2018 was Only the Beginning

Thinking back on this year, a lot has changed. This year was the beginning of me getting down and doing the work to make my dreams happen.

I set goals…

At the beginning of the 2018 I set out to write 12 picture book manuscripts, pacing myself to about 1 a month.

I also wanted to get 1 submission in by the end of the year. To get me prepped and in the mindset that these stories weren’t just to sit in a drawer. I wanted them to get out of my hands.

I also did Storystorm in January and generated 30 new book ideas.

And one of the biggest game changers was participating in a writing group the met each month. This supplied motivation and much needed feedback to push through and make my writing so much better.

 

Now as I look back on 2018…

I have a lot more in my toolbelt than I did at the beginning of last year.

I have the support and network of people who know my ambitions and are supportive of my writing/illustration. Family/Friends/Writers thank you!

I have goats… which have led to much inspiration visually and story-wise. And are a dream come true in themselves.

I have confidence in the process of showing up and working through iterations of story drafts and illustration ideas.

I have a vision of what I’m trying to do, and I know the steps of what I can do now to work toward that vision.

I’m breaking down walls of perfectionism and enjoying the process of growth and learning.

I’m investing time and money in my development. No longer do I use the excuse of not enough time.

In 2018 I met all of my goals.

I nailed them and now I’m looking forward to challenging myself even further in 2019.

I’m so glad that this book dream isn’t a “someday” goal. I love doing it now.

What goals are you setting for this year? I’ll share mine next week 🙂

 

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Draw to Learn

I’m a painter. I love the swish of my brush in the water and picking up pigment. I LOVE mixing colors and applying washes. The details in the process of painting is what truly gets me excited.

But when it comes to drawing… I have a lot to learn.

But I had an epiphany the other day… and now I don’t need to stress out about learning to draw.

I can draw to learn…

Yes, it sounds pretty much the same thing but stick with me. Drawing is something that will develop with practice. It’s a function in the brain, a matter of hand-eye coordination. If you draw consistently, you will get better at it.

For me, that means time in the sketchbook. A safe place for me to learn… but I have found I want to learn much more than just putting lines on a page.

I want to learn the shape of Hippopotamus ears.

I want to learn the way bones are structured in the hind legs of animals like frogs, horses, and rabbits.

I want to learn how to have characters look at each other and pose them to interact.

All these things can be learned through drawing.

In my sketchbook, I have a place to experiment. To find what works… and what doesn’t.

In my sketchbook, I find a character… who keeps popping and asking for me to write his story.

I draw to learn… which in the process is helping me to better learn how to draw.

And in the end, it’s a win-win 🙂

 

What I’m Learning: Spring 2018

I am learning that I am a writer and with that how I want to structure my life.

I am learning mini-habits to sustain me, take care of me and fuel my creativity. For me that means daily yoga, scripture reading, sketching, and making time to read books for my interests and learning.

I’m learning how to approach projects and break them into steps. This is helping my overcome procrastination and overwhelm.

I’m learning how to be mom to 3 kids, meeting them where they are and enjoying to process of seeing their story unfolds.

I’m learning how to tell killer bed-time stories or as my boys call them “made up stories”.

I’m learning how to make reading aloud a huge part of our day and something our family looks forward to and enjoys together… it’s been a process, but we are all on board now.

I’m learning how to plan meals for my family and encourage them to seek food that fuels our bodies and keeps us healthy.

I’m learning how to care for our gardens and animals.

I’m learning how to support my husband through his health challenges.

I’m learning how to ask for help from friends and family.

I’m learning how to take criticism/ critiques without being offended or defensive.

I’m learning that I have a lot to learn…

I’m learning to build my creativity and to work in stages rather than expect perfection.

I’m learning how to be an adult who pushes forward, is curious and willing to try new things and be a beginner again.

I’m learning that I love to learn.