I know that I have said it a million times before, but experimentation is one of the best things I can recommend for any type of creative. I find that it is the best way to learn about a tool, about a process and about your own work. If you don’t push the boundaries of a tool, how are you going to use it to create the best work that you can make?
Read moreTag: create everyday
New Year, More Magic!
Happy New Year!
It’s a new year and I am getting myself into a groove for the new year. I am in a battle with myself in between the strength of “vacation Erin” and the momentum of “studio Erin”. We will find a balance, I am confident.
My first starting point is to get all of my plans out into the open so that I can have you all hold me accountable. Here’s a few things that you can expect from the Hues & Tones space this year.
Tarot:
This year is the year! November 2026 is the launch! Brace yourself, there’s lots of work to do still, and I am so excited to see what you all think. Watch the live streams every Monday to see where things are at.
I am also hoping to have a lot of different content surrounding the deck available for all who are interested. That’s all I’ll say for right now. Lots more to come!
Socials:
I have a few things I am going to be adding to the social media content and YouTube channel.
First will be a meditation stream. A tiny few minute video of some drawing and relaxing music. Something that you can draw along with, or just watch and breathe. You’ll start to see this content in February 2026.
I also have a series that, at this moment, is very precisely named ATTSHBA (Art Things That Sound Hard But Aren’t). In these videos I will be going through something that feels daunting in the art world, but really can be made simple. This will be fun, come watch! These will be launching in March 2026.
Blog:
I am hoping to revamp the blog a little more this year as well. Not necessarily just tarot and project launches but more of the Creativity content that we started with.
Shop:
Quite a few of my pieces from the pandemic era of the studio are having milestone birthdays this year, so each one will be getting its proper feature and focus. Along side the features there will be some content available in the shop related to those pieces.
Traditional Work:
I am hoping to get back to a few more of my art tools this year outside of the digital realm. I am hoping to start some of my art in a traditional realm before finalizing each piece digitally. I’ll be featuring some of these on my live streams, meditation videos, and social media as well.
Livestreams:
The live streams will be continuing every Monday at 7PM EST on a regular schedule again this year.
Creative Jams will also be back starting in February! Keep an eye out to see who my first special guest will be, and when we will be streaming. Don’t miss these, they are going to be extra good this year.
Out in the Wild:
I also have so many plans to have Hues & Tones out in the world this year too. I’ll be in shops and markets again in 2026! Looking right now to lean more towards the second half of the year, because I will have lots to prepare to get ready.
Whew, well I’m tired… anyone else? I need a cookie and a special coffee after all that. No? Water and vitamins instead. Booooooo.
Make sure that you are following me here and on all of my platforms to be sure that you are catching all of the content as it flies into the world. Here’s a quick refresh for any that you might be missing:
December Newsletter – 2025 in Review
2025 was a huge year for the Hues & Tones studio. A lot of new things have been happening… so let’s get started.
This year I did something huge, and applied to be in-store at The Barntique, and I am so glad that I did! It was an amazing experience and Jen is truly wonderful in her support for the vendors and team. What an amazing way to start this new adventure for the studio.
I started with a small shelf to see how things would go, and then graduated to a whole bookshelf in the fall so I could display my gnomes AND tarot content at once.
I caught the bug and then decided to keep going. I applied and was accepted into the brand new Handmade Haven Collective in St. Thomas, ON. I was also accepted into three hospital gift shop locations in the area. This is part of a new program that is underway to feature and support local vendors.
I will be continuing to look for opportunities in store for my products. You’ll be seeing me in familiar and new locations in 2026!
Markets were wonderful this year as well. The consensus among vendors is that shoppers aren’t spending as much as they have in the recent past, but who can blame them right now? Even with some lower sales, I found each of my markets to be beneficial, a great learning experience, and another great way to expand my bubble and network. I have met so many amazing people at my markets, and I am thrilled to have met some returning customers. That is truly mind-blowing to me. Thank you!
I will be back in the market circuit in the second half of the year in 2026. Keep an eye on the website for dates and locations.
