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winter in sydney

#winterinsydney
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I was walking to the supermarket the other day and it was sooooo incredibly beautiful and warm in the sun that I had to take off my scarf and my jacket. I turned a corner and as soon as I hit the shade I was freeeeeezing. I couldn’t get my layers on fast enough. Such a Sydney winter thing to do. It’s all about layers.

The winter sun is so glorious but as soon as it’s gone your day can go from glorious to dreadful.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

my mamma said: lisa

my mamma said: lisa

#MyMammaSaid

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Lisa’s mother was very concerned for her health (every good mother worries). We’ve all been well trained in public toilet use but I don’t think my training was this specific. Better start doing some deep lunges to allow for sustainable squatting LOL 😛

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 26

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 26

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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PLEASE NOTE: ‘youself’ is not a spelling mistake… it is an editorial choice.

I recently found myself at a cafe without any tech! Shocking I know. I had 45 minutes to fill and no iPhone or iPad to distract me from the fact that I was sitting at a cafe on the footpath all by my lonesome.

I felt a bit lost… my hands were lonely and wanted something to do. I thought about grabbing the news paper, but decided it was a cop out. Besides I had already read the news online before I left the house. So what was a girl to do???

Looking through my handbag I found a small note book and a pencil. I started drawing what I saw… I wrote down some ideas that have been floating around my head… I started making plans for future creative projects. Before I knew it my coffee date had arrived and I wanted more me time. It’s amazing what can come out of your brain when you don’t constantly bombard with with tech, music, noise, images, tv and junk. I am the biggest tech junkie I know so I’m not laying any judgement on anyone out there (including myself) but having a date once a week with just me might be just what the doctor ordered.

I dare you to try it… you never know what you might come up with 🙂

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 26

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 26

Lil Wendy 26
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my mamma said: sharon

my mamma said: sharon

#MyMammaSaid
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This advice was often shared with Sharon… it was actually her grandmother who warned her to beware the one-eyed snake. Sharon’s grandmother is still alive and still hands out handy advice 🙂 This one is pretty self explanatory LOL.

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 25

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 25

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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I know the standard line is ‘don’t talk to strangers’ and it is very good advice for children… however, I am no child. No one would ever say that I am shy… I manage to strike up conversations with strangers in the supermarket, on the train or at cafes. I don’t even start all of these conversations… they just find me. I have met some AMAZING people and have had great random chats. I have learnt fascinating facts, have been presented with wild theories and engaged in brilliant banter.

Just today I was having coffee at a local cafe, soaking up the glorious winter sun and a lovely lady approached my dog and we ended up talking (about dogs) for half an hour. She might as well have pulled up a stool and had a cup of coffee. It can be lovely to connect with people from different walks of life, different generations/cultures or seemingly other planets.

Over the years I have had a fair few freaky conversations as well. Being an approachable person means that the nut jobs also join in the conversation… this is when you have to rely on your gut instinct. In the game of talking to strangers, youve got to know when to holdem and know when to foldem. If you feel at all uncomfortable or unsafe while talking to a stranger just get up and walk away. Don’t let the fear of seeming rude get in the way of self-preservation.

There is a great line in the movie The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo… the bad guy, Martin says “It’s hard to believe that the fear of offending can be stronger than the fear of pain, but you know what? It is.”

The number one rule of talking to strangers is to never give out your contact details. It can be very tempting to continue the conversation but you don’t know this person (no matter how nice they seem). Don’t give them a means to track you down. I once talked to a pianist it a hotel bar about music and mindlessly mentioned where I worked and for the next week he showed up at my work place expecting me to go out with him. It was terrifying. If someone is really cool and you’d like to chat again you could throw out the idea of meeting up the same time next week or just leave it to chance. If it’s meant to be… you will meet up again.

So don’t think that every stranger is a menacing loony or a psycho. Have an open mind… but rely on your instincts and protect your identity 😉

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 25

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 25

Lil Wendy 25
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my mamma said: lisa

my mamma said: lisa

#MyMammaSaid
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It is true that you are good at what you do often. Friends will tell me they wish they could draw and I always ask “well, do you draw every day?” Lisa is a very talented illustrator as well as being an accomplished violinist. So the moral of this story is, do stuff you want to be good at… eventually you should become ‘good’ at it.

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

The idea for this project came about after an unusual discussion I had at a party with a very open minded and outspoken french woman. She shared with me a very personal piece of advice her mother gave her… she said it was the best advice her mother had given her. I am not sure if I will ever be comfortable publishing her advice as it is sooooo explicit! It did shock me, stick in my mind and give me the inspiration for this project 😛 Merci beaucoup.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 24

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 24

#WhatILearntThisWeek

I think we are ALL guilty of this one. I know I am.

