Stealing Joy with Ruthless Disregard for Propriety or Expectations
We will win this battle through deliberate, blatant theft and a wild refusal to accept the bare minimum.
Welcome to The Nibbler by me, Jill Myer, a bi-weekly brief focusing on art, inspiration, creativity, snacks, and joy.
Good Morning, my Cinnamon Spiced Cider Donut Bites! Happy Tuesday!
We are two weeks into Roxy’s post-surgery care, and she is doing so good!! She’s such a good dog—I’ve met good dogs before, but Roxy is just the absolute best!
She is wearing her soft cone, while she doesn’t need it anymore it seems to help her sleep during the day, she is using it like a silk eye pillow.
And girlfriend is mending bones over here, so she needs all the sleep she can get.
ON THE BLOG / VLOG
Stealing Joy with Ruthless Disregard for Propriety or Expectations
I watched a short-form video a few weeks back (that’s code for TikTok, so you don’t have to admit to watching TikTok 42 hours a day like it’s your full-time job) in which a man (I don’t know which man*, one with a microphone (I know that doesn’t narrow it down much)) made a valid point.
Right.
Who knew?!
Anyway.
The video's point was that because our measuring sticks for our goals and our achievements are ever-changing, waiting to get from point A to point B to feel accomplished is missing the point—we must learn to enjoy the journey.
We need to learn to look for, or better yet create, something to enjoy each day on our way to achieving our goals, paying our bills, or even just keeping ourselves employed, fed, and washed.
I’ve heard variations of the advice, but it’s primarily framed in terms of happiness - as in I’ll be happy once I get a promotion, or I’ll be happy once I have $x.xx in my bank account, or I’ll be happy once I have a vault of art supplies to backstroke in like Uncle Scrooge McDuck…
(click the link to continue reading my rambling but genius thoughts on joy)MY CURRENT FAVORITE SNACK
I sincerely have the very best friends, and all of them are the coolest, most amazing people. I received the best care package for one of these delightful humans that I have the privilege of calling a friend.
I could eat my body weight in Mexican Street Corn any day of the week, but when one is confined to one's kitchen with one's dog, this is a close second!
TODAY I LEARNED…
There is a bookshop in North Carolina called That’s Novel Books. In addition to new and used books, they sell Blind Date Books.
Also part of the Roxy surgery care package, and it’s the most delightful thing. You can get a subscription to a once-a-month blind date for only $10 - so freaking sweet and cool! I love it SO MUCH!!!
IN MY STUDIO
As part of Roxy’s recovery she can’t use stairs for eight weeks, and we live in a split level - woof! So, we turned the kitchen into a studio apartment.
There are lots of cushions, pillows, and blankets—it’s 9-year-old Jill’s version of the perfect living room. As a result, I’m seeing our house from a whole new angle, so I’ve been sketching these new angles with my new Sailor Fude Pens—these are all the rage on the art side of the internet right now.
NiBBLeR MiNi SHoP UPDaTe
Mini shop updates are unique and original artworks offered in limited quantities.
The first notice is sent to paid subscribers, followed by subscribers, and then it is opened to the general public.
Today’s Nibbler Mini Update is:
Bubble and Dots VI
A mono-print on wood block with acrylic accents and embellishments
I’ve had so much fun with these little blocks, and this one is my favorite one yet. It was in the gallery, but I took it back to share it with all of you.
The process is beyond intricate, but that’s probably why I enjoy it so much.
I put a piece of Encaustiflex, fabric-like paper, on my heated pallet, and then I draw on it with encaustic wax and oil pastels.
Next, I scan it, turn right around, and print the scanned image onto a sheet of rice paper. I wrap and glue the rice paper image onto the wood cradleboard block and add another layer of gel medium to give it depth and texture.
For the final touch, I add details and embellishments with acrylic Posca Paint Pens, so technically, they would be called hand-altered prints, but no two are the same—which I think is special!
There is only one; it is $53, which includes shipping.
The top image is the most true to color.
The bottom detail images were muted on a different day in different lighting.
Paintings, prints, cards, and mini-card bundles are also available in the For ArtSake Gallery.
“Broken Perfection” is available on the Minted.com website in various sizes and frame options. I receive a percentage of each purchase. Thank you!
HAPPY TUESDAY!
Thank you for being a subscriber and for your support!
Jill
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