Daring to make the leap
first exhibition and art residency as a painter, mental health awareness month & sale in my shop before it closes
This month (or year!?) has been beautifully chaotic. To almost everyone that I talked to, seriously - what was that, some cosmic related chaotic energy?
So many new projects landed on my table that I quietly abandoned my posting goals and chose instead to focus on doing the work — which means I’ve been a little silent here (skipped my April newsletter!). But I wanted to pause and share a few updates, because some important things are happening.
I’ve been thinking about leaps.
A few years ago, I made one of the biggest leaps of my life: I left architecture — a profession I studied for years, a regular job, a clear path — and stepped into freelance illustration.
At the time, it felt terrifying.
And liberating.
And wildly uncertain.
But over the past year, I’ve realized I’ve been slowly leaping again. Not away from something this time — but toward something larger.
Toward allowing my practice to expand.
Into painting.
Into more personal storytelling.
Into work that feels less like assignment, and more like truth.
And something beautiful happened when I stopped trying to fit neatly into one box:
Doors started opening.
My painting Roots in the Air was selected for Zveza društev slovenskih likovnih umetnikov’s exhibition Belonging — a show dedicated to young artists exploring what it means to belong.
And my project In Between was selected for an artist residency with CreArt Network in Valladolid, where I’ll represent my home country while continuing to explore themes of home, migration, and identity.
Honestly, I still have moments where I ask myself:
Can I really do this?
And each time, life gently answers:
Yes — if you stop thinking in boxes and start thinking in directions.
What began as stepping outside my creative limitations became stepping into a bigger version of my practice.
Sometimes crossing the river is the work.
And sometimes, it leads you home.
It’s Mental Health Awareness month 💛
In busy times it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. This month is a beautiful reminder to do so. FYI, mental health and psychology are my favourite topics to illustrate. You can explore how can I help you as a visual partner.
Before I leave — a little webshop send-off 💛
I’ll be leaving for five weeks very soon (more on that adventure in some next newsletter), and before I go, I’m doing a little webshop clearance!
✨ 20% off everything in my shop until 06 May
Use code: SPRING20
+ Small gift will be packed with every order.
Any orders placed by 06 May will be lovingly packed and shipped this Friday, before I leave and my shop is closed.
Thank you — for reading, for following, for buying art, for writing kind messages, for being here.
With warmth,
Andrea
💛