oh wow! I love this new style of blog post 🙂 I felt almost like reading a children’s picture book… in a good way!
I love that thought, Jade! I’ve been thinking for a while that I’d like to work on “picture books for grown-ups,” so you just confirmed that idea for me 🙂 So glad you enjoyed this post–and please keep up your beautiful art! <3
Oooo, picture books for grown-ups—yes! 🙂
Rich words and striking visuals. Your awareness and mindfulness opens the door for inner transformation. You always inspire us to “see” what is right before us. Thank you.
Thank *you*, Mom! That means so much to me to hear…I’m so glad you enjoyed this 🙂 xoxo
Wonderful! We were there about 7 years ago, and your sketches transported me back!
It’s so fun to hear you’ve been to Valparaíso as well, Sharon! It’s truly one of the most inspiring places I’ve had the chance to visit as an artist. I’m so glad this post could take you back there today 🙂
so beautiful! your words as much as your watercolors 🙂
Thank you, Nikki! That means a lot to hear 🙂
Lovely as always!!!
Thank you, Monette!!
Candace, this is great! I loved your old style and I’m loving your new style and blogpost. The colours and white space offer a stunning escape for the imagination. Mosaics are simply fascinating too. It’s amazing what people can do to brighten their lives if they choose to. Your post makes me want to venture there!
Thank you Candace for the journey and inspiration…again. ❤️
Thank you so much, Treava! It’s been a lot of fun starting to experiment with this new style of sketching, and with the new style of weaving sketches and hand-lettering together–so I loved hearing that you enjoyed this post 🙂 And yes! I couldn’t agree more with you about mosaics…not only are they such a stunning thing to see visually, but I also love what they can represent metaphorically. Thank you again for taking the time to read and say hello, and I hope you’re having an inspired week so far! <3
Thank you for this post. I’m always striving to leave white space and I am that artist that fills the whole space. Lovely work and your posts are always inspiring.
Donna
I so hear you, Donna! I have been “that artist” for years now, so it’s been a big change to begin leaving more white space in my sketches. I’m definitely enjoying it, though, and hope you’ll have a chance to experiment with it soon, too 🙂
I love everything about this! I struggle with leaving white space too, but this looks great. The hand lettering is a perfect touch too.
Thank you so much, Amber! I’m especially thrilled to hear you enjoyed the hand-lettering…that’s something I’m excited to do more of here in the future, so I look forward to sharing more hand-lettered posts with you soon 🙂
These sorts of sketches would be perfect to send to the New Yorker… in b&w of course 🙂
Haha, but of course! Thanks so much for reading and saying hello, my friend 🙂
Oh perfect timing, white space!! I can feel it trying to escape from me, just have to tell my hand to STOP!!! This page is incredibly effective Candace and fabulous tuition. Thank you so much. xx
Dear Victoria–please know I *so* understand! But I’m also coming to realize that full-scene sketches and more focused sketches (with more white space) both have their place in our visual sketching repertoire…it’s just about taking stock of the scene and story we want to tell, and determining what will work best for it 🙂 I’m so happy to hear this post was useful for you, though, and can’t wait to see more of your beautiful artwork! xx
This is fantastic, Candace!! Reading your hand-lettering post, feels like reading a personal postcard from you. Loving your new style of
sketching too, minimal and fresh. Thank you so much for sharing, and so looking forward to see more. 😚😚
Dear Kar–I’m so thrilled to hear you loved the new styles of both sketching and hand-lettering! And it’s so perfect that you mentioned it felt like reading a postcard…that thought actually crossed my mind as well while I was working on this post, so it brings a smile to my face that you felt the same thing 🙂 I hope you’re continuing to thrive in Ronda, and can’t wait to see more of your beautiful sketches soon! <3
I love the new style, Candace! You’ve brought those elements to life. How wonderful to be surrounded by so much colour! And the white space make them jump off the page. Inspiring as always!
Thank you so much, Colleen! And thank you for bringing up such an interesting point–that the white space actually helps all the different colored elements stand out more. It now feels so perfect that the first place I tried out this sketching style was in a city as colorful and vibrant as Valparaiso 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this, and can’t wait to share more stories with you soon! <3
Lovely, Candace. You should turn your handwriting into a font! I’d buy it!
