This month’s art is by Brooklyn, New York based illustrator, June Park. June is a Korean-American graphic designer, illustrator, house plant enthusiast and charcuterie lover! She says her Reflection art "was inspired by [her] own deep reflection over the past few years." June wanted to "create a reminder for [herself] and others to grow from the lessons learned without holding onto the mistakes of the past." For a little more about June, here's a short Q&A. Where is home for you? I'm currently living in a quiet corner of Brooklyn, New York with my husband. What is your definition of a successful life? Balance, contentment, community.   Describe your perfect day. 65-70F, partly sunny, picnic in the park, maybe a few vintage shops and then pasta for dinner. How did you get into design? In college, I was set on becoming a doctor, until my junior year when I was miserable and couldn’t figure out why. The summer before senior year, I attended a program at Parsons School of Design and everything just kind of fell into place. Both my parents were actually designers themselves, but I guess I needed to take the roundabout path to arrive at the answers I already knew.. Where do you find inspiration? I’m always exploring new styles and themes so my inspiration can come from anywhere, but I tend to gravitate towards nature, nostalgia, and everyday moments that evoke emotion.  What's your dream design project? Anything related to food would be pretty amazing.  Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? So many! But lately: María Medem, LMNOP Creative, Gonzalo Rodríguez What was the inspiration behind this design? I created this design at the beginning of 2021 when I was going through a series of creative and mental shifts. With this design, I’m trying to show how the past can color the future if we fail to give ourselves the grace to grow. It’s a piece about the hope that comes with mindful reflection.  In what ways does the theme of Reflection play out in your life? Looking within is a big part of how I strive to be a better person to myself and others.  At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Sage green Food: Grilled artichokes from this old-school Italian deli down the street Song: Drop Me Off In The Sky by Luke Wild

This month’s art is by Kelowna, BC based illustrator, Catie St. Jacques. Catie describes herself as "a mellow person with a reverence for life." About this month's theme, she says, "Gratitude changes everything. Feeling and expressing gratitude expands my awareness and shifts my perspective. I imagine it radiating from my heart, guiding me through life and making its way into everything that I come in contact with." For a little more about Catie, here's a short Q&A. Where is home for you? Kelowna, BC, Canada. What is your definition of a successful life? To wake up everyday enjoying what I do, with a healthy body and mind, spending time with the people I love.    Describe your perfect day. Exploring the great outdoors, feeling the sunshine and a cool breeze, moving my body, eating nutritious and delicious food, having a laugh, experiencing a peaceful mind. Feeling the rapture of being alive. How did you get into design? It was through a marketing job I had at an art centre. My boss wanted to create a magazine for the centre, but we didn’t have anyone to create it (and no budget), I’d always been a creative person, but wasn’t too familiar with the design programs. My partner Dustin is a graphic designer and taught me what I needed to know to get the job done, and I realized I liked it way more than marketing, so I continued learning and exploring. I quit my job in 2020 to pursue freelance graphic design.   Where do you find inspiration? Inspiration is all around. I believe there is a creative force within all things; it’s all art. Spending time in nature usually allows me to tune into my creativity, and listening to music really opens me up. What's your dream design project? So far, it’s all been a dream. I just feel so grateful that I make a living this way. Honestly, it trips me out that this is my job. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? My influences change regularly. I will randomly come across someone or a style of design. I get obsessed with it for a while and then I’m onto something different. I have a hard time choosing favourites. There’s way too much beauty out there to narrow it down.  What was the inspiration behind this design? In most of my designs, my intention is to share energy. The inspiration for most of my work comes from the spiritual realm. I was listening to a lot of Ram Dass when I made this one. In what ways does the theme of Gratitude play out in your life? Generally, I’m an anxious person prone to stress. Shifting my energy from a fearful state of mind to a loving one is very important for my mental health. One of the best ways to shift my energy is through gratitude. Whether it’s counting my blessings, going to the gym, hiking, paddle boarding, listening to music, having a deep and meaningful conversation, gratitude manages to make its way into my life in some way. I usually have to relax, find my centre and everything falls back into place.  At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Peach Food: Vegan Tacos Song: Golden Clouds - The Orb Featuring Lee Scratch Perry  Quote: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” - Joseph Campbell  

This month’s art is by Berlin, Germany based illustrator, Victoria Ng. She loves tackling challenges that can have a positive impact on people’s lives. With her bold and playful designs, Victoria aims to invite people into her personal world and make space for others to reflect and be seen. She says her Integrity art "is about realizing that when we free ourselves from being defined, we open ourselves up to a field of endless potentials. A sentence 'I am' with no endings. A story only left to one's imagination." For a little more about Victoria, here's a short Q&A. Where is home for you? Home is my mind. Home is coming back to my mind after a day worth of noise. Sitting in silence surrounded by nature - I feel most at peace. And strangely, it's my little safe haven. What is your definition of a successful life? My definition of success is to have fun. To be able to find joy and opportunities to play even on the rainiest days. I truly feel like we have this choice in life. We can’t choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond to it and the meaning we give it. I really believe in that and because of that I actually feel like I'm already living a successful life…I don't think there is anything or anywhere I would rather be than this moment I am in right now.   Describe your perfect day. Hmm... A perfect day is to never have two days the same? Haha! It’s hard for me to describe because I love to do so many things. This is why I get bored really easily. Some things I do almost everyday are waking up around 5:30am and spending my entire morning reading, writing, reflecting, meditating and just listening to calm music. This is quite important for me because I'm naturally an anxious person with high energy and so a calm morning helps me ease into my day. I love being in nature near the water, on the mountains or up in the clouds. I find being surrounded by nature helps me organize my thoughts and clear my mind. It reminds me that what we need already exists and all the fears and doubts we carry don't actually matter. How did you get into design? Ahh this is a tricky question! I feel like design/art found me and I’m forever grateful for it. Without my ability to imagine and create, I don’t know if I would manage to push through all the challenges life has thrown at me. Growing up, it has always been my form of escape, but also my way of showing appreciation to my loved ones such as making celebratory cards. When I was younger I wanted to become a psychologist but because reading and writing wasn’t my strong-suit, I thought advertisement could be a way in: a sweet combination of understanding human behavior and design. However, I quickly realized I didn’t enjoy designing to sell and manipulate but instead wanted to design to improve people’s lives. This was really important to me as a designer. And so, product design fit like a glove. Where do you find inspiration? Like most other creatives, I get my inspiration from traveling, being in nature and learning new topics. But one thing I love doing is daydreaming. Walking aimlessly in new cities, no destination and purposely getting lost. I find when I disengage from the present world it allows my mind to wander, imagining and exploring the possibilities. So, a lot of my ideas come from the shower, long train rides and very often the most inconvenient times, haha! What's your dream design project? Oh wow! There are so many design projects I want to be part of… I would love to start my own wellness stationery business. I want to build a community around mental health and help as many young adolescents as I possibly can. I would love to paint a mural showcasing the importance of mental wellness and I want to use my creativity and skills to work with brands that are constantly striving to make the world a better place. More so recently, I have been considering going back to university to study and become an art therapist. For me, my dream is to help as many people as I possibly can, even if it means just showing up for them and holding space for them to feel seen. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? Thinkers: Brene Brown, Bell Hooks, Eckhart Tolle, Maya Angelou, Simone Beauvoir Artists/Designers: Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, Shantell Martin, Jessica Walsh, Mr. Doodle, Wes Anderson, Adam J. KurtzFrom a very young age, my role model has always been Mother Teresa. What was the inspiration behind this design? As early as I can remember, my sense of identity was lost. I didn't know who I was and felt like a walking failure. I wasn’t good enough and craved to be more or to be someone else. It wasn’t until I read the book ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle that I came across the two words ‘I Am’. The significance behind these two basic words brings more wisdom than any education one is fortunate to have. I was so surprised and the book inspired the words in this design. In what ways does the theme of integrity play out in your life? Listening to my heart. Deeply listening to my heart and asking myself: Does this align with my principle? Am I living up to my own standards and values? Is it a hell yes? If it's not, then it's a no. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: African Violet, Olive Green, Watermelon Pink, Golden Yellow Food: Acai Bowl Song: The Power Is Here Now - Alexia Chellun  

