for that matter. I just won't. That's that.

2013

 

Taking some time off from this space for the holidays felt just right. How are you? Hope you didn't come by too much, cause I was laying low and enjoying some well deserved home-body time. All of us (except the husband-turned-nurse) got sick over the holiday, which meant that instead of formal feasts, we stayed in our PJ's and had chicken soup on Christmas. It was a bit of a downer, but we were all together, snowed in under a foot and a half of snow, and it turned out to be just the pace we needed.

Taking time off from the computer and internet completely felt very well deserved as well. Maybe it's part of being creative but every so often, I get completely burned out of doing anything social, or creative, and December was one of those months for me. I have had these lulls long enough to know that I need to just go with the flow and let myself unplug. And it was good that I did. I'm ready to get back into creating again.

2013: I'm really interested to see what this year brings! I'm a goal person, and I consider myself  pretty driven. But this year, I'm feeling the need to be a little unattached to my goals, and instead be more focussed on the daily moment. To be a little less pushy of myself, and to allow growth and blossoming to happen in their own time.

There is a lot of stuff I have scheduled, and plenty to keep me busy. But for whatever reason, I'm feeling less go-go-go and more "listen and pay attention." Does that make sense? I won't be doing any less, but I intend to have my mind more open, and less filled with lists and pressures. I think last year, I had intentions of letting go of the clutter tasks, and focussing on the creative. But I wasn't as successful at it, because I still tried to push myself to get there. This year, I'm opening up, staying quiet in my mind, and being more intentionally aware and allowing myself to grow where I need to. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. My mother-brain gets in the way of letting me just "play" sometimes. I'm sure there are a few of you that can relate. It's all for good reasons, but I am letting go of the "musts" and "shoulds" a little more, and letting myself make more room for expression.  Good for the soul.

I'm excited to share it with you.

Here's to a new year!

xo

sarah

PS: The above illustration is the portrait of my kids I made for my parent's this year. I'll be sharing more of the Portrait Project as they come in!

Sandy Hook Donation

Like every one of you, I've been shattered by the horrible tragedy on Friday, and have been holding my children closer, praying more fervently, and more aware of how fragile this world is. There really are no words, and I've found myself utterly speechless.

All I can do is pray, love my children more deeply, teach them to love and respect and honor one another, and serve the children in my community with more awareness. But in this moment, I'm spreading my support with a simple sketch of hope, and faith.

This is a downloadable folded card for you to print, share or display in your home this Christmas Season. 100% of the funds will go to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund which is set up with Newtown Savings Bank to support families of the victims and community needs.

Of course, you can just donate directly....it's all going to the same place. But I thought this way, you could get a illustrated card out of it, that would share the message of Peace in a more personal way.

I'd hope that you would purchase one (or two or three!) and spread the word of Peace, hope and love. I'd be lying if my first response to all this was utter horror and loss of hope in this world we live in. But while the grief remains, my renewed hope is in the children and families who will continue to spread the message of love and renew peace in our homes, communities, nation and our world.

Click here to Purchase $5 printable cards

(your cards will automatically be sent to you after your purchase)

100% of proceeds will go towards SANDY HOOK SCHOOL SUPPORT FUND (the community fund helping families and individuals affected) and will be donated in full on January 1, 2013