Blog – Illustrator under a blankie

Posted on 20/09/202320/09/2023 by Esther — Leave a comment

The bear in the room

9.5 years ago, I became ill. After a few years of fussing and figuring it out, it became clear what was wrong AND... that I had to learn to live with it. It felt like there was a huge bear in the middle of the room that I couldn't ignore. A bear that I hated but that I would have to become friends with (whether I wanted to or not).

Posted on 31/08/202331/08/2023 by Esther — 2 Comments

It's too much, time to cocoon!

It's a lot, it's busy, it's too much. Renovating a house is one thing, but running a (fast) growing business is quite a lot. Especially considering that I am not 'fully employable', mentally vulnerable and I have to take my health into account a lot.

Posted on 22/06/202322/06/2023 by Esther — 8 Comments

The story of....

I thought it would be nice to share more about my ideas and thoughts behind my illustrations. I am always very reticent about this because I want you to feel for yourself what an illustration evokes in you and can do for you. If you want to keep doing that, don't read on. If you're curious about my feelings, thoughts, ideas and motives, read on!

Posted on 07/06/202307/06/2023 by Esther — 14 Comments

I burned my illustrations...

And I've never done that before. But I had to do something to give it closure. To give it a place. What exactly? I'll explain that to you in this blog.

Posted on 15/05/202315/05/2023 by Esther — 4 Comments

Letting go (is hard)

Ugh, you know that? You worry about things you'd be better off letting go of. A renovation that isn't getting along, a sewer overflowing, laundry bulging out the basket, to-do lists rattling around in your head, or deadlines constantly bouncing around in the back of your mind. I don't feel comfortable putting it all to the side. My body goes into survival mode, everything cramps up (hello pain), headaches and poor sleep are just a few annoyances. What helps? Letting go! In this blog you can read my tips (which I needed to hear again myself ;-)).

Posted on 20/04/202325/04/2023 by Esther — 4 Comments

The change

Something is different, I notice it myself. There is something different in my art, my work, my business. Have you noticed it? I think it is because I am changing myself, I am more firmly in the world, have my PTSD (as far as it goes) well under control, don't over-question myself so much anymore and focus on enjoying myself. Yes... and my art....

Posted on 23/03/2023 by Esther — Leave a comment

Saying goodbye

Sometimes it is necessary to say goodbye. To say goodbye in order to grow again. I am in such a phase right now. Since I have outsourced my "package wrapping" work, space for growth is opening up. Creative growth. And I love it! But somehow that includes saying goodbye. Especially from...

Posted on 10/03/202310/03/2023 by Esther — 1 Comment

After daring to take the leap

A while back I wrote a blog about me crashing and that I couldn't do it any longer. Missed it? Read it here. Now I get many questions about how I'm doing now and how I like the new life. So time to make up the balance "after the I jumped" (you know, that figurative jump I took ;-)).

Posted on 14/02/202314/02/2023 by Esther — 14 Comments

And suddenly I broke down...

If you have been following me for a while, you know that in addition to being an illustrator, I am also chronically ill. I am very limited in energy and therefore can only "work" for about 3 hours a day. Where I started my etsy store three years ago and was happy with 10 orders a week, it has grown tremendously over the past few years. Super fun and I wouldn't want it any other way, but it was time for adjustments. To be honest, I broke down...

Posted on 18/01/202318/01/2023 by Esther — 5 Comments

Painting as therapy

Life sometimes feels too big, scares me or overwhelms me. Anxiety rears its head, hello PTSD! But fortunately, there are more and more times when PTSD fades into the background. And the crazy thing is: you can see it in the illustrations I make!