Creative Director: Self Learning

I Create: Creative Director of My Life.

I write this on August 5, 2025. Last year, on August 6, 2024, I first began this Creative Director series of my Blog.

Just this morning, I didn’t realize that it has been exactly to the year, that I started this new direction. And just this morning, I was realizing what has happened – in regards to my Creative work – in this past year. One year ago, I was preparing to launch my Webshop. Preparing the work for cards and images. Getting them photographed and sent to the printer. Getting shipping and packaging items, working on privacy and shipping policies and itemizing all the items in the website – building the items and adding details. I was deciding how to ‘launch’ the webshop. How to share about it, with my Instagram art page.

Also, at the end of July, I officially completed the illustrations for the picture book I was working on. That was being prepared to go to the publisher at the time my site was launching. Late September I was getting my Christmas card images ready, attended two craft fairs late Autumn, did a painting demo Christmas event, and then the book was published end of November. At the end of December, I had a printed copy of the book in my hands.

What I learned:

I enjoy not just the art making, but the behind the scenes of it all. Printing, packing, the coordinating of it. The paint demo Christmas event was so enjoyable. The result of it was exposure, but I think what I really enjoyed was the human connection that went along with it. The fact that it was a Christmas event was the icing on the cake as I love Christmas.

I learned not to let opinion of others determine what I should try to sell or how to sell my work. Some of the images for cards I chose based on popularity of the piece when it was presented. Some of it was specifically what some had said they would buy if it was available to purchase as a print. And these have been my least popular or not even sold.

There was one painting that was very popular when presented, but I had my own reservations and I’m glad I didn’t go forward with the piece. My gut said no, and I know that was the right decision. I know now that it has to be all me. All authentically chosen based on the ones I absolutely love and want to present and share.

I learned what I will accept as far as the quality of printed work. My name is on it, after all.

I learned that putting in the work to having things set up properly, saves time and makes things efficient down the road.

I learned that not everyone follows along to cheer me on. But I also learned that I don’t have to create to try to please everyone. I learned that I want to make art that pleases me, first and foremost. If others like, it, and I hope some do, then that’s excellent.

I learned that I can protect my work for my audience. Just share it with you. From me to you.

Which brings me to this new presentation. I will share it with those that requested to receive it, via my newsletter. I have two separate batches of a few originals to release ~ but what I really wanted is for people who enjoy my work and want to still follow along, to ‘opt into’ this journey. Showcasing some originals was one way to invite you along. What I am really excited to present will come out about mid-month or slightly after. I’ve decided this will be a project I will do yearly. It will be a mail-out, and some key words to describe it are: Human Connection (the necessity of), Hygge, Light, Warmth, Wellbeing, and …. It will be something you can gift yourself or a loved one. Made with warmth and light, by me. All the details will be released soon!

Thank you for being part of my community!

Until my next Newsletter,

Devon