I haven’t watercolored in 3 weeks 😬

Reminding myself of why it’s okay

I haven’t watercolored in 3 weeks. Here’s why:

1. I had wrist surgery 2 weeks ago. 

2. I’m JAZZED about working on my coloring book. 

3. I’m doing a lot of big picture thinking.

Even though I know those all make ~logical~ sense, I still feel guilty! I’ll tell you more about each and my cute self talk to fight the guilt.

Wrist surgery

The healing process has been more challenging than I was expecting. I could barely type and when I can I look like this cat but in slow motion. 

Reminder to self: It won’t be like this forever.

Coloring book

I’ve been having a blast creating my coloring book about climate change. I made 5 pages in a day. I hosted a call with 10 folks to get feedback on the first draft and they were so helpful. Thank you to everyone on that call! If you want to get your eyes on the first draft and share your thoughts, just reply to this 🙂

I’m definitely channeling my energy into this book more than watercoloring right now and I think that is where the guilt has come in. It feels like I’ve built my identity around watercolor art and if I do anything outside that medium I am not “working.”

Reminder to self: It’s okay to work on what you are passionate about. I get to decide my creative identity

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Big picture thinking

I went away on a retreat last weekend and did a ton of big picture thinking. One of my takeaways is that I want to start taking more art classes to try out other mediums. I’m working out the details but I’m planning to take an art class a week for a year and share the journey! I want it to be like a Mini MFA (working title, do we like?).

I went to the MoMa the other week and saw the Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit. It was stunning (go if you can!). It was work I’ve never seen of hers, none of the flowers we know and love. It was her abstract watercolors, portraits in charcoal, pastels of places she’s lived. It reminded me that I’ve found a love of one medium but there is a world of others out there. I’m excited to explore the mental cross-pollination of other styles. 

Reminder to self: Make sure to take time to zoom out long-term goals so you don’t get lost in the day-to-day.

Ok that’s all the typing for today!

Happy 4th of July my climate cuties 😍

Nicole

Ways to support me:

• Buy yourself something from my shop- my book, a t-shirt, a mug, a print, a onesie. Whatever your little heart may desire 

  

  my favorite thing I’ve made! link here

• Pre-order my coloring book here.

• I’m open for contract work or commissions. I help climate organizations simplify their messaging into pretty art!

Update- 4th reason why I probably haven’t painted: I just tested positive for Covid after I wrote this. It’s my first time having it and thankfully I’m doing fine.