I’LL TAKE A SIDE OF MATCHA WITH THAT
Hello, everyone! I’d love to introduce you to SIDE OF MATCHA!!! Sitting down to write this now, I cannot stop shaking. While this project isn’t all that ~new~ to me anymore, I can’t contain my excitement in officially announcing it and sharing it with all of you!
What exactly is Side of Matcha you might ask? Odds are you’ve been to Matcha Had Me before, seen some of my Instagram stories or heard me/seen tweets where I’ve discussed a calendar. Side of Matcha is my design lovechild. It’s a new chapter for MHM, and truthfully, in my life as well. Ever since high school, I’ve been craving an opportunity to get back into art but often found myself uninspired, short on time, lazy, making excuses, etc. I just could never push myself enough to start something. I think I was intimidated by so many other things and worried that I wasn’t good enough nor that my work would be anything of significance. No spoilers, but if there’s literally anything I’ve learned since beginning SOM, it’s that it’s all about the journey and process and not just about the final product.
I noticed so many people starting new hobbies when all the lockdowns started back in March. Unfortunately, since I lost my job so early on, I hit the ground running on finding a new gig. (I’d also like to plug that I’m still looking! If you or someone you know if hiring, let a matchy gyal know!) It’s sad that applying to jobs in a way became this “hobby” for me. Yikes. It began to consume my time, physical energy and emotional and mental health.
I’ve mentioned this before, but my friend, Joe, sent me a copy of Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way early on in the summer. It’s supposed to be a 12-week journey helping to unblock you and push you to your greatest potential in your creative calling. It’s been ~4 months since I first cracked the book open, and even though I have not finished it (I know, I beat myself up about it all the time), I feel it’s had such an impact on me. If anyone is looking for a sign to get started on something, let this be it. It feels a little corny at times, but I cannot recommend this enough to anyone – no matter whether you’d describe yourself as “a creative” or not.
I was going thru a rut at the end of July. While I had grown a lot in the last year, I felt so low and depleted and was losing a will to go on. I started therapy again and found that to be helpful. I was having such an amazing summer, so it was strange to feel so off. One morning in the midst of putting together the Summer 2020 edition of MATCHA SOUNDS, I felt it was time to freshen up the cover art design that I’d had since its conception 2 years ago. I spent ~an hour working on the new design and updating the one for The Inventory. I thought to myself, “Wow, imagine I did one of these a day every day. Just something quick and fun. One a day, every day.” I made a new Instagram account to hold myself accountable to daily creation and sharing.
And thus, Side of Matcha was born!
Since then, I’ve created almost 100 pieces. I started working in sets of three, sometimes with certain themes or color palettes. I am so proud of what I have created so far. If anything, I hoped that SOM would help me grow as a designer and illustrator, build a bigger portfolio and learn some new tricks along the way. Having the Instagram account is cool because I can really see my growth so finely.
I didn’t really tell many people about this when it began and let it grow organically. My intention wasn’t necessarily to make it this huge thing but rather to hold myself accountable and just have fun. In turn, I’ve been so overwhelmed with the feedback I’ve gotten. While this was something more for me, it’s been really special to hear praise from people and to hear that a piece I made resonated with someone.
So that brings us to now. Well, actually, to late August. I had started a series of rugs designs which I shared with my friend, confidant, future business partner, podcast co-host, future legal counsel and fellow wide load, Zoe. After some back and forth, a star was born. The concept for a 2021 calendar all designed by lil ol ME!!!!
I spent the next month tirelessly working on this calendar. Even the other night on the phone with my friend, Colette, she said “You were working on that calendar all the time!” Every single last aspect of it, I designed, and I’m incredibly proud to say that. It has been an true labor of love. Some days I felt I was going crazy. I’m not even sure how many hours I ended up spending on it nor how many iterations I created in the making. Again, focusing on process and not product, I’m amazed at how much I’ve grown in that month alone. I feel that some of these pieces are my best yet. I am so proud of myself for fully seeing this through, and I am unbelievably excited to share it with all of you now.
I’m selling my completely original 12-month Side of Matcha 2021 calendar! From now until Wednesday October 28 at 11:59 PM PST, you can preorder a calendar (or many a calendar). Calendars are $15 each with a $5 shipping fee and will even come with a free lil Side of Matcha sticker (!!!! THEY’RE SUPER CUTE !!!!). I’ve decided to donate $1 from each calendar to the ACLU. Their work has been so important, and I’d love to contribute to the initiatives they’ve been working on and will take on in the future.
You can shop for calendars here. Additionally, if you wanna drown yourself in some stickers, you can purchase those here.
I’m also excited to announce that I’m formally accepting requests for commissioned work! Whether you’re looking for a unique gift, trying to decorate your new apartment or are wanting to expand your current collection, Side of Matcha’s got you covered. I’ll work closely (or not if you choose!) with you on putting together the perfect piece. Prices will vary based on work. Just submit a request, and I’ll reach out to set up time to chat together.
Side of Matcha, in many ways, has been my saving grace of this year. No matter how stressed or discouraged I’m feeling, working on these pieces brings me joy. I’m starting to own the title of “designer” and feeling more and more confident as each day passes. Through The Artist’s Way and my own journey, I’ve learned that you just have to start. No excuses. If not now, then when? Side of Matcha is the type of project you always want to start but always make the excuse of not having the time to. For me, at least, it’s something I wanted to start but if it wasn’t a pandemic and I still had a job, I’d probably never get around to it. Now that time is on my side, I’m glad I’ve taken advantage of it.
I want to quickly thank everyone who has supported me in my artistic endeavors over not just my life but especially the last few months. Every message of encouragement, reshare to a story and like of a post all of it means so much. I’m smiling ear to ear writing this. I am so proud of myself and can’t wait to see where this will go.
Stay tuned for more products (👀), follow along for new work and buy a calendar – or two or three or a hundred.
