Welcome, Summer!

Happy June, friends. The Sun is no longer shy, the roses are on their way out, and the swimming pool is looking mighty tempting. I’ve always been a Spring and FALL kinda gal but here in Mendocino County is near Summer, and I kinda like it. I feel closer to my 11 year self, who loved playing in sprinklers and eating popsicles. She wants to come out and play now, so I pray it won’t be 100 + degrees all June and July so she can have at least a little fun in the sun.

I’m working away at my newest collection of short stories for children. The working title is B. Tull, Private Eye: All in a Day’s Work. I’m loosening up my line work this time, staying in a 2 color palette, and letting the book be as simple as possible. Some moms wear Mom Jeans, I wear my “KISS” hat (keep it simple, sweetie). This has been crucial to my “getting things done” and staying sane.

Some inspirations for this book are the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel, Dr. Seuss, and Quentin Blake. If you look at these artists, they don’t try too hard. They let it flow. Quentin Blake is known for practicing his line work over and over, so that it’s nearly effortless when he has to use it for real. I’ve always been pretty tight when drawing- I like my lines nicely curved and very strait, shaky lines make me nervous. But now, if I’m too nervous, my lines are MORE shaky, so if I loosen up, I can find a happy middle ground.

I’m also on the hunt for commissions. I’ve been out of the social media game for a while, which means I’ve lost most of my threads to folks who might be interested in projects with me. It’s a struggle to build something back with good boundaries, and I think I’ll have to humble myself and start asking folks to help me spread the word. That’s what people did before computers, right? We talked to each other in person or on the phone.

That said, here are my current offerings while I also work on my kids book:

Custom Storybook Character Artwork (available as a commission through my webstore)

I’m also doing pet portraits! I used to do a lot of these but had to pull back when the baby came. I’m back at it, though, and boy is it fun. My favorite part of the cats and dogs are their eye balls. If you’d like one, just send me an email.

I hope you all have a wonderful Summer. Stay cool, get outside, eat lots of melons, and I’ll see you in July!

-Annie

A Bunch of Old Notebooks

Happy February, friends. Motherhood feels a little more natural these days. The baby boy is great and learning so many new sounds and tricks. He’s really into squealing right now.

Right in front of me, I have about ten notebooks from the age of 11-16, where I wrote my deepest and most personal thoughts about the world. I’m going to share a couple of these dorky thoughts, complimented by some new illustrations:

Honestly, my sister doesn’t have a big nose. I guess I was LOOKING for something to comment on at that moment. Other pages mention boyhood crushes, wishing I were an actress, and stuff I saw around my neighborhood. It’s both funny, often boring, and cringe to read my old thoughts.

I was clever at times, often frustrated with being a child and pretty dang hormonal once I reached 12 years old. My guess is I had some “imbalance” back then that has, thankfully, evened out a little. This is my life: constantly dealing with digestive and hormonal junk. Anyone else have so much trouble?

I’m not creating much art these days beyond doodles, but I am writing some songs and picture book ideas down after long morning walks with the baby. It’s an active form of creating and I really enjoy it. I forgot that you could walk and let your mind wander until it lands on some little gemstone, hidden beneath the dense forms that accumulate in the mind. I love writing songs while on these walk and singing to the baby, eventually finding a hooky line that works. I take a voice memo and move onto the next idea.

In 2019, I worked on five new songs with a producer in Los Angeles. I’m really proud of those songs, and I have the itch again right now to explore some new themes and melodies. I’m still in the first phases, but it feels good to write music again. If you haven’t heard my music, you can find it here.

Questions on my mind:

What’s fun about writing and how can I lean into that?

What makes a great hook?

What makes a memorable character?

I added some new goodies in the store! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the month, and look forward to sharing more doodles with you in the future. Ok, back to the baby thing! -Annie

Mammahood

Hello from the other side! (Love you, Adele)

We made it! Birth was hard but surprisingly doable. The body takes over and you just have to let go. But postpartum recovery was tough and I wasn’t so graceful, to be honest. I wanted to DO EVERYTHING because that’s what I was used to, and I was irritable all the time. …. Next time I will lay in bed for two weeks and rest so I can keep my sanity. Good golly my husband needs this.

Enough about that. Motherhood has brought transformation in so many ways. I'm being reborn as a mother, as a do-less kind of woman, as a meditator, as a creative wanderer, as a dreamer (lots of weird dreams, too), as an admirer, and as an artist once again. At first I couldn’t find time to draw, now I am finding myself as I draw.

A few days ago I journaled about the heavier feelings of early motherhood. I LOVE being a mom, and I adore my child, but these early months can be painful with all the hormones, lack of sleep, and having to learn to breastfeed. Wonderfully, once these feelings were out on paper, they evaporated and I felt a lightness. Thank you pen and paper for being my therapist. I also sketched a magical village that I envision for an old picture book story. It has been over 10 years since it first visited me, and now it’s making an appearance in my sketchbook with new façades.

This Winter I am invested in:

• Reading with baby

• Sketching

• Playing with baby

• Researching new recipes

• Resting deeply

• Moving consciously

• Creating with wonder and curiosity

I’ve had a few family members that are experiencing hard times. I know this season is difficult for many reasons, and I encourage you to reach out to your loved ones and check in on them. And if you’re feeling dumpy, let someone know. Swallow some Vitamin D, go for a walk and take some deep breaths. I swear this all helps a TON. Lots of hugs and see you soon.

-Annie