Can’t get enough of the art supplies! My favorite right now is watercolor (I really like Daniel Smith), but I also recently discovered the joy of simple colored pencils (Polychromos, after much research and internal debate)

When I started college, I knew I would major in Art. When it came time to pick a specific focus in the Art Department, I went the Graphic Design route. While in school, I kept up with a variety of media as elective classes, but after graduation poured all of my energy into being a graphic designer and lost touch with my artistic side. “Design” and “Art” were pitted against each other in my mind.

Now, many years later, I’m so happy to be rediscovering my artistic roots. I enjoy many different media — in fact every time I see a new online class, YouTube video, or Pin on an approach or style I haven’t tried yet I dig in with enthusiasm. After a trip to the art store. My little corner of the dining room is starting to overflow with supplies…

As a designer, illustration has always been intriguing to me. This year, I asked myself “What if I just went down the path of becoming an illustrator?” It sort of hit me that I don’t really know what I was waiting for. So since I’ve gotten rusty with the basics of art like drawing skills, value and contrast, proportion, etc., I’m starting at the beginning by reading Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards, and doing all of the exercises in it.

I’m not sure where this journey will take me, but I’m really glad to be making art again.