On My Mind Lately: Reflection

Our first week back went so smoothly. So much flow. I am tempted to make so many resolutions at the start of every year. I see friends with their awesome plans for the year and I feel the urge to start wildly planning. Instead of that, I decided that I will make one or two personal resolutions per season.

Winter is slow for me, or rather I move more slowly in winter. I discovered this last year. I was striving to make all the things work mid January. Work projects, personal projects, creative projects. In the midst of the struggle, I heard from a yoga teacher about how we’re not really meant to get a lot done in the winter months. Longer nights, shorter days, a quiet earth, cold weather. It’s a low energy season and perfect for rest, reflection and quiet. That resonated with me. I put all my plans in a google doc and put rest and mental health at the top of my list. Once spring started showing up, I re-started planning and preparing for the seasons of high energy. I feel I can get so much done in the spring and summer. It’s the perfect time to work on personal/creative projects alongside all the work projects.

So, in honor of the season of reflection, here are some things about last year:

01.

We served so many great clients through Mad & Dusty. We made the mental transitions from freelancers to owning a company. It challenged me in so many ways and I realized I enjoy that so much. We focused as a company. We worked with a business coach. We found support in our community and worked hard to create purposeful work. Now we have over 6 months of work to add to our portfolio! (Eek!)

02.

I "launched" my line of cards and art and now have stockists. (What?!) This painting started as a way for me to come face to face with depression and anxiety. I would wake up every morning and paint and think. Or paint and not think. It was and is my meditation. Every time I get an inventory sheet I get to see which pieces went to new homes. It is so heartwarming and encouraging. I got to meet so many great people face to face at the markets I was a part of last year. 

03.

I don’t know if this is the right way to say it, but Dusty and I found more of our rhythm in being adults. We became more consistent at making weekly meal plans, grocery shopping, and meeting monthly to go over our budget. I think we learned more about what we need, what stresses us out, and what brings us closer together.

04.

Learning is fun. Learning is for fun. I came out of college as a generalist. I graduated with a degree in art marketing. Which was wonderful. I had (and believe I still have) the skills and capacity to learn and do so many different things. Learning is one of my main drivers, so it’s easy for me to learn a new skill and immediately think of ways to monetize it. What I learned is that - it’s a trap! You can simply learn things, and then use them for fun. Or not use them and let them float around in your brain. You don’t have to add it to your offerings list or create a package around it. You can learn for fun. (You probably already knew this!)

05.

I heard and listened to the not yet. I was mulling over doing yoga teacher training. It was with one of my favorite teachers and lots of things seemed to be lining up to make it a good choice. Often I would think about it and hear this small not yet. I heard the not yet about many other things, and I listened. I think this is the thing I am most proud of. My not yet became an encouraging way to say no to things I loved or was excited for. It was a no in the spirit of having a life with more ease and less struggle. It wasn’t a NO!, it was a not yet. It took the pressure off. Not yets are pretty great.

Have you had the chance to reflect on your 2016? It was a big one, wasn't it? 

On My Mind Lately: NYE Edition

The New Year starts tomorrow and my brain is full to the tippy top. Dusty and I took a week off from work and I’m feeling refreshed. Perhaps this is a byproduct of working from home, but I swear it takes the first three days of any stay-cation for me to adjust. It’s so unlike me to not have a list for the day.

I don’t have that problem if we’re headed out of town. In those cases, the second we hit the freeway I’ve peaced out. Christmas break is special because a lot of it centers around family. Also, heads up: Christmas with a little niece and nephews is so fun. They get really fun presents and are adorable when trying to open them.

Here's a few things on my mind lately.

Kombucha

I started my first batch of kombucha! My mother in law gave me a starter kit for Christmas and I cracked it open the next day. Dusty got me a giant book about brewing the bubbly stuff, and I keep reading it and finding things I've missed. It’s like science, having a pet, cooking and growing plants combined. I’ve never been great at growing plants, but those first three I am pretty good at. It’s been fun to track the brew’s progress and dreaming up flavor combinations for bottling time.

