My Patreon offer for July features design elements from my pattern named “Celestial Bodies”.

There’s something tender and oddly magical about the “middle” of any creative journey.

It’s the space where you’ve grown enough to know what you don’t want to make… but still feel unsure about what’s next. Where your skills have sharpened—but your confidence hasn’t quite caught up. Where you keep showing up, even when no clear path is presenting itself.

Right now, I’m there.

I’ve been asking myself whether I should focus on surface design or dive deeper into story-driven, character-based art. The truth is… I love both. But the uncertainty has been enough to make me want to close my iPad and go read a book instead. (And trust me, I’ve been tempted.)

But I keep showing up.
Not to be productive.
Not to build a brand.
But because I never want overwhelm or indecision to block my connection to creativity.

Progress You Can’t Always See

Sometimes growth isn’t flashy—it’s quiet.
It looks like being more consistent than last month.
It looks like staying kind to yourself even when your direction feels blurry.
It looks like opening a sketchbook when you’d rather not, and making something anyway.

“Celestial Bodies”

Here’s my original pattern, imaged on a notebook (I want that!)

This month I completed a new pattern called Celestial Bodies, and even though I was in the middle of my own fog, I sawthe growth.
More confident shapes.
Smoother lines.
Faster execution.
More restraint, more refinement.

Growth was happening the whole time—I just couldn’t see it until I looked back.

If You’re In the Middle Too…

Let me say this clearly:

You are not behind. You are in motion.
Just because you can’t see the destination doesn’t mean you’re lost.

Keep creating what lights you up. That’s how you find your voice.
Keep showing up. That’s how your eye sharpens.
Keep listening to your heart. That’s how your path unfolds.

You are further along than it feels.

Sneak Peek: July’s Patreon Print

This July’s Patreon exclusive features my newest pattern, Celestial Bodies—a softly luminous line-art piece inspired by cosmic simplicity and elegant restraint.

I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes from my design process and how this piece marks a shift in my creative growth.

Come be part of the journey on Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/starthistle

Use hashtag #ArtAndSoulSQ and tag me @starthistle.and.quartz to let me know you’re walking the middle path too. I’d love to cheer you on.