It’s hard to say when I first began keeping a journal, but it was probably in senior high school,” recalls Samantha Dion Baker. “I remember spending nights avoiding my homework, writing and doodling within my diary.”
That preoccupation continued during her years at Ny City’s prestigious Cooper Union. “In college I had sketchbooks filled with random writings of patterned words alongside small drawings,” she says. “I'd photocopy these to use in collage work.”
Though she enjoyed great success as a designer for the Whitney Museum of American Art, Christian Dior, the Frick Collection, and other iconic brands — while raising two children — Dion Baker found herself spending less and less time journaling and sketching.
After years of sitting in front of a computer every day, she found that graphic design began to feel automatic and boring. “It definitely wasn’t relieving my creative itch anymore,” she says.
To meet the increasing demand, Dion Baker began pondering new artistic outlets. “Eventually my husband reminded me that I used to draw more often,” she says. “He explained, ‘Your talent is there, you just have to find it again.’
“Once I started sketching again, I simply couldn’t stop,” she explains. “To keep growing and develop a style, I started challenging myself by asking, Can I draw buildings, an animal, a bicycle, or the tea I’m drinking?”
Sharing her work with others via a popular Instagram account become a book — Draw Your Day: An uplifting Guide to Keeping a Sketch Journal — for aspiring and seasoned artists alike.
Experience Life | What happen to be the benefits of having a daily creative practice, and how do you find the time for it?
Samantha Dion Baker | I've two kids and an unpredictable freelance work situation, so drawing has given me a routine. Interestingly, while drawing helped me get into a routine which i really like, other people have told me that their daily drawing practice helps split up the monotony of their day.
Another benefit is the fact that my sketchbook is sort of like my sacred personal space. I'm able to always count on drawing to calm my nerves, and it makes me happy.
Therefore, I don’t think about it; I just make the time to do it. Sometimes, I’ll even draw while waiting in line at the grocery store.
EL | Let's say I’m not naturally talented at drawing? What could I recieve from having a daily drawing practice?
SDB | Well, I believe most people feel that way, because we've this habit of comparing ourselves to others — I know I do! That’s why I went into design and decided I didn’t really want to paint or draw, because I was comparing myself an excessive amount of. I went to a school with incredible artists, and design felt safe to me.
Even now when one of my sons celebrates a birthday, I draw him. However the whole time I just think I’d favour my sister do it, because she’s so good at it.
But here’s the thing: People consider drawing very literally, as opposed to a skill where some people can simply see something in the world and naturally have the ability to translate it onto paper — just like some people come into the world with perfect pitch and they can just sing.
To have a daily practice, you can take a pen or marker and draw a big scribble and fill in the little spaces with color. Or get some glue sticks and eliminate random pieces of paper or magazines to make collages. Just have fun!
EL | What made you choose to share your illustrations on Instagram, and how has that community affected your life?
SDB | Now that I’m in my 40s, I recognize that I’ve always liked teaching and mentorship. I love helping people find a creative outlet, so sharing my illustrations on Instagram would be a way to do that. It’s also a way to get people to sign up for my workshops and also to create a community for people to inspire and mentor one another.
The Instagram community is amazing! It’s the reason I’m having this conversation along with you about my book. I’m super thankful for it, but at the same time, it is this constant thing which i need to update. It can be challenging sometimes to put my phone down and draw.
I’ve only recently reached the point where I don’t update my feed every day, and no one has seemed to notice — or at best I don’t think they have! So finding that balance is essential.
