Hey Helen! Firstly, I genuinely was finding myself thinking: Helen looks so well! Glad to hear you’ve had a proper restorative break 😊
I often find myself pondering similar thoughts. How to keep the work feeling fresh and alive! I try and make sure to leave what I call “space around the edges”, so I’m not filling every single crack of my day with stuff. Although I feel so lucky to draw for a living, I am learning I need to be careful not to overwork, which tires my body and brain out. Do you think keeping yourself energised in general helps life feel like a holiday too?! I’m trying to allow myself to “bunk off” and have tea with a friend in the middle of the afternoon, take a proper lunch break, and also allowing myself time in the day for looking at my calendar, and all the planning stuff that I can tend to avoid, and then become a burden. Anyway, sorry for the ramble, and thanks for the inspiration! I’m off to do some sewing! 🧵 ✂️
It is so easy to overwork when you’re self employed isn’t it? Yes, agreed, time off to meet friends, eat a nice lunch, go for a walk (and bunk off) are all really valuable too. We can’t be productive creatives if we are stuck at our desks 24/7! What are you sewing?
Totally agreed! I’m actually between sewing projects at the moment! But I’m planning to sew a pair of the Bob pants soon. I’ve done them before and they are easy, and super comfy! (That last sewing comment was for effect rather than reality - haha!)
This is my second year making books, and it’s an education! I learned this year that publishing gives you a lot of holidays... when your work is “in circulation”.
This could take anywhere from 2 days, 2 weeks to 2 months. (Even 2 years!)
Since nothing actually happens on schedule, and the publisher normally gives you work before they go in holiday, it has been hard to plan something.
But I think I’m going to try to make a rule to have a mini holiday every time I submit something.
I’ll tell you a secrets though, drawing for a living, feels like I’m always on holiday:)
That last sentence stopped me in my tracks! Ha! Yes, true. We are very lucky to draw every day. Yes those mini holidays are one of the perks of the job, but planning a proper holiday is hard isn’t it?
Also, just about the dying fern, while it's in my head (I'm a fern addict). They thrive in shady, damp areas so it would be better placed with other plants which 'want' the same environment. I just noticed you had succulents and cacti in there as well which can tolerate drought and only need watering now and then. Ferns love misty atmospheres which would rot the other plants.
NB. Ahhh, I just had another look and it seems that you have 2 different terrariums and there weren't actually any cacti or succulents in with the fern after all! Did you keep it damp in there?
Love this!! I took some 'proper' time off this summer as I was literally running on empty after four relentless years. Didn't go anywhere but just pottering around where I live has done me more good than I imagined. I got my sewing machine out and did my first sewing project in over 30 years (sewing machine was an impulse lockdown buy which has only just seen the light of day!!). My dogs now have some lovely martingale collars and I've finally made a curtain for my washing machine (wonder who provided that bit of motivation!!) I too used to knock up clothes when I couldn't find what I wanted in Hartlepool's Tammy Girl.. or actually - it was Chelsea Girl in the 'pool. I remember one summer I converted all my trousers into pencil skirts which only allowed me to take teeny tiny steps and it was impossible to climb up the steps of the bus!! And I've also been seeing how many plants I can simultaneously keep alive (not many - but improving)!!
How strange - I didn’t realise you were from Up North - Darlo Tammy Girl was also the place to be in the mid-late 90’s! I got my first pair of extra-wide-leg jeans there (you know, the ones that trail on the floor and suck up puddles, ending up with tide-marks to the knees). Ah, those were the days...
Oooo I would really like my life to be a holiday too...I took a month of this year and I ended up setting up a Patreon, meeting up with my agent and client in another country, setting up a children’s art class, filling sketchbooks like a mad woman.... and somewhere in between I also went on holiday. Not sure what’s what anymore. I like your approach a lot better 😅
A wonderful summer here as well. I’ve also been sewing and baking and rediscovering some forgotten forms of creativity. I want to weave in more of this feeling throughout the year.
This is the perfect topic for me, as I wonder “Will this be my last book?” I think I often hope so. And in fact this last book I’m working on has made me wish it WILL be my last book... as I have grown to hate it. WHY? Because the moron editor has made me hate it... having ordered me to change so many things for no good reason that I don’t even remember what’s what.
Anyhow, enough about nasty things... I’m all for an ongoing vacation - retirement! Actually, now that I think about it... I’ve turned down the last 5 projects I’ve been offered. I think I’d rather be retired... since an artist can always just dabble away without rushing to meet deadlines. I’d rather be a dabbler.
Thanks for this inspiring message about changing gears to find happiness. Much appreciated!
Nothing worse than a bad fit with a publisher, that sounds horrendous! I love the retirement idea, imagine all the mad side projects you can do, totally guilt free! Enjoy your dabbling, I would love to be a full time dabbler, that’s the goal.
