Lindsay Gilmore Illustration Abstract Watercolor Artwork Fine Art Painting Print Portland Oregon.JPG

The Constraints Collection

new original artwork
available november 26th

ConstraintsLead2.jpg

Follow along

We're back! This past month away from social media helped me hit the reset button in more ways than one. My thumb stopped impulsively trying to open Instagram every time I picked up my phone, my mornings were spent playing hide and seek around the kitchen island with Miles instead of mindlessly scrolling. I started painting again, for myself, and impulsively decided to completely change the direction of my art (more to come on that one! 🙌). I've deepened some new friendships and verrrry tearfully said goodbye to our besties when they moved out of our basement and to New flippin' Zealand. We went to Bend, let Miles try Salt and Straw, played in the fall leaves, visited the zoo, hiked Dog Mountain, and shamelessly watched 2 whole seasons of The Good Place 😇. . What did I learn? To be more present. To become comfortable in silent moments and let my mind wander. To let go of clutter, both in my mind and in my home. That I don't need to refresh this phone every 5 minutes for fear of missing out on THE NEXT BIG THING. . But ultimately, I'm happy to be back! I missed seeing your kids, the Halloween costumes, your smiling faces. And I think I've learned some ways to be online in a more thoughtful and healthy way. I'm sure I'll be sharing more thoughts on that soon, but for now, here are some highlights of our month away. We missed you guys! ❤️ . P.S. Miles learned to wave 👋😍😭
A few weeks ago, my friend @jennywrockett announced that she'd be getting off social media until 2019. She said something that really stuck with me: "social media makes closer people farther and farther people closer". Yikes. Ever since, I've been thinking critically about how much time I spend scrolling this app instead of being fully present with my family. How much I'm letting people that I don't even know all that well (and even people that I've never met) take time away from the people who matter most to me and show up for me in my real life. I spend so much time comparing and curating and performing an idealized version of my life for people on the internet...time I really wish that I was spending sitting on the floor and playing with Miles. . And then I thought about how the things I'm posting are doing the very same thing -- allowing you to feel a manufactured sense of closeness to me while simultaneously taking time away from the people who matter most to YOU. Are my photos and words valuable enough to take that time? Likely not. . I do stand by the fact that social media isn't ALL bad. It has helped me form real life friendships. It has introduced me to inspiring people and ideas. I even follow a few accounts that give me ideas for how to creatively play with Miles in ways that are good for her development. But I do think I need a little break. I need to step away, break some bad habits, and re-focus on the people in my inner circle. I hope that the time I used to spend scrolling will be spent catching up with friends and family, reading books, taking walks, being more present, and forming my own opinions (rather than letting the masses tell me what I should think/feel/dress like/etc.). Most importantly, I hope that I'll be better able to soak up these moments with my little girl. She's changing so quickly and I don't want to miss it because my face is buried in my phone. . So I'm taking a break! I'm not sure for how long. In the meantime, please feel free to call/text/email me! I'd love to find other ways to spam you with photos of Miles and stay connected in a more meaningful and healthy way. Until next time! ❤️✌️
I did a slightly impulsive thing. 💇 #sheBANGS #sorryBeau #😬
Life has felt really busy for the past few months, but I'm soaking up all the little moments that I can. Like sitting on the couch together, sharing leftover orzo pasta, and watching This Is Us to get ready for season 3 (🙌). I'm trying to be better about being fully present...working hard on daycare days and then resisting the urge to multitask on my days at home with her. It's a tough balance to strike and it's always a work in progress, but it feels good when we get it right. ❤️
Birthday weekend in my happy place. 🙌 #thirtywonderful
9 months! 🎉 . We're really starting to see this gal's personality shine through. Our chill, laid-back baby has evolved into a curious, more opinionated, determined, strong, squirmy, and BUSY little kid. She started crawling a few weeks ago and has been getting into everything she can get her grubby little hands on. Including poor Walter, who is getting chunks of his fur pulled out on the daily. . She is super into music, dance parties with mama, walks, the swing set, a rubber spatula she found in the kitchen a few weeks ago (ha), and white cheddar cheese puffs. Her little laugh is contagious and she continues to bring a whole lotta joy to all of us. We love you, Miles! ❤️