Floral Shoe Illustration by Joanna Baker

A Different Season…

Floral Shoe Illustration by Joanna Baker

This is a strange time. The past seven weeks have been a sort of blur with days melting into one another. I hope you are staying healthy and well where you are. Things in the city feel a bit less heavy than they did a couple weeks ago. I am still hopeful and get a reassuring boost in humanity each night at 7:00 o’clock when we, along with our neighbors, cheer and clap and bang on pans and ring (a surprisingly very many) cowbells from our windows for the healthcare workers and those on the front lines battling this nasty virus. It’s something I look forward to every day and even the tiniest semblance of a routine is welcomed.

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Trying New Things : Experimenting with Watercolors…

Watercolor Practice by Joanna Baker

There’s something about this year that has me really throwing caution to the wind and trying new things. It’s like I’ve been waiting for a long time to give myself permission to do something different and so far that’s included signing up for a creative business class (that started yesterday – YAY!) and picking up a new-to-me medium… watercolors!

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The Dogs Have Arrived!

Dog Illustrations by Joanna Baker

Back in 2014 or so, just for fun before I had even started my illustration business, I started sketching all the little dogs I saw in my neighborhood each morning while walking to the train. Those illustrations were some of the first to make it into my Etsy shop when I launched my business. Over the years, I’ve gotten lots of requests for different breeds and I’m happy to report that eight new dogs have been added to the collection!

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An Exciting Adventure!

Joanna Baker Illustration

This year got off to a rough start. I’m still in the process of working through things, but the past couple of weeks I’ve realized that it’s been awhile since I haven’t felt stuck.

Usually when I come up against something difficult in my creative process, I tell myself “you can do this” and just try to figure things out on my own. But I’ve come to learn that sometimes in order to move forward, you can’t keep working with the same information, the same methods, and the same mindset. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and let something else in…

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Dog Illustrations by Joanna Baker

An Anniversary, a New Decade, and New Projects…

The Dog Project - Illustrations by Joanna Baker

Exactly five years ago today, I left my full-time fashion design job to pursue a creative freelance career and start my illustration business. After a wildly busy and stressful holiday season, it’s finally quiet enough around here to reflect and plan for the year ahead. The past couple of months have been really difficult for my family. I’m in a strange place right now and have been trying to be kind to myself and take one day at a time without the pressure of a deadline. But I also feel like starting something new would be helpful and delving into a project would give me something positive to work towards. Making art after all is a wonderfully soothing and healing process.

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