Haha, that’s great to hear, Vox–thank you! I’ll definitely keep that in mind 😉
Beautiful, Candace! I must echo everyone below and say how much I loved this post and all of the handwriting. The white space and hand lettering makes the words/images that much more intentional. The experimentation of styles made me think of Flow magazine, and how their Mindfulness section is now printed on thinner paper, and just one-sided. It makes me slow down and really absorb while reading, turning those pages more carefully than the rest since they’re a sliver more fragile.
Favorite line: “Nothing was too small … for transformation.” Thanks for sharing these insights!
I’d love to see a behind-the-scenes on how you made this.
If you’re ever interested in cross-posting to a second platform, I think many Medium readers would really appreciate your work. (Speaking of, I’ve published my mind mapping reflection there. I shared it with you by replying to an old comment in Disqus, but it might have easily gotten lost in the mix.) 🙂
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment, Rebecca! And as always, there’s so much to respond to 🙂
First of all, I’d never heard of Flow magazine, so thank you for bringing it to my attention!! I especially love the sound of their Mindfulness section, and will definitely look into getting a copy when I’m home in the US this summer.
And yes! I’m delighted to tell you I do indeed have a behind-the-scenes post in the works about this new style–but for another story I have coming out soon 🙂 It has been such a fun process learning how to do the hand-lettering with a digital drawing tablet, so I can’t wait to go behind the scenes and share more about how the writing, sketching, and lettering work together. (And I feel like you’d very much enjoy experimenting with a drawing tablet too, given the fun hand-lettered post-it note stories of yours I’ve seen!)
Finally, I also really appreciate you encouraging me to share to Medium–I’ve been wanting to do that for years now, but just haven’t made it happen…so I think I’m going to have to do that soon. I also absolutely saw your comment about your mind-mapping reflection and while I haven’t had a chance to sit down and read through it slowly yet, I loved what I did read 🙂 I know that kind of reflection post isn’t an easy one to put together, so well done on sharing your experience with the project so wonderfully and authentically!
Hope you’re having an inspired week, Rebecca, and more to come soon! <3
Oh my gosh, Flow is the best! I really love it. (Here it is.) The four main sections are “Feel Connected,” “Live Mindfully,” Spoil Yourself,” and “Simplify Your Life.” The tagline is “Celebrating creativity, imperfection, and life’s little pleasures.” I learned of the magazine through Lindsey Bugbee at The Postman’s Knock, and I went all in when I decided to check it out for myself, ordering 5 issues (4 international (English), 1 French) last October.
It’s made in the Netherlands, and since I haven’t had a steady address so far I’ve just bought single back issues (in chunks, 5 at a time to save on shipping) instead of subscribing. Four issues come out each year, and they’re more expensive than a typical magazine (12.95 euros), but… it’s not a typical magazine. They’re thicker, with beautiful illustrations, great content—the quality is definitely worth it in my opinion, plus there’s some sort of gift in each issue (like postcards, posters, art journals, etc.) I made a second order this April when I was in Europe, another 5. Both purchases felt like a splurge for me (the shipping is expensive), but definitely a gift to the self—I’m stocked with inspiration, creativity nourishment, and wholesome off-screen reading for a looong time. 🙂 Okay, ending this gush session now, but yes, if you’re interested I’d try ordering a back issue (unless it’s sold somewhere near you in the US) and see what you think!
I’m excited for your behind-the-scenes post that’s in the works—I should have guessed you’d be working on one! 😉 Looking forward to it!
And phew, I’m glad you saw the first comment—sorry for the double post, just didn’t want it to get lost. Take your time—absolutely no rush (or pressure) to read it, I just wanted to follow through and make sure you had the link.
Always a pleasure to exchange with you—thanks for your thoughtful replies, as always. <3
Love this post, the style, and your sketches, of course! Thanks for narrowing my focus on small details in Chile!
I’m so happy to hear you loved the post, Aurora! Hope all has been great for you recently 🙂 <3
Valparaiso is a magical microcosm indeed and you captured in a wonderful way, as always Candace! And once again taking the readers mind onto a lovely stroll as well… Muchas gracias! 🙂
oh wow! I love this new style of blog post 🙂 I felt almost like reading a children’s picture book… in a good way!
