Introducing Table Talk

An ongoing conversation with a working artist + mother of *almost* 3 under 5

Hello! Today I’m sharing an update for this newsletter, and a behind the scenes look into how I’m prepping for my third (and final!) maternity leave.

Many of you know the story behind naming this Substack ‘The Art Table’. To more fully embrace that concept (and have some fun) I started ending newsletters with my ‘Table Talk’ section, inspired by conversations I imagine having with you at this virtual table. Whether discussing getting dressed, business, design or motherhood, art remains the common through-line connecting the dots.

With our third baby on the way, I’ve thought a lot about how I’ll continue a sustainable work-life juggle (I prefer ‘juggle’ over ‘balance’. In my experience the scale is never truly balanced!) And something I imagine myself able to prepare ahead and do from home is writing a regular newsletter.

Once a month, I’ll send a newsletter for paid subscribers from a subsection of The Art Table titled ‘Table Talk’ sharing some behind the scenes of my experience as a working artist + mother of *almost* 3 under 5.

As a free subscriber, you’ll continue receiving my ‘The Art Table’ studio updates featuring original artwork, print and product releases, and announcements for in-person shows. I’ll also leave at least one take-away or update above the fold, so even if you're an unpaid subscriber, you’re still receiving something of value!

The first ‘Table Talk’ will go out next Sunday, and moving forward you’ll receive a new post the first Sunday morning of each month. If you prefer to skip these monthly editions, you can unsubscribe at any time while remaining on my regular studio newsletter by managing your account settings here.

I’m grateful for the many impactful mentors I’ve found throughout my career and since becoming a mom I’ve found other mother-founder experiences particularly valuable. One of the best perks of this job is how I can customize and mold it to fit the season of life I’m in. It certainly isn’t easy and a constant work in progress, but we’ll get into some of my learnings in ‘Table Talk’ and I hope to learn from you as well!

Topics currently in my ‘drafts’ folder include:

• how I licensed (and manifested) one of my paintings for a book cover - next Sunday’s topic! Leave a comment if you have any Q’s that need A’s!

• how I diversify my income

• my experience working with galleries/interior designers

• which tasks I outsource

• what a day in the life looks like

• what a week in the life looks like

• how I left my full-time job as a physical therapist

• dressing like an artist (thanks for the idea Aunt Maggie!)

• outfits inspired by paintings (with Kate Lowman!)

• eventually creative business owner interviews/features (let me know if you’re interested!)

Etc.! If you have any questions or topic suggestions/requests, please leave them in the comments or drop them in our newsletter chat. I hope to see you there!

TLDR: I’m turning on paid subscriptions for a new subsection of this newsletter titled ‘Table Talk’ where I’ll start conversations on creative business learnings, getting dressed, motherhood, and design, (with art always woven throughout, of course!) I’ll continue sending my free ‘The Art Table’ studio updates on select Thursdays throughout the month (my frequency with publishing studio updates is very much tied to my current painting/mom-ing work flow!) Right now you’re subscribed to both for free, but you can choose to upgrade to paid or modify your subscription at any time.