28 Comments

I really enjoyed reading this and found so much comfort in your attitude to your practice and your willingness to keep promises to yourself - I want to do that! Thanks for gently showing that it can be done 💛

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I am really glad to hear, Sarah. Thank you so much for reading!

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Thank you - this reminded me to stop burrowing into substack and get on with my own drawing!

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Oct 13, 2023·edited Oct 13, 2023Author

I totally get it. To me, getting the hang of this new platform has its learning curve, also I find myself enjoy reading so much. Thanks for your kind words, Helen.

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This is great, I totally get it. I’m currently working my way through a project of 100 sketchbooks and sharing them on substack. Subscribed to you now for those days I struggle to keep up because posts like this will keep me motivated so thank you for this!

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Thank you so much for finding my post and your words are so encouraging. Wishing you good luck with your sketchbook project!

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I really love this idea!

Here I am, a professional artist;

I put so much pressure on myself to produce saleable, finished “products”. This ultimately keeps me from creating art of ANY kind on some days. It also inhibits and blocks any fun, creative flow.

I’m very new to Substack and already I’m finding so many more like-minded, kind and generous individuals .

I hope to make my posts on substack, more regular as well. Thanks for inspiring!

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Thanks for sharing your perspective, Crystal. I truly admire working artists, balancing external voices and your own joy must be such a tricky dance, I imagine. I'm fairly new here too, and it's delightful to connect with people and chat about these things, especially since I don't have many real-life artist friends!

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I am already in love with your work and also you are an inspiration. So fast. Within 5 minutes.

And co working with you daughter.

Well, I loved these moments so much!! Had so many of them 🥰❤

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Thank you Julia for being here. Yes co-working time is magical, we both happily get work done with cups of tea.

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Your Substack was my happy finding of the day 😊

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Thank you Teresa, finding your words here just made my day (apology for my such late response!)

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No worries ❤️

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Hello - I just found you, via your Note. I'm glad to find your project here, + I look forward! I also love to explore + experiment in my artistry, + am a fairly recent arrival here at Substack.

Finding our ways, communicating + connecting in this encouraging environment - we are fortunate!

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Hi Jaihn, thank you for finding me. Yes I agree, having like minded group of people is such an encouragement. I'm grateful for the internet!

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Nice timing - I just read your new post, about to say something there, too.

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I love seeing your work on Instagram and am excited to now follow along on Substack too!

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Hi Michelle, so happy to see you here as well!

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I really ejoyed reading this, your skethbook has such beautiful & free mark making. It's so helpful and interesting to hear about your process too.

I also love coworking time with family!

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Thank you for your kind words, I truly appreciate you taking the time to read.

Yes, co-working is fantastic, great reason to brew pots of tea and we all happily get things done!

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This is so inspiring, Akiko, it makes me want to start drawing too. I also enjoy co-working with my daughter, aren’t we lucky ☺️ Thank you for sharing your practice ✨

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Thank you for taking the time to read, Emily. I believe that quick drawing is rejuvenating, it always leaves me feeling refreshed. Hope you have a good time co-working with your daughter too.

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This is great work! Thank you for sharing it with The World. Please keep going! 🌞

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Thank you Ann! I appreciate you took time to read it. I very much enjoy your newsletter.

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I agree with what you say about 15 minutes a day being worth more than 3 hours once a week. That is what I like to tell my beginner piano students - rather practice 15 minutes a day than for hours once a week.

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Yes actually this applies to so many other things as well. It is about building a habit, I think. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

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Love this Akiko! Your daily practice sounds amazing!

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Ooh thank you so much Nanette! Doing my practice always leaves me feeling better, without fail.

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