Taking a Pause

Well it’s official - the third child postpartum adrenaline that miraculously fueled me this summer has officially run dry. We are knee deep in the 4 month sleep regression. Transparently, I’ve lost motivation to do pretty much anything other than sleep and keep three tiny humans alive. As I type this, I can hear Dave muttering to himself in the kitchen “I need a half-day off”, to which I’d like to raise him a week - but all that to say - we feel behind on life.

I tell you this because I’ve decided to pause all paid subscriptions for this Substack. If you’re a paid subscriber, you won’t be charged while this newsletter is paused, and you’ll be refunded a pro-rated amount if you bought a year’s subscription. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

I have a running drafts list I just can’t seem to get to, and a couple artist-mother interviews I’m excited to share, but for now I’m following my own advice - you can do anything, but not everything. This newsletter is mostly a fun creative outlet for me after all. The work I really need to prioritize is painting, oh, and parenting.

The gift of this being our third time around, is I know the sleepless nights are temporary, and this sweet stage is fleeting. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve really enjoyed the newborn phase. Don’t get me wrong, I love my babies, but I really need sleep. Like an unrealistic, un-interrupted, princess-status nine hours of sleep. My transition from 0-1 was both the coolest, and hardest thing in the world. That learning curve for first time parents is steep. And I can’t speak to having twins¹, but when we had our second a mere 19 months later, it felt like the next closest thing. Two under two was a wild ride y’all. They’re the best of buds now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. All that to say, knowing this is our last, I’m trying my best to put whatever wisdom I have to work, and soak all three of them up.

If you’re a parent reading this in a similar sinking boat², you’re not alone! I promise you, it will get easier. And then it will get harder again³. And so it goes.

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some studio-keeping

Don’t get it twisted, this isn’t a cry for help! Thankfully, I’ve set myself up to financially weather a prolonged maternity leave. Dave covers for me many evenings and weekends to sneak in painting time (when energy permits), so when I have new work to share I’ll let you know.

I plan to share a new collection of prints later this month, and you can shop original work and a few extra calendars now available on my site. To any retailers reading this, I officially set up my Faire wholesale account⁴. And if you have any custom print, design, or licensing requests let me know. I’m always accepting art-work related inquiries!

I know fourth quarter is hustle season for businesses, but it has always felt counterintuitive to be go-go-go when nature (and my body!) is asking me to rest and reflect. I’m excited to brainstorm more about what I hope to cultivate through this newsletter and refuel creatively for future art projects.

Thank you for your patience and understanding! As always, if you have questions or suggestions, let me know.

Now to soak up this extra hour to do what everybody wants - watch Nobody Wants This sans electronics, with my dreamy husband, on the couch⁵.

X

Katherine

P.S.

It wouldn’t be November without me sharing my favorite playlist of the season. ‘Tis time to gather! Enjoy.

1. Some of my dearest friends are parents of twins, and all I can say is, mad respect!

2. May I suggest subscribing to What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking. The name says it all, and she’s changed my life.

3. My hair stylist has kids in middle and high school and I do not envy the minefield she’s so gracefully navigating right now. Beth, if you’re reading this, I’m frantically taking notes!

4. If you email me before you purchase to establish a business relationship, I keep the entire commission instead of splitting with Faire - thank you in advance!

5. Love in the Time of Nap Schedules

Elin’s Newsletter is the highlight of my week. If you resonated with any part of this - you’ll dig her writing 10 fold.