Greetings from my mustard bean bag

It’s Saturday and I’ve had a very lovely long walk on the moors, it’s what I seem to live for at the moment. Long walks, podcast listening, a chilly wind and a chance to clear my head. I’m trying to do something everyday that lightens the load. I’m not quite honestly sure what the load is but some days it feels heavy. I yearn for days of yesteryear, meeting friends, music festivals and making plans. These strange times have definitely made me look at myself and moving forward how I can practise self-care, up until last year I honestly didn’t know what it was. It’s the small things everyday that you gracefully give yourself. For me it’s reading, spending longer in the bath, making sure I eat healthier, eating fruit. It’s all the small things that I once felt like I didn’t have time to do.

Drawing daily has been my thing since March 2020, many people have done it before and successfully. I keep thinking I should stop but then I can’t work out any reason why I should stop but lots of reasons to continue. I think drawing daily has given me an excuse to create daily with out feeling guilty. Guilty for spending my time on something I enjoy so much has plagued me for years. Surely drawing for 2 hours shouldn’t be apart of your working day when your an artist /illustrator. It definitely is and that’s how I earn a living, thanks to the support of you lovely folk who buy from me.

I think I’ve felt guilt for a long time doing something I enjoy, where that has manifested from I’ve no idea. I almost feel like I’ve had a gap year and the change in me and how I am is profound. I say no when I don’t want to do something. I don’t rush around as much. I even plan my working day so I know if I’m being productive or not. I guess it’s all about taking care of self so I’m not exhausted by simple tasks that need to be done. I procrastinated somedays so much in this lockdown, I just end up worrying and berate myself. You can’t give from an empty cup, and I have suffered with exhaustion a few times over the years with my attempt at people pleasing. I’m all for being kind to myself.

This last week I treated myself to something I so wanted as a child and that was a bean bag. It’s mustard and it’s bloody lovely. It’s in my studio and I’m sat on it right now writing this. When I was little I always dreamt of having somewhere comfy to sit and draw or read and I decided this week was the week to make that dream come true. A mug of tea, Ted at my feet and a big mustard bean bag = life is good.

I’ve digressed …..

The reasons I draw daily

It’s a way to relax, I completely switch off

Brings me joy

I love colour

I love thinking of different ideas

I love drawing consistently every day

I adore my characters

My little animals make me laugh and snort daily. (yes when I laugh I snort)

I hope this has shed a little light on how such a simple thing like making a mark can make someone so happy and in turn I hope my images will make you smile too. If you’d like to follow our daily adventures then please give us a follow and a wave over on Instagram

Love and snow from the North York Moors

Sarah & Ted x