Below you will find my next blog post that is a snippet from my newsletter that goes out each month!
Please subscribe to my monthly newsletter here – you can get some free downloadable colouring sheets!
Hello! I hope this finds you well and that you are doing okay in all that is happening right now.
It’s seems a bit strange to be sending a blog post like this, I want you to know I appreciate you so much and your interest in my work. Every day takes a certain amount of ‘Keep Going you got this’ energy, so I just want to tell you that. Somedays I have ZERO motivation, like its out the door, she doesn’t live here? So I really have to do a little personal hype talk to get me though. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. So I just want to say, really, YOU GOT THIS! Keep going! There is room at the table for you.
My Queer Eye cards are back!
They sold out for a little while, but they are now back in stock. A lovely pick me up in these trying times. You are gorgeous! I’ve also been enjoying the new series, but trying to savour them a bit and not binge them in one go!
I also recently showed a few of my favourite snacks over on Instagram – I have been really enjoying baking and making some delicious treats! My latest venture was a cheesecake I made this weekend. The recipe was actually given to me by an amazing Instagram follower, you guys are the best!
Shiny new images now in my Etsy shop!
I have been giving my photographs in my Etsy store a bit of an overhaul. I had a big photography session last week and am still working on editing them. I always struggle with photography, it’s been my long time nemesis and I feel like I might have finally hit something that works for me so I’m running with it.
If you would like to see my latest studio vlog, here it is! It’s quite a relaxed affair. You will see me working on some gorgeous wedding invitations. A super cool couple who wanted a personalised illustration, and to reflect their happy personalities and a nod to their disco/70s themed wedding.
Things to watch:
If you haven’t seen 13th yet, I implore you to do so! It takes a good look at the dark history of America and why it is so seeped in the racism we still see today. It is really compellingly told, with fascinating interviews and archive footage. I learnt a lot, and I think this is an important documentary to watch and understand.
Okay so my next recommendation is Disclosure – a documentary on Netflix. It discussed trans representation in the media and how that impacts societal views of trans people. It is really insightful and tells the history of these issues in a really thorough and engrossing way. It was a bit of a lightbulb moment to see how and why trans people are conveyed so negatively in the media, how influential that is and how much work we still have to do. Sometimes to ‘un-do’ and ‘un-learn’ prejudices it is important to see where the came from in the first place. Another essential watch!
Just before we get documentary heavy (I watch a lot of those!) here we have something joyous. A Whisker Away Film on Netflix. Oh my gosh! A beautiful, beautiful film. If you know me you may know that I love Japanese animated films. When I saw this brand new animation had dropped on to Netflix I was EXCITED. The animation is stunning and the story is sweet and touches on some really complex themes. Definitely one for cat fans! It’s by an animation studio I’m not familiar with so I definitely want to check out some others by them – particularly Penguin Highway (how cute?)!
BONUS VIDEO: I have also had a listen in to a delightful conversation between two friends. I love them both so!
Things to read:
Women Don’t Owe you Pretty by Florence Given
Check out Flossy on Instagram if you don’t already follow her. Her book is full of the kind of things I wish I had known a lot earlier in my life, and things that I am still struggling with and continue to improve on. Things like internalised misogyny, taking the WHOLE CAKE and not settling for crumbs from people in your life, and the inequalities that still very much exist in the world. I’m going to pass it on to my sisters now I have finished it!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
If you saw my latest vlog you will know that this book MADE ME CRY okay? You got me. I wasn’t expecting it to, but it got me good. It’s the story of a young girl growing up in Germany during the Second World War. The characters are so well drawn and amazing, and I also loved the fact that it is narrated by ‘Death’. I haven’t seen the film but definitely want to now. Have you read it?
Just before I go, I also just wanted to pop in a few links below where to donate and keep up the good work that is being done for the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s incredible to see the strides being made by this incredible movement, but we cannot let up and must keep pushing! We don’t want it to be this way, we must change for the better!
Please Donate:
Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
BLM UK https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ukblm-fund
Black LGBTQIA Therapy Fund https://uk.gofundme.com/f/black-lgbtq…
Black Minds Matter https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
I hope you are well and looking after yourself! Take care and I will see you next month.
Love
Jess
Jessica Woodhouse 