An August Rest
Gallery
![The front and back of the bitters club card.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=654c787b7523ad0e3c57b67eadfe5737 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2145&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=1c52f5c974f24e21440ee62f237eae38 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=858&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=0303190a3be68dc5286755ab4f60518d 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1716&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=6672a0ce80dde55a0d3445d991e828b0 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=643&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=01ea9e284993d11ee2f4ed9654d6dba6 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1287&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=02efd925b4d456dee057d3cf169fd8b4 1152w)
![A shot of bitters and a membership card on a bar.](https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=03a27fb1c787f7345bdef05abf8a1bcb 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2880&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=278cb25a8257d2b99067d3a859aaf2e0 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=44392e2c63559c3825a2007c85757556 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2304&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ab40048105def27e98784d24cb462bd4 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=de3d8d4f5fef5c30586baa67f2136260 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1728&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=6541d1ec299cbc3b8101f10230e3d63a 1152w)
Ryan, his brother, and I joined the official bitters club on a trip to Washington Island in 2017.
![Many bitters club cards.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=718&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=97d50d38c5ce2e2f9bad2278edffcd62 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1437&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=226af8ff15aa7b2335ffb6a55833226b 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=574&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=8ee4de063a8caa798d224675845cf03f 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1149&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=118fff73228454947dcf7bc60679a47e 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=431&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=57a0b77b3d952f1660e953a4358ed35f 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=862&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=d76009b5596e74fe32155fbce81770ca 1152w)
![A stylized illustration of a married couple and a dog in a convertible.](https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=5f09c8d258b603d0fb3f9b0a266b704f 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2400&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=9d822cd3cbd40185b1890ce7f63ec263 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=992&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=72e15fa02f058fdac2bd4e6ef2e12b65 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1984&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=a7b54641009a5ff28a9384120ba6aee8 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=753fb56ad8db8393fa26adc1398d1f62 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=bd7e86ad6f9ffdb76efd487e09f9153a 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=71bacb12072bf981bf766bf8809f87f2 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ea73308d2c35e2adf6145a45ae14dd1c 1152w)
![An illustration of flowers in a bottle of bitters.](https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1552&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=ff898c222431d5cf28f77c9500274450 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3105&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=efc4d2dc68ca994863bc47a8996e5b91 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1283&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=965f6cc7b15ba52b125c1dd68c025e33 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2567&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=c69e95667ea428ad3860b29a27c53469 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=993&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=7447ad6da78e02eade3907972207c071 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1987&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ef2afc963c36776b0221dcf5282fd588 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=745&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=e5412062abd2936ac12f6161ae4d0562 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1490&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=dcb69f4b1bfa69c28ce8eb23f57ce49c 1152w)
![A camera is pointed at Lego characters in front of a leafy scene.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=3481cbdda9530cdc2e1fa0f0adc8d182 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3200&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=9b895c4e491716eecad0a59be80c904f 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5262897fc6111130b5607ff612dd51aa 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2645&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=c412e97f88212e5a65d2109ed12ac0ae 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=2cd153a079459259a757b3aaf83cb300 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=809c2dc1ac137f438acbcec8ae7cefb4 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=a7d29a258fe2e87d7ee53844ce6288fa 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ce166e7e8bd7a5b9a64d22725e803fcc 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2133&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=904c9f0aeba14c324b77985a5ac675c1 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4266&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=68ea3a5b0e19bd6017b2bc995468f351 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1763&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=8e4e642ddd9072c7d97707e4beacdf87 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3527&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=61cb611b8e442947a99a8fc853c3fe54 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1365&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=f0317af11a23d617b5f49580cf8e38ae 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2730&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=0ab850197477f1b98f8bcaff78e3bfb7 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=f49b3e7f0e0524c88a1559181788d599 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3701.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=0627699c0d4d2b463e39b7fe9e7039e9 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2133&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=620bc78208a9ae9e45de0faeba3fde23 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4266&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=7f41e3c44fc7d05ae848ee3741f71958 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1763&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=0c838083afa04704068834dd20ffcc28 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3527&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=e226dbfe09f425a3c8b59c4350dfc66c 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1365&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=da5a080c370df28698de7c73b6597023 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2730&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=2d964101916016159a0cd0523ff07c59 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=9378d9c0f61f7daeae428512ddd8a170 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3702.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=f3e5fbb3e37fdd3fb445270bfed99ea8 1152w)
