It’s funny how things change over time. I found this screenshot I took of my Etsy shop back in 2014. I knew my work used to be dark, but I had no idea how dark. It was a bleak time in my life, so I guess it makes sense that the darkness would cross over into my work. Lots of purple, which surprised me.
I’m so glad I came out of that dark stage, and found my beloved pink again.
© Katie Jeanne Wood
Pink Roses
Floral No 21
Small to large prints available here
Floral No 71 original
&
Prints
Winter Morning
When I can no longer say thank you
for this new day and the waking into it,
for the cold scrape of the kitchen chair
and the ticking of the space heater glowing
orange as it warms the floor near my feet,
I know it’s because I’ve been fooled again
by the selfish, unruly man who lives in me
and believes he deserves only safety
and comfort. But if I pause as I do now,
and watch the streetlights outside flashing
off one by one like old men blinking their
cloudy eyes, if I listen to my tired neighbors
slamming car doors hard against the morning
and see the steaming coffee in their mugs
kissing chapped lips as they sip and
exhale each of their worries white into
the icy air around their faces—then I can
remember this one life is a gift each of us
was handed and told to open: Untie the bow
and tear off the paper, look inside
and be grateful for whatever you find
even if it is only the scent of a tangerine
that lingers on the fingers long after
you’ve finished peeling it.
What I’m perusing: Domestic Landscapes – photographs of people from The Netherlands
No Kids Allowed – grownup talk with yt vloggers Anna and Jonathan Saccone-Joly. This is a new series, and so far I’m enjoying it.
The easiest way to french braid your hair.
We Need to Talk About Grind Culture in the Illustration Industry video – Although I’m not an illustrator, I fell into the grind culture trap so hard that I had to seek professional help last year. I consider myself somewhat “cured”, although I know I’m still a workaholic. At least I’m aware now, and recognize the signs that I’m working too much.
Last week was the first time that I felt overworked in a long while, and I took all day yesterday off to make it up to myself. No email, no computer, no phone – except for gaming, friends and family. It was delightful to unplug.
Speaking of unplugging, I’m going to unplug from my blog until next week. Because of covid, I’m not celebrating Thanksgiving. No worries, tho. I’m sure I’ll find something else to do with my time, like snuggling with the kittehs and doggeh. lol
If you celebrate, I wish you well. xo