This month’s art is by Idaho based illustrator, Luis Patiño Cantellano. He is fond of plants and designing colorful, playful characters. Luis is at his best when he's among the mountains and surrounded by cedar love. He says, "Whenever I see a lonely plant sprouting in a damaged environment, I see it as a sign of hope and recovery. I like to think of it like the idiom, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.'" For a little more about Luis, here's a short Q&A. Where is home for you? I currently live in Nampa, Idaho What is your definition of a successful life? My definition of a successful life is doing something I enjoy doing every day without it ever  feeling like work.     Describe your perfect day. A perfect day for me is a good hike in the mountains on a sunny day and surrounded by nature's beauty. How did you get into design? My design journey started when I was just a kid in elementary school. I liked to draw plants on my homework, desk, and other variou surfaces. A few years ago, I realized I always had a strong connection with plants, hence my username “Niño Plant” Plant Boy. . Where do you find inspiration? Lately, my inspiration has been random objects I see inside or outside the house and confining them in tight spaces, but plants are always a source of my inspiration. What's your dream design project? My dream project is to one day paint a big mural in a city that shows my love for plants. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? A designer that inspired me a lot and still does is Sha'an d’Anthes, known as Furrylittlepeach. Her use of color motivated me to explore and experiment with color like never before. Before, it was always grayscale with graphite for me, but when I found her page, it opened a door for me, and I quickly grew out of my comfort zone and turned a new leaf with my work. What was the inspiration behind this design? My inspiration behind this design is about how strong a plant can be even through the toughest environments. Being able to recover and adapt to new challenges shows how resilient someone or something can be. In what ways does the theme of resilience play out in your life? Resilience has played out in my life in so many ways. Being resilient has taught me to never give up on my dreams even when the going gets tough. Especially when it comes to selling my work can be difficult at times, but it hasn’t stopped me from creating and learning from my mistakes. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Green Food: pizza Song: Music Sounds Better with You by Neil Frances Quote:  “From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them, and that is eternity.” ― Edvard Munch

This month we partner with Vermont-based illustrator, Viscaya Wagner. Viscaya is a multidisciplinary designer, artist, and illustrator. She says, "This piece represents a connection with something greater than oneself and the importance of taking care of each other. For me, that is what builds passion for this life." For a little more about Viscaya, here's a short Q&A!  Where is home for you? Home has always been Vermont, where I was born and raised. I’ve lived in a few places over the years and have finally returned to my roots. What is your definition of a successful life? I imagine that’s constantly changing and evolving for me, but the first things to come to mind are: showing my love, practicing gratitude, caring for my loved ones, pursuing my goals in spite of fear, living my beliefs. Describe your perfect day. Waking up slowly, making coffee and a big breakfast, having nothing to accomplish - then strawberry picking, jumping in the river, eating ice cream, and margaritas on the porch with yummy snacks! Maybe throw in some sweet friends too! How did you get into design? When I was a kid I used to spend summers in my dad’s office and I remember someone describing to me what a logo was. I loved this idea of an image somehow encapsulating a person or idea, so I started making “logos” for all his employees - interviewing them about their lives and generating something to represent how I saw them… they were terrible, but the exercise was so captivating. I think I knew from then on that I wanted to do something in that arena, and my family is made up of artists, designers, and makers so I was very well supported. I went to college and studied Studio Art and focussed all my internships on graphic design experience. The rest is history! I love that my career can include such a diverse range of approaches for solving problems and creating experiences. Where do you find inspiration? I would say my greatest source of joy and inspiration is from the natural world. I’ve always felt my best when I’m close to unobstructed nature. But I also think traveling and experiencing new cultures can do the same thing for me  - anything to change my environment and be present in that time and space. What's your dream design project? There are so many to be excited about, but lately I love the idea of working on a wine label! Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? My parents, my partner - Tanner Bowden, my friends - Eliza Carver, Sidney Howard, Chase Pellerin, Bailey Sullivan, Vincent Conti, Anthony Eslick, Michael Boswell, David Silverstein, Kyle Stecker, Tereza Wozniak, Simi Mahtani… and so many others.  So many people who I’ve found online - Bailey Elder, Cody Hudson, John Zabawa, Javier Reyes, Stephen Rockwood, Niall Greaves… the list is endless.  And then there are the OG’s - Isamu Noguchi, Georgia O'Keeffe, Matisse, Calder, Anni Albers, Ruth Asawa, Donald Judd, Cezanne, Hilma af Klint, Helen Frankenthaler, Ellsworth Kelly… and beyond! What was the inspiration behind this design? This piece represents a connection with something greater than oneself and the importance of taking care of each other. For me, that is what builds passion for this life.  In what ways does the theme of Passion play out in your life? I think my world runs on my passion to create, to put forth, to challenge myself, to build a life I feel inspired by… it was an example set for me by my parents, and I continue to feel lit up and ready to learn, play, and explore. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Plum Food: Burrata and grapefruit salad with chili crisp Song: Paprika by Japanese Breakfast  Quote: “You can find out how to do something and then do it, or do something and then find out what you did.” -Isamu Noguchi

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This month’s art is by Latin illustrator, Flávia Mayer. Flávia illustrates feelings and thoughts through bold imagery — from serene women to wild tigers, her artwork approaches complex themes such as mental health, our connection to nature, to the universe, and our deepest selves. She says, "Creativity and metamorphosis are deeply connected. In the same way a butterfly must go through caterpillar and cocoon stages in order to become this exquisite, unique creature, our ideas, too, need to go through several shapes before they reach their final destination." For a little more about Flávia, here's a short Q&A. Where is home for you? This year I’ve decided to embrace the so-called ‘digital nomad’ life for a bit. I’m currently living in Spain, with plans to go to France, UK and then Brazil to visit my family! What is your definition of a successful life? For me, success is not about having the perfect job or lots of money. These things are important, sure, but more important is to have time to do what truly makes you happy. So a successful life would be a life where I can have a balance between spending time with friends and family, working with what I love and taking care of myself. Not that easy, I know! Describe your perfect day. I love slow mornings so my perfect day would start with a lie-in, breakfast in bed with lots of coffee and maybe an avocado toast. It would definitely be a sunny day so I would go for a stroll around the beach or by a river, maybe visit a local market, have a picnic with friends and family. To end the day, definitely a good film under the blankets! How did you get into design? I have loved drawing since I was little. I used to sell my drawings in school! Then one day a friend of mine suggested that I should study Graphic Design to combine my drawing skills with something more practical (because I’m quite a practical person and Art seemed a bit too abstract for me). And that was it! I think if she hadn’t suggested it I would have ended up studying astrophysics or something like that. Where do you find inspiration? Ooh, everywhere I guess! Nature is a big inspiration for me, as well as going to museums or simply walking on the street. I also love spending time on Pinterest and Dribbble when I want to look for more specific inspiration, there is so much good stuff out there! What's your dream design project? I have so many projects I’d like to do! Right now I’m talking to a friend who’s a composer about doing short animations with her music. I’m new to animation so it’s a big challenge but I hope it works out! Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? There are so many! Lauren Hom has always been a great inspiration for me to follow my own voice. Studio Muti illustrations are something out of this world and I always looked up to them. Elizabeth Gilbert and Julia Cameron are both great thinkers and can help a lot when you get a creative block, or even just to keep your mental health in check. What was the inspiration behind this design? Butterflies are such beautiful creatures. Each one with their own uniqueness, they inspire us to be creative in our most authentic way, to grow in each cycle we go through in our lives, to cocoon our ideas for a while only to let them fly into the world one day. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Light blue Food: Avocado Toast Song: Atravesao by Elsa y El Mar Quote: "Maybe with good luck we’ll find what eluded us in the places we once called home” The French Dispatch (2021)

