Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

 “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast” is something I read this week in an email that my boss sent us. I work in retail and shipping and the holidays are intense. Though this is technically a part time job, I work five days a week and it’s physically and mentally demanding. Not a lot of time in the margins of life to keep up my art practice, but I’m doing my best one day at a time.

I’m sure if you’re here, you probably follow me on social media or know me personally, but just in case! My name is Stephanie and I’m an independent artist living in Seattle. I love nature, books, hot chocolate, cats, and most other introvert things, but I am OBSESSED with art. This obsession has made me doggedly determined to keep trying to improve at art over many years, despite not making a ton of money. I really love the learning process, and I love trying to trick my tired brain into eking out even a little art-time after a long work shift, and this gamification is what I’m going to record here (in case you’d like to join me).

I have been assured by this book I’m reading that even five hours of focused time in a week, devoted to your craft, will result in steady progress. I love believing books when they say things like this, because sometimes all I’ve got is a few hours a week of real concentrated art time.

I’m going to post here once a week with five recommendations. Please feel welcome to follow along and check out these resources, show me what you’re working on, and of course have fun and stay curious. 

1. The Artist’s Side Hustle, by Stacie Bloomfield

-> Stacie runs Gingiber, a design business (she’s a designer) and is very positive and upbeat but also nice and methodical, which I appreciate. This is the book mentioned above, and is great if (like me) you’re working a job (or raising a kid or something) and can only squeeze in art in the margins of life right now. This book is best read slowly while you do the actual little assignments she gives you.

2. Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder

-> The title kind of says it all. Not an educational resource but worth reading because it will make you feel less isolated and crazy. My first big art dream was to become a concept artist and I was massively inspired by the concept art book of Guild Wars 2. I was dumbfounded to read the Larian CEO casually mention that they’re using AI to “generate ideas”. Anyway, read this article and generate your own ideas with your human brains.

3. Five Rooms, by Marc Scheff 

-> Marc is a creative coach and a great artist and started Every Day Original.  This is a great meditative exercise he talks about that involves visualizing yourself and your inner voice as a council of advisors. Make yourself some tea, light a candle, and try this out.

4. Botanica Paper Co.

-> This is just a really beautiful design brand, and since I’m freshly obsessed with surface pattern design and making beautiful, useful things, I bookmarked this immediately when I read about it.

5. Hand Lettering and Business Course, by Threeology

-> This hand-lettering course is in my to-do list. Artistic lettering just seems useful to learn, and this course is reasonably priced.

(Bonus Self Promo Item): Chromatic Fates Tarot 

I art-directed and organized this Tarot deck project, and I think it’s gorgeous. It’s probably too late to order it in time for 2025’s christmas, but if you’re into Tarot at all, give it a looksie (and support my extravagant lifestyle).

That’s it! That’s the blog! Spend five hours this week chasing your dream, and don’t get discouraged.

See you next time!

-Stephanie