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![](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2133&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=c1bb37954846e54131ba5b1cfd9c08c1 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4266&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=1f09a290f87040ff1f368348c112a2b1 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1763&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=02c191f6bbe1819f9ad691c8146c882a 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3527&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=e65069f34345f25fd72e7cbada2c5ae5 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1365&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=d7dfd78658b43c901c7183cef0ea2947 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2730&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=d267441771cfa6affb5c5801ca55e80f 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=ddaa5aec97f4649d37ff88200cbbb565 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_3704.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=be4535c3002e9b6f3d4d5006b203ffc8 1152w)
![Several colorful pages of a sketchbook, including a Bassett hound, candle, and a hand holding juice.](https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=859&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=f31b106d5d67ef59da4d30d752eecdaf 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1719&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=88b632cf0ebd2cab08a0dab321ba2226 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=710&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5437caa2f24124c14f0977118ebb2200 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1421&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=e30e79ccb208702c922246558eae87fe 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=550&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=5679c71ad1e81fd785d918989917ed10 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1100&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=7db0cae70771dbcb3f69c723fedc07ad 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=412&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=8a7a38addc1035ea8bd12e42b978850e 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=825&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=847c5e80cce21eaa809f0871c0061933 1152w)
![Several colorful pages of a sketchbook, including a drop of liquid, a table scene, and a self-portrait.](https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=859&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=53e269ce93b09c8497d9b94f04349e62 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1719&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=b876802d7e2c89a02da5faaaa06beac0 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=710&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=d877c06c6675f135992a96cb3d4e2cb3 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1421&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=16d8f82de3c542262437cc65768a7e0f 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=550&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=ff2c1c4dbf11a741eccda21c893b87bc 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1100&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=97dc45104d7d1f3f68e0fa2c41612dff 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=412&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=6f1bdaee29f30e2057dbecb3965504c6 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=825&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=f747f14214d3e2fb74746af4a47308af 1152w)
![Several colorful pages of a sketchbook, including a skull, stars, and an apple.](https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=859&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=843bb6521477791f1be60730a0e232dd 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1719&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=fb1c216d8145be4120d86958525cebc7 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=710&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5abb274b583842c69881d9ea7b7e75cd 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1421&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=30f73a18bb4142652646cd4762f67f43 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=550&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=9df6c2a9e553d80733be11520e2e49b0 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1100&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=d98e30e441db2752bdf38d8af478cfe1 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=412&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=684fb932fcb1843236d096ed897c1f97 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=825&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=72baa21ee0d29c8b49f2025953391f6f 1152w)
![A rack full of colorful and patterned fabrics.](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=720&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=1dd3cd8b713d4e53472fcf7712f54623 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=31c75e85223f57544207462a6c397552 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=5dacb89db4d6faeeb96073e31a9b4652 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ccb36ec06d978d264f33305d6b42304f 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=432&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=1ee0c2e0a5aad4428ba0755a4851a90f 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=a7893d9e244afce6349412c38c6237ec 1152w)
![Bright and reflective materials are placed on top of a piece of fabric.](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=21d52694ffb60cff994c35e147812931 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2560&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=651c1f6d29a1f77b1844897ecc84a4d9 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=5b2b1d4297635554d7acdaad93a94738 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=494f6315725a4befbc4489032565b05e 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=f745f24f3212f90e76e34c8421f37730 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=d48f9b75202c87fc51f814ca984db99a 1152w)
![A decorated pegboard and shelf.](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=556&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=32c0608bed12a580e13d6c2b7abf64ac 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1113&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=73b6690ecba538e3d7f9915e0239bfde 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=445&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=108dceb6f3c80787bee8570ff6637979 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=891&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=6725795935071899850317ea57a6f90b 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=334&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=6cd38e626ff9957492a6ece907c4b92d 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=668&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=0d696d7dccbb48091d92b494ad8fc5fb 1152w)
![A sketchy illustration of a yellow house.](https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=8b84ada4a73100a9f01fea51ae08670b 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=031ae1da974d15b177dbe625db85f11d 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=744&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=fbe7a1ee1ad1cae10017dc5e85b7cccf 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1488&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=65a9c1ca33e15813c7ffea621b34194b 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=3c776f595ffa458fa25ffa0f1c284965 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=fa37e6e9a0485369440bca684c7689dd 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=432&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=d312b6ce9c3ebbb324ea6e9dc2c95620 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=3d59a38bde2ab90d90a7bac636c2809c 1152w)
A wobbly rendition of our little yellow house.