This month we partner with Nevada-based illustrator Kate O’Hara.  Kate creates intricate botanical illustrations, inspired by the flora and fauna that surrounds us. On this month's theme, Kate says, "To me, adventure means always striving for new experiences and growth. Choosing to contend with the urge to do what’s comfortable and in order to evolve." For a little more about Kate, here's a short Q&A!  Where is home for you? The biggest little city, Reno, Nevada What is your definition of a successful life? To be comfortable and healthy, connected and loved, and to have a creative passion that I’m engaging with, whether it’s art or that evolves into something else. Describe your perfect day. A day where I get into the flow on a project I’m enjoying working on, then take my dog for a long walk in sunny weather and go on a bike ride to a brewery with my boyfriend and friends. How did you get into design? I was a very shy and artistic kid, drawing was the way I could get noticed, accepted and connect with people. I ended up going to art school for college and discovered that illustration was a possible career path. I started freelancing when I graduated from school and have been doing that ever since. Where do you find inspiration? I find most of my inspiration in nature, whenever I’m outside I’m always on the hunt for interesting leaves, patterns, and small botanical details that I can add to my art. What's your dream design project? I love packaging design, my dream project would be to illustrate a whole line of some sort of botanical product like tea, or spices. I’d also love to have the time to design an entire tarot card deck. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? There’s so many amazing artists that I follow on social media that keep me inspired everyday. I also always go back to the work of greats like John James Audubon, William Morris, Beatrix Potter, Hokusai and Maria Sibylla Merian. What was the inspiration behind this design? The quote Onwards Ever Upwards was the inspiration for this design–to make an uplifting design representing always moving forwards intentionally. In what ways does the theme of Adventure play out in your life? I love to travel, especially to new places where there’s a sense of the unexpected. I’m currently getting into backpacking and working my way up to a multi week backpacking trip with my sister and my dog Ned. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Yellow Ochre Food: Mangos Song: Can I Believe You, Fleet Foxes Quote: “If I could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint it.” –Georgia O’Keeffe

This month we partner with London-based illustrator Alanah Sarginson. Alanah is a London-based illustrator whose pieces merge her sensitivities with the beauty she finds in nature.  Alanah says her May art "connects to the theme of Simplicity through its very stripped back representation of growth...[it's] a simple mindmap of what growth can feel like.” For a little more about Alanah, here's a short Q&A!  Where is home for you? South London. What is your definition of a successful life? A successful life is one that aligns with your spirit. It’s not ever a destination, nor is it ever going to feel completely perfect, but it’s a life that you want to wake up and work on every day. It’s for that reason that I feel successful now! Even when I have days where I feel overwhelmed or generally down, I’m grateful that I feel those things while living a life that I’ve chosen for myself. Describe your perfect day. It would be a day in the summer, and I’d wake up early, have a nice breakfast with my housemates. I’d sit outside a coffee shop, read some philosophy, do some art, eat a pan au chocolat with an oat milk latte. Maybe go for a walk in nature with a friend, then have some time left over to cook a nice meal before going out with my friends in a beer garden while it’s still light. My dream is to live a bit like my favourite poem in the world - The Orange by Wendy Cope! Just living peacefully and with content. How did you get into design? As cliche as it is, I’ve been drawing and designing ever since I can remember! I’ve been posting my art on my Instagram account since I was 13, and have just gradually morphed from a girl with a love for drawing to a young professional illustrator. I have to thank all of the people and companies that have believed in me along my journey, as it’s really been them that have given me the opportunity and confidence to push myself and get my passion out into the world. Where do you find inspiration? I get a lot of inspiration from my studies in philosophy, especially (and possibly surprisingly) philosophy of science, particularly physics. I’m really drawn to visualizing relations, not only between people, but between objects and concepts. On the other side of things, I also get a lot of inspiration from moral philosophy, where questions of how to lead a good life really guide the purpose of my work. What's your dream design project? Gosh, I don’t think I could pin down one! I think one that’s out in the world for my friends and family to find would be so cool.  Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? Matisse and Picasso are my first two classical inspirations. I credit Manjit Thapp for getting me into digital illustration - I actually commented on her Instagram during A-Levels for advice before I even got my iPad and Apple Pencil! Nowadays I just scroll through Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. What was the inspiration behind this design? My works are rarely products of any single inspiration or idea, but I can look at the piece in retrospect and say that it reflects my emotional state during summer 2020. It was a time of naive hope as the first lockdown measures were starting to ease, and it felt like there was this rebirth happening in society as we all reconnected. On top of that, I’d just finished my first year exams at university so I felt quite free to unwind, so I feel like this period of my life was just one of relaxation and looking ahead into an exciting future. In what ways does the theme of Simplicity play out in your life? Simplicity runs through how I try to organize my life as well as how I go about my work, both as an artist and a student. I’m a bit of an organization freak, so I try my best to avoid any clutter in my life - whether that’s physical, mental, or emotional. I think having simple habits, attitudes, and approaches to things makes life so much easier to handle. It’s so rewarding breaking down something so seemingly complex into its smaller, simpler parts. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Baby blue Food: Garlic and chili oil ramen noodles Song: Ghost Town by Sassy 009 Quote: “Healthy minds make sexy bodies” - a lyric by Car Seat Headrest

This month we partner with Italy-based illustrator Jonathan Calugi.  Jonathan is an independent, self-taught, artist whose message is about love, "Use your time to love your time. Enjoy and spread love."  His Compassion inspired art centers on our human connection. "Colors, body, language, shape…We are just a series of points united with a line in this universe.” For a little more about Jonathan, here's a short Q&A!  Where is home for you? Pistoia, Italy. What is your definition of a successful life? Use your time to have your time. Be happy. Describe your perfect day. Wake up early. Play with my son. Go to the studio. Make some drawings. Go out and play basketball with friends. Lunch with my girl. Afternoon in the studio (half work, half research). Back to home for dinner with family, some good wine and a lot of laughter. 🙂 How did you get into design? It’s more how design got into my life 🙂 I think it was totally an instant love. Design teaches me how to do more with less. Where do you find inspiration? Life, nature, sea, and books. What's your dream design project? The next one. My dream is to produce more and more for all the days of my life. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? Paul Rand, Pablo Picasso, Marino Marini, Pino Tovaglia, and many, many more. What was the inspiration behind this design? Like much of my art, the idea is to stay connected. We are one. In what ways does the theme of Compassion play out in your life? The main idea is that where my line finishes your line starts. A loop without an end. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Yellow Food: Avocado Song: Paid in Full, Eric B. & Rakim 