Tests

My mom gave me a box of Christmas decorations and tucked inside was one of those career tests you take in school! (8th Grade!) I was put in the “applied visual arts” sector and “working with ideas.” I remember hearing that when in doubt, go back to what you loved as a kid. Which is great advice, but what you really loved as a kid can be hard to remember sometimes. That little test was so affirming and encouraging. A sweet reminder to stumble upon. Thanks mom!! :)

Loops

We started and finished Westworld over the break. SO CRAZY. I won’t spoil it, but if you want to talk about it let me know. I can't stop thinking about which loops I'm caught in. And how and why I'm making decisions. I need to watch the whole season over again and catch all the things I missed.

A Show

I’m starting a series of work for a show opening at the end of January! It’s kind of intimidating to create work for a show. I haven’t really submitted work for show since school, and that was over 5 years ago. I have had a few ideas rolling around so when the invite came in, I thought this might be a good opportunity to work through them ideas. Dusty and I picked up canvases and panels last night, so now I have no excuses. Still scared though. :)

Money

At the end of the year, Dusty and I take a look at our spending. We use Mint and a good ole fashioned spreadsheet to track our budget throughout the year. Our cost of living is overall pretty low. In 2016 our biggest expense was housing with health insurance right behind. Dining / groceries came in third. There’s not much we can do about the first two, though we did choose a slightly cheaper insurance plan for 2017. We can definitely find ways to lower our cost of eating. :) So that’s our plan for 2017. We’ve also set a goal to pay off the student loans this year, so apologies in advance if we are even more boring than usual.

NYE Plans

Tonight is the big night. Dusty and I are celebrating with Overcooked Holiday Edition, champagne and maybe tacos. 

What’s on your mind, friend? Got anything planned for the new year?

Shop in Person this Holiday!

Hey friend! Let's hang out! I'd love to see you! I'm participating in a few markets this December. I've also got items in shops around town.

Wednesday 12 / 7
Refuge Coffee Holiday Market

4170 E Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Clarkston, GA 30021

Come hang out anytime between 10 AM and 5 PM. I'll be doing custom pieces on site as well as drinking tons of coffee. Refuge Coffee's bright red coffee truck is on point.

Saturday 12 / 10
Root City Market

120 Ottley Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

It's my first time with Root City and I'm super excited! I'm bringing a selection of goods perfect for gifting!! See you there? Entrance is $5 and they have a sweet maker's giveaway going down. (Enter here!)

Can't make it to the markets? No worries. You can also find my work at Crafted Westside and now Garage Door Studio!!

Want to stay in your PJ's all day as many days as possible? (Me tooooooo!) Shop on Etsy. The cut off to get items before Christmas is 12/14!

Christmas To Do List

Not quite ready for the holidays this year. What's your list look like?! Click the button below to print this version and a blank one to color on your own! Subscribe to my mailing list to get even more free printables.

My Most Favorite Pens for Illustrating & Hand Lettering

If you’ve ever drawn anything in your life, you have a good idea about how much your drawing tools can impact your work. On good days, they can act as an extension of your imagination. On bad days, they can leave you shaking your head and wondering why you even bother calling yourself an artist… or is that just me? ;)

I started drawing with a few tools and over time have had the chance to try out a bunch of great pens. There are a few I keep coming back to and some I keep in my bag at all times. Here’s six of my favorite pens so far:

01
Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen

I discovered this pen through Ali Nelson at a Plywood People Retreat. It quickly became one of my favorites. It has just enough give and allows for different line thicknesses. I have heavy hand pressure and the Fude is strong enough to resist my hulk smash grip. Love this lil pen! Uhm plus it's sparkly.

02
Tombow Calligraphy Pen

The Tombow was the first lettering pen I ever used! Dusty gifted me the set with both the hard and soft tip pens for Christmas. I spent the rest of break scribbling and drawing. I love these to start on because they aren’t so expensive. You can get a good idea of what your hand pressure is like and base your future purchases on this!

