The Studio Notes Newsletter 💌
A short, sweet, and to the point newsletter from an illustrator, book designer, and all around busy bee. 🐝 By day, I work in the publishing industry as a book designer and illustrator. By night, I indulge in my inspirations and grow my creative business with slow, intentional steps. Every month, you'll get insights into living a creative life, what's currently inspiring me, behind the scenes peeks of works in progress, the stories behind the work, and freebies to help nurture your own creativity.
A New Studio Note has arrived! 💌 May 2026 Edition
Studio Note 05/26 Hello Reader, Spring has sprung! I love seeing everything turn leafy and green. Some of my flowers are blooming, but my vegetable garden is looking very sparse. I'm a little worried about it, honestly. We met up with some family members over spring break and spent some time walking trails in the north Georgia woods. I photographed a beautiful mountain creek and some waterfalls, and I've packaged them up for a little downloadable gift (scroll down to the end). Here's a...
A New Studio Note has arrived! 💌 April 2026 Edition
Studio Note 04/26 Hello Reader, Spring is here! In between thunderstorms and some lingering cold winter weather, I've been preparing our yard and gardens for planting and returning flowers. I do love this time of year. Hate the pollen, though. 🤧 Here's a summary if you're short on time : Art Notes : there's a freshly framed Kelpie painting and a sunlight fairy with mentions of items used Shop Notes : take a quick poll on whether I should offer framing mats with each print order check out this...
A New Studio Note has arrived! 💌 March 2026 Edition
Studio Note 03/26 Hello Reader, I hope February treated you well. There was a lot of bad weather that hit much of the midwest, southeast, and northeast. Somehow, my area dodged the worst of it, and we just dealt with very cold temps and a little ice but no snow. We did have a temporary pipe freezing issue we had to fix quickly. If you're reading from one of the areas that was affected, I hope you stayed warm and safe! Here's a little summary if you're short on time : painted two new pieces in...
A New Studio Note has arrived! 💌 February 2026 Edition
Studio Note 02/26 Hello Reader, Normally, January fills me with excitement and renewed energy for the year ahead. This year, though, it was slower and less energetic, as if it were a sign from the universe I needed to rest and pace myself more. Was it restful or energizing for you? Art Notes In January, I painted something small for my first piece of 2026. It also celebrated the completion of another sketchbook. I'm up to 3 now. I've really enjoyed working in them more than focusing on more...
A New Studio Note has arrived! 💌 January 2026 Edition
Studio Note 01/26 Hello Reader, Welcome to 2026! To be honest, this is the best part of the year, in my opinion. It feels like a fresh start, a deep cleansing breath after a long and burdensome year, and a renewed sense of "let's get it done". Maybe that's the Capricorn in me speaking, who knows... I hope the holiday season was good to you. It was kind of bland for me. Temperatures in the upper 60s did not help fuel my Christmas spirit, but I hope next Christmas will feel more Christmasy. Art...
A New Studio Note has arrived! 💌 November Edition
Studio Note 11/25 Hello Reader, I know this note is coming to you a little early but there's an important reason I'll go into down below. I hope you're staying warm in these cooler temperatures! Art Notes Being back in "study mode", I've tried to start off with things within my comfort zone, so things like plants, trees, and nature. I've historically struggled with painting backgrounds, but I think I may have cracked the code with this one and found a way to make things so much easier. What...
A new Studio Note has arrived! 💌 October Edition
Studio Note 10/25 Hello Reader, I hope September was good to you. It was a heavier month than most for me, with plenty of ups and downs. A very low energy kind of month. I still managed to do some things that energized me and helped me feel creative. Plus, it's officially October, aka "Candy Corn Season" aka "Spooky Season", which is arguably one of the best months of the year (next to my birthday month, of course). 🍬🎃 Art Notes I've been participating in Folktember for the last month over on...
A new Studio Note has arrived! 💌 Sept. Edition
Studio Note 09/25 Hello Reader, I realized too late that I had labeled August's Studio Notes as "July". I couldn't correct this after the newsletter went out, so I hope it didn't cause much confusion! I can't tell if fall is approaching, but there are more leaves on the ground than expected for this time of year. Perhaps the summer heat has made the trees give up? I'm personally ready for sweater weather. 🍂 August was filled with easing back into old routines (ie, school) and work work work....
A new Studio Note has arrived! 💌 July Edition
Studio Note 07/25 Hello Reader, I hope July was good to you. It has been unbearably hot at times, so I have spent most of my time indoors. It's definitely a blessing to have central A/C in such a hot and humid climate. Art Notes I haven't had much time nor energy this month to paint much. I'm trying to scale back the size of my work as well as the expectations of perfection of them. I completed this sketchbook spread inspired by the Unicorn Tapestries and a simple question : if unicorns wore...
A new Studio Note has arrived! 💌 July Edition
Studio Note 07/25 Hello Reader, Hard to believe half of the year is over, and we're on the downward slope towards the winter, isn't it? I'm normally drawn to moodier themes in the fall, after the weather turns and temperatures are cool and crisp, but I find myself itching to explore some darker themes in my work. I've been wanting to paint swords and armor for ages (reading "The Knight and the Moth" by Rachel Gillig isn't helping), but I've held back because of that nagging voice that says,...
A short, sweet, and to the point newsletter from an illustrator, book designer, and all around busy bee. 🐝 By day, I work in the publishing industry as a book designer and illustrator. By night, I indulge in my inspirations and grow my creative business with slow, intentional steps. Every month, you'll get insights into living a creative life, what's currently inspiring me, behind the scenes peeks of works in progress, the stories behind the work, and freebies to help nurture your own creativity.