I love your comment, Priya, and I'm beginning to think I should've written this post about creative imperfections, not invitations! But you've inspired me that maybe that'll be an excellent thing to explore in this month's essay for paid subscribers 😊 Thank you so much for reading, and for your wonderful encouragement to lean into imperfection, not try to avoid it -- as much in life as in our art 🤍
Thanks for sharing some of your book covers, they're gorgeous. And I agree with everyone else, I love to see the hand of the artist in the art, the little imperfections that make it just right.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words, Aimee, and especially for what you wrote here: "I love to see the hand of the artist in the art." I absolutely do as well, but it's funny how I can forget that when it comes to my own work and keep striving for perfection. Thank you for the encouragement and timely reminder to embrace the imperfections 🤍
Oh, Candace ~ I loved seeing your work from some of the other books you’ve illustrated. They’re beautiful and they really do invite you in. It’s a gift to get a glimpse of your artistry. The blue lines give a wonky charm to the page and I love that so much more than precision. 🩷
Thank you for your kind words, Roseanne! They mean so much to read. And as I just wrote to Priya above, I'm feeling so inspired by everyone's comments here, and I'm thinking that this month's essay for paid subscribers is going to be all about embracing our creative imperfections, not perfection and precision, so thank you again for your encouragement 🤍
I think the wobbly lines add texture and realism to your beautiful journal page 💕. Who needs (or wants) perfectly straight lines anyway 😊. Excited for your next essay!
Thank you so much, Cindy! I'm feeling so encouraged by all the comments here, and for the much-needed reminder to embrace the wobbly imperfections -- as much as in life as in our writing and art 😊🙌
Love it. My favourite parts, strangely, are the 3 holes. I can feel what it would feel like to touch them. Strange but true! Looking forward to the read.
I love that, Gayle! And I have to say that I was also really happy with how those three holes turned out -- it's funny how it's sometimes the littlest things about a new illustration that will bring me joy :) Thanks so much for your comment, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week 🤍
I love it! I don’t think watercolor lines are ever supposed to be perfectly straight as water can’t be that precisely controlled. Whenever I get obsessive about a straight watercolor line I just remind myself water isn’t meant to be 180 degrees as it is fixed at 104.5 degrees.
Thank you so much for your comment, Ashley, and for that fascinating info about water! I'd never heard that before. It's funny how fluidity is key to my two favorite mediums in art -- watercolors and acrylic inks, which is what I mainly paint with now -- and yet I can still try and fight it, wishing for greater precision. Thank you for the reminder to let go more and lean into our creative imperfections 🤍
I think the fluidity is my favorite part of watercolors! It is a constant lesson in letting go and trusting it will be ok. Can’t wait to see the new story!
I like the wobbly lines. In fact, that's my favorite thing about watercolors is the fluidity the paints provide in making the images. Photographic realism in paintings actually turns my off. Why bother? Just shoot a photo! The dreamy aspect of watercolors, the rebellious nature of the pigments creates the painter's vision of the subject. Frustrating as watercolors can be, the result can be thrilling on an emotional level.
Thank you so much for your comment, Sue. I couldn't agree more with you about not being drawn to realism in art, and yet it's funny how I can still have certain expectations for my own illustrations -- thank you for the timely reminder to lean into the fluidity and let things flow a little more freely 😊
Hi Candace, I can't wait to see it. The wobbly lines add so much more character too. Thanks for sharing those books that you illustrated. I am going to add them to my "to be read" list!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Joan! And I so hope you'll enjoy checking out the books as well -- if you're a fan of travel writing, I especially recommend Don George's. It's a beautiful collection of stories that explore the inner journey as much as they do his outer journeys through the world. I have a feeling they'll resonate with you! 🤍
Yes, the slightly wobbly blue lines make it even more authentic. Beautiful! And compelling for me. After 20+years of painting in oils, I developed a hand tremor that took away my ability to control my beloved paintbrushes. So I gave digital painting a try and found potential there, but the unrelenting tremor and new vision problems wore me out. Long story condensed: my painting days are over. It was and remains a heartbreaking loss for me. But your slightly squiggly blue lines made me want to grab a brush and see if I could match your skills! Most all your paintings and drawings that I’ve seen on substack make me feel alive again! Especially the print you sent to me of the little yellow breasted bird. Thank you Candace.
I love the wobbly blue lines! :)
Thank you, Jeffrey!! I'm so happy to hear it 😊
It is the imperfections that draw us every time, those glimpses into being human! Looking forward to it!
