At school, my kids are in the middle of a few weeks of state testing. It’s necessary and important, but still stressful for them. Invariably, each one has a couple of nights of anxious thoughts and worries during these days, and I remind them. “You can do it! I know you can.” Especially when they can’t seem to muster the reminders themselves. And the worrisome thoughts deceive. “I know you can.” Don’t we all need that reminder sometimes.
Friday inspiration…
Sometimes when I let the busyness of days get the better of me, I’m tempted to rush them through conversations. The pitfall of always thinking of the next thing we need to do, the next place we need to be. When what my heart really wants to say is “tell me MORE!” In these days when you want to share your heart, when you care what I think, when you’re figuring out what matters to you… TELL ME MORE!
Over the years, I’ve embarked on various daily painting series to help me stay disciplined to practice my craft each day. That practice is so important to keeping my hand steady, connecting my thoughts with my heart, helping get ideas out of my head and onto paper, and really, just improving skills and staying at the top of my game. Still, I’ve been struggling lately to settle on a theme I’m excited about, much less find the motivation to make sure I include lettering and watercolor journaling into my day.
A series isn’t always easy. Like any habit, some days you just don’t want to do it! But in those times, the idea of having a theme ready to work within just makes starting easier. It makes it easier to get that first stroke on the paper or that first seed of an idea. And of course, after the first stroke, each one after comes more easily.
Two years ago, I began a series called “Letters to my Daughter.” Each day, I hand-lettered and painted a message I wanted to be sure to impart to Baby Girl. She was at a stage when her artistic ideas were really blossoming and she was SO inquisitive, and I found myself continually thinking of things I didn’t want to forget to tell her — things I believe about her, things I want her to know about herself, how I want her to see the world. Of course, the series expanded to be “Letters to my Children” at times as I found things I wanted my boys to hear as well. It actually because a fun experience to show the kids the paintings, and Baby Girl would come home from school asking what I painted for her that day.
This morning as I sat down to try and put brush strokes on my paper, I starting thinking through what series I enjoyed most, which one brought me the most satisfaction, which one I couldn’t wait to paint each day. “Letters to my Daughter” rose to the surface as one of the most inspiring. And that inspiration spiraled into one of the most fruitful times for me creatively in building my business and developing product ideas. But, beyond that, the series helped me connect my heart and my work with my favorite of life’s inspiration — these three remarkable and talented and creative human beings I have the privilege to raise. As we find ourselves squarely in the preteen/teen stages at our house, my heart, more than ever, wants to hold them close and grab every fleeting moment. So, I guess I decided to go with it! I’m rebooting the “Letters to my Daughter” daily painting series, which will certainly be letters for each of my children with equal measure of recapturing that crucial inspiration as well as pushing myself to leave nothing unsaid. I hope you’ll follow along on Facebook or Instagram to see my progress, and I hope to share some of the images here in some sort of weekly recap format as well.
Today’s lettering practice is brought to you by two exciting pieces of information…
One, it’s summer. I know that’s old news, but THIS is the week I’m trying to help us settle into some kind of flexible routine with getting client work finished, moving forward with Pond project ideas, achieving a measure of the “lazy, hazy” summer element, AND taking advantage of the blessing of all my kids at home with me for this season. We’ve spent the last two weeks in celebration mode that school is out and spending down time at the farm, and now, we’re home where at least a little bit of routine and intention are needed to keep the balls rolling. This is the second year we’ve chosen not to participate in any kind of summer care-giver program for the kids, and the first year I decided not to fill their time up with various camps. I’ve been feeling through the last semester that they (and I as the mommy/schedule maker/logistics coordinator) needed a break from so much scheduled and structured activities. I wanted us all to have free time – a concept that seems to be so undervalued in these days of rushing toward achievement after achievement.
So, the big question abounding is time! How do I manage it and capitalize on it all at the same time? Along with feeling like it’s ok to waste it every now and then? I’m still working through those decisions and balancing how and when I focus on work. And when I choose to set it aside. These days are precious. There are only a few years, really, when the concept of “summer vacation” is even possible for all of us in the same way, at the same time, in the same place. And, although I don’t like to think about it, there may be few years when all three of my little ones actually WANT to hang out with Mommy. So, today, I want to be able to say “Yes, I have time.” Even if I feel like I don’t. Even if it means I’m on Illustrator at the crack of dawn or rolling out block printing inks at midnight. When they have time. While we all have this rare and blessed time. I want to say “yes.”
The second bit of excitement sponsoring today’s practice is more of a programming note… my nifty Benks flexible arm iPhone holder arrived this week, and after a squeal of delight, I decided to try it out for overhead videos this morning! I have a small tripod that I sometimes use, but I was looking for something that could get more of a straight-on shot. It clips right onto the desk or table, and you can swivel or position the arm to capture your workspace. I’m still experimenting with making sure the shot is stabilized because I wiggle so much when I’m painting and my work table is showing its age. But, I love how it works, and I see tons of possibilities for this little tool. There it is in my set-up from this morning — cutting open the Amazon box to painting on camera in about 15 minutes (including time for choosing morning tunes!).
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.
The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.
I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
Rustle through the pages.
I’m honored to have you here.
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Phone: 662.312.4001
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