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I just added Bat for Lashes to my Spotify - somehow completely evaded my radar, but I love the sound! I had a similar thing revisiting an old (superold) playlist from when I was at uni and it brought me right back. Both good and bad, but I felt a kind of wistful "aw, you did your best" kind of thing for my younger self 😅 Books and reading definitely go in waves, and I think it's easier during holidays and time off. When you can fully immerse yourself without feeling a pull from all the shoulds... I used to be a completionist and since I started letting myself not finish books or shows or movies, it's gotten a lot easier. Life is short, why force ourselves through media we don't enjoy? In terms of that ideal creative lifestyle - I totally have that romantic dream sometimes. I don't think anyone actually lives like that either, or that it's possible, If they do they're very privileged to begin with 😅 ...but I'm trying to facilitate glimpses of it throughout the year, and I think that's even better. You know, that thing of appreciating something because it's rare. I'm excited to see your next video by the way, your art supplies one has really popped off as the kids say! That's so exciting 🌞😁

@@josiemakes I'm glad you liked them. Memories can definitely be harsh sometimes, but like you, I remind myself it’s okay - I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t made those choices. The past is the past, and we can’t change it, so... whatever. 😅 That completionism mindset is something I’m still working on too, but I agree it doesn’t make much sense to push through. I’ve felt that way with some books. I’d push through, hoping they’d win me over, but they never did. And since I usually listen to audiobooks while painting, now some of my artwork reminds me of those books I didn’t even like! And yes, there are definitely people who either have the privilege or the mental space to focus on all the small, decorative details in life. But I feel like that second group is rare. That’s why I’m so grateful for RUclips. Have you heard of Merveilles En Papier? She’s my go-to whenever I need that cozy, creative vibe, and she’s so authentic. You might like her too - she makes these beautiful sculptures out of paper. Thank you for the kind words about my video! It was such a surprise that it took off. At first, almost no one watched it, and then suddenly, it just blew up. My next video is in the works, actually, as I’m writing this, I’m heading to the kitchen (lol) to talk about art books. I’ve been procrastinating on it forever because these types of videos are so tough to put together, but it’s an idea I’ve been wanting to do for ages. They say that if you’re not posting every week, you should aim for every other week. I’m hovering around the 18-20 day mark, which isn’t ideal, but I want to hold myself accountable. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for your videos! You should totally make one about what it’s like being an illustrator as a job. I think so many people would be curious to hear about it. We don’t all live in Los Angeles working for fancy studios, and there are so many different paths out there. Of course, no pressure, but if you ever feel like sharing your story, I know people would love it.

I haven't seen Marveilles en Papier, but it does sound like something I would like! Oh, I hear ya. There's so many involved ideas I want to film, but I have to kind of reign it in... or wait. I'm trying to be ok with good enough though, and feel like I can make "easier" videos between the involved ones and not have to prove anything or overachieve every week. You do whatever works for you, people resonate with it, though I know most of the pressures comes from inside ones own mind. Thank you for saying that. I've been thinking about that sort of video, but it's just about pulling together all the material. I want it to be useful and hopefully inspiring while not sugarcoating and that's a difficult balance... Good luck with filming 🤗

Thank you for your sweet comment and oh, what an amazing journey you've been on! I relate to a lot of what you say, though I've had different experiences of course, but I think a lot of us creative people go through similar things. There's a lot of pressure to "prove ourselves"... It's very hopeful to read that you've found a place where you have joy in what you're making and that you allow yourself play. I honestly think it's the most important thing about creativity. I'm sure there are many who would love to follow your journey if you do decide to start on RUclips 😊

Thank you 🥲I believe in you! When it gets hard I try to just focus on the fun of it and not the outcome - and like I said, sometimes taking some distance and then returning to the thing can make you realise it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Oh goodness, I just want to reach through the screen and give you a hug. There's so much of what you're saying that I recognize in my own experiences, things that are hard to put into words sometimes. When I look back, I've been really insecure and mean to myself and if anything, it's stalled any feelings of fulfillment. I also want you to know that the work you do is valuable and meaningful. Not only because you're a technically very talented artist, with a style that is your own... but because of the fact that you are yourself. It can be really difficult to find that some people in ones life don't "get" the art world. Though my parents were interested in art, I realised when I myself started pursuing it (and got a deeper understanding of the intricasies and context) that they didn't actually understand that much. It took some time to accept that and understand that it doesn't mean that they were against my artistic side, just that I can't find the kind of support from them that I originally thought. But I get that from other artists I'm now getting to know. Like yourself :) I've been so overwhelmed by the "do this not this" side of social media art accounts for too long. It's just gatekeeping disguised as friendly advice. When we look back, the artists that stand out do so because they broke away from the mold and did things their own way!

Great idea! I've been saving outfits from tv-shows I like, perhaps I should put them on my closet door!

