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!
π Hello, July!
|
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 though, is that it was windy, and crowded, and there were lots of people on boats and jet skis and paddle boards. We also had a paddle board with us (I got one last summer and it was the first time I'd used it). My kids have never been on a paddle board, and they're not the strongest swimmers (yet), and they really wanted me to take them out on it. I'm someone who is kind-of a homebody. I'm pretty cautious. I don't love huge crowds, and I'm not the most adventurous. I've historically spent a lot of time worrying about all the things that could go wrong in any given situation (I'm really making myself sound like a fun person to hang out with! haha), and so taking my kids out on a paddle board on a windy day with people everywhere was wildly outside of my comfort zone. We did it β and my kids loved it β but I was so nervous the whole time. You can't feel those feelings in this photo. You can't feel someone's experience behind the perfect scene. You know? It's easy to forget that, though, because our brains just pretty automatically fill in the details that we don't know, and we often have a real knack for making other people's lives and experiences seem better than our own. (Why do we do that?!) It reminds me of this ever-popular quote by Theodore Roosevelt: "Comparison is the thief of joy." It just couldn't be truer. Anyway! Why am I telling you this? I don't really know, to be honest. But it's what's flowing out of my heart and my fingers today, so I'm just trusting it because maybe it's just what someone needs to hear today. Maybe that someone is you! In other completely unrelated news: The Variety Show is back! My friend Sarah Watts and I had such a great time hosting this super fun event a few months ago that we decided to do it again! This time our focus is specifically on the fabric design industry. When? This workshop will break down how surface design professionals of all stripes work in the fabric industry! Weβve got a cool roster of special guests who are willing to share their behind the scenes secrets. Learn from those who have tried it all to perfect their own processes. We'll be talking to both veteran, seasoned designers and also designers who are newer to the fabric world. Sarah and I will also be giving you inside peeks at both of our processes β she primarily uses Photoshop and Procreate in her designing, while I use Illustrator and Procreate β and you'll have lots of chances to ask questions and connect with us in real time! The Variety Show is a place to peek into a bunch of different approaches, and to see that there's not just one way to be successful as an artist. You get to choose. You get to create it however it feels best for you. By sharing different paths, different perspectives, and different programs, you get to learn a ton and you get to weigh out the best options for YOU. We are not going to romance you in any direction specifically. We are going to share our own experiences. Sound fun? Sessions will be both live and pre-recorded. Variety, heeeeey! It's in the name. ;)
β LET'S BE FRIENDS ON IG!
|
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 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,...
Hi Reader, I returned home on Sunday from teaching at my friend Carrie Schmitt's Art Is Love retreat, and I've been easing my way back into my regular rhythm the past couple of days, trying to go slow even though my mind is starting to churn with all the familiar chatter about all the things I need to do or haven't done or aren't doing right and on and on. Hello, busy mind! According to Carrie, your mind can't think thoughts when you're humming, so maybe I'll try humming more...? I don't know...