I love your comment, Priya, and I'm beginning to think I should've written this post about creative imperfections, not invitations! But you've inspired me that maybe that'll be an excellent thing to explore in this month's essay for paid subscribers 😊 Thank you so much for reading, and for your wonderful encouragement to lean into imperfection, not try to avoid it -- as much in life as in our art 🤍
Thanks for sharing some of your book covers, they're gorgeous. And I agree with everyone else, I love to see the hand of the artist in the art, the little imperfections that make it just right.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words, Aimee, and especially for what you wrote here: "I love to see the hand of the artist in the art." I absolutely do as well, but it's funny how I can forget that when it comes to my own work and keep striving for perfection. Thank you for the encouragement and timely reminder to embrace the imperfections 🤍
Oh, Candace ~ I loved seeing your work from some of the other books you’ve illustrated. They’re beautiful and they really do invite you in. It’s a gift to get a glimpse of your artistry. The blue lines give a wonky charm to the page and I love that so much more than precision. 🩷
Thank you for your kind words, Roseanne! They mean so much to read. And as I just wrote to Priya above, I'm feeling so inspired by everyone's comments here, and I'm thinking that this month's essay for paid subscribers is going to be all about embracing our creative imperfections, not perfection and precision, so thank you again for your encouragement 🤍
Very much looking forward to the new story. The cover looks great! =)
Thank you so much, Laura! I can't wait to share it with you next week :)
I think the wobbly lines add texture and realism to your beautiful journal page 💕. Who needs (or wants) perfectly straight lines anyway 😊. Excited for your next essay!
Thank you so much, Cindy! I'm feeling so encouraged by all the comments here, and for the much-needed reminder to embrace the wobbly imperfections -- as much as in life as in our writing and art 😊🙌
Love it. My favourite parts, strangely, are the 3 holes. I can feel what it would feel like to touch them. Strange but true! Looking forward to the read.
I love that, Gayle! And I have to say that I was also really happy with how those three holes turned out -- it's funny how it's sometimes the littlest things about a new illustration that will bring me joy :) Thanks so much for your comment, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week 🤍
Gorgeous, I can’t wait!
Thank you, Donna! 🤍
I love it! I don’t think watercolor lines are ever supposed to be perfectly straight as water can’t be that precisely controlled. Whenever I get obsessive about a straight watercolor line I just remind myself water isn’t meant to be 180 degrees as it is fixed at 104.5 degrees.
Thank you so much for your comment, Ashley, and for that fascinating info about water! I'd never heard that before. It's funny how fluidity is key to my two favorite mediums in art -- watercolors and acrylic inks, which is what I mainly paint with now -- and yet I can still try and fight it, wishing for greater precision. Thank you for the reminder to let go more and lean into our creative imperfections 🤍
I think the fluidity is my favorite part of watercolors! It is a constant lesson in letting go and trusting it will be ok. Can’t wait to see the new story!
Enjoyed your thoughts on the joys of the creative process. The hand-touches of your illustrations vibrate with artistry.
Thank you for your lovely words, Julie! They mean so much 🤍
Oh I’m excited for this! My family is from Holland 🥰
I love hearing that, Kerani! I so hope you'll enjoy reading the story next week then 😊🤍
I like the wobbly lines. In fact, that's my favorite thing about watercolors is the fluidity the paints provide in making the images. Photographic realism in paintings actually turns my off. Why bother? Just shoot a photo! The dreamy aspect of watercolors, the rebellious nature of the pigments creates the painter's vision of the subject. Frustrating as watercolors can be, the result can be thrilling on an emotional level.
Thank you so much for your comment, Sue. I couldn't agree more with you about not being drawn to realism in art, and yet it's funny how I can still have certain expectations for my own illustrations -- thank you for the timely reminder to lean into the fluidity and let things flow a little more freely 😊
Hi Candace, I can't wait to see it. The wobbly lines add so much more character too. Thanks for sharing those books that you illustrated. I am going to add them to my "to be read" list!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Joan! And I so hope you'll enjoy checking out the books as well -- if you're a fan of travel writing, I especially recommend Don George's. It's a beautiful collection of stories that explore the inner journey as much as they do his outer journeys through the world. I have a feeling they'll resonate with you! 🤍
I looove the slightly wobbly lines! They are perfect
I love the wobbly blue lines and also love this peek behind the scenes! Looking forward to the new story!
Yes, the slightly wobbly blue lines make it even more authentic. Beautiful! And compelling for me. After 20+years of painting in oils, I developed a hand tremor that took away my ability to control my beloved paintbrushes. So I gave digital painting a try and found potential there, but the unrelenting tremor and new vision problems wore me out. Long story condensed: my painting days are over. It was and remains a heartbreaking loss for me. But your slightly squiggly blue lines made me want to grab a brush and see if I could match your skills! Most all your paintings and drawings that I’ve seen on substack make me feel alive again! Especially the print you sent to me of the little yellow breasted bird. Thank you Candace.