May Flowers: VANCAF

Earlier this Sunday, I spoke on an artists’ panel at VANCAF! It’s been a year since I contributed work to Salmon Run and Cole Pauls facilitated a chat with a number of us. It was such a pleasure to see some of the other artists again and to be able to chat with some folks that really loved the anthology.

I really love how Cole decided to print it as a newspaper. And that it was free. It makes the distribution of it feel so wonderful and joyful and exciting. It reminds me of how print media used to be circulated in the 90s and 2000s.

I had a few people ask me about my work and it is so rare where I get to meet people. One was a younger kid with her parents and that felt truly special to me. I let them know to check my website for updates on my upcoming publications and if they happen to read this post, please know y’all made my day. Sechanalyagh (thank you).

I’m also deeply appreciative of my friend Maritza coming to the talk and asking such a great question to all of the artists. She is an incredible 3-D sculpture artist and she talks a lot about Indigenous artistry in her field. I think it’s an important conversation and it’s such a pleasure to take time to examine the intersections of Indigenous artists working in similar but very unique creative environments.

Anyways, I’m very thankful for where my illustration career has taken me. I’ve been working quite hard to break into children’s book publishing and I believe that I’ve been quite successful with getting my name out there. And I also believe it’s the right time in my life to be able to take on this work. I have been reflecting a lot on how life takes you certain places, it’s partially based on your work ethic but at a certain point it’s also based on reputation and the good energy you put into the world.

Just a wonderful reminder to always work on your creative passions. Keep trying harder, don’t give up, just make things you love and keep at it even when it gets hard. The practice of creative expression isn’t always easy but if you keep at it, you see growth.

Keep gardening and growing, friends.

September update: Ought ‘em

I’m excited to share that “Drum from the Heart” is one of the top 15 best-selling books in British Columbia! Our book landed at #12. I was chatting with the author Ren and we are both so elated and thankful for all of the support for this publication. As I’ve said in the past, it was an absolute pleasure illustrating this story because it’s filled with love and has such a powerful message for Indigenous youth. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, check out your local bookstore or you can order it from Indigo Chapters. If you’re located in Vancouver, the toy store named Dilly Dally and Irondog Books have several copies available! I always recommend supporting local retailers when you can. :)

Here’s the link to the article.

This September has been incredibly busy for me and my family. I am currently working on another publication with Medicine Wheel Education, I look forward to sharing more details when I can! Also, I’m working on a picture book with Kids Can Press which is very exciting! The team has been incredible to work with so far and I cannot wait to get to the painting stage of this project because these images are going to be brimming with colour!

Also, I recently produced an image for Sweet Potato magazine. Check out the article here.

I’m riding the cool breeze of September aided by that back-to-school momentum to help fuel the inspiration for my recent projects. I’m also looking forward to spending more time cooking this Fall, we typically try not to use the stove or oven in the summer because it heated up our space so much. And it was a really hot summer! So now that the weather is cooling off, I’ve started making a few batches of soup and roasting root vegetables. This is my favourite time of year and I am really looking forward to October.

Take care and keep well. And buy a squash this week, cuz why not?

It’s over and I’m tired.

Well, well, well. The great news is, I passed my thesis defence. I’m in the process of uploading it to the university’s official website but I am pretty much done my degree. I worked so hard on my presentation and decided that since I wasn’t presenting data, I wouldn’t use a PowerPoint. I often find that they are only useful if you are using images or specific figures that are needed to support what you’re talking about. Otherwise, it’s a bit superfluous. If I had more time, I would have illustrated some slides but I chose to not spend my time doing that. Instead I focused on writing a presentation that was well-rehearsed and added context to my overall written work.

My eyes were totally bleary the night before my presentation from staring at a screen for so long. But I really did write out my presentation (2000 words+, edited down from 3000+!!!) so that I wasn’t simply reading aloud from my actual thesis. Well…for a few segments, I did do this. But for the most part, I didn’t. Anyways. I am so happy to have passed and I received great feedback from my committee and specifically, they commented on the strength of my presentation which made me feel like I made the right choice about not doing a PowerPoint and instead focusing on what I would say.

The week after my defence (I defended on May 11), I was absolutely exhausted. I didn’t leave my apartment. I slept so much, I just had zero energy. Despite this, I tried really hard to celebrate. But like everything during Covid, it’s felt a little lacklustre and I guess, that’s just how it is. Also, I won’t actually graduate until November so that is likely contributing to this occasion feeling a bit…deflated. But at least I no longer have to worry about my thesis anymore.

I want to feel filled with a sense of achievement but I’m not there yet. I feel a little out of sorts. One day, I might describe how the thesis process felt but for now, I just need to rest. I’m taking a break and I’m trying to reset my focus on my family, my daughter and just… taking time to chill and sleep and feel rejuvenated.

Anyways. I just wanted to share this update.

I am proud of myself, completing a graduate degree is something I have always dreamed of doing. Now that it’s done, it feels a little disorienting. Waves of achievement with waves of other emotions, too. I’m just gonna ride it out and see how I feel about it in a few months.

PS I will share the thesis link when it’s officially published.