October Recap: Art, Challenges, and Feeling Grateful
Hi there!
Welcome back to my blog!
October has been a whirlwind month—packed with all kinds of things!
For starters, I decided to jump into the Peachtober challenge by @furrylittlepeach. And wow, what a challenge it was! Don’t get me wrong, it was really fun and a great way to explore what I feel confident with and what I still need to work on. But like any long challenge, it was also exhausting. Especially since, at the same time, I was prepping for my market, working on client projects, and, well, doing the mom thing.
Prompt list of peachtober
https://www.instagram.com/peachtober
Still, I had a blast! I tried out several techniques, aiming to keep things as simple as possible. I sketched out some ideas in advance, playing with different shapes and concepts. I told myself I wouldn’t get too complicated, so for the most part, I went with the literal meaning of each prompt. But there were definitely times I found myself diving into double meanings and coming up with less obvious solutions.
Some quick sketches I did before to prepare for the challenge.
I started working digitally, but there’s something I feel I lose when I work that way. So, I quickly switched back to gouache, watercolors, inks, and colored pencils. I’d edit digitally here and there, maybe add a frame (another way of complicating things, I know!), but traditional techniques always take time. It was good practice, though—it reminded me of the basics, like preparing the paper first by dampening and stretching it. I realized that I’m way more comfortable with inks than with watercolors and that I’m still not totally happy with my results. I’d love to get feedback from a skilled mentor!
Some days I couldn’t work, but I tried not to be hard on myself. I’d think, “If not today, maybe tomorrow.” If I’d known about the challenge in advance, I probably could’ve prepped more, but I had to adapt. Sometimes I had to sacrifice a couple of hours of sleep or free time, which isn’t ideal, as I like being fully present when I’m with my daughter.
All my illustrations for Peachtober all together!
I’’m really happy to have completed the challenge! Although I didn’t receive any special features, I’m proud of myself for sticking with it and creating art that I enjoyed. This was, after all, a personal journey—and a reminder of why I love creating. I’m incredibly grateful for each person who took the time to like, comment, or simply follow along. Your support truly means a lot to me and kept me motivated through the challenge. Knowing that others appreciate what I make, even in small ways, is such a wonderful feeling and a huge encouragement to keep sharing my work.
Like many of us, I sometimes notice that my posts don’t reach everyone on Instagram, even close family and friends. The algorithm can be a bit tricky for creators, but that’s just part of the process these days. Every like, comment, and interaction helps keep me going and reminds me of the amazing community around my work.
I have a big issue with not recording my work. Sometimes I do, but mostly I just forget. I avoided reels for a while to keep my feed looking consistent. Still, that’s been hard, as my creative style changes a lot. Rather than getting frustrated, I’m trying to embrace this aspect of myself. Soon, I’ll be posting some process reels of my drawings.
I’d also love to get into the habit of recording more—and even appearing in my reels! My English is far from perfect, and I have my insecurities, but it’s a barrier I want to overcome.
Looking back on the challenge, I’m glad I could also use some of these illustrations to make products for my shop. This way, it wasn’t just practice but also a chance to monetize my time, even if it doesn’t cover everything. It makes the effort feel worthwhile.
Daisy illustration I did for the challenge and then I printed it as a greeting card ❤️
Speaking of my shop, I’m still working to get my products online. Sorry for the delay—it’s taken time, and I haven’t had much to spare. I considered opening an Etsy, but from what I’ve researched, it’s not what it used to be, and it’s lost much of its authenticity. It’s such a shame that technology, instead of helping artists grow, seems to be working against them. But I’m holding onto hope that better times are ahead.
IIn the meantime, I’m focusing on my ceramics to sell at my next market. I recently started making plastic keychains, which has been super fun, so I’m planning to make more of those.
A look to my market stand at “Walk the Talk Fest” 💖
With that, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be at the PLICA market on December 15 (details below). I’m really looking forward to it, and I hope to see you there! I applied for several fairs but was turned down for a few, so I’m thrilled to have been accepted to this one—and right in my city, too, which is nice. I’ll be sharing updates on Instagram, and there’ll be a special holiday promotion coming up, so stay tuned!
I’m also working on some holiday cards, and I hope you’ll enjoy them!
If you’ve read this far, thank you so much! It truly means a lot.
Big hug, and thanks for reading!
PEACE Carlillu
PS: I’m also putting together a tutorial on how I create products with my illustrations—all from home.
