“Daddy has to work…”
Coffee Sunday
Hello, you’re reading Coffee Sunday.
The newsletter that feels like a chat with friends, especially friends with aspirations to work in publishing and friends who already do. Today I thought we’d talk about our work in relation to our kids.
This is only my second Father’s Day that I get to celebrate as a father. The first time around was a blur as my wife and I poured so much attention into the needs of our toddler.
It’s amazing how much independence a child can gain in year two compared to year one. I work from home, in a room that is isolated come the rest of the apartment. To get there, first, you have to walk through the kitchen, go out one door through a small laundry area to finally arrive at my little studio.
The isolation is perfect for the work.
But when I need to go to the studio, there is always a period of explanation and even negotiation with the toddler.
Here’s a sample:
Adam: Daddy Needs to go to work.
Zelda: No, sit down.
Adam: Daddy has a lot of work to do, I need to draw a crocodile, a sloth, 8 people, a crab and an ant eater.
Zelda: Bye Bye, … hug?
If you’re a dad with kids, what’s your work situation like in relation to your kids? I saw a video where Oliver Jeffers would do a bunch of work in the studio, then get it all in his iPad so he could work around his children! What’s your story? (Non-Dads are also welcome to leave comments)
See you in the comments!
On a side note, I’d still love to get more of your thoughts and questions about illustration roughs, so I could do a round-up maybe next Sunday, join the chat here -
P.S - My agency asked if I wanted to replace my very popular page in my agency’s illustration guide, and I said yes. (PostScriptum is only for paid subscribers, and in this issue, I’ll tell you the secret of my very popular page in my agency’s illustration guide)
Today, Zelda joined me in the studio for the first time.
What’s this? She asked of everything…
I gave her some paper and index cards to draw on.
She drew a half circle on one card and called it a watermelon.
On another she drew an elaborate scribble, and presented it with two hands… “for you daddy”
Then I thought her how to pick colours in procreate!
Happy Father’s day! my son has just turned two, and bedtimes are still a little too fluid (and late!) but my husband and i take turns to do the bedtime routine. On his evenings, i take the dog for a quick walk, rush through tidy up and set up my sketchbook desk with all my analogue materials and get down to filling some pages. it can only ever happen in the evenings! After a long day working as a designer, staring at a screen, I can’t manage any more screen time so all my illustrations and sketch work happens on paper at night. Nap time on the weekends sometimes allows for daylight working! it is quite the juggle!