Cute Nonchalant StudioNews - March
Dear nonchalant friends,
How was March for you? It was such intense month for me. I took a leap and decided to move studio, had a full week vacation in San Francisco and put lots of thoughts and love on my personal projects. Now, It’s Friday, a bit grey and cold outside, I’m sitting on my new studio in Copenhagen with a big window to other buildings. I have my coffee and set one full hour to write you about last month adventures at my Studio.
Grab your favourite drink and/or snack and let’s begin this update.
I should start with the biggest news: I moved Studio! As freelancer, is the closest thing to changing “companies”. Involves a lot of decision process and can get quite emotional. Since I moved to Copenhagen, 6 years ago, I found home at Gimle Studio. A shared space with over 20 local illustrators/comic book/ storyboard artists. Made friends - made family. It was my solid ground during my divorce and my sanity during pandemic times. Again, it has been my home.
If everything was nice and I loved so much, why change now?
Because I needed the change to grow. On my post about schedule I share about focus this year on my personal projects and growth. After making time, I felt the need to be closer to more crafty-makers-artists, access to printmaking places and market. Then a studio spot with these vibes show up. Then I saw another, and another one. I wrote to all, because, why not?! By 1st March I told everyone I would be moving to one of the 3 options. I spent March visiting, comparing and thinking. By the end of month I was packing my 6 years in boxes with all emotions of a big move! I was ready to try a new place. New direction. It was really a gut choice. I visited, I felt happy and that’s it. Next news I can tell all about my first month.
Client Work - paused. Yes, still.
Back to work news, I have no news to report on Client work side. Yes, one month can happen, but the second month I admit that I was getting worried: Will they cancel the project?! But a quick exchange of emails, some apologies and all was sorted out. They were behind but on track. All good! And lucky me that could use the extra time to make Studio Moves!
Side client: I considered asking for more client work, poke my agents etc, and then, a commission work show up from a friend. An Illustration of his parent’s house. I said Yes. I usually don’t do commission work but waiting for client news, just hit panic! Now, I’m not SO sure was a good idea, since the client work is back in April and I didn’t have time to start the commission yet. So I’m going to leave this here as a note to future me learn to panic less and plan more.
Personal Projects
1,2,3 Farmers Market: my book - Rethinking progress
In theory, I had lots of time since no client work was filling my schedule. But in reality I used a lot of time thinking about which direction to go with this project. Last month it was beautiful to have all the 20 pages sketched in full details on paper. This month, the goal was to do all the digital outlines but I changed my mind and decided to do 6 pages outline and colours. And It’s still in progress! I also didn’t have a cover and inside sketch yet. (I still don’t have, but now there is a very rough sketch!)
This transition between paper/pencil sketch to digital is always tricky. I get very attached to the sketch and can’t find the look I want on digital.
I also wasted a few days with sudden desire to show it to my agents because Bologna Book Fair was right around the corner. So I rushed some things and all started to look.. wrong and bad. Yes, this was the opposite of what I’d like to get with this book project - my goal of not focusing on the commercial part and more tuned into my emotions and vision. I lost track completely but quickly I felt the wrongness. So I needed to step back and reconnect with myself. Here is peek of the latest progress.
I recorded a bit of the first outlines, is very boring to watch.
My shop - almost ready!
It’s honestly ALMOST ready to be live! I was ambitious and thought I could have it open by Easter but the photoshoot day of the products didn’t have the best light and it really shows how amateur we are! haha So it need an extra time to correct the photos and upload. I found new and good mockup files to always have one alternative to photos. It was a good to remember how to use Photoshop for that.
Right now I have all the products uploaded with mockups and almost all of it with some photo. All have prices and descriptions. I tested payments and currency. I’m sure all can be optimised too. But I guess that will be after open….
When do I plan to open the shop?!
Well the Easter plan was far too optimistic. On more realistic take would be around my birthday, end of May. I might do a soft launch with just friends to test around end of April ish and go from there. I have an event mid May - CPH Comics where I should take my products to sell. Would be nice to have the shop open so people can also find there later. Let’s say that mid may is the goal. :)
You can see how the photos need improvement. I’m now considering to ask my Intern to help me out on this! (Yes, I’ll have an intern from April to July! )
Social Media - I’m using my Instagram!
I’m finally alive on Instagram! And most important, I’m not anxious about it. I’m posting regularly, twice a week and finally joined the #KidLitArtPostcard day, with once a month art post - that I always wanted!. I even made spontaneous posts! And skipped a full week of the post planning while I was travelling and when I was sick with no guilty whatsoever. After that, I just went back to post as planned. I shared a lot on stories, my trip and moving. Almost daily studio mini tours. Nothing “made to Instagram” just bits and bobs from my past work that I was happy to share. And chat with old friends and new ones.
The more active I became, more I see how I don’t need. I do like the platform and do want to keep there for sharing and connect. But it’s getting clear that is not my top priority. I want to make my website more and more my Home. And keep sharing my monthly thoughts and projects here.
It was a big discover and essential to build my confidence. I feel more in control and that is giving me the clarity I need. Anyhoooo you should follow me there! :)
on the personal side…
LIFE AS HUMAN OUTSIDE STUDIO
I’m not gonna sugar coat, March was a bit messy. All my ideas from February had no time whatsoever in March with a 12 days trip to San Francisco + moving studio. It was a lot and I end up getting very little “done” from my projects plans. March is that I had to make a lot of choices and understand what I wanted and needed. And use the time wisely. And I’m glad that I’m learning to take this time and listen to myself. (yay therapy!)
Besides Danish Classes and Therapy sessions as usual…
I visited many studios and met new artists, graphic designers and illustrators. I met (virtually) my future intern from France! I saw my fiancée get 2 Audio/Music awards in Finland. I bought airplane tickets for my Mom to come to our wedding - it’s going to be the first time she come visit me in Europe in 12 years.. I did my first products photoshoot with help of my friend and we were REALLY amateurs! I rewatched Dune and watched Dune2 - love Muad'Dib! - I chose to move to studio Birken, the closest to home. I spent 12 days in San Francisco US - saw many sea lions waking up at 6am, had many pancakes for breakfast, enjoyed GDC getting inspired by game artists (specially Rooster) and some interesting tech things, saw friends getting engaged, dress up for two awards ceremony, went to SFMoMa and cried a bit seeing Calder big room of mobile sculptures and smile crossing a tunnel of light by Olafur Eliasson. Ate lots of fun-but-not-really-healthy food ( The Bird and Wise Sons) visit Japantown and reconnected with my childhood when I spot My Melody from 1980’s and just remember how we used to be best friends, visit The Castro and Mission districts and love all the murals and colours and shops and history, including one night out dancing under Daft Punk cover. The last day was spending pennies at vintage arcade machines at Musée Mechanisque . I got hit by tons of jet lag there and back. Also got a flu on the way back. We closed the Wedding Venue. I packed and moved my entire studio place. I did lots of laundry and finished the mouse game!
Phew! what a month! I made a reels on instagram if you are into images ;) .
Last but not least, I made a playlist with my fav songs of this month:
That’s all folks! :)
Let’s enjoy April and all the spring vibes!
hugs and smiles and love
xxo malu