~ No. 24 - December 2023 ~

The most important thing is to just exist, you see.

“Creativity is really in everything we do. And one of the things that I kind of pigeonholed myself into when I was younger and especially when I began to find success because of my personal work is that creativity is only in the drawings that I was making and the animations that I was doing and things like that. When in reality, as I kind of moved away from that, became more burnt out, didn’t have the motivation to do those things and felt bad about myself, I realized that I was just putting that energy into other things in my life.

I always wanted to make human connections. That was one of the main things that brought me joy. So I actually ended up putting that energy into making more friends. Finding more connections within my coworkers and having fun while I was working with them and having that bond. And things like that made a big difference in a way that making art wasn’t. So we just have to remember, I think at least, that we are being creative all the time, in every aspect of our lives and not just drawing.”

These words from Danni Fisher-Shin from the In Motion Festival really resonated as 2023 comes to a close and I think about the coming year.

I did some of my favorite work in 2020 and 2021 - editorial, books, products. I got to work with clients like Chronicle, Nike, Starbucks, and MUJI. I also remember taking 20 minute breaks to cry in bed before getting back to my desk because I was so tired and overworked. I paid for it coming into 2022 when I felt fully burned out and depleted.

I slowed down on my freelance work in 2022 as I began teaching both illustration at the Pacific Northwest College of Art and barre at a studio here in Portland. Both of these things brought new challenges but also new (much needed) ways to be creative in my life. Building assignments that students can dig into and use to conceptualize bigger ideas about illustration as well as life. Writing barre classes, making playlists, and finding ways to connect with and inspire that community. Both were a necessary departure from my purely freelance illustration focused existence.

2023 has been about finding the balance of all these things (physically, mentally, financially…) There are plenty of times I’ve felt bad that I haven’t been doing more freelance or hustling for work (not even going to get into how that seems to mean constantly performing for Instagram Reels these days). But more often there are times I resonate with sentiments like Danni’s and realize I’m also channeling creativity into new pursuits and experiences outside of strictly being an illustrator.

I hope to continue to create this balance for myself in 2024. If you haven’t looked at my website or Instagram for a bit, take a peek and get in touch - would love to work together in the coming year.

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Real Simple - The Twist

For the last year+ I’ve been illustrating The Twist for Real Simple magazine. Each month this feature focuses on tips, tricks, and hacks for day to day life. Since early in my freelance career I’ve had a love and knack for this type of work - finding the balance between clarity and aesthetics. Conveying information in a simple way while still creating visual interest is a challenge I love. Big thanks Deanna and Natalie for the assignments!

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Pacific Northwest College of Art

I was very excited to have my buddies Paige Vickers and John Malta Zoom in as guest speakers for my class at PNCA this semester. Both are great illustrators and art directors. Paige is a wonderful visual problem solver and I’m in constant awe at how prolific John Malta is in both his client and personal work. Very thankful to know such talented people who offer their time and expertise to my students.

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Vox Media

I also worked with Paige on an illustration for Vox Media for a piece by Alicia Kennedy - The biggest names in food are just regular people on TikTok. I became familiar with Alicia’s work when I illustrated a map based on her brewery guide for Puerto Rico several years ago and was excited to be paired with her again.

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The Circle of Eternal Return

Finally releasing my zine The Circle of Eternal Return this year was exciting and gratifying, especially after experiencing the burn out I mentioned above. A line I saw on Instagram recently sums up the focus of this zine - The most important thing is to just exist, you see. By observing the world we celebrate alongside it. Zines and sticker sheets are available here.

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Space Cats

At the end of this year Sarah Archer reached out about an illustration for her New Year’s card. I first worked with Sarah on a map for her book Catland: The Soft Power of Cat Culture in Japan. As a fellow cat person, Sarah asked me to draw her cats Toast and Harvey inspired by the style of the midcentury Space Cat books. This was a fun way to wrap up the year and such a treat to receive in the mail once it had been printed. I always want to draw cats - and it’s a bonus if they’re in space suits or some other twist.

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I-Barre

I love barre. I’m drawn to the intensity and discipline it requires, both mentally and physically. I also love the community I’ve found at my studio in Portland over the last 5 years. To celebrate this, I illustrated a sticker sheet that people took as a favor from the studio’s holiday party. Portland-based Sticker Ninja always does a great job printing.

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General Life Updates (if you even care!!)

I got Covid for the first time in 2023. This was right after I visited Vancouver, BC (via Amtrak!) for the first time as well. I got to see my old Brooklyn roommate Amanda (who is much better about sending frequent, entertaining newsletters than I am) and see my husband open for The Fruit Bats. We adopted a dog from the Oregon Humane Society. A good friend I met at barre was fostering him. He’s almost a year old now and about 80 pounds…we’re awaiting his DNA results and I suspect there will be Great Dane in there somewhere. We took our favorite summer trip to Eastern Oregon. Someone smashed our window and tried to steal our car. They didn’t succeed, but they ultimately caused the car to be totaled after 2+ months of back and forth failed worked on the ignition. We got a new car which is fun, although having a car payment again is not (did I mention you can hire me for illustration work??). I planted a Magnolia tree in my backyard. Visited my mom. Enjoyed fruit from my Rainier Cherry tree again. Sat out back in the sun. Took long walks. Drank too much tequila. And plenty of other small acts that seem mundane on the surface but are ultimately a reminder that creativity is really in everything that we do.

Big baby Jeff in the new Rav4

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and finally…

My 2024

In
- enormous dogs
- repeating outfits
- making others feel seen
- selfies (always)
- active imagination
- muting
- “this made me think of you”
- estate sales (always)
- errand hangouts
- do not disturb

Out
- memes as a personality
- “as soon as…”
- vying to be seen
- being a caricature of yourself
- rumination
- hate following
- witholding
- same day delivery
- keeping score
- begrudging yeses
- people who don’t want to see you win