Newsletter Vol. I: April 7th, 2024
Roll down the windows, let your hair down, photograph flowers blooming on your walk, dance in your kitchen, draw with your eyes closed.
Welcome to our first newsletter! I am so grateful you’re here, and I hope you learn something today that sparks an idea.
There’s a lot to unpack, so some segments have their own posts, organized by category for a quick referral from our home page in the future. A summary of the contents (with their post links) and what to expect is below.
This issue’s summary:
Art History Fact: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist
Writing Update: Sharing two books that have helped me plot
April Book Club: Greenwood by Michael Christie— I’ll be tucking into this local Vancouver Island’s book centered around trees, a multi-generational family, and peeling back the layers of humanity’s relationship with nature. Perfect for fans of The Overstory by Richard Powers. Also sharing a blog post on how to read more on a budget.
Collecting Colors:
Before you learn more about color theory, psychology, and harmony in the coming weeks— think about some of your favorite colors. Will you always choose the green option while shopping for clothes? Are you finding yourself constantly reaching for pink? Yellow? Black? Which colors don’t speak to you?
You can find the exercise here.
FUN FACT:
When did the color orange get its name?
The color orange got its name in the early 16th century, but the story of how it got its name is quite interesting.
Before the 16th century, the color orange was referred to as "saffron," “tawny yellow” or "yellow-red." My favorite is “the color betwixt red and yellow.” The word "orange" actually comes from the fruit itself.
The word "orange" originated from the Sanskrit word "nāraṅga," which was used to refer to the orange tree. This word was borrowed into Persian as "nārang," then into Arabic as "nāranj." The word then made its way into European languages, becoming "orenge" in Old French and "orenge" in Middle English.
It wasn't until the early 16th century that the word "orange" started to be used to describe the color. The first recorded use of "orange" as a color term in English was in 1512.
Prior to this, the color was often referred to as "saffron" because of the expensive spice of the same name, which was used to create a deep orange-yellow dye. However, as oranges became more widely available in Europe, the color name shifted to reflect the fruit.
Interestingly, the color name came before the fruit name in English. The fruit was originally called "norange," which was a mispronunciation of "una naranja," meaning "an orange" in Spanish. Over time, "a norange" morphed into "an orange," and the "n" was dropped from the beginning of the word.
So, the next time you see the color orange, remember that its name has a fruity origin!
Source: On Color by David Kastan
Today we are diving into the lexicon of color theory, how to craft the perfect palette, and how to troubleshoot when it just doesn’t seem to work. We’ll explore the distinctions between colored light, ink, painting, and much more. It’s a lengthy one! Read here.
Have you heard of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISG) in Boston? Not only is it one of my favorite museums and a short walk from my former apartment, it is the site of one of the largest art heists in history. This heist occurred in 1990 when thieves disguised as security guards stole 13 works worth over $500 million. The paintings have never been recovered. This heist remains unsolved, with a $10 million reward still being offered for information leading to the recovery of the stolen works.
One of the wildest parts is that the museum is not allowed to move any objects in the collection, unless it is for restoration, so frames missing the works can still be viewed today. Legend has it that Isabella stated in her will that if the museum changes a thing, The MFA/Harvard gets the whole collection and the museum must be shut down immediately. If you ever find yourself in Boston, I recommend both the ISG and the MFA for an artist date. Admission to the ISG is free on your birthday and every day if your name is Isabella!
Here is a podcast my friend Maddy sent me a few years ago about the heist as well as a couple of additional readings: Reporter’s Notes, More info behind her “scandalous” legacy.
I recently wrote a blog post about taking the scary leap of writing my first novel. It has been a really fun process to push myself and write the book I want to read. In the post, I share a couple of books I have found helpful in plotting my story in addition to a few other tips.
It is no secret that I love reading! Sharing some titles I’ve read recently below. If you’re seeking to read more for less, I have compiled a list of both free and budget-friendly ways to source books. Read here for more info.
All books in this blog will be linked via bookshop.org a B-Corporation e-commerce that supports independent bookstores!
Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom Duology #1) by Sue Lynn Tan
This was a great book and a refreshing romantasy story to get me out of a book slog. (No spice, but some smooching.) The novel follows Xingyin, the daughter of the Moon Goddess, inspired by Chang'e from Chinese mythology. After an incident threatens to reveal her forbidden existence, Xingyin is sent away from the moon for her own protection.
The story is filled with fascinating elements such as dragons, enemies-to-lovers romance, characters riding on clouds, and the exploration of celestial and demon kingdoms. Tan's vivid descriptions and engaging plot make for a truly immersive reading experience.
If you're looking for a beautifully written fantasy novel with roots in Chinese mythology, "Daughter of the Moon Goddess" is definitely worth picking up. It is part of a complete duo-logy with additional novellas.
8/10 stars
The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang
My local book club and I recently read "The Phoenix Crown" by Janie Chang and Kate Quinn (The Alice Network). This historical fiction novel follows the lives of four women navigating issues of race, gender, career, sex, love, ambition, and survival in San Francisco, particularly its Chinatown, in the days before and the years following the devastating 1906 earthquake. The story centers around a painter, an embroidery artist, an opera singer, and an ecologist/botanist. It's important to look into trigger warnings (TWs) before reading, as the book deals with some sensitive topics.
Having previously read "The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn, which I absolutely loved, "The Phoenix Crown" didn't quite live up to my expectations. However, after discussing it with my book club, I gained a deeper appreciation for the novel, even though there were still some aspects that left me wanting more.
Overall, "The Phoenix Crown" would make for a great beach read or a thoughtful gift for your mother-in-law who enjoys historical fiction with strong female characters.
7/10 stars
The Renderie Bookclub:
For those interested, I would love to read along with you! Until May 7th, I invite you to join me in reading Greenwood by local Vancouver Island author, Michael Christie.
"Greenwood" by Michael Christie is an epic multigenerational saga that spans centuries, weaving together the lives of a family deeply connected to the forests of the Pacific Northwest. The novel's narrative unfolds in a captivating non-linear structure, revealing the secrets, tragedies, and triumphs of the Greenwood family.
At the heart of the story is Jake Greenwood, a tour guide in one of the world's last remaining forests in the year 2038. As Jake uncovers her family's complex history, readers are transported back in time to pivotal moments that shaped the Greenwoods' destiny, from the arrival of a peculiar carpenter in the 1930s to the environmental activism of the 1970s and the thrilling maple-syrup smuggling escapades of the early 2000s.
Creating time-lapse videos of your creative process
What projects or techniques would be most satisfying to watch in a time-lapse?
How can time-lapse videos showcase your skills and creativity?
Sharing your favorite books, movies, or other influences
What works of art or media have had the biggest impact on you as a creator?
How can you share your influences in a way that inspires your audience?
Show us a desk tour! It could be through images or video. Do you keep special objects nearby when you work? Do you have a vision board? Are you a beverage goblin? It doesn’t have to be grand, I still work from my dining room table :)
Citrus & Cardamon Ricotta Pancakes
A few weeks ago, I made citrus & cardamom pancakes with blackberry compote in celebration for my dear friend, Sonia’s birthday. They are packed with flavor and are the perfect main character for a special breakfast
Enjoy!
Just read top to bottom (plus links) and this is such a gift! Thank you!!