Well, that didn't meet my expectations

from a masterful expectation-setter

take a little longer, a new art print + sticker

Dear reader,

I just finished watching the OC. I feel like I've spent a lot of the past couple of months buried on the couch in the late evenings. I am a multitasker, though, and busy myself with simultaneous projects, such as printing pictures, cutting magazines, and making collages. I get frustrated when I have to rewind an episode because I missed an important piece of the plot. Spring has looked and felt a lot different than what I wanted.

It’s been an incredibly rainy season in the northeast, usa. So much so that I’ve started to question whether or not summer was ever going to come. My winter seasonal depression has extended its stay far beyond my comfort and willingness to host. I have struggled to navigate how to even bear its witness and recognize myself in the mirror.

I, unfortunately, am a masterful expectation-setter. I find it painstakingly easy to imagine exactly how scenarios could and should play out. I suppose a lifetime of reading, writing, and practicing art will hone your imagination skills. Instead of being buried on the couch, I was anticipating a bright and cheery spring. One where I was able to sit on my screened-in porch. Take work meetings in the warm breeze. Watch the sunset in the late evening. Keep my window open. Listen to the birds. Feel the sun on my face. Be filled with endless inspiration…

One evening, deep into multi-tasking, I cut out the words “takes a little longer” from an old Home & Garden magazine. It belonged as a subtitle to a longer header that I’ve long forgotten about. I liked it for its font, the simplicity of the white text on the black background, and its message. I stashed it behind the plastic cover of my Midori notebook.

I was recently working with a beautiful blue blotter paper that I thrifted ages ago. If you’re familiar with blotter paper, then you know about its thick, spongy cotton texture. It’s delightful. The texture is chef’s kiss. I scanned it into my computer and marveled at all the cotton flecks. I started thinking about how I wanted to use it in my art.

Fairly quickly, it became obvious that the paper needed to be the main characteristic of a print. I was thinking about how I wanted to do that when I glanced down at my notebook and remembered the words “takes a little longer.” It’s a simple message, yet a daily affirmation I keep whispering to myself. While it may take a little longer, I want to take a little longer…

Look at the sky a little longer… Feel warm a little longer… Hug a little longer... Talk a little longer... Stay a little longer…

I sifted through my fonts, arranged a composition, and debossed the words. I loved the print so much, I even made myself a couple of stickers to place in various locations.

Spring didn’t meet my expectations. It may be taking a little longer. I am taking a little longer. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t appreciate the sheer amount of artwork I have created this season. When it’s dark and cold, creativity becomes a harder muscle for me to flex. I didn’t expect this to happen. I am really proud of my ideas and my execution of them. Not all that goes unplanned is unwanted.

Warmly,

Lauren

NEW VIDEO

I made my very first vlog! Here’s a look at how I spend my time in the “studio” between 5-9 PM.

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If we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting—I’m Lauren Sauder, an artist, writer, and mentor. If you enjoyed this post, here are a few ways you can connect with me:

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