Time to reflect on 2022

in the best way that I can

What a year, what a year!

I am truly grateful for everything; the good, the bad, and the absolute terrible. It’s taught me a lot and I felt like reflecting on it with you. Plus it got me to make these fun illustrations!

1. My Students + Teaching Teaching is rewarding and challenging and I’m so grateful for all my students at Columbia College Chicago and Let’s Make Picture Books. I got to see lots of incredible work this year and it was really inspiring. Teaching is equally rewarding because it gets me to really think about what I do and how I can teach others to do the same thing. There is nothing better than giving a lesson/assignment and seeing what your students come up with. I get so happy every time I see their final art. I am taking a break from teaching this Spring semester to focus on some exciting book projects in the works and to recuperate from my megadose of burnout (see below).

2. All My Book Projects I still can’t believe I get to illustrate picture books for a living. This year I got to illustrate some really fun ones; I Wheelie Love You, Happy Baby, Baby’s First Words, Happy Faces and Empathy for Kids.

3. The Bad Art I Made For every awesome illustration shared, I have hundreds of really bad art that never makes it to the light of day. And I’m okay with that. I love filling my sketchbooks with lots of drawings. When I go back through them, I am pleasantly surprised that what I thought was bad, really wasn’t all that terrible after all. Or maybe it is..

4. My Wise Friends and Family I feel pretty lucky in the friend and family department. I am so grateful for all the amazing people in my life.

5. Everything I Read Watched and Listened To Favorite reads this year were: This Time Tomorrow, Demon Copperhead, I’m Glad My Mom Died, Lessons in Chemistry, My Best Friend’s Exorcism, and Hello Molly! A Memoir. Watched so many great shows, but my favorites were: 1899, Bad Sisters, Hacks, Yellowjackets, Station Eleven, The Rehearsal, and Severance. My favorite two movies were: Everything Everywhere All At Once and Nope. Listened on repeat: Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus, Autonomy by Boy Harsher and Tilted by Christine and the Queens.

6. Megadose of Burnout This was the first time in the 15 years I have been freelancing, that I have experienced burnout. I really just thought burnout was just another way to say that you weren’t feeling very creative, but no, no it’s not that at all. Burnout may feel different for everyone, but for me it felt like I was trying to breathe underwater for weeks on end. I kept coming up for air and going back under, thinking I would be able to come back up for good. The problem is, I have a very difficult time saying no to things. Illustrating picture books is a funny little business; if a project comes your way, it’s very hard to pass it up, especially if it’s an adorable baby board book. Then add on teaching responsibilities, client projects, a home and a family to be there for. Not to mention an sweet little dog that needs lots of attention! Burnout is no joke and you don’t know it’s happening until it’s too late. Luckily, I’m no longer underwater and I’m taking actionable steps to help me deal with it. Things that are helping: talking with someone, taking out obligations that I can, resting, learning to say no, and taking a break. I am declaring ‘more me in 2023’! Feel free to use that as your mantra too!

7. This Guy! I never really understood the joys a dog would bring you, but honestly this guy shows up everyday and just gives me unconditional love that makes me so happy. It’s corny, but I just love him so much!

I’m looking forward to putting this burnout behind me and taking some time for myself this next year. Playtime will be back as a bi-monthly newsletter. Thank you for being here with me and for your support!

Peace out 2022!

-Denise