![A sketchy illustration of a couch and table with a skyline in the background.](https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=82c23433a10c741c4bdb40792abdd6df 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=00fcc8c7593d2a31a9640a72840ce11a 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=744&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=f82c3aa063a562981e19028c7ba07fbb 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1488&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=00c4b1484760c382a3000fa58a8c1509 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=d8491c62c208578da53ed3d5586e7341 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=2b3e142aad9c2649d7ca13ec7e3f2fe0 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=432&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=95e2d93d80d23674da3d8b63e6e14b16 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=8a8365f930c5cf34b6ef779f14d5caa3 1152w)
The view from my desk at the Varyer office.
![A screenshot of an alt text field for a website.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=916&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=d0c6fc0d000d9c86c56c19950b08d6ea 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=c8a88a9072fc30792b8c94a9ad4e8a50 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=757&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=2d74e09842ae80e3a7e2a34e8bb5551e 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1515&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=54c2486b828563ccafa20f43cc6eacba 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=586&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=2b915630eec00b1f840779eca1e90b1c 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1173&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=3b9062cdc8f6c139ed73efd4a665922a 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=439&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=927f57d81b101792d499267639b00ec9 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=879&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=0d6c6c88eac38a237a43861990aa6b96 1152w)
An example of alt text descriptions.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1220&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=fcedd5425cd2b7c525aba1a39def7dc5 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2441&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=7a1840040497656550baa9de2ff1f901 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1009&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=22a710091ef6fb2024b752aca42c4ed0 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2018&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=eeb57e8c0c4a566cd1c3b2a25ad54afa 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=781&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=5cc63e4ee0355019899359a1d43c8128 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1562&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=09ed18bab85959cd0e5f0d4309d027c2 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=585&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=a155058f2d139f6c4da0930038a40290 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1171&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=7bf0c0f33fef898405e62610847842a3 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=834&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=3d99b015a2f4383b59f87f29bdb7bcd2 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1668&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=44ce671ae40f52811347c8ef641fbfab 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=689&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=3bedaee409c6b8997d622f66611ed27e 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1379&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=81f08eb51b2cf359f00b9ad479878450 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=533&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=907a0daf43fda0f7e0f70c20df73be36 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1067&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=99d92a01d6ffa308c6345797ba810f89 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=400&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=4fa85ce0970f6fa474d234961fd09094 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=5f76014dd8f1ab15dfeb4eab36d2ebaf 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=933&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=4407e0129daf19b5f4f7b79fe06ce928 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1867&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=8d3d91abf247e2950df1f26d44ea1cb4 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=771&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=f2a7ca819bd7b5b2c41e18bf4600de67 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1543&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=1000bdd3f88bbf216f9446218106a81f 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=597&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=34e406a963790733745b07d303a79c90 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1195&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=d4fec4e79d4d0089d9daec0e6a83f845 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=448&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=80b6559aa993522dc59562f5639aa115 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/image4.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ac976c884002ad0052da4f0952b740b2 1152w)
In August, we at Varyer took a break from publishing to our website. In lieu of that work, we instead shifted toward personal enrichment projects of our own choosing—and enjoyed or dreaded the end of summer. Here we share what we focused on during our August rest. Find a full compendium of recaps and resources at the end of this piece.
