Welcome to this week’s post in the mini-series: From Vision to Execution. I’m thrilled by the response that I’ve been getting on this topic. This 5-step process has worked wonders for me when I’m struggling to get things done. Today’s focus is on step two which is what I like to call the Parts & Pieces. Let’s jump in.

As a quick refresher, last week’s blog was about From Vision to Execution. I shared an overview of the 5 steps that I follow to turn my dreams into reality. This process enables me to translate my vision for the year into tangible pieces. And at the end of the process I have a year-at-a-glance wall calendar outlining a color-coded roadmap to follow to stay on track. This week, let’s dive into Step 1: The Vision Thing.

Welcome to this week’s blog. If you’re in my Pattern Design Academy program, you know that we are wrapping up this week. Wow. The 8 weeks went by really, really quickly. If you’re not in the program, let me explain that in this last week we dive even deeper into the Business of Surface Design. The theme is all about moving from vision to execution and I thought it would be valuable to talk more about this.

We are living in unprecedented times. Like 9/11 and the great recession of 2008, the period in which we are now living has never been experienced before. While periods of great upheaval can be very distressing, there is usually always good that comes through change, if you are willing to look for it.

We’re in week 6 of my 8-week signature program, The Pattern Design Academy. I offered a very special bonus just this once, to the Class of May 2020. It’s a 30 minute zoom call with me where we can talk about anything that’s important to you. Yesterday was Cindy Rae Fancher’s turn to zoom with me. I never know quite what to expect but it’s always interesting, joyful and an incredible opportunity for me to learn more about my students and their unique gifts. This session was a real treat.

I haven’t been this excited about a new online course in a while. With everything that’s happening in the world today, we’re surrounded by bad news and an uncertain future. However, in the creative space, there are bright lights and new success stories emerging if you look hard enough.

Stacie Bloomfield, of Gingiber, is one of these bright lights. And enrollment in Leverage Your Art is now OPEN!

We’re just beginning week 4 of my Pattern Design Academy program. This is when the rubber meets the road and some students start to think about giving up.

Here are the 3 most common reasons and how you can bust through them to keep moving forward. Now is not the time to give up!

I feel completely overwhelmed by the events of the past few weeks and trying to write this blog post about it makes me feel even more inadequate. I’m a white woman of privilege living in a nearly 100% white community and am embarrassed to admit that the issue of race has not been on my mind until now. However, remaining silent is not an option.

This week’s blog is about recognizing that no matter where you are on your creative learning journey, you are exactly where you need to be. Many of us fall into this trap of thinking we are “behind” when we start a new endeavor. Take my Pattern Design Academy program for example. It’s an 8-week program. We’re in week two right now. And some students are worried that they are already behind. Let’s talk about it.

I’m so thrilled right now to be immersed in my 8-week signature program, The Pattern Design Academy, with a new group of students. We’re in week one of the Class of May 2020 and it’s an exhilarating and exciting time for everyone.

Today’s blog post is about avoiding comparison and three tips I’d like to share with you that can help when you find yourself falling into the comparison trap.

Welcome to this week’s blog. I hope you are doing okay and that you are staying safe and healthy wherever you happen to be. We are living in strange times and although certain parts of the country are exploring “soft” re-openings, we are still #artistsinresidence – sheltering in place – here in California.

Join me for this fun, super valuable (and free) mini-course. You’ll discover the step by step process for turning a sketch or doodle into a repeating pattern using the magic of Adobe Illustrator. I only offer it a few times a year. And this time, it’s even better than ever!

This week last year I was in Paris, in the rain. It actually didn’t rain very much at all during our trip but even when it does, who cares, right? I love Paris under any conditions and this trip is full of wonderful memories for me.

I hope you had a lovely Easter or Passover this past weekend. It sure was different. I normally have my whole family, about 16 of us, over for Easter dinner. That didn’t happen but I did organize a zoom video conference. It’s not the same thing but we did share a few laughs together and it was lovely to see and hear each other.

I don’t know about you but my emotions are all over the place right now. I live in California and we are entering week four of “shelter in place”. I didn’t initially think that staying home would be that big of a deal. I’ve been working from home for over three years now and figured “no big deal”. But it is a big deal.

Do you ever start to doubt that the path you are on is not going to work out? Or that there won’t be room for you in a new field after you learn new skills? This can happen a lot especially when you are taking a course with a lot of other people in it. It frequently happens about mid-way through any new program or course you’re taking.

We are living through extraordinary times at the moment.

The most important message that I want to give you right now is that we will get through this together. #togetherathome

I’m sending you my love and hoping you are staying safe, healthy and taking care of yourself and your family. I don't know about you but I'm experiencing what I'm calling "crazy brain". I wake up in the morning and can't remember what day of the week it is.

It’s weird out there right now. My heart goes out to my entire creative community during this difficult time. I hope you are safe and healthy and following all of the guidelines around taking care of yourself and your loved ones. It’s also critical for us to protect our broader communities by practicing physical distancing. Flattening the curve of the corona virus will get us through this pandemic more quickly and with fewer fatalities.