A couple weeks ago I announced I would be interviewing artists in a new monthly series. And today I’ve released the first installment!

Back when I was planning these interviews and as I began to film them, I had no idea how widespread (and scary) the effects of the coronavirus would become, or that by the time the first interview aired we’d be in the grips of a worldwide pandemic. I would never have imagined that schools and libraries and businesses (even in my little town!) would be shut down and that people would be urged to quarantine themselves, to stay home, to practice “social distancing”*.

And yet, here we are, getting used to a “new normal”. And yet, here we are.

We are still here. Still making things with our own two hands and perhaps, more important to remember, still making connections with kindred spirits the whole world over.

In my chat with Jenny Blair I mention how amazing it is that with today’s technology we can make connections with people in far distant places (I’m in Wisconsin and Jenny’s in Scotland and we were able to visit each others’ studios without having to hop on a plane). It IS amazing. And it’s so important that we continue to make these connections. We are all in this together. I say it again and again (I even said it last week), but perhaps right now it’s more important than ever.

Hang in there, my friends. Stay well. Stay safe. And stay hopeful (and creative).

Now, on to today’s sips of inspiration!

If you’ve been around a while, you might remember Jenny Blair from my March 2016 interview with her on my old blog or from my October 2016 Sketchbook Conversations chat with her there. I can’t remember exactly when our paths first crossed, but Jenny and I have kept in touch over the years and throughout the many twists and turns of each of our creative journeys.

Today Jenny designs and creates embroidery patterns and kits.

Her designs are inspired by nature.

They’re modern and fresh.

And they’re filled with JOY!

Make sure you have your favorite beverage at the ready and enjoy our chat!

To see more of Jenny’s work (and maybe order one of her kits) be sure to stop by her website. If you’re on Instagram, you can connect with her there, too.

*In a recent email from Kerstin Martin wrote about how what we’re doing in today’s technology-connected society isn’t really SOCIAL distancing, but PHYSICAL distancing and I tend to agree with her. We might not be anywhere near one another physically, but we can still be social.

The photos in this post are © Jenny Blair. Used with permission.