From Sketchbook to Tee Shirt, A Jazz Story
From Sketchbook to Tee Shirt, A Jazz Story
In one of my last newsletters, I wrote about a friend — a creative soul who made things simply because it brought him joy. No agenda. No product line. No strategy. Just pure, uncomplicated love of the process.
He passed away not long ago, and I've been sitting with what he left behind — not finished pieces or polished portfolios, but the energy of someone who showed up and made things because that's what he was here to do.
His spirit must have gotten into me, because I found myself pulling out stacks of old sketchbooks. Pages and pages I hadn't looked at in years. And tucked inside one of them — a whole series of line drawings I'd done of my husband's jazz band.
I don't even remember drawing most of them. That's how it goes when you create from that place of pure flow. The hand just moves.
Those drawings have been sitting in a sketchbook for years, waiting. And now, inspired by my friend's reminder that making things is enough of a reason to make things, I'm turning them into a product line. Below is the first in the series, “Jazz Trumpeter,” it’s a simple sketch, but says a lot!
More to Follow!
And, this week, of course I am “playing”. I am in Jennifer Nichols Community. She is an artist and educator, and is very generous with what she teaches and shares! Here’s a link to her website:
And here’s what I made (work in progress) from one of the classes she has taught:
In other news…..
Father’s Day will soon be here, and my Zazzle store has lots of Gifts for Dad (mostly under $30!). Here’s the link to my store, as well as a link directly to Father’s Day Collections: A lot of these gifts can be personalized!