We are all so busy and have so many things vying for our attention that conversation is often sacrificed in the name of efficiency. So often when someone comes to tell us a story, the latest news or a fascinating fact they’ve just discovered, we shoot them down with ‘I know’.

I worked with a girl once who did this ALL THE TIME. It really drove me nuts. It wouldn’t matter what I said… it could have made something up and she would swat me down with an ‘I know’.

I really started to notice this a lot in others and in the last few weeks I’ve found that I do it myself. So what are you really saying when you dismiss someone with an ‘I know’? Surely you don’t know EVERYTHING. No one can. Often it’s used before a sentence is even completed. You’re saying, “shut up”, “I don’t care about what you have to say” or maybe “What makes you think you know more than I do”.

We often think we know enough about a topic. You may know the headlines but do you really know everything? No, you don’t. You could learn something new, get some insight into philosophy or gain an understanding of something you’ve never allowed yourself to consider before. So try to open your mind, close your mouth and listen… you never know what you might learn.

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 24

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 24

Lil Wendy 24
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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 23

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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I am a firm believer in the importance of our every day language – both to ourselves and to others.

Firstly lets tackle the self: we are often so mean to ourselves and we believe (falsely) that this motivates us and pushes us forward. Everyone has negative thoughts… we can never get rid of them. However, listening to the mean voice in our heads (our inner critic) can really stop us from creating, taking chances and living a full and fun life. Some people give in to their inner critic more than others and if you do find yourself being crippled by these nasty words try to challenge them and prove them wrong. The simplest way to challenge them is to say the exact opposite but say it out loud… rinse and repeat.

Secondly lets tackle others: I had not thought much about daily language (even though I had been in an emotionally abusive relationship in my twenties) until I was visiting a girlfriend. Her husband walked in the door and did not say hello, did not ask how her day was but he immediately blasted her about the jobs she had done that day and why she had not done this or that. I was stunned. I could not believe that this beautiful and extremely intelligent woman would put up with that kind of treatment. I’m sure deep down in his heart he believes he loves his wife but his daily language is telling her that she’s a piece of shit.

A second example was a neighbour I recently overheard yelling at his wife about how she was reversing the car out their garage. He screamed at her, called her a ‘stupid bitch’ and told her that she didn’t deserve to have a car. He went on and on about how stupid she was and it was loud enough for the whole street to hear. I’m sure if you asked him he would tell you that he loves his wife but his daily language is hateful and damaging to her (and other members of their family I’m sure). I have no doubt she was mortified not only by the way he spoke to her but also that the whole street had a front row seat to her humiliation.

This really got me to thinking. It doesn’t matter if we think we love someone, if we adore them with all of heart and scream it from the rooftops if every day you’re telling them in a small way that they mean nothing to you. I would much rather have people in my life who spoke kindly and thoughtfully in small measure every day than a thoughtless verbal abuser who tried to make up for their bad behaviour with a grand gesture every now and then. How wonderful would it be to live in a world where grand gestures were not used as a Band-Aid for bad behaviour?

I have really tried to apply this to my own life and how I speak to my loved ones. It’s so easy when we’re having a bad day or have a headache to lash out at someone close to you but doing so doesn’t benefit anyone. Nasty words hurt and kind words heal.

This also applies to the way we talk to ourselves. A lot can come from being nice. Try it in the mirror or on a loved one today 🙂

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 23

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 23

Lil Wendy 23
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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 22

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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Don’t take this the wrong way… I love to cook. What I’m talking about here is my choice not to have children.

I know times are changing and women’s rights have come a very, very long way but for some reason, people still think it’s their business to quiz women about whether or not they are going to have children. This used to happen occasionally in my thirties but now that I’m in my forties it happens almost every time I leave the house. Why do people care?

Just because you have the equipment (a uterus/oven) it does not mean you have to use it (to cook a baby/cake). I don’t think men are quizzed with the same frequency and I’m baffled as to why people care so much. Also, it doesn’t stop at do you have kids… it evolves into why, why not and a long list of reasons why you should (including not dying alone). I’m not talking about close friends curiously prying into your plans and dreams, its usually complete strangers who inquire and judge you.

I guess it’s the same for newly wed couples… as soon as their honeymoon is over they are constantly quizzed if they’re trying to have kids. I know that kids are a huge deal (one of the reasons I don’t want to breed) but why is it that everyone who has them tries to guilt trip you into having your own? I’m starting to question their enthusiasm and that maybe I’ve made the right choice after all 😛

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 22

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 22

Lil Wendy 22
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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 21

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 21

Lil Wendy 21
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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 21

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 21

#WhatILearntThisWeek #Survivor
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You either love or hate Survivor… there seems to be no in-between. I do indeed love the show and my mother and I have watched every season and they just get better and better.

