StudioNews: April/24
Dear nonchalant friends,
Welcome to another monthly update!
How was April on your side? Here was that kinda month that you are busy all the time but seems like nothing much to show. It’s a little unsatisfying. Spring didn’t show up until last minute and then we had many sunny days. I always think life moves faster in sunshine.
Today is Monday, cloudy for a change, after lots of sunshine days last week. Just rained a bit. I love it. I’m sitting on my new studio in Copenhagen, now after a month doesn’t feel so new anymore, feels cozy. I have my coffee and set one full hour to write you the news.
Join me with your favourite drink and/or snack and let me tell all about last month at my studio!
STUDIO - what was going around here:
New Studio - new routine, new colleagues and an intern!
First day of April I was set at my new studio place. I’m this kinda person who builds nest. That makes a home wherever I step. So, when I moved to my new studio I went all in. I brought it all and quickly tried to make it my home. Visually looks almost the same, but it felt different in many ways. I also feel different. It’s a new routine, 5 min walking from home. I can be at the studio earlier. I go home earlier. I can come on weekends for quick 1h work. I could come back to studio right after surgery. Because.. it’s close. It’s also less studio mates. We are 9 here (old one we were almost 20) It’s small and cozy and everyone is so nice! There is also a rooftop where we have lunch on sunshine days. I’m loving it!
I also have an intern: Claire, from France! She started this month and has been such fab addition to my work routine! She is smart, focused and talented! I think she’s helping me more than I’m helping her. I feel very lucky!
Client Work - back and busy!
The fun Sticker book project is back! That means I have lots of small deadlines until July. If you are new to this moment, I started this project in January with Sales Material. Then there was an unusual long pause (February-March) and then back in April. It’s a lot of pages of activities and pages of stickers. Final is beginning of July.
I’ve got the briefing on 15th April and tagged my intern along on this task - all hands on deck! The first batch of sketches was due May 1st
On numbers: The briefing says 5 stickers pages + 10 scenes spreads. But the 5 pages content is 84 animals/stickers. Most of them I had never drew before - which means extra challenge. And usually, I make at least 3 options of each animal. Which end up translating into 16 pages of animals sketches. The 10 scenes I normally don’t make extra options but I do make it with probably too many details extra that the client can sort it out favourites. In a way, it’s also options. It took me 15 working days.
Initially they gave me 10 working days, but I got a small surgery/procedure in the middle of the deadline so I got 3-4 days extra. I did end up working some weekends. So 15 working days is what happened. It was “just enough”. I didn’t get overwhelmed but didn’t have much free time for anything. Claire helped me finding references and also sketching her own version of the scenes. I mostly guided her compositions so I could use as guides for mine. I thought was a very nice way of working together. :)
I’ve got a new project from the same client after this one. hooray!
So, I’m now fully booked until October. I have hopes of taking October off. …
Personal Projects
April was one month that my Personal Project days were replaced by Life days. I had a trip to London, had surgery, had events. When all this happens and Client work is on the schedule, I had to make my choices and I the life events needed my attention.
1,2,3 Farmers Market: my book - paused
I introduced to Claire my process and she will help me with outlines. I showed the idea to my agent but didn’t feel like she understood much. I regretted showing in such mid stage. I really need to get this more “done” before showing around. Not mentioning that the plan of get it done and sell in May at CPHComics is also not going to happen. But it’s Ok. I have so much love for this project that it’s Ok to take it easy. Actually, is the only way. Really.
here is a screenshot of the colour process
My shop - almost, REALLY, almost ready!
I thought last month that I was close. But turns out, some photos still needed some time on Photoshop. I was almost feeling like no progress would happen in April, but then…. Claire, the magic intern, came to the rescue! On the last week of the month, while I was busy finishing the last sketch pages, she took over my online shop and has been taking pictures and uploading non stop. I even will have my originals on the site! Beyond my dreams!
The goal is still to be open before CPHComics (mid May). So people can buy my things there and find me later on my shop - look at me playing strategies!
Social Media - Instagram silence
Yep. If the book of the dreams was paused, my instagram was for sure down on priorities this last month. I managed to keep up with monthly reels, and the #KidLitArtPostcard. that’s not much but it’s something!. And almost daily stories. I’m still overthinking how and when I should post.. I wish I could do it more freely. Follow me there! :)
on the personal side…
LIFE AS HUMAN OUTSIDE STUDIO
April was busy but with focus. Which was a good change in my life. I haven’t been this focused in a long LONG time. So yes, it was busy, but I managed my days and deadlines and people and routine in a balanced way - or the best I could. I’m here now, on the other side, the other month, feeling quite positive about everything - Deadlines met, life feeling calm and nice plans ahead.
Besides Danish Classes and Therapy sessions as usual…
I’m slowly feeling at home at new studio, making new colleagues and keeping my focus on my work. I'm learning to work with someone/intern. I travelled to London. I got tired of travelling (never thought it would happen!) I had professional make up and manicure when I dress up to attend Bafta Games with my fiancée who was nominated but didn’t get the prize. I didn’t feel good about my dress - I decided that I don’t wanna ever use nude again! I went to my bestie artsy friend Sea bunny first exhibition! I worked a few late hours and was nice to be so close to home after. Boyfriend also came over with pizza dinner some days. I went to a friend’s Bday and made brigadeiros in 30min! An historical Copenhagen building caught fire and was really sad to see the destruction. I had a small meltdown during the process of not being in control of the decisions about my old studio spot. I lost track of my finances. I missed my routine but I found it again at the end of the month. I had hopes of being pregnant that didn’t happen and I got quite emotional about it. We went to a day at sakura festival but we were both so tired. I had a laparoscopy on my mom’s bday and had one of my tubes removed. All went well. 2 days recovering at home with little pain. I was back to studio on day3 thanks to how close it is. It kept me sane. I was slow and frustrated many many days. I still have stitches on my belly. I missed decided to not sign up for the Print Fest fair because there is a lot on my plate right now. Still, felt frustrated. I finished Summer Camp Island and re-started watching from the beginning again - I love it SO much. We went to the Zoo and was so nice and calming to see the animals. There were some nice sunny days that I spent indoor. I went to Danish Game Award and boyfriend got awards! And I was SO happy with my dress! I watched Jackie Brown , Downsizing and Leo . We are also watching Shogun and I think it’s beautiful specially the costumes but the plot…meh. Love the last season of Fargo . Also watched Life on our planet - boyfriend is a big fan. I liked it OK I’m not big on animals that is not around. We are currently playing Helldivers together. I couldn’t find a cute game to play this month. I listened-read Essentialism from Greg McKeown. it was a bit obvious but still necessary to listen every now and then. I’m still catching up with Rick Rubin’s podcast I really enjoy his interviews. Annnnd that’s all!
For some images, I made a reel on my instagram :)
Last but not least, I made a playlist with my fav songs of this month:
That’s all folks! :)
Thanks for being here following my freelancer illustrator’s journey :)
Wishing you a happy May, my bday month, the best Month!
hugs and smiles and love
xxo malu