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!
Want a FREE 38-page PDF guide all about pattern design?
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Hi Reader, Happy Tuesday! I hope you're doing well, wherever you are in the world. Right now I'm sitting in my quiet studio, listening to rain falling on the skylights in the roof. My kids and I had a long and busy weekend filled with bike riding (G learned to ride her bike!), board games, sunshine, pulling weeds in the garden, planting tomatoes, marveling at the poppies blooming, going to look at a free piano that we decided we're going to acquire, more bike riding, and lots of time with friends and neighbors. Life is so full and busy these days! I've been teaching my Unleashed class for the past few weeks (we're already half-way through the 6 weeks!), and the twice-weekly live gatherings have been a delightful balm for my soul and a wonderful way for me to get back into more regular art-making. I go through phases where I make a lot of art and then I don't make much for a while as I get immersed in more computer-based work. I'm really happy to be entering a more art-heavy phase right now, and it's feeling so good to paint! Here's one that I created last week: I'm feeling pulled to create these made-up landscapes, so that's feeling kinda fun! We'll see where it takes me. I also have quite a lot of paintings filling the walls of my studio right now, and I'm realizing I need to spend some time photographing them and then having a big painting sale! So stay tuned for that in the coming months. In other news, I also spent a good chunk of time recently creating THIS! The Pattern Design Primer. It's a 38-page guide for anyone who's interested in learning more about pattern design and how to get started. I created a course called Pattern Camp way back in 2014 that was an absolute blast, and then I retired it in 2017 as I was in the throes of early motherhood, BUT I'm bringing Pattern Camp back this summer! Yes! So if you want to learn more about pattern design and see if designing repeating patterns on the computer is something you might like to learn how to do, download the guide! It's totally FREE.
Until next time.... LET'S BE FRIENDS ON IG!
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Jessica 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 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 I’ve been sharing quite a few offerings lately — and if your inbox is feeling full, I get it. But this one is really special, and I’d be so happy to have you join me. The Making Zen Online Retreat kicks off on May 26th, and it’s 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...
Hi Reader, Happy Tuesday! How are you? Things here are full and busy, with work stuff and life stuff and kid stuff and all the things. I wrapped up Pattern Camp this past weekend (it was so fun!), the Variety Show with my friend Sarah the week before that, and next week I'm headed to St. Helens, OR to teach at my friend Carrie Schmitt's Art Is Love retreat. And this week I have some awesome new free events that I was invited to teach in that I get to start telling you about. So many good...