While we couldn't take any real holidays this year and are carefully guarding the annual leave we have (As many of it is being used when our toddler brings yet another plague from the nursery and we need to stay with home with her), I've been trying to live slowly and purposely. Just go with the flow and let the gentle waves of time carry me from one week to another.
Oh yes those toddler lurgies can really scupper holiday plans 😂 I love what you say about riding the waves, yes when your kids are small that is the wise thing to do.
I can’t keep a fern alive either. The biz course is looking beautiful! Good thing you had a long rest before productivity-power-hour coworking sesh on Monday! Do you know what you’ll be working on? Repotting and pruning new baby succulents? 😄
Eric!!! Legend indeed - I did his etching class at Putney about 28 years ago and saw him again there a couple of weeks ago, he hasn’t changed a bit! And had many more gems of wisdom which I wish I had written down...
His gems of wisdom are legendary! I love Eric. I haven’t seen him for about 12 years but we speak on the phone a couple of times a year. I love our chats, no small talk, straight to the important stuff like drawing and death 💀😂
Love your gravel garden! I'm off on holiday in 3 weeks to see Derek Jarman's garden in real life! I've been wanting to visit it since the '90s - planning a holiday does take some time doesn't it!? 😂
I've just got to smash through 11 more colour spreads before I head to Dungeness . . .
Your holiday sounds wonderful - well done on sticking to it and not sneaking any work in, that's so hard to do! 🏝️
Oh lucky you, I would love to visit Dungeness! Good luck with those 11 spreads, I am sending you some virtual energy bars and endless cuppas. Good luck! May the illustration gods be with you 😗
Hey Helen! Firstly, I genuinely was finding myself thinking: Helen looks so well! Glad to hear you’ve had a proper restorative break 😊
I often find myself pondering similar thoughts. How to keep the work feeling fresh and alive! I try and make sure to leave what I call “space around the edges”, so I’m not filling every single crack of my day with stuff. Although I feel so lucky to draw for a living, I am learning I need to be careful not to overwork, which tires my body and brain out. Do you think keeping yourself energised in general helps life feel like a holiday too?! I’m trying to allow myself to “bunk off” and have tea with a friend in the middle of the afternoon, take a proper lunch break, and also allowing myself time in the day for looking at my calendar, and all the planning stuff that I can tend to avoid, and then become a burden. Anyway, sorry for the ramble, and thanks for the inspiration! I’m off to do some sewing! 🧵 ✂️
It is so easy to overwork when you’re self employed isn’t it? Yes, agreed, time off to meet friends, eat a nice lunch, go for a walk (and bunk off) are all really valuable too. We can’t be productive creatives if we are stuck at our desks 24/7! What are you sewing?
Totally agreed! I’m actually between sewing projects at the moment! But I’m planning to sew a pair of the Bob pants soon. I’ve done them before and they are easy, and super comfy! (That last sewing comment was for effect rather than reality - haha!)
Off to google Bob pants…
They are 👌
Oh I have some Bob trousers, didn't know that’s what they are called! Good name.
Excellent! Did you see them?
This is my second year making books, and it’s an education! I learned this year that publishing gives you a lot of holidays... when your work is “in circulation”.
This could take anywhere from 2 days, 2 weeks to 2 months. (Even 2 years!)
Since nothing actually happens on schedule, and the publisher normally gives you work before they go in holiday, it has been hard to plan something.
But I think I’m going to try to make a rule to have a mini holiday every time I submit something.
I’ll tell you a secrets though, drawing for a living, feels like I’m always on holiday:)
That last sentence stopped me in my tracks! Ha! Yes, true. We are very lucky to draw every day. Yes those mini holidays are one of the perks of the job, but planning a proper holiday is hard isn’t it?
gorgeous gravel garden
And then you learn that gravel doesn't stop weeds.
And the gravel only makes it actually harder to remove the weeds. 😁
Now you tell me!
Also, just about the dying fern, while it's in my head (I'm a fern addict). They thrive in shady, damp areas so it would be better placed with other plants which 'want' the same environment. I just noticed you had succulents and cacti in there as well which can tolerate drought and only need watering now and then. Ferns love misty atmospheres which would rot the other plants.
NB. Ahhh, I just had another look and it seems that you have 2 different terrariums and there weren't actually any cacti or succulents in with the fern after all! Did you keep it damp in there?
I was about to ask, did you put that weed membrane stuff down first?
