Happy August! Hope you guys are enjoying the Summer in San Francisco. I took that picture last week at the Marin Headlands. More about that later in this update!
This month, Ann realized through exploring various creative avenues, the importance of being kind and compassionate towards our inner artist. Meaning to accept that not everyday will be a super creative one. Some days we are more creative and productive than others, but it’s all about being compassionate towards ourselves, letting ourselves rest when we need to and being thankful for the days when creativity is higher. Forcing ourselves to be creative on low days and beating ourselves up does nothing to enhance creativity. Instead, taking time to thank ourselves for showing up and putting something on the paper. That’s all that matters anyway!
Here are some beautiful explorations from Ann
As for me, I’ve been spending an abundance of time crafting and sewing as I found solace and creativity through those avenues. Making and being creative can be done in many ways, so learning to explore outside of traditional ways of making fosters creativity. It’s all about what works for you. I’ve tried so many avenues the past six months. Crayons, watercolor, finger painting, acrylics, collage, ceramics and the list goes on. I found a few techniques that I really enjoy, so I’m continuing down those avenues. Again it’s about the process and less about the outcome. If anyone would have told me that I’d be sewing every night and learning how to hand sew through YouTube I’d probably laugh my head off. But here I am, learning the basics for sewing and crafting, eating popcorn and listening to Norah Jones. Not for everyone but for me, this works!
Some pics from my sewing adventures
Here’s what we got up to this month! If we ever have a newsletter I think it’ll be as long as the Wall of China. But here are some of our favorite moments from July.
1. Launch! Summer Watercolor 101 – Workshop
We finally launched our first workshop: Summer Watercolor 101 (insert high-fives here)! We were a bit hesitant to do this at first, because our hope is to have everyone enjoy everything during our event, but upon running two of these events in July, we realize how people really enjoyed a focus on a medium. Here are our goals for “Summer Watercolr 101 – Workshop”
1. Learn – Learn the basics of watercolor 101
2. Make – Create a watercolor piece to take home!
3. Connect – Connect with others through being creative! We are here to help and guide your explorations
Pics from workshop at AOL:
2. Fostering the Practice of Creativity Through Weekly Creative Challenges
As part of our practice in creativity, we decided to give each other weekly creative challenges. We’ve been alternating challenges each week, usually on Monday mornings, so we have the week to work on it whenever we can. I’ve been surprised by the outcomes of this because in between all of our usual outlets for creativity, we don’t have that practice to try something new or to explore. It’s a reminder to me that being creative is always about the process and for us as artists, to develop the right habits. Here are some pics from our weekly challenges in July:
Week 1 – Non-Conventional Challenge

Week 2 – Mandalas

Week 3 – Natural Abundance

3. Visiting Artist @ Headlands Center for the Arts – Open House
I heard about the Open House for the Headlands Center for the Arts from a friend Irena. It was a great opportunity to get some fresh air outdoors, disconnect (literally disconnect as there is no reception there) and connect with local and international artists. My mom was in town so we got to visit together!
4. Getting Inspired @ Renegade Craft fair
I’m super into crafting and Ann needed to do holiday shopping for her hubby, so of course I dragged Ann to the Renegade Craft Fair @ Fort Mason! So many vendors, so much creativity in the West Coast!

Behind the Scenes
- Sip & Sketch – Acrylic Workshop – (in beta)
- Sip & Sketch – En Plein Air Workshop – (in beta)
We’ve got two new workshops that we’re working on, so stay tuned! Before we start a new workshop, we have to physically try out every activity to make sure they work, are fun and allows people a creative avenue to explore.
We’re very excited for the en plein air workshop, which will be the first time we take a group outdoors. Stay tuned and have a great August!
Upcoming Events in August
For those of you who’d like to join an event our next upcoming public event is at the YMCA Embacaradero. If you’d like us to host an event at your office, please contact us at : sipandsketchme@gmail.com
Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook! We hope you find some time to explore, try something new. If you’d like to take part in our weekly challenges feel free to post your challenge on our Facebook page!
Wynne & Ann