I'm an artist, surface pattern + fabric designer, author, mama, and online teacher in Portland, OR. I believe in the power of art-making as a tool for radical self-care. I help people feel a little bit brighter and a little bit less alone through the art and products I make, the words I write, and the classes I teach. Come join 18k+ people in my colorful, uplifting world!
Are you actually bad at the thing you've always thought you're bad at?
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Hi Reader! I've spent the last couple of days doing a product photoshoot with my wonderful assistant Emily in preparation for the opening of my holiday shop on November 12th, and oh my goshhhhh I'm so excited to show you everything!! The calendar photo above is my FAVE, but I also can't resist showing you one more: Ornaments!! I mean honestly. Could this be any cuter? What's most interesting to me about these photos is that historically I've always thought of myself as being a "bad photographer". Prop styling and photography in general have never been my strong suit, and so I've basically done all I can to avoid it over the years (or to make it as quick and easy as I can). It's funny how sometimes the things that don't come naturally to us are things we label ourselves "bad at" and then never think twice about questioning whether that's actually true or not. Maybe sometimes all we need is a little exposure, a little practice, a little bit of playing with something new in order to see that we're not bad at something; we're just inexperienced. Everyone is a beginner in the beginning! The question "I wonder what would happen if..." can be super helpful in allowing more room for play and exploration and less judgment and perfectionism. So, while I still don't consider myself to be someone who these things come naturally to, I did realize in these past couple of days that a beginner's mind and a playful attitude will take me far! If I dedicate some time and effort and have FUN and PLAY in the process, I can actually create some images that I like and I'm not just uniformly bad at it like I'd been telling myself I was. Who knew?! Am I going to get super excited about photoshoots forevermore? Probably not. BUT I'll certainly feel more willing and happy to do it again next time around, and that feels like a big deal! I can't wait to share the holiday goodies and the rest of the photos with you! I currently have over 600 pics to wade through, save or delete, crop, edit, resize, etc, so..... wish me luck. Ha. β I hope the rest of your day is wonderful, whatever you're up to and wherever you are. :) ps β what's something you've always thought you're bad at? Hit reply and let me know β I'm genuinely interested! β LET'S BE FRIENDS ON IG!
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βJessica Swift.
I'm an artist, surface pattern + fabric designer, author, mama, and online teacher in Portland, OR. I believe in the power of art-making as a tool for radical self-care. I help people feel a little bit brighter and a little bit less alone through the art and products I make, the words I write, and the classes I teach. Come join 18k+ people in my colorful, uplifting world!
Hi hi hi! How is it already July?! We spent some time swimming in a river over the weekend with friends, and I feel like this is just a quintessential summer photo, you know? Sun! Water! Swimming! Happy kids! I also feel like it's a photo that reminds me of how easy it is to see someone else's photo and construct an entire story around it from the little slice of info we've got β just one photo. My kids had a great time at the river, and I did, too... sort-of. What you can't see in this photo...
Hi hi hi! How is it already July?! We spent some time swimming in a river over the weekend with friends, and I feel like this is just a quintessential summer photo, you know? Sun! Water! Swimming! Happy kids! I also feel like it's a photo that reminds me of how easy it is to see someone else's photo and construct an entire story around it from the little slice of info we've got β just one photo. My kids had a great time at the river, and I did, too... sort-of. What you can't see in this photo...
Hi Reader, Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like you're moving through molasses? You know spending some time being creative would help, but it feels like your inner artist just... wandered off without saying goodbye? Yep. Same here. I know Iβve been sharing quite a few offerings lately β and if your inbox is feeling full, I get it. But this one is really special, and Iβd be so happy to have you join me. The Making Zen Online Retreat kicks off on May 26th, and itβs basically a big,...