Natalie Heaman Design & Illustration

A snippet of a conversation overheard on the Design Matters podcast with Debbie Millman and guests Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach discussing control. This bit really got me thinking, so much so that I had to record it in my sketchbook! I also recommend this podcast to hear Glennon & Abby's love story! Sketchbook spread reads: "Being a great leader is about trusting the people you're leading. Being a leader means believing in people, which brings out the best in people." GD "...So we try to control things we don't trust?" DM (others: Yes!) "There is also a fear factor. [control driven by fear driven by anxiety]" AW "The thing is when you have someone who is controlling and successful they regard the success of their life is because of their control. That's also why it's hard to disassociate the perceived need for control." AW "Sometimes I find it's not that I don't trust others, it's that I don't trust myself." DM "It's like a deep spiritual belief, like how some people think things will always work out and others believe that if the world holds together it's because they worried enough." GD

Here's my favourite spread from my most recently filled sketchbook, Jellybean in his castle and paraphrased words of wisdom from Esther Perel, overheard on the Design Matters with Debbie Millman podcast

When I first found this guy, who I call Duo the Dragon, he was in a thrift store in Burnaby, and was a pretty ugly red colour all over (didn't take before photos sadly!). After buying Duo I gave him a paint job. That was years ago, and this summer I finally "released" him into the Spirit Trails (local trails filled with wood sculptures). Despite walking there regularly, I haven't seen Duo since, so I expect someone took the lil guy home with them! I call this "thrift store catch-and-release" and look forward to doing more in the future! (Also recommend trying this if you find yourself in an art rut/want to make something just for fun!)

Heya, my online shop was closed for a while but I've reopened it! Here are some of the stickers I have available made from my drawings: a set of three animals and holographic eyeball flowers! Give it a poke around to check these out, plus other prints and original paintings https://nmheaman.storenvy.com

Really felt like I was onto something while creating this one. I find it hard to settle on an illustration style or even medium, and often just try not to think about it too hard while creating, instead focusing on just making. This felt like a step forward in figuring out a preferred way to work digitally, with lots of texture built up through linework! (wahoo) This scene is from a D&D campaign I'm in, where our characters descended a massive tower with frescos on the walls, leading to some BIG trouble at the bottom!

Sketchbook spreads from the summer: exploring watercolour and posca pen combinations + playing with shapes to make faces