Cover Reveal & Embracing Distractions

Trying to finish my current comic project, while pining for newer, younger projects that are still broken and misunderstood.

If you would have asked me on Thursday, “Do you think you’ll have the cover ready to share on Sunday?” I would have said. Nope. Not a chance. But lo and behold, here is the cover art for “You Are With Me Always” —

It looks a little floaty here because of the white background, but I think it’ll work well printed. I wanted a really clean and simple cover that features the main characters more than the setting, and I wanted to create a hand-lettered title that complemented the handwritten text inside. I’m sure I’ll make a few more tweaks, but for now I’m feeling pretty good about it.

But yeah… all week long I’ve been sooooo distracted by shiny new ideas and the magnetic pull of summer weather calling me outside! Anyone else?!

I get this way during projects, even when it’s not beautiful outside. Once I “solve” the creative problem (e.g., I figure out the exact words, flow, page count, cover design, etc…. basically, all the fun stuff I did last week!), and I’m faced with executing the remainder of the project, my mind tends to wander to newer, shiner, less-figured-out ideas.

But thanks to a rainy day yesterday and being absolutely exhausted from kayaking 10 miles the day before (not something I’m in anyway conditioned to do!), I was happy to sit on the couch and leisurely work on some comic panels that required little problem solving and just drawing. Here are my favorite panels from yesterday:

I know the art is on the right track when I physically smile at a finished drawing. When I finished these panels of the bird flying toward the capybara, it brought me a lot of joy, and I couldn’t help but smile at them!

Embracing Distractions

I have no business giving advice on how to stay focused on a project. I have so many unfinished projects… so many! But I noticed this week was that I was better off embracing some distractions instead of avoiding them.

I would find myself daydreaming about a new idea, unable to focus on anything else…churning and pining to work on that (and therefore getting nothing else done)… until I allowed myself to spend a little time roughing out a sketch or writing some notes. Then my brain could let go enough for me to return to the task at hand.

I also think spending more time outside has been helpful and restorative. Sometimes I feel guilty about taking the time for a long walk, reading a book, or just sitting outside and drawing for no reason (like I did with the Mary Oliver quote below). But I find that if I don’t let myself wander mentally or physically for a while, I get bogged down and ornery!

Getting Ready for Launch!

So despite my distraction-filled week, I only have a couple more illustrations to finish on “You Are With Me Always” — I mean look at all these finished panels! I’m hoping to do a test print next week, and I will share an update with you in my next newsletter.

So, tell me. What’s your approach to managing distractions while working on a larger project? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Until Next Time

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