“Being a good listener is one of the most important and enchanting life skills anyone can have, yet few of us know how to do it. Not because we are evil, but because no one has taught us how.” — Alain de Botton  When I first read about active listening, it helped me shift from trying to be interesting to being interested in conversation. As the concept resurfaced this month, for our theme of Kinship, I wanted to share the four key steps: Give your full attention. Orient your body and complete focus towards the speaker. This step might be obvious, and because of that, it is the easiest to forget. Think about times when you are speaking; you can feel the difference when someone has put away distractions and is truly listening to you. Don’t speak (until later). Surprise! A key part of listening, and maybe the hardest part, is simply not speaking. Avoid interrupting the speaker and filling any occasional pockets of silence with your own voice. Do feel free to signal that you are following along with an occasional head nod or “mhhm.” Share back what they’ve said. Show that you are listening by summarizing what you’ve heard, beginning with a phrase like “So, what I hear you saying is...” or “It sounds as though you…” This allows the speaker to feel heard, and also confirms your understanding. Ask open-ended questions. It’s likely that after listening you’ll have questions. Prioritize open-ended questions that help you get clarity without sending the conversation in a different direction. Psychologist and author Tania Israel suggests this simple and concise method for encouraging dialogue. “Repeat back a key word with an upward intonation. For example, if somebody says, ‘I just feel like the world is so dangerous,’ you can say, ‘Dangerous?’ By using the upward intonation, the word becomes a question. It says, ‘Tell me more about how the world is dangerous.’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Holstee (@holstee)   What I really appreciate about these steps is they help me resist the urge to offer suggestions (“You should xyz!”) or pass judgment (“That is xyz!”) without understanding what's really being said. Here is the Active Listening graphic we shared on instagram recently. If you are interested in learning more about active listening, and other activities that help you connect deeply with others, check out our Kinship Guide. In celebration of feeling heard, ​ Mike Radparvar Co-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app P.S. In other news, we are hiring a part-time Marketing Coordinator for Reflection.app. If you know someone who would be a good fit, please direct them to this job description: https://www.reflection.app/marketing-role

This month we partner with Ohio-based illustrator Alix Northrup.  Alix is an independent hand letterer, illustrator and designer based in Ohio.  Her pieces tend to focus on bold, colorful and energetic styles that often incorporate layered textures and intricate details.  Her Wellness inspired art is about, "discovering the balance between the internal and external states of being."  Alix says,"Finding a harmonious relationship between these allows us to continue to grow and thrive.” For a little more about Alix, here's a short Q&A!  Where is home for you? I live in a very small, quaint riverboat town in Ohio. What is your definition of a successful life? The idea of “success” is something that has changed and evolved constantly throughout my life, so trying to define it is challenging.  Ultimately, a life that is lived fully and without regret is what I strive for. Describe your perfect day. The best days are the ones filled with simple things that make me feel happy like beautiful weather, good friends and delicious food.  How did you get into design? My father is a fine art photographer.  So growing up, I was surrounded by and exposed to art early on which ignited my passion for it.  I can’t imagine working in a profession where I am not creating...it is a need I have carried with me since I was a child. Where do you find inspiration? My inspiration stems from a wide variety of both tangible and conceptual sources.  Sometimes I pull ideas from songs, movies or books and visuals from nature or vintage ephemera.  Typically it ends up being a mixture of many different things that resonate with me. What's your dream design project? I really enjoy creating work that has a strong conceptual basis.  Communicating ideas and emotions visually is what excites me the most about being an artist. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? These days, the youth of this generation have really been a source of inspiration for me.  Their openness, vulnerability and authenticity is something to be admired. I have great respect and reverence for the brilliant artists and thinkers of the past but for me, I am always looking ahead and trying to soak in new thoughts and ideas. What was the inspiration behind this design? The way we approach our day-to-day lives and all aspects of them is so intertwined with our well being, both physically and mentally.  This piece alludes to the ability we have within us to unlock our greatest potential. In what ways does the theme of Wellness play out in your life? Finding a healthy balance in my life is something I am continually working on.  Being a freelance artist comes with many challenges that can easily get your health off track and I try my best to counteract this through daily habits and behaviors.  Physical activity, mindfulness and rituals all help me to stay in a good place of well-being. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: LavenderFood: Ice creamSong: Smooth Sailing’ - Leon BridgesQuote: “Here’s to seeking out joy in the waiting, beauty in the ordinary, and hope in unexpected places.” - Morgan Harper Nichols

In Feb, we welcome back Miles Tewson, an illustrator living in Brighton, UK. Miles is interested in capturing moments in time, using only a few colors in his artwork to achieve a sense of atmosphere and place. For his Kinship illustration, Miles says, “This design is all about human connection and the feeling of being close, which I feel are the most important aspects of Kinship." For a little more about Miles, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? Brighton, UK. What is your definition of a successful life? Contentment.   Describe your perfect day. Waking up nice and early as the sun rises to take the dog for a walk. After, I’d head up to my little studio to draw throughout the day and then head out to see some friends in the evening.  How did you get into design? I’ve been drawing pretty much throughout my whole life. I wouldn’t say there was necessarily anything that got me into design; it was just something that I’ve always gravitated towards and been interested in. Where do you find inspiration? I get asked this a lot and I wish I had a more cohesive answer, but I get inspiration from literally anywhere and everywhere, I’m just always on the lookout for little things that I think could work as a design. What's your dream design project? I’d love to be commissioned to make some huge screen prints with a company. I haven’t been able to screen print in awhile, so I’m super keen to get back into it again. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? With Instagram and Pinterest, I’m finding so many different amazing artists everyday. Some artists I’m really into at the moment are: Ellen Von Wiegand, Ness Lee, Jon McNaught and I’m always looking at David Hockney’s work. What was the inspiration behind this design? This design was inspired by the theme of togetherness and connection.   How does Kinship play out in your life? Day to day I never try to take kinship for granted, daily interactions with people I care about is something to be very thankful for. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: OrangeFood: PizzaSong: Yefkir Engurguro - Haliu Mergia Thanks again for sharing with us, Miles!

