Jewel’s Blog
Insights into the creative processes of a Mindful Illustrator and Modern Doodler
The Open Me Anywhere Journal.
I love journals. Love them. I think I have at least 12 hardcover journals on my shelf. I love paper. And I love the idea of preserving stories and memories forever. But I'm also pretty demand avoidant. I don't like being told what to do, even by a book. And so most of the journals on my shelf remain unwritten in. My brain started working on this problem.
Sailing the seas of Ocean Blue.
With its calming and soothing vibes, this serene shade evokes the peacefulness of a day spent by the water.
Parenting-coded funny shirts.
Parenting is one of the most wonderful and confusing things I've ever done. Through the mess, the chaos, and the unexpected, there has always been deep love.
Chronically Ill and Chill: a bold coloring book capturing chronic illness icons.
If you are chronically ill, you may find yourself donning your fuzzy socks and headphones to hide away under a blanket. Or maybe you’re cozied up in a bean bag chair with your journal and your electrolytes nearby.
Parent’s Days. Who’s with me?
Parenting can be exhausting, chaotic, hilarious, rewarding, frustrating, joyful, tender, and deeply loving, sometimes all in the same day. Those are the themes I want to honour year-round, whether through art, coloring books, shirts, or a cheeky mug that makes another tired parent laugh.
Did you miss Trip Hop?
So the scene is 4 pm on a cold wet November night, downtown in busy Vancouver. There's Santa across the street blasting carols. The busses drown out most of the music, but what can be heard is the lush downbeats and crooning vocals of Beth Gibbons.
Grunge music is part of my history. How about you?
It's 1993. I'm driving to McDonald's on my Grade 12 lunch break, in the back of my friend's friend's parents' station wagon, which she gets to borrow 2 days a week. There's no air conditioning, and no conversation. All the windows are down, the stereo is cranked, and we are all pretending to be Chris Cornell.
New! Extremely Cheesy Dad Jokes Coloring Book.
When I started thinking about what I wanted to create for this holiday, sappy love sayings just didn’t fit. Not because I don’t love the dads in my life, but because they all appreciate a well-timed fart joke.
So Simple is a line designed to leave room for creativity.
I created the So Simple line after realizing that even my Delightfully Simple Hand-drawn Minute Mandalas sometimes included smaller spaces that could be difficult for some hands to color comfortably. You can pick up a free sampler to see if it works for you.
Axolotl cuties are free for you.
I love axolotls. They are ridiculously cute, so of course I wanted to try drawing some.
Relapsing polychondritis symptom tracker for free and free to share.
Getting a diagnosis for a rare disease is overwhelming. For me, I needed to get a handle on the overwhelm in as many ways as possible.
Exploring the therapeutic benefits of adult coloring
In today's hectic world, finding moments of peace and relaxation is a challenge. That's where adult coloring books come in. More than a pastime, coloring has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting mental well-being and reducing stress.
Adult coloring: why we love it
Today, we're exploring the question that's on everyone non-colorist's minds: why do adults color? And while there's not a one-size-fits-all answer, here are a few reasons some of us like to get lost in the pages of a coloring book.
Through the mist with purple haze.
Purple haze isn't exactly an agreed upon shade. Different brands define it differently, but it tends to be bold, yet smokey. It's one of my favorite shades to use.
Forest green is enchanting
Today, we're venturing deep into the heart of the forest with forest green. With its rich, verdant tones and earthy vibes, forest green captures the essence of the great outdoors. Lace up your hiking boots and let's wander through the enchanted woods together!
Your coloring can look like summer.
Last night I reset the default color palate on my software because I felt I was leaning on the same colors a lot. In search of new colors, I visited colorhunt.co for some inspiration.
What does it mean: draw with intention?
You may have noticed in some of my mandala coloring book descriptions I mention that I've drawn the mandalas with intention. While this is true, it's a pretty meaningless statement without context. So let's talk about it.
Which mandalas will you choose?
When I started this coloring book journey, I had no idea how much I would love it, or how many book lines I would one day have! I admit, the early books weren't sorted by difficulty very well, so I completely understand if you're feeling a little unsure about where to begin. To make things easier, here’s a breakdown of my different book series to help you choose the one that’s just right for you!
Spring lilacs and green grass
When coloring, I've often noticed I reach for a lime green and purple combo. Or lime green and pink. What makes these colors look so nice together?
Languo glitter gels pens
In the coloring groups that I frequent, there's a lot of talk about Languo glitter gel pens. I decided to try them and I'm here to tell you about it.