After a week of Black Friday — both running the sale on our website, and trying to figure out how to prioritize what things to buy for gifts for our household, I was feeeling a little woozy from it all.
At the beginning of every week, I like to ask myself, “What do I need this week?” Often, that’s what becomes the subject of my Sunday Newsletter.
This week I decided it was high time to do some art.
Amidst sending emails, responding to customer service requests, managing our social media, etc…. art gets put on the backburner. Which is so ironic since art is one of the cornerstones of our whole company!
I think 2025 is the year I need to start reprioritizing ART.
When I do start illustrating, it feels like that’s what I was put here on Earth to do (besides be a mom).
I texted Grace about this and she responded, “You mean you aren’t here to post on Instagram??” 🤣
So instead of a usual lengthy blog post, I just wanted to share this illustration instead. I hope it inspires you to go make something today. It doesn’t have to be amazing, or even original. Just use your hands and make something that wasn’t here before — maybe bake cookies, or write a poem, sew, paint, or make an envelope from a cool magazine (and write a card, of course!).
This is a highly creative community, which I love. I think humans are all creative, and crave bringing new things into existence. It makes us feel good, and I think it’s a great cure for a “consumer hangover.”
Wishing you whatever your soul needs, and hopefully a calm, creative week ahead.
P.S. What have you been feeling like you need most this week?
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What is your favorite thing to make? I'd love to hear in the comments!
8 comments
As a mom of 3 kids ages 5 and under, I really needed to hear this! I really miss having the time and space for relaxed creativity in my life. Any creativity now feels rushed and forced (e.g. I somehow need to make Christmas cards for 14 teachers/neighbors/extended family members by next Thursday, make them thoughtful and meaningful, involve the kids but not burn them out, etc.) I would love to find space again to make things just for the sake of making them, without constant interruptions. As for what I need this week, a shower and prioritizing sleep more come to mind! Thank you so much for sharing your art – it’s so beautiful and full of hope!
Thanks so much for todays message, Leah, I’ve been upstairs creating my own gift bags from a big piece of old Christmas material-/I tied them up with ribbons and put “Tiny and Snail” greeting cards in them—You inspired me to go ahead and skip wrapping paper (which is not so great for our environment)…Hopefully my friends will “re-use” my bags after the stationary is used up🤞🏼🫶🏻👏👏👏….
I also received an invite from an artist friend of mine last week to sign up for one of her “Group” project painting classes she holds quarterly at a restaurant here in Durham…I am busy and nearly didn’t sign up, but then I realized I really needed some “unwind” from Christmas duties time right now—the class is this week on Wednesday evening…As usual, your Sunday e-mail was “spot on”….Thanks for the gentle “confirmation” nod to use my right brain more—I really needed it…Take care this week, Hope Grace and new baby are doing well, and “Happy” Art-ing to you👏👏👏🫶🏻👩🌾
My creative side is baking. Today I am making Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cupcakes for my great-niece’s birthday celebration which is tomorrow! Baking just frees my mind from all the “clutter” in the world and I love to gift family and friends with goodies for their special days.
I’ve been watercoloring and I’m loving it. I love what I painted today! I’ll email you because I’m proud of it. 🤣
Hi Leah, I love this inspirational illustration! I’m mulling about which paper flower to make next and in the meantime, I’m going to make a new sourdough cracker recipe today! Yes, let’s make more art in 2025!