In the background the studio has been full speed ahead! I was able to launch a new pocket sized colouring book and 2026 track your reading bookmark. These were both in high demand and I heard the call. Both are available on my website today!
There has also been no lulls in the tarot card progress. I am currently working on card number 46, and we are on track to be ready for launch in November 2026! This project is getting a lot of traction, and I will be thrilled when we get to the point of sharing all the work with you. Check out the progress on my Behance page now!
We aren’t done yet! Still more amazing new developments this year…
I was nominated by the lovely Jane Bradbury this year to join the Adobe Community Experts program, and I was accepted! I am now an Adobe Community Expert and getting the lay of the land. In 2026 I am looking to dive right in and see where I can contribute to the community even more!
2025 was also the year of collaboration! This time last year Dan Flores and I were working on the Joker card. This blew up into a world-wide collaboration further developing face cards for a deck. We had artists from Canada, the US and UK participating. Keep an eye on the socials for more updates on where this project took us.
And finally, I launched another big initiative for the Hues & Tones studio. The new Creative Jams series was kicked off, inspired by the super bash stream on Behance livestream shut down day in 2024. I wanted to ensure that the artists from the platform were able to collaborate and stick together throughout the adjustment to new platforms. I have been lucky enough to have amazing artist from all over the world join me on unique streams where we are able to work together and talk about our creativity. Definitely more to come in 2026! Watch out for the new schedule.
This is all just the beginning! I feel like the studio is really gathering momentum and I can’t wait to see where 2026 brings us. Keep an eye out here next month for an overview of what I have planned and where I want to see the studio in the new year.
Happy Holidays all! Thank you so much for all of your support.
5 of Wands
The next tent card in the deck is the 5 of Wands. Inspired by the Big Cats tent in the book, we have a few fierce felines on the prowl, ready to perform!
The final design of this card came out pretty nicely. I think that our lion jumps right off of the page, and really hints at what would surely be a really exciting show to watch.
Check out these big cats!
Read moreHues & Tones – February Newsletter
Happy end of February everyone!
Are you all buried in the snow like we are right now? I think that I am the only one living for this haha. I am enjoying being snowed in while I write this, getting some studio magic done with no pressures to go outside. Full creative mode initiated! Here’s what we have on the go.
Livestreams
The livestreams have been off to a great start this year. We are seeing some familiar faces, some faces we have been missing, and some new faces which is always fun! I have been splitting my streams with all the tarot cards, and the collaboration face cards. So much fun! To check these out I am on Facebook, Twitch and YouTube every Monday at 7PM EST. Come join the chat and even some of the projects!
Last month I also mentioned some dual streams. There’s finally been some momentum on that front as well. We have a new stream of episodes coming from Hues & Tones in March. Watch on Facebook and Instagram to see when and where you can be a part of these amazing streams. I have been talking with some wonderful artists, and I can’t wait to get going. If you are interested in being part of these streams, feel free to reach out to me and we will get you in the schedule.
Vector Magic: The Collaboration
This amazing project is well underway! By the time this is posted we will have a few cards kicked off, with a few artists already joining in. Dan and I are both starting the first half of all 12 face cards, and WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US! We want other creatives to join in and finish off the cards. Check out what we have so far!
If you’re interested in joining in please send one of us a message so we can send you a template, and we can create together!
Tarot
There is no lost momentum on these tarot cards. I am getting so much interest in the full deck that I am looking into ways you can participate and purchase some of the art ahead of time. Keep watching the socials to see when and where you can start your tarot collection.
The schedule has had a new card in the deck launch every week, and the reception has been great! So far two of the cards have been chosen as featured pieces on the Fresco Gallery! Check out the latest launched projects here.
Shop and Market Updates
I received a HUGE piece of news right after the last newsletter. My products are going to be available at The Barntique in Simcoe, ON this season. Starting March 28 through to the end of August, you’ll be able to purchase my products on site. This will be a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and explore all varieties of beautiful artists from across the area.
I have also made some updates to the website! You’ll see some products that will be COMING SOON. I am mid-research on all of these, and I am close to making some supplier decisions. Once these are ready to go, I will be launching them. Please monitor the socials to see when and where you can grab some of your own premium Hues & Tones products.