“Unlike your goal, which will be accomplished sometime in the future, your intention is a state of being that can start the moment you decide to make it happen." The new year offers a natural moment to set some goals and intentions. "Are goals and intentions the same thing?" If you aren’t sure, you’re not alone; it’s one of the most common questions we get this time of year. What’s the difference between a goal and an intention? A goal describes what you want to do in the future. It focuses on external accomplishments and is something you can clearly check off a list: “Go rock climbing” or “Learn to make tiramisu.” An intention describes how you want to feel. Its focus is internal – on your relationship with yourself. Your intention could be to feel joyful or peaceful. Unlike your goal, which will be accomplished sometime in the future, your intention is a state of being that can start the moment you decide to make it happen. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Holstee (@holstee)   Identifying my intention was a fuzzy process for me until I found a hack to get me there. I’d like to share it with you. Here’s my intention-setting method: Step 1: Think of a big goal that you’d like to accomplish this year. Step 2: Imagine you have just crushed this goal. Knocked it out of the park. You’ve crossed the finish line — how do you feel? Step 3: Allow the feeling that comes to mind to be your intention. My intention is to be / feel ______. Bonus step: Turn your intention into an affirmation, and test it out as your mantra for the remainder of the month. I am [insert your intention]. We walked through these steps in our recent Member Gathering, and it was fascinating to see how the process lead each purpose to a different word. If you give it a try, share your intention or affirmation here, I’ve just added mine there as well. ​ Mike Radparvar Co-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app  

This month we partner with illustrator David Vanadia.  David is a french artist and illustrator.  Through a minimalist style, and the use of techniques such as engraving, paper cut and digital, he offers a singular work with strong graphic identity and illustrations that like to make sense.  David says, "This artwork connects to the theme of reflection because closed eyes express both the meditative state of the posture, but also the introspective journey that can result from it. The contact of the body and the water can create a feeling of reflexological plenitude where positive thoughts relating to relaxation and enjoyment of the present moment can arise."   For a little more about David, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? I live by the Mediterranean Sea, in Marseille, France. What is your definition of a successful life? I don't know if I will be able to define what a successful life can be.  This would amount to saying that we could also define what can be a life considered as failed.  I cannot define a life with such generic concepts.  I believe that a life is made up of a set of experiences from which we can learn to guide us on a path of our own.  Our own way of life.   Describe your perfect day. The one where I would be in the present moment with every passing second. How did you get into design? I don't know if I got into design on purpose.  It came to me naturally. I have always liked to express myself through drawing, I am fascinated by this universal mode of communication, there is this something mystical, even primitive, which makes it possible to transcend thought. Where do you find inspiration? Much of my inspiration comes from philosophical sphere.  I like to translate concepts of thoughts into images.  Besides, I often use the term of visual metaphor to describe my work. I am also very inspired by antique Mediterranean art and more particularly Egyptian pictorial art.  Finally, organic vegetal, floral and mineral forms also have a great influence on my work. What's your dream design project? All those projects that will manage to generate emotion in others. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? Thinkers : Lao Tseu, Confucius, Sénèque, Marc Aurèle, Spinoza, Jean-Paul Sartre,Simone De Beauvoir, Eckart Tolle.Designers and artists : Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Miro, Le Corbusier, DieterRams, Geoff McFetridge, Malika Favre, Severin Millet, Andreas Samuelsson. What was the inspiration behind this design? The regenerating calm of a sea bath is the general feeling that I wanted to express in this work.  Water is a fascinating element that is inseparable from the origin of all life.  It has its unique power to purify body and soul, in many civilizations it is associated with spiritual and religious rituals.  It is a feeling of inner peace that emerges for me when I evoke the original deep relationship of humans to water.   How does Reflection play out in your life? Reflection is omnipresent in my life. First, this theme occupies a preponderant place in my artistic practice. I always conceptualize my designs in my head before drawing them.  My artistic approach is thus more thoughtful than spontaneous. On the other hand, reflection is also present on a daily basis in my personal life.  I impose great discipline on myself in the organization of my thoughts.  Taking control of your thoughts is one way of applying self-discovery in a conscious way. I therefore closely associate reflection with introspection and being. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: I can't isolate just one, I would rather say a midnight blue and ecru combination.Food: SpicySong: BirdsongQuote: Less is more Thanks for sharing with us, David!

“Grateful living is fundamentally grounded in the invitation to see life itself as a gift: an unexpected gift that you did not need to do anything to earn or deserve, but is coming to you — wrapped in a wide range of packaging. In every moment that you are alive, this life has been given to you.” — Kristi Nelson, author of Wake Up Grateful If you are receiving this email, you understand both the importance of making gratitude an active part of your life and how hard it can be to do this consistently. Something I find helpful in my own gratitude practice are the Five Guiding Principles inspired by gratefulness.org founder Brother David Steindl-Rast. Here is how Kristi Nelson, executive director of gratefulness.org, describes these principles in her book Wake Up Grateful: 1. Life Is a Gift “Grateful living is fundamentally grounded in the invitation to see life itself as a gift: an unexpected gift that you did not need to do anything to earn or deserve, but is coming to you — wrapped in a wide range of packaging. In every moment that you are alive, this life has been given to you.” 2. Everything Is Surprise “When you regard life as an unexpected gift and one you are lucky to have renewed itself each day, it can shift your experience of expectation. You can behold life with the openness of experiencing things as if for the very first, or the very last, time.” 3. The Ordinary Is Extraordinary “One of the most accessible and direct pathways to a sense of abundance ... is to savor and celebrate the ordinary. How can you experience the generosity of your life more vividly and more consistently?” 4. Appreciation Is Generative “Appreciation brings about a shift from passively to actively engaging with life. We recognize that we have choices when it comes to orienting our attention.” 5. Love Is Transformative “Love lives deeply rooted within each of us, protected from the comings and goings of people and circumstances. It simply exists as a force within us and around us... Whenever we nurture and tend the things we value, that is love in action.” What I love about these principles is how each one gets to the root of living gratefully, and how succinctly they pull together the foundations of grateful living. At Holstee, we have been fans of the gratefulness.org team for a long time — they speak with their hearts and minds to values we firmly believe in. This past year, we’ve been working closely with them to bring the power of gratefulness more within reach through our latest collaboration: Gratitude Cards. They are still in development, but you can get a sneak peek at them here! More than any other virtue, gratitude has profoundly shifted my perspective and outlook the past few years. I'm thrilled to have been able to work with gratefulness.org on this new tool. I can’t wait for you to experience it. Grateful for you, Mike Radparvar Co-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app

Just yesterday, I was talking to a friend about how quickly the last year has passed, and how each year seems to go by just a bit faster than the year before.  The past two years have felt like a particularly unique chapter — one filled with beautiful moments as well as challenging ones, all blurred together by the hazy filter of COVID.  Many of my friends and family have experienced big transitions in the last two years. Some began relationships, others ended them. Some took on extra side jobs while others opted for early retirement. We became closer to some people and further from others. Many lost loved ones, while others birthed new life.  A period of transition is precious — and potentially powerful. By opening new doors and closing others, transitions offer us the opportunity to reconsider how our lives might unfold. A challenge is that we don’t always realize that we are in a period of transition until we have the time, distance, and perspective to look back and see how our understanding of ourselves and the world has changed.  We created the Reflect & Reset Journal to help you approach periods of transition from a place of curiosity and growth.  Reflect & Reset asks you to commit to 14 days of daily journaling guided by prompts that lead you through an exploration of your past, present, and future and help get you closer to your authentic self. Each question carefully builds upon the previous one, helping you foster a deeper sense of gratitude and gain a fresh perspective on transitions. The Reflect & Reset Journal is, in many ways, a culmination of our 12+ years of work at Holstee. We could not be prouder to finally share it with you. Thanks to the hundreds of you that have already pre-ordered the Reflect & Reset Journal. We are grateful to you for believing in us and our work. Wishing you clarity, perspective, and growth, Dave RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app