Yes, they're very popular, especially in fantasy circles. He's illustrated several recent Swedish editions of Dungeons & dragons, other tabletop RPG's and fantasy books as well 🥲

@@josiemakes Lucky, I'm not sure all of the art in our recent D&D books was actually made by people. lol

😦 what a time to be alive.... 🙃

@ Yah, tell me about it. :)

Oh no! I hope you will be reunited with your books soon. I totally agree with you, I much prefer the tactile experience of sifting through a book and looking up close at images. There's so much online, but also somehow everything online looks the same after a while?

@ yeah I feel the same too but I feel like that has to do with algorithms lol

Aw yay, a fellow folklore fan :D I'm planning on making a video about the Huldra and its different versions! If people like that I have a whole list of Scandinavian creatures I want to talk about ^^ Oh, I hear ya, I've been whittling down my wardrobe into clothing that is comfortable BUT also look nice and put together. It's just that, you know, the inspiration to put them together into new combinations just hasn't existed. It's tough when it feels like there's a block to do a particular type of drawing or part of the process and I don't really have a solution for that other than... not doing it for a while. Not pushing yourself too hard (or comparing to others, which I am guilty of myself) is usually the thing that makes it easier over time. For me, making thumbnails of an illustration was a game-changer but I can see how it isn't for everyone. And now I'm even more excited to read more Sanderson! :D Finished Elantris this weekend and it left a gaping hole! Thank you for your sweet and thoughtful comment, it looks like we have a lot in common :D

@@josiemakes Okay, you got a subscriber! I would love to learn more about Scandanavian critters and folktales from someone who grew up with them. Context matters so much and I far prefer listening to someone talk about such things above reading about them (not that I don't but if I have a choice, I prefer to be told). As to clothes: HA! I don't make those choices :D I live in a tank top and leggings. I have nicer leggings/dressy yoga pants and shirts that I put on over my tank tops for slightly nicer needs. I haven't drawn in a very long time, not steadily, so I haven't gotten to the "art block" section of being an artist again. It is still very much just trying to dust off my skills and see what remains. I have managed to work on something nearly everyday of January which is a huge step forward but I still have a long way to go. I'm relearning and learning everyday from RUclipsrs just like you. :) Forty-four is late in the game to try to resurrect my creative drive but... seems like it's still buried in there somewhere. You're so welcome! Visit www.brandonsanderson.com/pages/standalones-cosmere to find the books outside of the series. Mistborn and Stormlight are huge time commitments and sometimes that's just too much. But these are fun and not reading the rest of the Cosmere shouldn't effect your enjoyment of them. I look forward to your future videos!

Aw thank you 🥲 I hope you like it here! I totally get what you're saying, it is different to get some things told to you. With fairy tales and lore, the way I see it, that's the way they were meant to be experienced! Doing art every day, even in small ways, is a big thing but it can also be very rewarding. I resonate with a lot of what you're saying and want to talk more about those "struggles" too. I also want to say you're never too old, but you're not even old! And anyway, doing it just for you is a good enough reason! I've been eyeing Mistborn, just need a palette cleanser to digest Elantris, and then I'm taking the plunge!

Sanderson's podcast is very casual and they really cover a lot of different topics. I tend to like the ones specifically relating to writing, books, the creative process of course, but there's also some episodes on every thing from gaming to philosophy. It's a bit like listening in on a conversation, which I like. As much as I love reading, it's one of those things that goes in waves. And thank you! I want to make more casual videos, and be brave to post something longer as well 😅 I tend to cut away a lot and end up with around 10 min videos. I'm afraid people will lose interest 🫠 Thanks for watching as always ❤️

Oh gosh, thank you so much for your kind words ❤️

Happy new year! 😊 Haha, yes, please bother me! I am always both surprised and happy when I see your comments. This is exactly what I've been thinking, the thing that makes another creator interesting in my eyes are the things that only they do or say or how they present. So maybe my flaws can be that for others haha. Like you say, a lot of reach is about marketing, and that's so difficult when the topic is near to heart. Sometimes it feels silly making thumbnails or writing a "grabby" title, but it's part of it. I'm looking forward to just having fun this year and (hopefully) meeting more creators 😊 and the same to you, it'll be fun to follow your work!

​@@josiemakes 😊 Same here! I have a feeling that if we met in real life, we’d totally vibe with each other.

@@rampant.hare.illustrations Yes, and I think we're drawn to similar aesthetics as well 😊

It's about good enough, you know 😊 Happy 2025!

thank you 🥹

Thank you so much for taking the time to say that ❤️ and happy new year!

Thank you 🥹😘

And the same to you! I'm wishing you a fruitful year, that you'll be able to spend more time making art ✨🎆 Thank you for making RUclips feel like a friendly place 🤗

🥹 thank you✨

thank you, I believe it was 75°c 😊

Thank you 🥲 Do it! Honestly easier than I thought except for the stickines lol! Someone said to try potato starch and water instead of glue and Ill be trying that next time (less sticky)

Amazing, I'm gonna have to try that! Thank you!

@@josiemakes Rosanna makes has a wealth of tutorials on creating spun cotton ornaments, including a video that shows how she prepares her potato starch goop. Well worth checking out her channel.