✻ Kelly McHugh—Bitters (and a Wedding) ✻
When we made the decision to spend some time doing personal enrichment during the month of August, I was really unsure of what to take on. I was in the middle of the final countdown leading up to my wedding (8/13/22! <3), and the idea of adding anything else to the plate felt like a lot. Luckily, I have truly amazing colleagues at Varyer, who helped me come up with an idea that felt both personal and like an enjoyable thing to take on: creating my own bitters.
There are so many fun things to know about bitters! First, for a bit of side research, check out this article about why the label of the most famous bitters, Angostura, is too big for the bottle. 10/10 marketing IMO! Second, bitters hold a special place in my heart. My partner (now husband) Ryan and I got married in Door County, WI, where we’ve vacationed together since we started dating about a decade ago. It was in Door County that we first witnessed people taking bitters as a shot, and it quickly became a traditional drink we have whenever we’re there. It’s a tradition not only for us: on a small island called Washington Island, which is right off the tip of the Door County peninsula, a town of 718 people became the world’s largest consumer of bitters. The history is quite interesting, but the TLDR is that during prohibition, a dance hall on the island found a workaround for selling alcohol: they got a pharmaceutical license and sold shots of bitters as “stomach tonic for medicinal purposes.” Now, Nelsen’s Hall Bitters Pub still has an exclusive club you can join only by taking a bitters shot. After taking the shot, you dip your thumb in the bitters remnants and stamp it on your card, which is then signed by your servers. And that’s it! You’re in the club.
Ryan took the original design and made it our own, featuring a darling photo of our beloved pooch, Mr. November.
![The front and back of the bitters club card.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=654c787b7523ad0e3c57b67eadfe5737 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2145&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=1c52f5c974f24e21440ee62f237eae38 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=858&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=0303190a3be68dc5286755ab4f60518d 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1716&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=6672a0ce80dde55a0d3445d991e828b0 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=643&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=01ea9e284993d11ee2f4ed9654d6dba6 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-07-21-at-1.27.45-PM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1287&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=02efd925b4d456dee057d3cf169fd8b4 1152w)
![A shot of bitters and a membership card on a bar.](https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=03a27fb1c787f7345bdef05abf8a1bcb 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2880&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=278cb25a8257d2b99067d3a859aaf2e0 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=44392e2c63559c3825a2007c85757556 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2304&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ab40048105def27e98784d24cb462bd4 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=de3d8d4f5fef5c30586baa67f2136260 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/9ec6f902d487ec632d_Nelsen_s-Hall-Bitter_s-Pub-Shot-and-Member-Card-01_2022-09-09-151312_dvym.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1728&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=6541d1ec299cbc3b8101f10230e3d63a 1152w)
Ryan, his brother, and I joined the official bitters club on a trip to Washington Island in 2017.
![Many bitters club cards.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=718&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=97d50d38c5ce2e2f9bad2278edffcd62 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1437&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=226af8ff15aa7b2335ffb6a55833226b 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=574&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=8ee4de063a8caa798d224675845cf03f 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1149&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=118fff73228454947dcf7bc60679a47e 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=431&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=57a0b77b3d952f1660e953a4358ed35f 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2022-09-02-at-9.57.17-AM.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=862&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=d76009b5596e74fe32155fbce81770ca 1152w)
Because of this tradition, when Ryan and I were planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to incorporate bitters somehow, beginning with a website URL that incorporated it into the title (bittersandbeers.com—anyone have any ideas about what we should do with this URL now that the wedding is over? Hit me up with business proposals.) We also wanted to create our own bitters club for the event. Ryan took the original design and made it our own, featuring a darling photo of our beloved pooch, Mr. November.
