#lifedrawnout

Years ago, I was sexually assaulted. I only told a few very close friends and eventually even my mother. But I spared telling my late father thinking, he would never be able to hear about this. My thoughts were, the women in my life, they could hear this and they would get it. The men in my life, those who loved me and would protect me against anything, I didn’t want to put them through even knowing about this. But seeing how our news repeatedly keeps bringing this subject up, I’m inclined to write something here. This is hard for me. To say this out loud in a public forum is to say that this epidemic needs to be talked about more. Thank you to my friends and other women and men who have spoken out. I honestly was not going to say anything but I thought a little more about it. This happened to me. I rarely think about it, probably because my mind is protecting me. If my dad was alive today, it would be one of the hardest things I would tell him about. But I think I’d have to. It’s a reality we live in but it needs to stop. This drawing is me on a NYC block as I sat crying and in shock. Ugh... #metoo. 

After a little drawing hiatus and a few tissue boxes down, I’m back. Now does this mean I should be all set when it comes to winter? I think I have met my cold quota for a while now! 

Those people who live in their own bubble with no acknowledgment that they are 1 of 8 million. 

Summer of the swan. 

I have to say, there are some things I very much enjoy as I grow older (and wiser).

In 2008 I started a little app called SitOrSquat (a public bathroom locator app). I thought it would be timely with this drawing to share this story here. SitOrSquat was something I first started because I thought it was fun. It ended up shaping my career going forward. Since then I've designed a whole bunch of apps, some silly and some more serious. I still do love it. Though over the years, I do miss using my hands more. The computer rocks and design programs have been so fun to use as they've gotten better and better but there's something about just picking up my pencil and sketching out an idea that doesn't require code to bring it to its final state. 9 years later here I am, doodling again and working on something that I find super fun. In the end, the luckiest people are the ones who find and continue to work on the things that bring them happiness. And if it brings a smile to you as well, then that's even better. Enjoy the silly doodles! 

🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴 

Def designed by a man.