I love that thought, Jade! I’ve been thinking for a while that I’d like to work on “picture books for grown-ups,” so you just confirmed that idea for me 🙂 So glad you enjoyed this post–and please keep up your beautiful art! <3
Oooo, picture books for grown-ups—yes! 🙂
Rich words and striking visuals. Your awareness and mindfulness opens the door for inner transformation. You always inspire us to “see” what is right before us. Thank you.
Thank *you*, Mom! That means so much to me to hear…I’m so glad you enjoyed this 🙂 xoxo
Wonderful! We were there about 7 years ago, and your sketches transported me back!
It’s so fun to hear you’ve been to Valparaíso as well, Sharon! It’s truly one of the most inspiring places I’ve had the chance to visit as an artist. I’m so glad this post could take you back there today 🙂
so beautiful! your words as much as your watercolors 🙂
Thank you, Nikki! That means a lot to hear 🙂
Lovely as always!!!
Thank you, Monette!!
Candace, this is great! I loved your old style and I’m loving your new style and blogpost. The colours and white space offer a stunning escape for the imagination. Mosaics are simply fascinating too. It’s amazing what people can do to brighten their lives if they choose to. Your post makes me want to venture there!
Thank you Candace for the journey and inspiration…again. ❤️
Thank you so much, Treava! It’s been a lot of fun starting to experiment with this new style of sketching, and with the new style of weaving sketches and hand-lettering together–so I loved hearing that you enjoyed this post 🙂 And yes! I couldn’t agree more with you about mosaics…not only are they such a stunning thing to see visually, but I also love what they can represent metaphorically. Thank you again for taking the time to read and say hello, and I hope you’re having an inspired week so far! <3
Thank you for this post. I’m always striving to leave white space and I am that artist that fills the whole space. Lovely work and your posts are always inspiring.
Donna
I so hear you, Donna! I have been “that artist” for years now, so it’s been a big change to begin leaving more white space in my sketches. I’m definitely enjoying it, though, and hope you’ll have a chance to experiment with it soon, too 🙂
I love everything about this! I struggle with leaving white space too, but this looks great. The hand lettering is a perfect touch too.
Thank you so much, Amber! I’m especially thrilled to hear you enjoyed the hand-lettering…that’s something I’m excited to do more of here in the future, so I look forward to sharing more hand-lettered posts with you soon 🙂
These sorts of sketches would be perfect to send to the New Yorker… in b&w of course 🙂
Haha, but of course! Thanks so much for reading and saying hello, my friend 🙂
Oh perfect timing, white space!! I can feel it trying to escape from me, just have to tell my hand to STOP!!! This page is incredibly effective Candace and fabulous tuition. Thank you so much. xx
Dear Victoria–please know I *so* understand! But I’m also coming to realize that full-scene sketches and more focused sketches (with more white space) both have their place in our visual sketching repertoire…it’s just about taking stock of the scene and story we want to tell, and determining what will work best for it 🙂 I’m so happy to hear this post was useful for you, though, and can’t wait to see more of your beautiful artwork! xx
This is fantastic, Candace!! Reading your hand-lettering post, feels like reading a personal postcard from you. Loving your new style of
sketching too, minimal and fresh. Thank you so much for sharing, and so looking forward to see more. 😚😚
Dear Kar–I’m so thrilled to hear you loved the new styles of both sketching and hand-lettering! And it’s so perfect that you mentioned it felt like reading a postcard…that thought actually crossed my mind as well while I was working on this post, so it brings a smile to my face that you felt the same thing 🙂 I hope you’re continuing to thrive in Ronda, and can’t wait to see more of your beautiful sketches soon! <3
I love the new style, Candace! You’ve brought those elements to life. How wonderful to be surrounded by so much colour! And the white space make them jump off the page. Inspiring as always!
Thank you so much, Colleen! And thank you for bringing up such an interesting point–that the white space actually helps all the different colored elements stand out more. It now feels so perfect that the first place I tried out this sketching style was in a city as colorful and vibrant as Valparaiso 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this, and can’t wait to share more stories with you soon! <3
Lovely, Candace. You should turn your handwriting into a font! I’d buy it!