This month we welcome back California-based illustrator Daren Thomas Magee.  In regards to Intention, Daren says, "I rarely intend to do much of anything. I think my intuition plays a large role in what I do. If I think about it too much, I get in my head, and nothing gets done."  For a little more about Daren, here's a short Q&A!  Where is home for you? Ojai, California. What is your definition of a successful life?  A clear mind. Describe your perfect day. A long run. A hot coffee. A few hours creating. Quality time with family.  How did you get into design? I was fed up with boring, unfulfilling 9 to 5’s so I started putting all my energy into creating until it turned into a job without the 9 to 5! Where do you find inspiration? All around me. It's hard not to be inspired by existence. What's your dream design project? A billboard! Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? Terrence McKenna and his willingness to explore the depths of his conscience has been an inspiration to me for a long time. What was the inspiration behind this design? Present is the most important thing in order to have a happy life. There is no past or future. There is only now.  At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: beige Food: oatmeal Song:  ‘Apana’ - East Forest Quote: “You don't look out there for God, something in the sky, you look in you.” -Alan Watts

Two years ago, during a family trip, my then-8-year-old niece, Shireen, came across the deck of Holstee Reflection Cards I had packed with me. She started reading some of the questions for family members to answer: "What message would you put on a billboard for thousands of people to see every day?" then "What in your life are you most excited about right now?" Shireen was immediately captivated by the answers — ideas and stories from people close to her that she had never heard before — and she enjoyed sharing her own as well. For the rest of the trip — in the car, in between meals, even during meals — she’d pull a card from the deck, read a prompt, and engage whoever was near.A photo of Shireen during that family retreat! I gave Shireen’s mother (my sister) an extra deck of Reflection Cards to take home with her. The cards became Shireen's favorite activity to do with her fellow fourth graders! But some time later, on a FaceTime call, she told me, “I use these with my friends, but some of the questions just don’t work for us! Like ‘What would I tell myself 10 years ago?’ I wasn't even alive then!” Fair enough :-), we hadn’t designed the cards with the expectation that kids under age 10 would be using them. Months after the trip, Shireen hadn’t forgotten about the problem she’d found with the cards, and now pressed Dave and me: “When are you going to make Reflection Cards for us kids?!”She was not alone in her request. By this point, we had heard from many of you in the Holstee community asking for more tools for younger minds. It hadn’t been on our roadmap, but then again some of our favorite Holstee projects have come from following unexpected paths. With Shireens encouragement, we decided to embrace this one.We began by asking every kid we knew about the best questions to ask other kids. We also asked their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, and older siblings...until we had a mega-list of fun and engaging kid-oriented questions.To be certain that every question spoke the language of today’s kids, we sought out leaders in the mindful-parenting movement: Hannah and Kelty of Upbringing.co. With their guidance, we narrowed down the list of questions and tweaked the language until each one was pitch-perfect for young and curious minds. Hannah and Kelty of Upbringing.co. Now, a year-and-a-half later, we’re proud to present the most fun product we’ve ever made: Holstee Reflection Cards for Kids, made especially for Shireen 🙂 — and everyone else age 6 and up! Looking forward to hearing the stories these decks spark with the young and curious minds in your life! Mike Radparvar Co-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app   P.S. For those who have been following Holstee since the early days, Shireen may look familiar! As a one year old, Shireen was one of Holstee first models  showcasing our Holstee Bib. It's incredible to think today she is helping guide our product roadmap — time flies 🙂 Here is an old screenshot of the Holstee shop with Shireen rocking the Bib those many year ago:

This month we partner with illustrator Lienke Raben, who is based in Amsterdam.  Lienke likes to focus on murals (she has a mural company called Wallnuts), hand-lettering, and character illustration.  She enjoys working with a bright and limited color palette.  Lienk says of this month's theme, "Integrity is an important value to me. I can be a bit slow with my thoughts and my feelings, but that is often because I want to figure out, first, what something means to me and how I feel about it, before sharing it with the world."   For a little more about Lienke, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? My own apartment in Amsterdam.  I like to be home and make my place cozy.  And it feels even more like home now that my girlfriend moved in with me. 🙂 What is your definition of a successful life? I dream about traveling and doing mural projects abroad.  But, in the end, it’s just about doing the things that you like and spending time with the people you love.  That’s success for me.   Describe your perfect day. Sleep in, brunch with croissants or pancakes (or both, even better), and after that it doesn’t really matter, because after a great start like this, it can only be a nice and chill day.  Maybe go for a walk in nature, go to a museum, play games or just watch a series. How did you get into design? I’ve just always liked drawing.  I joined every coloring contest as a little kid and I was always doodling.  When I was a bit older, I started to like advertising and did a project about the history of advertising for a dutch chocolate brand in school.  I thought I wanted to work for an advertising agency.  Right now though, I’m more interested in communication and explaining then really selling.  I love the design thinking methods, and to be part of a bigger project, working with a team.  Rightnow, I’m combining this with being a freelance illustrator and mural artist. Where do you find inspiration? Color combinations, shapes and patterns - this can be in nature, clothes, interior, graphic design, etc.  And, just waiting for inspiration never works for me.  I just have to sit down and start and accept that it doesn’t always have to be nice and result in anything.  Sometimes a doodle, even an older one, can give me inspiration to make a new drawing.  Also, traveling (doesn’t necessarily need to be far away!) gives me a lot of inspiration.  I always keep a travel diary with little drawings and writings. I hope to be able to travel again soon. What's your dream design project? I actually just worked on my dream project that has been on my wishlist for quite a while.  Designing a beer label!  I worked together with Queers & Beers and hope to do more for them in the future.  Another dream design project would be designing the identity for a music festival. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? I’m inspired by a lot of people I follow on Instagram. Here are a few that I love: Hedof, Malika Favre, Sebastian Curi, Tom Haugomat, Xaviera Altena, Lisa Congdon, Hey Studio, Rafael Mayani, Carolina Buzio, Maria Medem and, of course, my Wallnuts buddy Esther (Vonik). What was the inspiration behind this design? Funny enough, I made this illustration as a doodle on the word ‘Build’ for Inktober 2019.  I like the simple shapes and patterns.  And, I also like drawing hands. But, I actually think it works way better with the word ‘Balance’.   How does Integrity play out in your life? Integrity is an important value to me.  I can be a bit slow with my thoughts and my feelings, but that is often because I want to figure out, first, what something means to me and how I feel about it, before sharing it with the world.  I find integrity a beautiful character trait in other people too. I think it’s brave if someone dares to be vulnerable, while the opposite is maybe often expected from the world around you. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Cobalt blueFood: RamenSong: Stonefield - Sleep (Stonefield is actually the last concert I’ve been to, when it was still possible, right before corona!)   Thanks for sharing with us, Lienke!