There is an overwhelming lesson I have learnt from watching this show for so many years and that is to NEVER GIVE UP!

During challenges there are some people who give it their ALL and some who half-arse it. It is amazing when someone who is not doing very well in a challenge just keeps giving it their all. They just keep trying (just like the engine that could) and beat the odds. There are so many factors to take into account… someone might have done really well in one leg of the challenge but stumble at the last hurdle, or one challenger might be physically fit but shocking at puzzles.

There have been times in life that I just want to give up on a task and I remember these hard earned wins in Survivor and I just keep on going. You can do more than you think you can. Just keep trying as you never know what you might achieve.

Make those hours watching reality TV count for something and take this lesson as your own. Keep going, never give up, the guy who just ran past you might get winded or he may not be as good at problem solving as you are. Just keep going 🙂

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 20

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 20

Lil Wendy 20
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anybody can be anything if they want it bad enough

anybody can be anything if they want it bad enough

@DefianceWorld
cectimm anybody can be anything if they want it bad enough.jpg

Now before the grammar cops arrest me for the way this sentence is constructed… don’t shoot the messenger! Deirdre Lamb is a fictional character who resides in the fantasy future world of the TV Show Defiance. She is super sassy and comes up with some ballsy one-liners that get straight to the point.

Whether you watch the show or not… just remember to go for what you really want 🙂

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 20

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 20

#WhatILearntThisWeek
What-I-Learnt-This-Week-WK20

I thought my gorgeous poodle Leroy Brown attracted a lot of attention when I went for a walk, but when my sister got Jackson Brown a very little and very cute red teacup poodle, who demanded unprecedented attention and stopped traffic (literally).

Dogs really do make it easy for strangers to strike up a conversation. I can’t walk 2 meters without being stopped and quizzed about the fluffy beauty on the end of the leash. It is wonderful to meet so many people and if I was shy it would be a great ice-breaker. However, I am not shy and if I really wanted to talk to someone, then I just would. I have had some great conversations with many lovely people and I’m getting to know more locals which has had its benefits 🙂 So if you’re a tad lonely, a bit shy and you want to get to know people then get a small, fluffy and irresistibly cute puppy and you will have a endless stream of conversations.

Now here is the reason this is a 2-part lesson… If you want to have a contemplative quiet walk to clear your heart, head or mind then DON’T walk with an irresistibly cute puppy dog. You will be annoyed and harassed and no matter how much you grumble and just walk on by, his adoring fans will burst your bubble and you will not get the peace you’re looking for. There is no peace when accompanied by such beauty.

Having said that, I was waiting at the station to pick up my sister and a stream of overworked and very stressed out looking city workers were flowing out of the train station. I was getting annoyed by all of the Jackson love, for goodness sake it’s a dog NOT a stuffed toy. But then I noticed the look on many peoples faces change from downtrodden and exhausted to exhilarated and thrilled to see something so beautiful. So if you are going to invest time, money and Heart Realestate in a fluffy friend then you have to take your role as smile ambassador seriously and just go along with all of the attention ♥

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 19

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 19

Lil Wendy 19
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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 19

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 19

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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Sometimes it’s hard to realise that we have a choice.

Bitterness (also know as resentfulness) comprises of the three basic emotions of disgust, sadness and surprise. People who are bitter often feel a sense of injustice and that their lot in life is not fair.

Bad things happen and life is unfair. So what are we going to do about it? There are two paths we can go down… we have the choice to be bitter and resent our situation or we can choose to be better and learn to accept and deal with the cards we’ve been dealt and get stronger.

Some people will fall apart and lose their shit over the smallest of things like missing out on a handbag on sale and others will find a way to deal with devastating news about their health that will affect the rest of their lives. It’s a matter of choice. But until you know you have a choice you can’t actually do anything about it. The next time you’re dealt a crappy card take a moment to think about how you want to respond to it… you might find the ‘better’ path a bit less taxing in the long run.

Life is great but shit happens, sometimes really bad shit happens and bitterness only makes a bad situation worse. Also, remember that bitterness is ugly… the same way you don’t like to be around bitter and angry people… try not to be one yourself.

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 18

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 18

Lil Wendy 18

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 18

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 18

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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There has been a lot of human suffering in the last few weeks on planet earth (lets face it there always is).