We used these cards at our tables to assign seating at our head table, and wrapped up dinner with a little “stomach tonic for medicinal purposes” with our wedding party and their dates. Of course, we also handed these out at the wedding for anyone who wanted to join the club!
![A stylized illustration of a married couple and a dog in a convertible.](https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=5f09c8d258b603d0fb3f9b0a266b704f 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2400&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=9d822cd3cbd40185b1890ce7f63ec263 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=992&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=72e15fa02f058fdac2bd4e6ef2e12b65 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1984&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=a7b54641009a5ff28a9384120ba6aee8 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=753fb56ad8db8393fa26adc1398d1f62 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=bd7e86ad6f9ffdb76efd487e09f9153a 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=71bacb12072bf981bf766bf8809f87f2 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-2.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ea73308d2c35e2adf6145a45ae14dd1c 1152w)
![An illustration of flowers in a bottle of bitters.](https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1552&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=ff898c222431d5cf28f77c9500274450 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3105&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=efc4d2dc68ca994863bc47a8996e5b91 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1283&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=965f6cc7b15ba52b125c1dd68c025e33 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2567&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=c69e95667ea428ad3860b29a27c53469 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=993&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=7447ad6da78e02eade3907972207c071 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1987&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ef2afc963c36776b0221dcf5282fd588 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=745&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=e5412062abd2936ac12f6161ae4d0562 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/File-1_2022-09-09-152039_eqim.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1490&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=dcb69f4b1bfa69c28ce8eb23f57ce49c 1152w)
Bitters has become such a part of our brand that Ryan’s best man, Marty, even created these amazing illustrations of us for the event—printed on a tote bag and handed out to our guests. The bitters bottle might be Ryan and I’s next tattoo!
And now, back from the wedding, even more love for bitters, and it’s time to actually do what I originally set out to do: create my own bitters. OBVIOUSLY, the first thing I did was look up recipes so I could understand what I was getting myself into. I didn’t actually open any of these links, but I loved how dedicated these sites were to communicating the precise time commitment of creating your own bitters.
While I haven’t completed the August personal enrichment that I originally planned, I did have a lot of enrichment this past month: I got married and officially introduced all my most loved ones to the custom of taking bitters as a shot. While it didn’t happen in August, I do have all the ingredients at home to make my own, which I am planning on doing soon. From there, I’ll just need to wait somewhere between 168 hours and 30 minutes and 504 hours and 50 minutes to enjoy my own creation!
✴ Adam Rodriguez—Stop-Motion Film ✴
I'm devastated to see August go. I have one month left of being able to play my summer specific records/singles [ex: Lil Rob - Summer Nights] and I really appreciate getting up early and not checking the weather—knowing it will most likely be one thing: hot. :/ Seasons are cool though. But damn. You know that one shot in the OG Matrix - it's an overhead shot of Neo sleeping at his desk surrounded by keyboards, old CRT monitors (sick), and a bunch of cool hacker stuff? That's an accurate depiction of how the month went (minus the hacking, would be super cool tho).