Haha, that’s great to hear, Vox–thank you! I’ll definitely keep that in mind 😉
Beautiful, Candace! I must echo everyone below and say how much I loved this post and all of the handwriting. The white space and hand lettering makes the words/images that much more intentional. The experimentation of styles made me think of Flow magazine, and how their Mindfulness section is now printed on thinner paper, and just one-sided. It makes me slow down and really absorb while reading, turning those pages more carefully than the rest since they’re a sliver more fragile.
Favorite line: “Nothing was too small … for transformation.” Thanks for sharing these insights!
I’d love to see a behind-the-scenes on how you made this.
If you’re ever interested in cross-posting to a second platform, I think many Medium readers would really appreciate your work. (Speaking of, I’ve published my mind mapping reflection there. I shared it with you by replying to an old comment in Disqus, but it might have easily gotten lost in the mix.) 🙂
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment, Rebecca! And as always, there’s so much to respond to 🙂
First of all, I’d never heard of Flow magazine, so thank you for bringing it to my attention!! I especially love the sound of their Mindfulness section, and will definitely look into getting a copy when I’m home in the US this summer.
And yes! I’m delighted to tell you I do indeed have a behind-the-scenes post in the works about this new style–but for another story I have coming out soon 🙂 It has been such a fun process learning how to do the hand-lettering with a digital drawing tablet, so I can’t wait to go behind the scenes and share more about how the writing, sketching, and lettering work together. (And I feel like you’d very much enjoy experimenting with a drawing tablet too, given the fun hand-lettered post-it note stories of yours I’ve seen!)
Finally, I also really appreciate you encouraging me to share to Medium–I’ve been wanting to do that for years now, but just haven’t made it happen…so I think I’m going to have to do that soon. I also absolutely saw your comment about your mind-mapping reflection and while I haven’t had a chance to sit down and read through it slowly yet, I loved what I did read 🙂 I know that kind of reflection post isn’t an easy one to put together, so well done on sharing your experience with the project so wonderfully and authentically!
Hope you’re having an inspired week, Rebecca, and more to come soon! <3
Oh my gosh, Flow is the best! I really love it. (Here it is.) The four main sections are “Feel Connected,” “Live Mindfully,” Spoil Yourself,” and “Simplify Your Life.” The tagline is “Celebrating creativity, imperfection, and life’s little pleasures.” I learned of the magazine through Lindsey Bugbee at The Postman’s Knock, and I went all in when I decided to check it out for myself, ordering 5 issues (4 international (English), 1 French) last October.
It’s made in the Netherlands, and since I haven’t had a steady address so far I’ve just bought single back issues (in chunks, 5 at a time to save on shipping) instead of subscribing. Four issues come out each year, and they’re more expensive than a typical magazine (12.95 euros), but… it’s not a typical magazine. They’re thicker, with beautiful illustrations, great content—the quality is definitely worth it in my opinion, plus there’s some sort of gift in each issue (like postcards, posters, art journals, etc.) I made a second order this April when I was in Europe, another 5. Both purchases felt like a splurge for me (the shipping is expensive), but definitely a gift to the self—I’m stocked with inspiration, creativity nourishment, and wholesome off-screen reading for a looong time. 🙂 Okay, ending this gush session now, but yes, if you’re interested I’d try ordering a back issue (unless it’s sold somewhere near you in the US) and see what you think!
I’m excited for your behind-the-scenes post that’s in the works—I should have guessed you’d be working on one! 😉 Looking forward to it!
And phew, I’m glad you saw the first comment—sorry for the double post, just didn’t want it to get lost. Take your time—absolutely no rush (or pressure) to read it, I just wanted to follow through and make sure you had the link.
Always a pleasure to exchange with you—thanks for your thoughtful replies, as always. <3
Love this post, the style, and your sketches, of course! Thanks for narrowing my focus on small details in Chile!
I’m so happy to hear you loved the post, Aurora! Hope all has been great for you recently 🙂 <3
Valparaiso is a magical microcosm indeed and you captured in a wonderful way, as always Candace! And once again taking the readers mind onto a lovely stroll as well… Muchas gracias! 🙂