Hues & Tones is also going to be out in the world again this year, in a few capacities. Some market applications are in, and there are more solid dates to come. I am also talking with a few different brick and mortar shops on some potential collaborations. Watch on the socials to see where you can find Hues & Tones in 2025.
Thanks so much everyone for following along with me. I hope that you’re enjoying the content as much as I am. I welcome all feedback to ensure that I am providing the work that you are hoping to see.
Queen of Cups
The next card in the deck is the Queen of Cups. Inspired by a moment with the subject of our Justice card, this card brings us peace and tranquility with a beautiful cup of tea.
I chose this subject matter for this card as the Queen of Cups is the card of compassion, intuition and going with the flow. The story being told through this scene is meant to guide and direct one of our main characters in a difficult challenge. Our Justice brings compassion and understanding to the situation in a well meaning and balanced way.
Check out the Queen of Cups!
Read morePage of Wands
The next tent in our deck is the Page of Wands. I had SO much fun with this card. I can’t believe it came to together this well. This card is inspired by a tent full of acrobats. High in the air, no nets, just beautiful magic.
I loved putting this card together! I can’t wait any longer to share it with you, so here it is!
Read more8 of Wands
The next card in our deck is the 8 of wands! Inspired by a tent stocked with jars full of memories, this card is definitely the full of magic.
The content of the card needed to be legible, yet cluttered. Clear, yet unorganized. Having a card with so much similar content proved to challenge the paper layering idea that I had for the other cards. I added in a little bit of furniture to make sure that we had a layered effect, which also helped to show the level of cluttered that this tent was. There are memory jars EVERYWHERE!
Check it out!
Read moreHues & Tones – January Newsletter
Happy New Year Hues & Tones followers!
We are hitting the ground running, using the momentum we had from 2024. I have a lot of fun planned this year, keep following along to see how you can join in.
Livestreams
I am continuing with my livestreams this year. Continuing on Mondays at 7PM EST. Here we will be covering any work that is happening in the studio at the moment. I am looking to add another day of the week to my schedule, but I want to get the year up and running first so I can find the best spot.
Running off of the momentum of the Behance shutdown stream, I am going to start doing some dual streams with my fellow creators. Some messages have been sent out and plans are going to kick into place starting in March. If you want to be a part of those streams, send me a note and we will get something booked in. Keep an eye on the socials to see when and where you can find me and my fellow creatives.
Vector Magic: The Collaboration
This year is all about momentum, and collaborations are no exception. Dan and I are continuing the work that we started with the Joker card and moving on to the face cards. We are both starting the first half of all 12 face cards, and WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US! We want other creatives to join in and finish off the cards. Check out what we have so far!
If you’re interested in joining in please send one of us a message so we can send you a template, and we can create together!
Tarot
This project is off and running, and I am still loving every minute! Since the holidays I have completed, or mostly completed, 7 more cards. Our schedule has had a new card in the deck launch every week, and the reception has been great! So far two of the cards have been chosen as featured pieces on the Fresco Gallery! See the most recent one here.
Shop and Market Updates
In February there are going to be some updates on the website, allowing you to gain access to some of the tarot card content ahead of the completed deck. So make sure to follow along to see where to find the content.
I will also be exploring Print on Demand services to bring you more fabulous print options in the shop. Lots of updates, make sure to be visiting the site to see what is still available to ship right away.
Hues & Tones is also going to be out in the world again this year, in a few capacities. Some market applications are in, and there are more solid dates to come. I am also talking with a few different brick and mortar shops on some potential collaborations. Watch on the socials to see where you can find Hues & Tones in 2025.
Thanks so much everyone for following along with me. I hope that you’re enjoying the content as much as I am. I welcome all feedback to ensure that I am providing the work that you are hoping to see.
8 of Cups
The 8 of cups card is here!
This is an early study in how to best handle colour in these cards.
The content on this card is inspired by a very early scene in our inspiration novel. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer, but it plays nicely into the tone of the card, and gave me an opportunity to play a little more with “environment” in each of these cards.
Read more
Hues & Tones 