Hi Reader –

Would you believe me if I told you that I drew that elephant?

Well, I certainly did draw that elephant. A long time ago I had a dream of being a surface pattern designer. I'd discovered design blogs and saw artists who were collaborating with companies to get their pattern designs onto products like wallpaper and bedding, and a lightbulb turned on in my brain – I immediately knew that's what I wanted to do. I remember feeling kinda mad that no one had ever told me this was a job I could have!

The trouble with this dream, though, was that I had no idea where to start. I didn't know how to use a computer. I didn't know any pattern designers. In 2007, the resources available on the internet were slim to none, and so I got myself a copy of Adobe Illustrator For Dummies and a book about how to design repeating patterns, and I got to work. It was slow-going, and frustrating at times, and it took me over a year to finally create a pattern that repeated seamlessly.

At first I drew everything on paper to use in my patterns. Then I decided to buy myself a Wacom tablet – if you're unfamiliar with what that is, it's a digital drawing tablet that you plug into your computer, so you can draw directly on your computer screen. What I discovered is that there's a steep learning curve with a Wacom tablet! Instead of looking at my hand while I was drawing, I had to look at the computer screen. So there was this weird disconnect between my hand and my eyes, and it took a while to figure it out. That elephant at the top is my first drawing on the Wacom tablet.

As I'm getting ready to launch my Pattern Camp course (get on the waitlist right here if you want to be the first to know more), it's amazing to look back at that funny little elephant drawing and realize just how far I've come.

Thankfully my digital drawing skills improved a lot over the years, and my dream of becoming a pattern designer and seeing my artwork on products did come true. It's amazing where you can end up when you have a dream paired with a hefty dose of persistence, patience, and determination.

We all start at the beginning.

Small, consistent action toward what you want can stack up and lead you exactly where you aim to go (or maybe even somewhere better)...

What's your dream? How are you (or aren't you) moving toward it?

Until next time, my friend!
Happy Tuesday. :)

LET'S BE FRIENDS ON IG!

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