This month we partner with illustrator Cami Zea, who can be found anywhere along the West Coast of the USA.  Cami is an artist, writer, and feelings feeler expressing herself through digital lettering.  She says, "It takes true resilience to show up to this life- present, eyes ahead, taking it all in with your feet firmly planted. Not rushing what surfaces by the day- when circumstances are a chopping wave can you keep yourself in place and wait?”   For a little more about Cami, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? Anywhere along the West Coast of the United States. What is your definition of a successful life? A life that was lived with great curiosity and commitment to staying present.  I go to bed feeling the most successful when I am really awake within my day.  I tasted my coffee, I looked into someone's eyes, I soaked in my surroundings and listened with my whole self.  A life I paid great attention to is one of great success.   Describe your perfect day. On my perfect day, I wake up with curls that are working for me and zero trace of a grumpy attitude.  Somewhere along the way I get to see a lot of dogs.  I have slow coffee, and write for hours.  Every single word is inspiring!!  It ends with dinner around a table of people I love.  There is wine and, if I'm being honest, I probably cooked the meal and every bite was delicious!  People couldn't stop talking about how buttery the mashed potatoes were.  We drink many bottles and talk until we are tired.  I go to bed so full of life and love and carbs. How did you get into design? I've always been a creatively driven person.  I took art all of high school and my teacher (I love you, Sherry Windham!) discovered that I had great handwriting.  She asked me to design all of our prom posters from freshman to senior year- but I didn't know at the time that it could be a substantial career path. Where do you find inspiration? A connecting conversation almost always draws something beautiful out.  Tall trees.  Books with great characters.  Music. What's your dream design project? I would love to write a book full of hand drawn lettering quotes and longer form thoughts. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? Alex Elle and Glennon Doyle provide deep soul stirring thoughts.  I've been leaning toward art with a lot of texture and motion lately, so the work of Lolly Lolly Ceramics and Caroline Kaufman textiles have really pulled me in.  My favorite lettering artists/illustrators of the moment are Lisa Congdon and Laci Jordan. What was the inspiration behind this design? My thoughts were swimming in the process of grief when I sat down and wrote this.  It's so human to be put off to pain.  Who wants to feel it?  My instincts want to shut off to it, but we must feel it through to heal.  We are worth the grit and guts it takes to heal. How does Resilience play out in your life? I wouldn't be where I was today if I didn't learn how to sit with what was difficult and heavy.  Allowing myself to experience the gift of thriving after trauma and grief has required great resilience and tenacity.  It has been the gift that cost a hefty price, but has also given me an artistic voice and led me back to myself year after year. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Black + Crisp red alwaysFood: Canelle et Vanille's banana breadSong: Eyes Are Red- Deep Sea Diver Quote: "To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work."- Mary Oliver   Thanks for sharing with us, Cami!

This month we welcome back artist Maartje Louwers, who is based in the Netherlands.  She is a nurse, in her 20's, who enjoys illustrating art.  Maartje is a frontline worker during the COVID19 crisis and says illustrating is her time to put her mind to rest.  Maartje's design was created out of love and passion.  She says, "Passion is like a flower.  If you take care of it, it lets your heart bloom and you will flourish with it.  Do what you love, love what you do.”   For a little more about Maartje, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? My home is in the Netherlands. What is your definition of a successful life? Being happy and having the people you love close around you.   Describe your perfect day. A perfect day for me includes hanging with my two cats and my boyfriend, having a nice lunch with friends, (taking COVID19 precautions of course) and preparing a home cooked meal and inviting my family members. How did you get into design? I always enjoyed drawing.  A few years back I started to do it on a daily basis and improved.  I found that sharing it with others gave me joy as well. Where do you find inspiration? Mostly in nature, like the waves of the ocean.  As a nurse, I also like to add some anatomy to my illustrations. What's your dream design project? One day, I really would like to publish my own children's picture book. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? I don’t have a specific influencer in mind, but I follow a lot of great artists on Instagram for inspiration and they all have their own unique style. What was the inspiration behind this design? I actually drew this as a Valentine's card for my boyfriend.  I thought it would be nice to give this instead of real flowers.   How does Passion play out in your life? When I was younger I did feel like I had to choose between two career paths. One of them was nursing and the other was being an artist.  I found out along the way I can practice both of these passions at the same time.  I am still trying to find a balance between these two. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Forest Green and Sunflower YellowFood: SushiSong: This is so hard. My favorite artists are: White Lies, De Staat, Lorde, Mumford & Sons, and I listen to Elvis as well.   Thanks for sharing with us, Maartje!

Maria Popova’s online publication, Brain Pickings, is a masterpiece. Her writing is so skillful, you would never guess that English is not her first language. In fact, her writing is so important that it’s been added to the Library of Congress’s permanent digital archive of culturally valuable materials.  Still, the success of Brain Pickings and Maria’s mastery as a writer did not happen overnight. She has been publishing to her site daily since 2006, when it began as “a plain-text email to seven friends” that she wrote during college.  When we see, read, or otherwise experience a masterpiece, what we often don’t think about are the countless years of practice and failed iterations that came before. Remarkable creators like Maria find a way to show up and do the work every day. They manage to let go of any self-limiting beliefs and suspend the fear of judgment while creating. “The site grew as I grew—an unfolding record of my intellectual, creative, and spiritual development,” Maria says. Masterpieces are not made by superhumans, but by mortals who have maintained a consistent commitment to their craft while permitting themselves the time and the mental space needed to create. Doing this is not easy, of course, but it is a requisite for the creation of outstanding original work. After years of researching the topic of creativity, our team found it necessary to regularly recommit to our creative selves. To help, we wrote this Creativity Pledge (also included in this month’s Creativity Guide for members) to print and hang right where our most important work gets done. We invite you to do the same. You can download the (free and printer-friendly!) Creativity Pledge PDF or view on instagram. Here’s to embracing your inner creative! Mike RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app P.S. This pledge is a work in progress, one which we plan to update each year. If you feel something is missing from this pledge, please let us know so we can consider it for the next update!

In July, we partner with illustrator Calvin Sprague.  Calvin is a California-born, Texas-raised American, living and loving life in The Netherlands.  For his Creativity illustration, Calvin says, “The pencil is the visual starting point of creativity for me.  While ideas are floating around in my head, it is not until I put a pencil onto paper that the visual concepts will start to come to fruition."   For a little more about Calvin, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? Texas. What is your definition of a successful life? To me, being successful is the opportunity to keep growing and learning.  Working for yourself in the field of illustration has its challenges and, therefore, gives me plenty of moments to reflect and continue to keep improving my craft—failure coincides with success.    How did you get into design? At the age of 13, when I started playing music with my brother, I began to learn and appreciate the visual side of music.  It was innocent at first, designing flyers, posters, and cd covers. However, once I figured out that music and design are mutually coherent, the rest was history. Where do you find inspiration? Inspiration can spring up anywhere.  I often find outlets from small things like cycling and taking in my surroundings, listening to music, watching movies, or hearing other people's stories.  However, all creatives do experience some form of designer's block.  When I have designer's block, it sometimes takes a day or two of just doing nothing to let my mind recharge. What's your dream design project? A dream design project of mine would be to develop sculptures or toys inspired by my personal work. What was the inspiration behind this design? Influenced by the Art Deco aesthetic and stain glass patterns, this was manifested by combining the two.   How does Creativity play out in your life? It is a part of my life in almost everything I do!  From experiencing a new culture to illustrating a detailed scene, creativity gives me energy in anything I do. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: RedFood: TacosSong: Love by Ben Lukas Boysen Thanks for sharing with us, Calvin!

