Are you working on anything?

Let’s start this one with a big breath. Breathe in deep… And exhale…

It’s the point in the year where things can start to feel overwhelming. You are working on your goals, getting into the groove of the year, and all of a sudden it feels like there’s too much going on.

You have new projects you started, new habits you are trying to form, and it might also be time to start thinking about your garden. It can feel like a lot.

Does this sound familiar to you?

What can we do about it?

The advice I’m trying to give myself is to remember that it’s a season and it will pass. The busy, overwhelmed feeling comes and goes. Lean into the times when you don’t feel overwhelmed and feel ok taking a break or shifting priorities when you are feeling overwhelmed.

What is the one thing you know you can accomplish? Is there something small that can start momentum for the day? Try going after your easiest task for the day and see if it changes your outlook.

The act of doing creates motivation, not the act of thinking about doing. You got this!

Project Updates

I ​previously​ wrote about some things I’ve been working on. Here’s an update on some of the ones I mentioned and some new ones.

Figma Course

This course I created is going to be launching next on an educational platform based in Germany. They reached out to me because they found my ​Figma Bites​ youtube channel. They enjoyed the short format and production quality. I’ve been making this tutorial series for over 3 years now and it’s really fun to expand on it in a new way. I’m looking forward to seeing how many students take the course!

After finishing the course, it was time for the company to get their website ready for launch. Part of this site includes bios of all the different instructors. Your boy needed a new headshot! I reached out to a local photographer, Field House Photography, to book a quick headshot session. Becky did an amazing job on the photos and I’m looking forward to using them on social media and my website.

We took the photos at my Aerial Kingsburg mural. Green is my favorite color, so it works well for me.

Fresno Airport Mural

This project still hangs in limbo while I wait to find out if my design was chosen. I’ve been anxiously waiting for the results. Even if I don’t get picked I just want to know. It’s taking up space in my brain and I need some closure!

Fresno Yosemite International Airport is adding a new terminal or concourse (I’m not 100% sure which one) and they are adding a bunch of new art. They’ll have a hanging sculpture, art on the walls, and a big 570 sq ft. mural. Don’t you love how airports tend to support the arts?

This will be a fun project if I get it. It’s inside, the terminal won’t be open yet, and the exposure could potentially be huge. I haven’t shared about this on social media yet and I want to give the Crawdad Crew a preview.

A mockup I made out of an image they provided. I feel like it fits so well in the environment. Fingers crossed!

Arts Alive in Agriculture Show

I just heard yesterday that this painting didn't make it into the show... You win some, you lose some. I'm a little bummed but also understand that not every piece makes the cut. I'm still pleased with this one and had fun making it. Perhaps it will find a place in another show sometime this year.

I put the lights a little further to the side to highlight the texture.

A New Commission

I had a collector reach out to see if I’d be able to create a custom piece for her. She picked a word for the year to help her grow and push through some tough things. She wanted me to represent the word “Demolish” in some way.

At first, we explored using texture to convey the meaning behind the word. Through a few back and forth chats about some sketches, we were able to narrow in on the concept. I’d use block lettering with decoration inside the letters to represent something being demolished over time. The interior of the D starts with a thick decorator and through each letter it gets thinner and thinner. The O is in the process of breaking apart, adding more to the visual metaphor.

Instead of going with a heavy textured painting, she liked the look of the sketch. Seeing the pencil marks and paper texture added something that she really liked. So I decided to do the piece in colored pencil on hot press watercolor paper. I then mounted that on a cradled wood panel and protected it with fixative.

The piece represents being strong through change and breaking down the walls that might be holding you back. She really loved it and it was such a pleasure making her creative vision a reality.

It was fun using pencils for lettering and I love how it turned out.

Dala Destroyer Shirt

And the last update for you is about a shirt I’m selling. I sent a preview to my crawdad crew from Kingsburg last time and now I’m sharing it with everyone. I got the shirts last week and I’ve been sharing a bit on social media. Some of them have sold already but there’s plenty left to grab.

If you want to rep your favorite hometown with a first-of-its-kind dala horse, ​snag this shirt now​.

Super soft Cotton Heritage shirt printed perfectly by Print Theory here in Kingsburg.

That’s it for today. Go after those projects and don’t let moments of overwhelm halt your progress.

Cheers, Chris