Hi friends,
Whenever this time of year comes around, I still notice which day on the calendar would have been my last day of school. The best holiday of the year.
Summer meant a lot of things growing up. Early mornings alone outside, looking for frogs in the wet grass. Riding horses in the creek. Sleeping with the window open and the sharp, sticky smell of the pepper tree in my backyard. It meant Chaco Tacos.
And most importantly: it meant being left alone with my pencils.
School was difficult for me, but I felt safe when summer came around. Three whole months of no one grating my soft, curious little brain across any textbooks.
But sometime between fourth grade and now, I stopped looking for frogs. Time became something to invest, not enjoy. Part of that is growing up, I’m sure. But part of it is a damn tragedy.
I’m pretty certain that I need unstructured play time again. Which is just the medical term for: learn how to have fun.
So, I’ve begun a habit of leaving myself alone with my pencils.
Am I drawing anything good in this new routine? I have no idea. Is it revitalizing my creativity? Also unclear. Am I feeling more confident that I should do it more? Yeah.
I have a sense that if I’m patient, the childish confidence that allowed me to “waste” time (have fun) may come back, like a cat that used to play with me. I don’t know. We’ll see. But I’m enjoying my pencil-play-time, so it must be a good idea.
This fixation has extended into June’s shop opening as well. I just made things that feel fun and worthwhile. Like summer.
Welcome to three new mini-prints:
Live Fast mini print — 6”x9” mini print about living your best life. Ships flat and unframed. $14.00
Forgive Them mini print — 6”x9” mini print about letting go. Ships flat and unframed. $14.00
Ready 4 Sex mini print — 6”x9” mini print. Subject is self explanatory. Ships flat and unframed. $14.00
I’ve also restocked my zine “Swim.” If you haven’t read it, I wrote it in 2021 about how difficult school was for me. I have been reticent to restock it because it’s personal and I’m neurotic. But enough of you asked, so it felt important. I reordered 30 copies. Enjoy!
Please note: there has been a delay at my printers and the zines are running late. I’ll have them in the mail within the next 1-3 weeks. ❤️
Swim. — A zine about being different in the public school system. $12.00
And, as always, a little treat for the locals:
Enjoy free shipping with code FREERAT
And don’t forget to use the discount code RATICAL on any order over $75. It knocks $25 off (basically buy 2 get 1 free on big prints, but you can use it however you’d like on any order over $75)
I’ll end this letter with a big update: I’m moving to Chicago next month.
I’m sure there will be more to share about that eventually, but for now— I’ll be doing a moving sale in July. I have a stash of old merch that I’ve been hanging onto. But it deserves to leave my flat files and see some sunlight. Keep an eye out for that.
Thank you for being sick and cool.
More soon,
Janie