![A camera is pointed at Lego characters in front of a leafy scene.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=3481cbdda9530cdc2e1fa0f0adc8d182 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3200&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=9b895c4e491716eecad0a59be80c904f 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5262897fc6111130b5607ff612dd51aa 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2645&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=c412e97f88212e5a65d2109ed12ac0ae 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=2cd153a079459259a757b3aaf83cb300 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=809c2dc1ac137f438acbcec8ae7cefb4 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=a7d29a258fe2e87d7ee53844ce6288fa 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Photo-Aug-20-3-23-29-PM_2022-09-09-153209_ghoc.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ce166e7e8bd7a5b9a64d22725e803fcc 1152w)
I wasn't initially 100% set on an enrichment project and figured it would come to me eventually. I didn't want to force anything. I knew I already had to learn GSAP for an upcoming web project—which was honestly about 5 years overdue and I don't even know why I tweaked thinking it would be incredibly daunting. I kind of struggle with JavaScript sometimes but I honestly think I just needed to fail a bunch before I figured it out. Webflow is fine but its native animation stuff just looks so forced and it's just not smooth—and sometimes other libraries need to be brought in the mix . . . but I'm not hating—I do <3 Webflow. Hell, I wish they built it 10 years ago. I also didn't want GSAP to be the project—GSAP is ultimately b o r i n g & I wanted to put no one through a presentation of that.
One night I took a much-needed break from the documentation and watched the ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) doc on Disney. They're the innovators behind the evolution of modern cinema + beyond (you should watch it, it's really long, though it's not as long as the Beatles one). They made me feel terrible about not getting things done and although I felt like a loser, I was moved . . . and convinced that I HAD to attempt a stop-motion film or a video. Despite the revelation, I still had no thoughts on the subject matter and what I should do. I walked away that night shrugging my shoulders and figured it would come to me eventually.
I woke up the next morning and decided it didn't need to be about anything. Problem solved.
Now that I was fully out of the box, I figured it would be good to just try and create something/anything. I knew I wouldn't have the luxury of time on my side so I just jotted down every idea for a short that came to mind and figured I would just try and shoot what I could once I set the scenes up. I have a Fujifilm camera that I don't use enough so I dusted that off (I feel like I should note that the camera was clean) and luckily I have a decent tripod. I searched far and wide the depths of my apartment for anything that could be used in creating this . . . figures from board games, dice, floss, joints, Lego characters, etc. I have a green screen that was begging to be used once again that I also rolled out so I could create some digital shots to add in. I'll upload some BTS shots but currently in post right now . . . time has been scarce but the work is in motion. I really hope it turns out alright—I really enjoy making a film for the sake of making a film even if the purpose/intent is to just exist.
⁑ Mike Renaud—Writing ⁑
Over publishing break, I got back to writing like I did when I was younger—not for work, and not like journaling/about me. But free thought, poetry, mostly fiction. I wanted to get over an albatross that over the last decade or so, has kept me from something I used to love, just sitting down with pen and paper.
As any good Cliff’s Notes bootleg will tell you, reading these excerpts will by no means replace the joy and nuance of the full text. This is especially the case for Anne Lamott’s warm and brilliant Bird by Bird.
Here are a few morsels that stood out, and might compel you to pick it up if you are a writer in need of guidance, or even a life-liver in need of guidance.
We need to make messes in order to find out who we are and why we are here.
🌐 Jazz Robinson—Web 3.0 🌐
I am a consumer. I love consuming—eating, reading, shopping—but mainly consuming information. It's foundational to my passion for marketing via storytelling and content development, which is why I spent my downtime from editorial direction devouring as much as I could about Web 3.0.
In typical stoner fashion, the endeavor drove me deep into rabbit holes surrounding the stability and sustainability of cryptocurrency and left me with many more questions I can't wait to continue exploring:
- What is the usefulness of this knowledge?
- How can it be applied within Varyer?
- How can it be applied with/for clients?
- How does it change the way we currently think about things?
- How does it change the way we do things moving forward?
- Who benefits from a decentralized web?
While I haven't answered all of these yet, I have a few takeaways based on research from white papers and LinkedIn Learning:
- I like that it's about experience and identity, I don’t like that it’s about ownership. True stability can only be achieved by highly efficient resource distribution, not hoarding.
- Web 1.0 = people to info, Web 2.0 = people to people, Web 3.0 = people to people, places (spaces), things (assets)
- In MV content is persistent, which means a huge need for content production, development, and distribution.
