In 2015, motherhood hit me like a Mack Truck. The first sign of a respite arrived when a friend of a friend, upon meeting me for the first time, identified what I was experiencing because she had gone through it herself: post-partum depression. And then as if by magic, she gave me hope with six words:
THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH.
In that moment, those words made all the difference. They were the first sign of rescue. They got me to keep going through. Words may seem trite even. But when you’re IN IT — the many states we all find ourselves in — in the right words, a sentiment can mean the world.
Getting the kid on.
Then the pandemic hit in 2020. Still in Brooklyn, NY, I found myself unemployed, stuck at home in our small apartment with my daughter, trying to navigate teaching and hygiene protocols at warp speed while continuing to play mom. It was rough. I over-planned, under-delivered, lost my cool, wondered if I had any cool left to lose, and eventually, embraced the endless hours.
Together, my daughter and I drew and painted and sketched. We sat at her art table, on the couch, in Prospect Park. I gave myself (or rather I was given) the time and space to explore relationships, creativity, humor, and color.
Slowly, SIGN + SEAL came to be.
Process. Product. Purpose.
Each card begins with an idea—a purpose or an animal that reflects human behavior. I use watercolors and markers to either hand-paint or hand-draw each featured animal. After the primary artwork is complete, I import it into illustrator to create an environment or backdrop, tweak the art, add the text, and then revise, revise and revise.
All final SIGN + SEAL cards measure 4.25” x 5.5” (standard A2 size) and are printed on thick uncoated #130 cover paper for the lustrous, smooth tactile feel a screen just can’t offer. Each card comes with an easy-seal kraft paper envelope.
Once I recoup my upfront investment in the line, I plan to donate a percentage of sales to nonprofits working to help new moms navigate new motherhood.
SIGN + SEAL is for my daughter who helps me find the way.