Love this!! I took some 'proper' time off this summer as I was literally running on empty after four relentless years. Didn't go anywhere but just pottering around where I live has done me more good than I imagined. I got my sewing machine out and did my first sewing project in over 30 years (sewing machine was an impulse lockdown buy which has only just seen the light of day!!). My dogs now have some lovely martingale collars and I've finally made a curtain for my washing machine (wonder who provided that bit of motivation!!) I too used to knock up clothes when I couldn't find what I wanted in Hartlepool's Tammy Girl.. or actually - it was Chelsea Girl in the 'pool. I remember one summer I converted all my trousers into pencil skirts which only allowed me to take teeny tiny steps and it was impossible to climb up the steps of the bus!! And I've also been seeing how many plants I can simultaneously keep alive (not many - but improving)!!
Yes Chelsea Girl! And I made all my school skirts so tight I could barely walk 😂
Love the business course artwork! So looking forward to the course 🥰 love your flags too!! Have you made a literal freak flag too?
Glad you got a proper break this year and rediscovered sone other passions 🥰
A freak flag is next on my list!
How strange - I didn’t realise you were from Up North - Darlo Tammy Girl was also the place to be in the mid-late 90’s! I got my first pair of extra-wide-leg jeans there (you know, the ones that trail on the floor and suck up puddles, ending up with tide-marks to the knees). Ah, those were the days...
I know those jeans, my 15 year old wears them now! 😂 Ah, happy days at Darlo Tammy Girl (my best friend Val worked there in the 90’s)
It’s funny how things come back around isn’t it?
Yes! Let’s all make life a holiday! 🙌
It’s the goal!
Oooo I would really like my life to be a holiday too...I took a month of this year and I ended up setting up a Patreon, meeting up with my agent and client in another country, setting up a children’s art class, filling sketchbooks like a mad woman.... and somewhere in between I also went on holiday. Not sure what’s what anymore. I like your approach a lot better 😅
Sounds like there’s no repressing your creative brain! 😂
A wonderful summer here as well. I’ve also been sewing and baking and rediscovering some forgotten forms of creativity. I want to weave in more of this feeling throughout the year.
Amazing, creativity popping up everywhere! Here’s to getting more time to follow our creative noses!
This is the perfect topic for me, as I wonder “Will this be my last book?” I think I often hope so. And in fact this last book I’m working on has made me wish it WILL be my last book... as I have grown to hate it. WHY? Because the moron editor has made me hate it... having ordered me to change so many things for no good reason that I don’t even remember what’s what.
Anyhow, enough about nasty things... I’m all for an ongoing vacation - retirement! Actually, now that I think about it... I’ve turned down the last 5 projects I’ve been offered. I think I’d rather be retired... since an artist can always just dabble away without rushing to meet deadlines. I’d rather be a dabbler.
Thanks for this inspiring message about changing gears to find happiness. Much appreciated!
Nothing worse than a bad fit with a publisher, that sounds horrendous! I love the retirement idea, imagine all the mad side projects you can do, totally guilt free! Enjoy your dabbling, I would love to be a full time dabbler, that’s the goal.
While we couldn't take any real holidays this year and are carefully guarding the annual leave we have (As many of it is being used when our toddler brings yet another plague from the nursery and we need to stay with home with her), I've been trying to live slowly and purposely. Just go with the flow and let the gentle waves of time carry me from one week to another.
Oh yes those toddler lurgies can really scupper holiday plans 😂 I love what you say about riding the waves, yes when your kids are small that is the wise thing to do.
I can’t keep a fern alive either. The biz course is looking beautiful! Good thing you had a long rest before productivity-power-hour coworking sesh on Monday! Do you know what you’ll be working on? Repotting and pruning new baby succulents? 😄
I’ll be sorting out my studio, kicking the spiders out and watering the dying plants 😂
Eric!!! Legend indeed - I did his etching class at Putney about 28 years ago and saw him again there a couple of weeks ago, he hasn’t changed a bit! And had many more gems of wisdom which I wish I had written down...
His gems of wisdom are legendary! I love Eric. I haven’t seen him for about 12 years but we speak on the phone a couple of times a year. I love our chats, no small talk, straight to the important stuff like drawing and death 💀😂
Solid gold! ❤️
Love your gravel garden! I'm off on holiday in 3 weeks to see Derek Jarman's garden in real life! I've been wanting to visit it since the '90s - planning a holiday does take some time doesn't it!? 😂
I've just got to smash through 11 more colour spreads before I head to Dungeness . . .
Your holiday sounds wonderful - well done on sticking to it and not sneaking any work in, that's so hard to do! 🏝️
Oh lucky you, I would love to visit Dungeness! Good luck with those 11 spreads, I am sending you some virtual energy bars and endless cuppas. Good luck! May the illustration gods be with you 😗
Love this Helen. A holiday inspiration and one to aim for for next year. So hard to do 🙃
Fab garden too. My hubby has just painted his studio door Derek Jarman yellow in our garden. Dungeness all over the shop ☺️x
Oh nice, a yellow door. Good luck getting a good break next year, it’s not easy to take time off is it?
Not at all, esp with bills scratching at the door. Starting the planning now! X