03
Marvy Deco Color Extra Fine Paint Marker

My father-in-law gave me a box of these and I have been using them for all my circle paintings. The paint in the pen is xylene based. It has a little bit slower dry time, and damn, it is permanent. The Deco Color allows for a very solid, smooth, and shiny monoline look.

04
Molotow Acrylic Paint Marker

My friend Carrie Keesling-Getz recommended the Molotow pen family. SO GOOD! They are like the Deco Colors in that they give a nice solid line. They dry pretty fast and are safe to use on mirrors and glass. They are refillable which just makes me heart flutter with happiness!

05
Papermate Flair

I have used these pens before but only recently for design and lettering applications. They are, again, not so expensive. If you lose one, you’ll recover. :) The Flair comes in such a good variety of colors. They don’t give too much and allow for a solid monoline look. They do smear, but I’m finding I can work with that. I have been able to create some cool looks by intentionally smearing or wetting the paper.

06
Sakura Pigma Brush Pen

I had used the Microns by this same brand and not been super impressed. The nibs are just a little too hard (even for my iron grip) and only seem to give even color on smooth paper or if you're holding the pen exactly perpendicular to the paper. BUT, recently I discovered the brush pen version. So amazing! It has move give then the Pentel Fude and Tombow Calligraphy, but the short tip gives enough stability to get some really controlled lines.

What pens have you been into lately? What should I try next? Also have you heard of pen parade? If not please check it out and prepare to laugh and possibly fall in love!

hugs!
mads

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Top photo of my pencil note card and fude pen by Angie Webb.

Shop in Person at Crafted Westside

Hey Atlanta friends!! Exciting news. Crafted Westside has added me to their lineup of stellar art vendors. I've created tons of custom pieces and limited edition magnets with sayings you'll only find in store.  

You can shop magnets, paintings and cards at all three of their locations! 

Brickworks: 1000 Marietta St. NW, Suite 104 / Atlanta, GA 30318

Westside Provisions: 1100 Howell Mill Rd, Suite A06 / Atlanta, GA 30318

The Forum: 5151 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 710 / Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

Halloween Coloring Cards: Candy Corn and Scary Family Gatherings!

Dusty's favorite holiday is Halloween. We usually throw a big party and it's pretty fun! 

Treat yo self to some downloadable coloring printables to get you in the mood for boo's and candy corn. (Or, maybe booze and candy corn, hehe.) 

How To:

1. Print cards on card stock or heavy duty paper
2. Color with materials of your choice
3. Cut out using the light grey guide
4. Fold in half
5. Put in an A1 / 4 Bar envelope of your choice and send to your boo!

If you don't have small envelopes hanging around, you can find some on Amazon. Here are a couple options I liked for A1 / 4 Bar: a spooky grey and a clean simple white.

Do you have plans for Halloween? Any costume ideas? Every year I find myself last minute Goodwill thrifting to find the right pieces and vowing I'll be more prepared next year. :) This year, I have been a little bit more prepared. Almost half way done already!

Hugs and happy coloring!
Mads

Styled Shoot with Personify Shop

I love a thoughtfully curated shop. You know. The kind where you walk in and you feel like you're visiting a good friend's house? Everything has a story. I feel that way about Personify Shop, so I teamed up with my friend Angie to host a styled shoot with some of my favorite picks from their shop! 

Maddie Morden and her mom Tammy Lopez run Personify Shop. It's located in the north Georgia mountains (Lakemont, GA.). I love the colors they pick for the shop. Everything has this wonderful, elegant, bohemian vibe.

Personify Shop does an amazing job at finding artists to feature in their shop. They have a great eye for product and find so many small makers that I'm now obsessed with. Like this Small Adventure print above! I want that house!

Again with the colors, right!?

Oh and the jewelry! She features some great jewelry makers in her shop. I've been putting this necklace in my shopping cart every other week for the past month. I need to give in and buy it soon before someone else scoops it up. ;)

Loved the chance to play with this great product from Personify Shop and work with the talented Angie Webb. Check them out!

Any shops you've been into lately?

All photos styled by me and snapped by Angie Webb.