Welcome to The Calm Creative

Here's my vision for this place going forward.

Ever since I started my current business (which is art) back in 2021, I’ve experimented with different ways of showing up online: sharing my work on Instagram (reluctantly, sporadically), creating videos on YouTube (75 by the time of this writing), making podcast episodes (6 so far), and writing in various formats.

One of the things that’s worked especially well for me is this Substack. In the beginning, I used Substack like a newsletter tool. Most of the older posts on here were originally sent as email newsletters, and chronicle my journey in building my art practice and business from the ground up. Including lots of confusion, experimentation, and failure.

Since then, my publication has evolved into more of…well, a publication. With meatier, more evergreen posts, community discussions, and the occasional podcast episode or video. And this is the direction I want to keep developing it in. Not as a replacement for my newsletter (more on that later), but as a replacement for my blog.

I’ve been off and on this platform a few times now, for a variety of reasons. Some of which still hold true. But each time I’ve been away, I’ve missed it.

I’ve missed the community. I’ve missed the easy-to-use editor. I’ve missed creating without having to worry about reach or retention. Here, I can focus on doing my best work, and creating for my people, not for some algorithm. But at the same time, more of my people discover me here, thanks to the network effects of this platform. And Substack’s community functions make it easier for us to connect. The whole place just feels more… human.

There’s so much I want to share, and talk about, and explore going forward. And I want to do it here, with you.

In case we haven’t met…

Hi, I’m Louise. 👋🏻 I’m a Swedish watercolor artist who mostly paints birds.

Before this, I was a burnt out freelance copywriter/web designer who eventually threw in the towel, went on sick leave, had an existential crisis, and picked up art as a way to stay sane. I loved it so much I decided to make it my new life.

Nowadays, apart from running my art business, I also run a YouTube channel, teach art, and coach other creatives in building calmer businesses.

Other topics near and dear to my heart are: mental health, digital minimalism, anti-hustle culture, environmentalism, slow living, and birdwatching-as-self-care.

If all of this sounds like your vibe: Welcome. Make yourself at home. 🖤

Here are some writings to get you started:

DIY Art School: A complete guide to learning art on your own

Quitting social media didn't ruin my career

The curse of the multi-passionate creative

How to write like an abstract painter

Also, check out my YouTube channel The Calm Creative

80+ videos, all about drawing, watercolor, learning art, and growing a calm, creative business.

Why subscribe?

Simply put: to get all my writing (and other content) straight to your inbox as soon as I publish it.

I usually write a weekly letter every Friday, where I muse on a topic, update you on what’s going on in my business, and share links to recent videos.

Other than that, I write when I feel inspired.

As a free subscriber to this Substack, you’ll have access to all new posts for 6 weeks. After that, they will go into the archive, which you can access by paying for a subscription. Paying subscribers also get access to the comments field. And yearly subscribers can request a 24-hour “Ask Me Anything” session to get some complimentary coaching.