Creating with Care: Art as a Love Letter to the Tired, Tender, and Trying

Art, for me, is a flexible friend. It shifts with my mood, my energy, and my needs — offering both comfort and expression in equal measure. Whether it’s the colours I choose, the themes I lean into, or the tools I use, every part of my process is shaped by how I’m feeling.

Though I mostly create digitally using Procreate, I’ve always loved the gentle, organic feel of watercolours. To bring that softness into my digital work, I often lay down an opaque base colour and then layer over it with one of my favourite watercolour brushes (the one by @stephasocks is a gem). It behaves like real paint, but allows for the flexibility that digital art gives — which is especially important on my low-energy days.

This soft, calming style has become central to my children’s books and illustrations. It took a while to find, but now that I have, it feels like home. Even when I'm working with specific colours (like prescribed hex codes for projects), I always try to bring in warmth and softness — the kind that welcomes people in.

Originally, my art was something I did just to soothe myself. Now, I create with the hope that it soothes others, too.

Validation is a thread that runs through all my work. I want my art to be a quiet reassurance — a reminder that your experiences are valid, your efforts are enough, and that you're allowed to take up space, gently and wholly. We live in a world that constantly demands more than we can give. My art is a small act of resistance: an invitation to put yourself first, even just for a moment.

And honestly? Sometimes I need that reminder too.

When I can’t create, I feel a bit lost. Like I’ve misplaced part of myself. Art grounds me. It reconnects me to my body, my emotions, and my curiosity. It’s a form of self-regulation, a way to navigate life’s ups and downs. And the fact that others find comfort in my work? That’s something I’ll never take for granted.

Over to you:

What helps you reconnect when things feel overwhelming or unclear?
Have you ever used art or creativity as a form of self-care?