- Access to hundreds of millions of daily, active users (and this is just in nascent days).
- Gaming is the most significant entry to MV; 2nd is collectors, primarily art (rich ecosystem and authentication).
If you're a Futurist, Web 3.0 matters.
❉ Bianca Albino—Cyanotypes ❉
Before August began, I chose to learn how to make cyanotypes as my project. I wanted to throw my computer away and get my hands on paper. It was also one of those things I wanted to do for a long time but never got to; I enjoyed the hues of blue it produced and the possibility of developing photos at home.
For most of the publishing break I was traveling and intentionally getting out to see more nature. It was also a time when I felt compelled to pick up flowers, weeds, and leaves to press in my journal. These pieces of nature also happen to be the main medium people choose to print on cyanotypes: the sun burns the shadows of the leaves and petals onto paper and washes the background completely in Prussian blue. It felt right to me to try and get a snapshot of the present using the summer sun and these pieces of my experience in nature, and when I first tried it . . . it went so bad. My solution wasn’t balanced and when I washed it, the print completely dripped out in a faint yellow liquid. On a different occasion I forgot one of the sheets, and it completely blacked out. On a third occasion it was overcast (the Chicago factor), and I waited longer than usual to get them out, so those are kinda funky and overexposed. I tried making weird Art Deco photos of my cats with plant shadows around them, and then also tried to develop a photo of my friend Caroline sipping on Truly (not sponsored) and smoking a cigar in the park (Horner park is the best park).
I’m still trying to befriend the sun and am preparing a new batch to develop in the next few days. I think what stayed with me the most was how temporary my frustration was compared with the joy I felt when I got it to work, even if not perfectly. I will still get frustrated—hating things is one of my greatest talents—but I just love the fact that I made these and they’re mine, unique and personalized to the randomness of one day.
Life in its methods says calm down, as Di Melo sings - Di Melo - A Vida em seus métodos diz calma.
✣ Becca Christman—Fill a Sketchbook ✣
Something really interesting and exciting that happened to me this summer was that I was depressed the whole time!!! Since the weather is miserable 67% (exact scientific approximation) of the year in Chicago, I spend a lot of the winter’s darkest days fantasizing about how wonderful summer will be. I love sitting outside reading and letting sweat dew on my forearms. I love seeing freckles bloom on my forehead and pretending that I’ve got a good tan going. I love walking around aimlessly with friends with a drink and a snack that we paid too much for at the fancy grocery store. I did all those things this year (besides the freckles—I have bangs now 💋), but it didn’t feel the same—I feel like I missed out on my own life because of my depression which sucks and I’m so mad at myself even though I know that’s not fair.
I really didn’t know what to do for this enrichment project. I’m always kind of doing something—painting, building, sewing, destroying the infrastructure of my apartment in the name of interior design—but I haven’t really felt like doing anything for a while now. I decided to fill an entire sketchbook, which still feels like a cop out. If I was feeling better I would have done something crazy and ambitious like building a sofa shaped like a foot or tricking someone I’ve known for 5 years into thinking I was born in Finland. But I didn’t and I’m sorry. I ended up mostly painting in my sketchbook which helped because I love painting, but I feel like I didn’t work hard enough or make anything good enough which also sucks and I also know isn’t fair.
I did feel some level of achievement upon finishing a few pages, though.
I went to a wedding earlier this summer where the rabbi talked about how difficult it can be to feel joy at something so small as a wedding when the world is so big and feels so awful. I’m definitely misquoting her but she said that despite all the horrible things that happen every day, the love between two people adds to the overall beauty and goodness of the world even if it’s just by a drop. Barf!!! Jkjk. I’ve been thinking about this a lot as I navigate through my depressive episode—every good little thing makes life incrementally better. If I felt even an inch of relief upon finishing a page, that adds to the goodness. If I like how the shading on a figure’s nose looks, painting the portrait wasn’t a waste. Inversely, if I hate the way something looks it’s such a small part of my reality—the sketchbook is only like 4” by 6” and is probably going to get lost when I move anyway.
