Happy Anniversary!

Celebrating the first year.

We’ve made it through the worst of winter here in Newfoundland—luckily, it’s been a mild one.

So, today marks the anniversary of my last day of office work.

Well, technically, it’s tomorrow because of the leap year, but close enough.

Whew.

It’s been a whirlwind of a year.

Over the past twelve months, I’ve taken on a variety of marketing, graphic design, and illustration projects—each rewarding in its own way. I love the mix of work and the many people I get to collaborate with.

At the very start, I designed the logo and signage for Birdie on Water Street, a local bakery (which, by the way, has the most delicious treats). I remember showing up with my tape measure and notebook for my first job meeting, feeling like I was free-falling—unsure of where things would lead. But diving into the branding for this new bakery was something I could really sink my teeth into—literally.

Photo: Instagram

I still feel like I’m free-falling. Maybe that feeling never goes away. Relying entirely on myself is something I’ve never had to do before.

But I’ve learned a lot over the past year. Here are three key lessons:

Diversify. Illustration is a competitive field. Taking on part-time work or branching into other areas—like graphic design, printmaking, and marketing—helps keep things steady. For now, I’ve accepted that variety is part of the journey.

Be patient. I recently finished illustrating one book and have another lined up for this year—both opportunities that came from an email I sent when I first started freelancing. Publishing moves at a slow pace, but persistence pays off.

Take your work seriously. For years, I kept my illustration and art as a side project—maybe as a way of avoiding full commitment. But now, I have no choice but to fully invest in it. Thinking deeply about my art, what I want to say, and how to improve has become my priority. I’m learning to embrace the process, take my time, and push myself to get better every day.

Tonight, I’ll be celebrating this past year and all the lessons learned with sushi.

Thanks for reading!