@@bluefrogcreations6132 Thank you for this excellent tip! I will have to check out her channel :)

Thank you for the nice comment ❤️

Haha, thanks! It was so much fun (but sticky!). It's truly so cool how different traditions are within this little continent. It's one of my favourite things about being European. Are you celebrating anything special? And thank you for the encouragement 🙈 Would like to tell more stories and do more "history lite" in the future, this was a bit of a rest to see how I could work it in with the making 😊 ❤️

@ Absolutely, it worked very well. Many people enjoy watching videos while working on something else, so storytelling is definitely a great approach. Where I live, winters are gloomy, and the landscape feels like it’s straight out of “The Others”. There are ghost and witch stories tied to the area. Christmas isn’t very unique here, but the Befana, celebrated in January, is popular across Italy. She’s a witch who brings candy to good kids and coal to naughty ones.

@@rampant.hare.illustrations it still sounds dreamy with a gloomy Christmas among that lovely Italian architecture. Here in the south of Sweden we don't get as much snow either, but I like a "gothic Christmas". I hope you have a wonderful holiday season ✨ I look forward to your next video 😊

Thank you for saying that! It was fun to try some new crafts ❄️✨

Aw thank you for taking the time to comment! Good luck with your creative journey ❤️

@@SirKotten ❤️

Thank you for saying that! Do it, it was surprisingly easy and very satisfying to make 😊

I am always so taken aback by your comments, you are such an incredibly thoughtful person! And I really do like what you put out too. Your art, the themes you paint, your storytelling and your voice all feel very familiar. I think as long as you enjoy what you do, there's no need to push yourself to do something different if it doesn't feel true to you. Though, of course it would be fun to see how you tackle that 😊 I totally agree, RUclips as a platform is great but easy to get caught up in trends or how others do their videos. I certainly feel pressured to make it shiny and neatly wrapped up. I want to remain authentically me, while still spreading my wings and trying stuff. I'm working on balance haha ... I would love to see a week in your life! Would be fun to take on the same challenge like that and exchange notes on how it went x

@@josiemakes You’re absolutely right about the RUclips rabbit hole. I personally find the technical side of RUclips overwhelming at times. As you mentioned, it takes a lot of time to prepare, let alone stay genuinely creative and approach your ideas with the same enthusiasm you had when planning the video. I once heard someone say, “If you get bored by your own video, viewers will too.” While that might not apply to everyone, I’ve definitely noticed that pattern-especially with time lapses. That’s partly why I want to diversify my content. I tried in the past, but it felt a bit lonely and awkward, which didn’t help. That’s actually one of the things I love about your videos-you manage to come across as so easygoing, even though I’m sure it’s not always easy. At the end of the day, we’re all in the same boat. I hope you’ll keep creating your amazing content, and as always, thank you for your kind words! Whenever I feel stuck, I know I can count on you to give me motivation. 😊

Totally. I was making videos years ago, very sporadically, but haven't been able to stick to a consistent routine until this year and it's because in the past it was overwhelming and I was expecting myself to be perfect from the start. It's only now, since I am accepting that I'm learning something new with each video - I'm not expecting top quality in both the video and it's content - that it's becoming easier to just do. But it also depends on the week and day that I'm filming, some weeks confidence is loooow. I do fear people getting bored, and I cut out a lot of stuff that is probably fine to keep. Would like to challenge myself to leave more room to breathe. Thank you for saying that, you motivate me too! ❤️

Aw, that's so sweet of you to say! ❤️🥹

Thank you, how sweet of you to say! It was a lot of fun, and I think I'll be doing some more in the future 🥰

well, thanks for the engagement, you'll probably get more of these on your feed now 😊✨

Thank you! <3

Haha, if anything this just goes to show that everyone is different, I think acrylics are easier than watercolours - which you obviously use masterfully! 😅 I totally agree with you, I don't share everything I make and I don't make everything to share either. But you know, there's a lot of excellent artists with original thoughts and sometimes I slip into comparing myself to others. I guess everyone does 😅 but yeah, I've probably learned the most from my "failed" art than any of the good ones! Definitely keeping "the decision to make it is enough to give it meaning" above my desk. That's such a good motto.

You're sweet! I truly feel "recentered" after the declutter, I'm more excited about sitting there, which is a step in the right direction. Trying not to push myself, and have fun!

@@josiemakes Definitely, I think being inspired by your workspace is essential. Personally, I don’t have many objects in my house, but I put a lot of effort into my creative corner. It gives me that 'me time.'

That's such a good tip! Cause deep down I know the inner critic is wrong or scared haha. I definitely want to have more fun with my art, have it be easygoing.

I know right! 😍

thank you!

the shadows were such a bonus!

Tack! och så enkelt!! 🤩

Aw thank you so much, that's such a sweet thing to say 🥲 Do it! It was very easy and super fun to think up odd little designs 🎃

Aw thank you! you're so sweet for commenting 🤗

Yay! ❤️