09 Finding My Way Back Through Sketchbooks

How 15 minutes a day helps me reinvent myself

Dear you,

Autumn is inspiring me like nothing else, and as I’ve been happily busy in the studio making things, I find myself wanting to write as well. It feels like there’s never enough time to tackle all the projects while fully embracing all the goodness—the crisp air, softer lights, season’s fruits—this season offers all at once.

Drawing heaven for me, snacking heaven for the family.

Today, I want to share about sketchbooks—an indispensable tool in my art practice. This topic feels particularly relevant as my sketchbook pages were recently featured in a book called “Sketched Out” that explores how different artists use their sketchbooks. Flipping through its pages made me reflect upon how my sketchbook has played the biggest role in my artistic development.

A book “Sketched Out” published by Vicitionary.

The Beginning

Four years ago, my art journey began in a moment of questioning. After 15 years of building a freelance design and illustration career, I found myself a bit lost. Things looked fine on the surface—I had created the freelance life I’d dreamed of, working from home while raising children—yet, something felt off.

What used to bring me joy no longer excited me. I felt a slight discomfort in my belly every time I got new job commissions. I avoided looking at a brief until the very last minute. Not a good sign.

It felt as if I had taken some wrong turns here and there, kept going off course bit by bit, until I looked around to find myself lost in the dark with no light in sight... Oh-oh.

While swimming in this soup of confusion, I caught my intuition whispering: I needed a space that was purely mine, free from client needs or outside expectations. Something simple and personal. I liked the idea—when my intuition speaks up, it’s a rule that I must listen. So, I bought myself a tiny sketchbook and made a simple commitment: 15 minutes every day, just for me, to explore whatever called to my heart.

So the journey begun. Art Creation sketchbook from Talens.

At first, I remember feeling odd about making things that are asked by no one. It was shocking how I had become so used to being told what to make. I also found it hard to justify the time I spend on something no one is asking for.

But as I kept going, I was able to reconnect with the joy of making. I explored themes and things that I was genuinely drawn to. Being freed up from pleasing others, I started to see a way ahead. This tiny sketchbook has become a vast playground filled with possibility.

So, just like that, sketchbooks have been with me since day one of my artistic journey. The first few are filled with illustration-style works, but as time went on, the pages show my gradual shift into more experimental, freer and personal art.

Looking back through them has been invaluable—they are a chronological record of everything I've tried, my process, my thoughts and how my art has evolved.

I have a lot more to share about how I use my sketchbooks and what they've taught me along the way. Let’s hope I can find some quiet time to write before I lose my train of thought…

As always, I appreciate you for being here.

Akiko