Hi Reader!
September’s here, and doesn’t it just feel like the unofficial new year? That back-to-school energy always sneaks in, even if you haven’t touched a binder in a decade. In Canada, Labour Day weekend is the last little exhale of summer before things start to shift. Cooler mornings, earlier sunsets, and a whole lot more tea in my mug.
I’ve been easing back into the season, juggling a few projects and dreaming up new ideas. Go grab something warm and cozy, and let’s catch up on what’s been happening around here.
Most of my time this month has gone into giving my website a much-needed refresh. The pages are designed, the icons are all in place, and now I’m staring down the part that always trips me up... deciding what artwork to actually show.
I’m still figuring out what that mix looks like, but it’s coming together and I can’t wait to share more soon.
I finished up a new retirement card, and it was honestly just really fun to make. I leaned into that slightly silly, not-too-serious vibe that I love for these kinds of moments.
It’s one of those ideas that popped into my head and immediately made me smile, so I knew I had to run with it. I’ve been wanting to build out more milestone cards, and this felt like a fun one to start with.
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Let's work together!
Are you looking to collaborate on a project or maybe you're interested in licensing my artwork? I'd love to hear from you!
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A tiny Procreate trick I didn’t know I needed
Even after years of using Procreate, I still run into little things that surprise me. Usually totally by accident.
The latest one? If you press and hold the eye icon on a layer, it hides everything else and shows just that layer. That’s it. But it makes such a difference. No more poking around trying to figure out what’s where. Just a simple shortcut that makes things easier.
Can Art Hustler succeed where Patternfield fizzled?
There’s a new platform popping up this October called Art Hustler, and I’ve been low-key curious about it. It’s being started by Angela Staehling (you might know her from her course License & Launch) and a biz partner, I don’t think she’s named yet.
I’ve actually followed Angela since that course launched a few years ago. I thought about joining, but ended up holding off. What I really wanted at the time was more hands-on feedback, not just course content. So now with Art Hustler, it sounds like she might be building something closer to what I was missing back then.
The part I’m most curious about is their monthly deep-dive trend reports, where they highlight a specific trend they think will stand out to buyers. Not just general “what’s trending” stuff, but more focused, intentional direction. Honestly, I kind of love that idea.
It gave me instant Patternfield flashbacks. Remember that one? It looked promising at first, but never really took off. It was more of a portfolio directory without much community, and it just felt kind of static. You uploaded your work and then just hoped a buyer would find you. And then eventually it just sort of... vanished.
Art Hustler feels different. It sounds like there will be more support, more conversation, and if it ends up being a monthly membership, that’s a big plus. Way less pressure to commit long-term. If I try it and it’s not a fit, I can peace out without stressing over it.
I’m curious if you’ve heard about it. Would you join something like this? Or are you feeling kind of over it with platforms that promise a lot and don’t really deliver?
How Samantha Dion Baker Built a Creative Life Through Sketchbooks, Storytelling, and Simplicity
This was such a lovely read. It’s all about using sketchbooks as a personal, grounding practice. No pressure, no polish. Just space to create for yourself.
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The freelance payment terms that save my sanity 😅
Katie shares the exact terms she uses in her contracts and explains why they matter. It’s super helpful if you’ve ever felt unsure about what to include or how to set boundaries around money.
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Does B2B Slow Down in Summer? Why Lead Generation Still Works in July & August
If your inbox has felt quiet lately, this made me feel better about it. Turns out the summer slowdown is real, especially in the B2B world. Makes sense when you think about it.
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Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with any of the above resources. I'm sharing them because I found them interesting and thought you might as well!
Question of the month |
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This time of year always feels like a bit of a creative reset. What’s September making you want to focus on or create?
Hit reply, I'd love to hear from you!
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Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. It really does mean a lot that you’re here.
Until next time, stay inspired and keep creating!
