Meet the Team

A little show and tell around the studio

Psst. Substack tells me this might be a bit long for email so you might have to read it via the Substack app or desktop.

How well do we really know each other?

It’s something I think about more and more in this age of digital everything.

So, I thought I’d invite you in—just a little—and give you a peek at where I work.

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First, meet the staff

This is Phonse (short for Alphonsus, of course).

He’s four years old, tailless, and takes his role as studio assistant very seriously: part lawyer, part trainer, part confidant.

Phonse has always hung out with me while I work—to the point where I had to get him his own cat tower. He’s a friendly little bear of a cat, but he does have an unfortunate habit of nibbling on my paper, pens, pencils… really anything that might get my attention when he’s bored.

I’ve done some training with him to keep him engaged, which helps. But he still requires a fair bit of attention.

I wouldn’t change a thing.

And yes—I’ve drawn him many times.

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The studio

It took me years to go from the kitchen table to a room of my own.

It’s not a huge space, but I’ve managed to fit in everything I need (and then some). There’s even a comfortable chair where I can sit and collect my thoughts—or, occasionally, have a nap. It feels a bit dreamy, if I’m honest. Phonse agrees.

I have a Sweet Baby Jane printing press that I use for making cards, and a friend built me a beautiful custom shelving unit that’s exactly the right height for my printing station.

Our house is about 124 years old and sits in the heart of downtown St. John’s. From my studio window, I have what feels like a million-dollar view overlooking Signal Hill. Phonse spends a good part of his day chirping at birds from his perch when he isn’t pestering me. Or sitting in my chair.

I’m genuinely happy every time I walk into this space. It’s where I try—successfully, most days—to leave my inner critic at the door.

That feeling hasn’t worn off.

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In the community

Our little urban sketching group is really starting to gain some momentum—though we did have to cancel this past weekend thanks to a snowstorm.

Yes. A snowstorm. On April 25.

As a friend put it: “Spring in Newfoundland is not for sissies.” Small comfort but a comfort nonetheless.

Still—onwards and upwards.

Matt (who I mentioned in my last post) has been a huge help. He’s getting a small website together, setting up a newsletter, and helped launch our shiny new email account. We’ve also got an Instagram account and a Facebook Group to go along with our Page.

We’re well on our way to becoming an official Urban Sketchers chapter, which feels kind of amazing.

And truly—thank you to everyone who keeps showing up.

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May meet-ups

(Also—side note: I’m still not convinced “meet-ups” is the right term. If you have a better one, I’m all ears.)

Thursday, May 14 | 2–4 PM
📍 Water Street, Downtown St. John’s
Meet at the Courthouse

If it snows (and I’m not ruling it out), we’ll head to Atlantic Place.

Saturday, May 23 | 11 AM–1 PM
📍 Bannerman Park
Meet at the Gazebo near The Loop

Surely it won’t snow… but if the weather turns, we’ll stick to the Gazebo.

Hopefully the weather cooperates. If not—well, we’ve established we’re not sissies.

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What I’ve been up to

Lately, it’s been a mix of graphic design work and wrapping up grant applications. I’m finally settling back into a routine, which I love—once I find the rhythm, I’m all in. But if I fall out of it, it takes me forever to get back.

I’m also getting ready for what feels like a trip of a lifetime.

Watercolour master Joseph Zbukvic (along with Lisa Wang) is leading a 7-day intensive workshop in Calgary, and I’ll be there. I’ve been buzzing with excitement for days.

I can’t wait to tell you all about it next month.

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That’s it for now.

Thanks, as always, for reading. And feel free to reach out if you have thoughts, questions, or just want to talk art.

Until next time.

XO Caroline