Hello everyone, welcome back to another blog. If you’re a new reader – welcome! I’m really enjoying blogging again, it feels nostalgic. Anyways, since we’re almost at the end of winter I wanted to do a blog\update that is a summary of all the things I’ve been working on so far this year.
The past couple of weeks have been pretty busy bookbinding-wise! I’m working on making mixed-media sketchbooks, which are something I’ve been yearning to make since I started bookbinding last year. I decided to start small, these sketchbooks are B6 size – or if you like inches they are roughly 7×5 inches (somewhere in there) These tiny little mixed media books have been dropped on my Etsy – so check them out. I also made a larger sized books which are roughly 9.5 x 7 inches (These two sizes are my ultimate favorites) Last summer I bought this wonderful paper from Bari Zaki – a wonderful stationery store located in Chicago (I’ll post the link here – https://www.barizaki.com/) The paper is made by a Canadian papermaking studio named – Atelier Ecluse. (See the photos below)
I also finished a couple of custom books, both were mushroom-inspired. Here is one of them.
I’m also actively working on some winter-inspired illustrations. While these are not totally done, I will probably make a separate blog post for when I finish these Illustrations. I will post a few photos of some wintertime botanical watercolor studies. These little paintings were done with Federal color watercolors – A high pigment watercolor manufactured in St. Louis by St. Louis Art Supply (My favorite art supply store ever) I’ll post the link here: https://shop.stlartsupply.com/collections/federal-color
These watercolors are stunning to work with, they move around the paper so easily and the vibrancy is unmatched. I always look forward to using them.
Something else I’m working on is narrowing down my time on social media and the amount of art accounts on social media that I currently have. This blog will be my main mode of communication from here on out. I want my own website to be my homebase. It’s been a tough decision – but I’ve decided to forgo posting on some websites. Instagram is one that most artists are struggling with right now, just in general, every aspect of Instagram has become difficult. My reach on Instagram has certainly plummeted, especially this past year. I’m tired of playing the game. I will stay on Instagram for now and still post some of my work, however, I will potentially no longer be making reels as often and I’m planning to use the site more as a way to promote myself rather than my main source of communication where I posted regularly. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of starting a Patreon for awhile now… we’ll see.
Nicki Fortunati-Warren Arts 
Leave a comment