On the smaller side of the scale, the murder of two Australian citizens by the Indonesian Government has had a massive impact on Australia and our attitude towards our neighbour in the north. It seems that an apparent show of power and a huge lack of compassion were key factors in these executions going ahead. On the other end of the scale the massive loss, distraction, and catastrophic suffering in Nepal due to mother natures show of power has lead to a global outpouring of help, love, support and compassion for the people of Nepal (even though we wonder how the help can really make it to such remote and cut off areas).

There are always horrible things going on in the world but every now and then a few capture our attention and tug on our heartstrings more than others (for whatever reason). This week witnessing the apparent lack of compassion practiced in one part of Asia and the incredible global display of compassion for our neighbours in Nepal has highlighted the importance of power and compassion.

People often think that power comes from showing physical, mental or emotional strength over others. However, in my experience it is the individuals who can practice love and compassion without the need for validation and adoration to be the most powerful. It’s the power you keep to yourself that is the truest and strongest power of all. Compassion is king and ultimately I believe it makes us stronger – for ourselves and for others.

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 17

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 17

Lil Wendy 17

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 17

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 17

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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It’s funny the things you can learn about yourself by loving someone else.

I take the role of aunty very seriously. I have read studies that confirm the importance of an alternative strong female role model in a young girl’s life and I want to pull my weight in positively influencing this little woman in the making.

I heard the way I spoke to her, propping her up, telling her how great she is (which is true) and doing my bit to contribute to her good self-esteem. When I went back to my own projects and tasks and I heard the way I spoke to myself and there was a huge disparity. I was a bully to myself. I was outright mean. Actually I’m kind of embarrassed to think of the way I have spoken to myself for so many years.

A change of script was in order, so I decided to start speaking to myself the same way I spoke to my beautiful niece and something wonderful happened… I forgave myself for not succeeding as much as I’d like, I started drawing without fear or self-ridicule and I had an enormous amount of peace (the bully had been kicked out). Everybody deals with their inner critic in different ways but this one really worked for me. I’d like to say my inner critic is dead and buried but I don’t think it ever can be killed off entirely. However just like diet, as long as you’re really good 90% of the time and keep the junk to 10% it will all work out in the end.

A friend of mine makes these Inner Critic dolls… you might find them useful 🙂

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 16

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 16

Lil Wendy 16

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 16

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 16

#WhatILearntThisWeek
Scan 18.jpeg
I consider myself to be a very non-judgemental person. I really believe that I accept people for what they are.

Having said this I was recently sitting in a cafe and a strange and slightly scary man who lives in my area approached the outside tables. He walks the streets (sometimes almost naked) collecting cigarette butts. He scans the ground, garden beds and bins for his beloved butts. I was sitting outside a local cafe when he walked past… a man at the next table leant forward and offered him some cigarettes. He approached the table and I was a bit apprehensive about how he might react. He graciously accepted the cigarettes and spoke in a clear and friendly voice. I was stunned. He sounded educated and had a bit of a posh accent. Why was I so floored?

I had judged him terribly. Chances are he is still as crazy as I had originally feared but he was also well spoken, polite and seemingly calm and collected. I had never heard him speak as I had judged him and decided it was best to fear him and keep my distance.
However, judgement is not all bad. We are judging people all the time. Perhaps it is a survival mechanism. We need to know who might be potentially dangerous to avoid injury or conflict.

While it seems that judgement is very much a part of our make up… I think it is important to recognise the role judgement plays in how we see the world. We need to make sure that we are judging the right things and not letting our judgement get in the way of being the best humans we can be.

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 15

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 15

Lil Wendy 15

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 15

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 15

#WhatILearntThisWeek

We focus so much on where we want to be and where want to go to… why not focus on our attitude instead.
Change your attitude… let’s face it, it’s the one thing you can change RIGHT NOW that won’t cost you anything. You never know, changing your attitude might change a whole lot of other things in your life as well.

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge BONUS Cocoon

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge BONUS Cocoon

Lil Wendy Bonus Cocoon 1

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 14

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 14

Lil Wendy 14b

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 14

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 14

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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I ADORE this saying… it’s so simple. I have previously featured the work of Rachel Ryle on my site under Artists I Like… an animation artist that is taking youtube and instagram by storm. Her brand of cute and straight to the point really suits my sensibility and attention span. I just adore her work.

This last week she posted the video below and I feel in love with the quote “Good things come to those who make”. Priceless and so true… even if the good thing is just a warm glowy feeling inside from doing something you truly love. Keep up the good work Rachel… you are inspiring us all.

[youtube id=”6Kecu6nkVFc” maxwidth=”1000″]

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 13

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 13

Lil Wendy 13

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