Illustration Sketch A Day – A Goal for the Year

Have you ever had a wish that you finally decided to make a goal? For several years…actually, ever since I was in Jr. High I have sketched and painted in a realism style only. Any attempt on illustration I have tried since has failed horribly. I’ve always thought it interesting that cartoon illustrations have been so difficult for me, yet realism is easy and comfortable. This has given me great respect for those who illustrate exclusively. I have been following some illustrators on Instagram who have a daily sketch going of their personal day to day life. I have enjoyed following them so much, I thought I’d give illustration another try. I’m needing to play catch up on this blog post, so this will be a long list. I’d like to invite you to follow my daily illustration sketches on Instagram here. Thanks!

So here's the story behind the recent practice sketches I've been sharing (this one being the 3rd)… I want to hone my skills as an illustrator and jump into a world that is more imaginative, and in order to do that I need to train my brain to unwind from focusing on details and realism, to focusing on simple lines to 'tell the story'. My first sketch was strictly creative-imagination, I wasn't really trying to match a scene, I was creating something new. The second practice was sketching and illustrating from a reference and attempting to illustrate with simple lines… it instead got sandwiched right in the middle of illustration and realism – a bit of a mish mash – and did not turn out how I wanted. This third sketch I wanted to redeem myself from the 2nd and I feel I did well. I didn't try to finish it, I simplified my approach and did a rough sketch – no color. Ultimately from these practice sketches, over time I'll have discovered my signature style and my goal is to do a sketch a day illustrating Clark's and my day to day life. 🙂 I was talking to my mom last night and I was sharing with her how I want to share this journey with everyone in a completely honest way, and that means sharing even the sketches that I'm not satisfied with – which is something I avoid doing; the words of my high school teacher always rings in my ear "your portfolio is only as strong as your weakest piece" — eeek! But I'm tossing his words aside and instead I want to put my good – bad – and the ugly on display and share my growth. An artist is always learning and this is part of my portfolio I want to excel in, because it has always been a challenge for me and I want to strengthen all my weak parts. So if you're up for following me – I'd love to have your support! I'll be sharing my work both on my personal Facebook profile (for friends & family) and public on Instagram. Thank you!!! . #illustration #sketches #artist #sketchaday #artistlife ????

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Emotions. . #emotional #illustration #art #sketches #artist #dailysketch

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We finally found the entry point where the squirrels are squeezing their fat fanny's in ???? Funny that we called the professionals 3weeks ago and they said there was a solid screen all intact at the air vents. The scratching and running around in the ceiling was driving me nuts today, so I had my brave warrior of a husband climb up to take a closer look above my office window. Within 30sec he spotted two large tears in the supposed "intact" screen ????????. The screen looks ragged like it's 70years old. So, we'll see if the 'pros' can redeem themselves (and give us a discount) when they come to fix it all up. Good-bye squirrely's. Time to find another home! ???? #keepstrongceiling ???? #almostthere #cantimaginewhatsinthere ???? #somuchpoop ???????? . #dailysketch #artistlife #illustration #art #artist

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About the Artist

I am an advocate first, and an artist second. My paintings create visual comfort-- spaces where grief, hope, and healing can live together without apology...

I paint what matters most: the people you cherish, the moments that shaped you, the feelings that need witness. Through art, your most precious memories move outside of you and into your home, where they can be held, seen, and never forgotten.

My work is rooted in three commitments: honoring the experiences of indigenous communities and the history of the land we inhabit; creating safe space for children and women whose voices have been silenced; and recording the honest truth of lived experience-- both my own and that of those who came before me. I believe art has the power to tell stories that words alone cannot, and to preserve what must not be lost or forgotten. I believe that all that we know about ourselves is because Art has preserved those stories throughout history, outliving those who created it.

When you encounter my work, I hope you find yourself in it-- not as escape, but as recognition. I hope it reminds you that your feelings matter, that your story deserves to be held, and that compassion and truth are still worth carrying forward.

Art is the voice that speaks honestly through the heart. 💝🪷