🌞 Sun, Ducklings, and Making Things Happen

☁️ May Light (Before the Gloom)

It’s May 🌿 For most of you, that means spring is fully here… sunshine, warmth, flowers blooming everywhere. In Southern California, though, we’re entering a slightly different season: May Gray (and soon, June Gloom). Because of that, I’ve been trying to soak up as much sun as possible while I can. Long walks, working in the light that pours through my windows (I don’t take that for granted), and daily strolls through the Venice canals have become part of my routine.

My boyfriend and I recently discovered something very important: nine ducklings 🐥 Every day around noon, we stop at what is named “the duck park.” The canals are where they swim and wander, but this little area is where the momma duck gathers all her babies like clockwork. It’s become part of our daily routine, and honestly, anything that cute instantly becomes inspiration for my art. I’m really hoping the gray doesn’t last too long this year because I’ve realized I function like a west coast succulent… I need sun to thrive 🌵

🧵 Tombolo Submission

Last week, I submitted my application to Tombolo, and I wanted to share a bit about the design I created. The application asked how I would translate one of my garments into their shirts, and as a very visual thinker, I needed to actually create the piece before I could describe it.

I designed a soft green terry cloth garment with an all-over bamboo texture inspired by one of my paintings. Instead of printing the artwork directly, I reimagined it through functional details. The blue monsters appear embroidered and peek out from the collar and pocket, while Mahjong tiles physically stick out of a large front hand pocket. I added colorful ribbed trim at the sleeves and hem, along with a flower-shaped zipper pull so the entire piece feels whimsical and character-driven from every angle.

It’s a highly competitive opportunity, so I’m keeping expectations realistic, but regardless of the outcome, this piece deserves to exist and I fully plan on making it happen ✨

Commission Season 🎁

With Mother’s Day right around the corner and Father’s Day soon after, I’ve been thinking a lot about gifts. I’ve always been someone who makes things by hand, and that hasn’t changed. My parents basically have entire gallery walls of “Rosalie originals” at this point 🖼️

From cards to drawings to matchboxes to paintings, I’ve always loved finding new ways to make something personal. At this point, I’d confidently say Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts are a specialty of mine, so if you’re looking for something meaningful and one-of-a-kind, I have that covered 💌

⚖️ Finding Balance ⚖️

After a weekend of music, this week is all about balance. Balancing different mediums, moving between digital illustrations for a book, drawing on bags for gifts, tufting (with the correct yarn this time), editing art videos, and continuing to expand my online shop and presence. It’s a lot of switching between creative and business modes, but I’m leaning into it and figuring out what that rhythm looks like.

🎶 Weekend Reset

This past weekend I went to the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach where I got to see icons like Duran Duran and Sheryl Crow, along with some of my favorites like Flipturn and Peach Pit. I am completely exhausted, but it was exactly the kind of reset I needed to step back into work mode feeling inspired again.

With love and color,

Rosalie