"It is in our nature to explore, to reach out into the unknown. The only true failure would be not to explore at all." — Ernest Shackleton In a story from Greek mythology, master craftsman Daedalus and his son, Icarus, are being held captive on the island of Crete. To escape, Daedalus makes them both a set of wings made of feathers and wax. Before taking off,  Daedalus warns Icarus to avoid flying too low, so that the seawater doesn't ruin his wings, and avoid flying too high, so the sun's heat doesn’t melt the wax. Icarus famously ignores Daedalus’s instructions and flies so high that the wax in his wings begins to melt, causing him to fall into the sea and drown. This is the source of the idiom “Don't fly too close to the sun.” Seth Godin, author of the The Icarus Deception makes a strong case for how Daedalus’s instructions to avoid flying too close to the sun (hubris) is the lesson from the myth that has been popularized over the ages and that this happened at the expense of the companion advice of not flying too low (complacency). In today’s terms we might call this idea of flying too low “staying in our comfort zone” —a desire to avoid danger and feel safe. In reality, there is also a layer nestled perfectly between our comfort and danger zones: the growth zone.  The Comfort Zone is stress-free and comes with a relatively low risk-to-reward ratio. While you may not be challenged or grow in this zone, it offers you space to feel grounded and make sense of things. The Growth Zone is just outside your comfort zone. It brings some challenges and stress. These require heightened attention, but they are nothing your best self can’t handle. The Danger Zone is beyond your growth zone. Here learning is minimal because the gap between your ability and the challenge is just too wide. At best, this zone is discouraging. At worst, it’s a true threat to your safety Each new experience in the growth zone makes your comfort zone a little bit bigger. According to Godin, many of us have “built our comfort zone around being obedient and invisible, and as a result, we’re far too close to the waves.” In your life right now, what would it look like to step into growth? (Journal your response in Reflection.app → ) Mike Radparvar Co-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app P.S. Dive deeper into this concept, along with many other approaches to the theme of Adventure in this month’s  Digital Adventure Guide PDF for Members!

Inspired by the Montessori method used at our daycare, we decided to start a toy rotation for our son Shilo to keep things fresh for him without having to accumulate too many new objects. So we chose a few toys and books and left them out in baskets so they could be accessible for him. The rest we have set aside so that every week or so, we can refresh the assortment. While it seems counterintuitive, there are many examples of how constraints like this can actually unlock innovation and creativity. One of my favorite examples comes from Phil Hansen, an artist who made incredible pointillism illustrations until he developed a shake in his hand and was no longer able to keep his hand still for the detailed craft. Disappointed by his inability to create pointillist drawings, he spent years away from his passion for art until one day a doctor encouraged him to “embrace the shake”. In his inspiring TED Talk, Hansen shares how the “disability” and limitation of his shaky hands became his path for exploring completely new forms of art and expression. As we settle into this month's theme of Simplicity, I’ve begun to think about other ways I could experiment with limitations to get more out of less in my life. Here are three limits I have been exploring over the past few weeks: 1 — Less clothes. I took any piece of clothing that I haven't worn in the past three months out of my closet and packed it away in a suitcase. Less clothes in my closet makes it easier to find, sort, and appreciate the things I enjoy wearing most. It also translates to less day-to-day decision fatigue and less clutter. And let’s be honest, for the past year I’ve pretty much been wearing the same thing every day anyway. >.< 2 — Less food. Our pantry is stocked with items we haven't used in months — that massive bag of uncooked beans, those sardine tins, the ras el hanout spice mix that was in the apartment when we moved in… Instead of constantly moving these items from one side of the cupboard to the other in search of our go-to staples, we’ve committed to cooking a few of them each week. This Iron Chef meets Marie Kondo practice is surprisingly fun. The biggest bonus? The question, “What should we have for dinner this week?” has become a little less daunting. Time to finally use that half-pack of risotto! 3 — Less time. Now that my time is split between work and childcare, I have learned to be more intentional about how I spend my time. So while I'm working less overall, I have gotten much better at prioritizing my highest impact work. With less time available, I feel I am able to be more impactful with my time and effort. In what ways can you embrace limitations to get more out of less in your life? (Journal your response in Reflection.app → ) Dave RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app P.S. Speaking of kids toys, get a sneak peek at our new Reflection Cards for Kids → 

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In June, we partner with Or Yogev, an illustrator living in Kibbutz Dan on the far northern part of Israel.  Or, which means “light” in Hebrew, is a hunter gatherer of music and a "wanna be DJ".  His Adventure illustration is based on a dream.  Or says, “I love how dreams and imagination allow us to experience wild adventures that we never thought possible."   For a little more about Or, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? Kibbutz Dan, Israel. What is your definition of a successful life? A successful life would be to spread love around me and do good for those who surround me and others the best I can, to do something for the greater good and leave something meaningful in this world.   Describe your perfect day. Spending time with friends up north by the river, or just a lazy afternoon on the couch with my girlfriend. How did you get into design? I used to illustrate (ever since I can remember) so being an illustrator when I grew up was a natural continuation. Where do you find inspiration? Pretty much everywhere - music, nature, friends, books, TV.  What's your dream design project? I would really like to write and illustrate a children's book or a graphic novel...also, to illustrate the cover of The New Yorker. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? I really like the illustrations of Joohee Yoon, Jon Mcnaught and Eleanor Davis, the cinematography of the Coen brothers, and how Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about the cosmos, how small we are, and that we are all made of stars. What was the inspiration behind this design? I made this illustration based on a man's dream about his late wife who passed away.  Though the man looks lonely, she is always around him and with him on his new adventure.   How does Adventure play out in your life? I always loved to travel, meet new people and experience different ways of living. It’s been a while since my last big trip and I hope it won’t be too long before my next one. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: blue Food: red kubba Song: Hailu Mergia - Yefikir Engurguro Quote: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” - Greek Proverb Thanks for sharing with us, Or!

"They joined Facebook to stay in touch with friends across the country, and then ended up unable to maintain an uninterrupted conversation with the friend sitting across the table." — Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism I know, you know, we all know — there are better things to do with our time than peruse social media. Despite knowing this, I had to reel myself back from multiple digital distractions while writing this. Pandemic life over the past year certainly hasn’t helped. Reports show that in past months usage of Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms have increased significantly. So, in light of this knowledge and this month’s theme, Simplicity, I invite you to visit (or revisit) author Cal Newport’s idea of digital minimalism with me. According to Cal, “the cost of social media is not so much what you are doing, but what it is pushing out of your life” — and for many of us, that is high-quality leisure activities and learning how to be alone. While always-available apps and social media have their merits, they also enable a unique form of “low quality distraction”, giving us a ready escape when we might otherwise be processing important problems, gaining insight, or practicing the lost art of simply being. Over time, this leaves us feeling impoverished. Enter Cal’s Three Principles of Digital Minimalism: Clutter is Costly — Which apps are critical and support your values?Cal draws a parallel to how hoarders can point to any single item in their collection and give a reason for why that item needs to stay in their life. The same can be said for our digital lives. Each app is working to dictate how you spend your time. Optimization Matters — How can you make technology support, rather than dictate, your schedule? For example, if you are a member of a community that uses Facebook groups, you can exercise digital minimalism by deciding to not have the app on your phone or only check the group on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Intentionality is Satisfying — What are ways that convenience is getting in the way of your intentions?It’s easy to worry that adopting digital minimalism might lead to temporary inconveniences, like not being 100% up-to-date on the latest news or updates from friends. Cal argues that this is OK because the positive overall value of being intentional and taking back control of your presence far outweighs any marginal benefits gained from sporadic updates. After revisiting digital minimalism, the question I keep returning to is: How can technology support me, rather than dictate my attention? I plan to use this month to identify the apps which are critical to my well-being and remove those that are just convenient. At the end of the month, I may add some non-critical apps back in, but at the very least I’d like to challenge myself to live like a digital minimalist for the rest of May — want to join me? For those joining the Member Gathering on the 20th, we will touch base on how it’s going and share takeaways from our experiences. To a month of less, but better... Mike RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee & Reflection.app P.S. Digital minimalism is one of many ways we explore the theme of Simplicity with our members. Download our 25-page Digital Simplicity Guide PDF for more concepts, activities, and inspiration on living a simpler yet more meaningful life. Photo by Brad Javernick of Home Oomph

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