I may not feel the immense sense of accomplishment one might expect from a month-long enrichment project, but I feel myself taking a little more care of myself and I know I’ll feel better one day. I feel horrible as I’m writing this but I know I’m going to have Indian food with my friends later and that will be something small and beautiful that adds to the overall goodness of life. That can be enough.
![Several colorful pages of a sketchbook, including a Bassett hound, candle, and a hand holding juice.](https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=859&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=f31b106d5d67ef59da4d30d752eecdaf 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1719&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=88b632cf0ebd2cab08a0dab321ba2226 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=710&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5437caa2f24124c14f0977118ebb2200 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1421&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=e30e79ccb208702c922246558eae87fe 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=550&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=5679c71ad1e81fd785d918989917ed10 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1100&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=7db0cae70771dbcb3f69c723fedc07ad 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=412&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=8a7a38addc1035ea8bd12e42b978850e 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-1_2022-09-09-160834_ikng.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=825&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=847c5e80cce21eaa809f0871c0061933 1152w)
![Several colorful pages of a sketchbook, including a drop of liquid, a table scene, and a self-portrait.](https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=859&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=53e269ce93b09c8497d9b94f04349e62 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1719&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=b876802d7e2c89a02da5faaaa06beac0 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=710&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=d877c06c6675f135992a96cb3d4e2cb3 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1421&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=16d8f82de3c542262437cc65768a7e0f 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=550&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=ff2c1c4dbf11a741eccda21c893b87bc 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1100&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=97dc45104d7d1f3f68e0fa2c41612dff 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=412&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=6f1bdaee29f30e2057dbecb3965504c6 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=825&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=f747f14214d3e2fb74746af4a47308af 1152w)
![Several colorful pages of a sketchbook, including a skull, stars, and an apple.](https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=859&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=843bb6521477791f1be60730a0e232dd 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1719&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=fb1c216d8145be4120d86958525cebc7 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=710&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5abb274b583842c69881d9ea7b7e75cd 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1421&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=30f73a18bb4142652646cd4762f67f43 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=550&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=9df6c2a9e553d80733be11520e2e49b0 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1100&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=d98e30e441db2752bdf38d8af478cfe1 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=412&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=684fb932fcb1843236d096ed897c1f97 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/BC-Sketchbook-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=825&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=72baa21ee0d29c8b49f2025953391f6f 1152w)
✾ Margot Jacobs—Textile Art ✾
My month-long personal enrichment project started as one thing and ended as something completely different. I consider myself an artist and sadly, I really haven’t felt inspired since the pandemic started . . . Let me break it down for you, that’s about 3 years.
Then, when things settled down a bit, I found myself too busy/tired/drained to provide myself with a creative outlet or even some time for a daily self care routine. I’ve tried a few different mediums to get myself out of the box but much to my chagrin, I still wasn’t really feeling it.
I assigned myself the task of creating some form of textile art hoping it would get myself to (at the very least) stand in my studio and hopefully feel something. I gathered some supplies and began to lay out some options of what I could do with the textiles I had on hand. As I worked through my options I began researching some techniques I could use. I found and old sewing book at my late grandmother's house, a mending book I had on hand, and of course, YouTube! I then set the project down to come back to later, classic. I ended up never getting back to the project and just got into my studio and made a garment for myself. So at the end of the day, I didn’t create any textile art that I assigned myself and I just did what I was supposed to do the entire time. I got into my studio. It felt amazing to create something again and I’d like to continue to push myself to keep making things. The End.
![A rack full of colorful and patterned fabrics.](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=720&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=1dd3cd8b713d4e53472fcf7712f54623 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=31c75e85223f57544207462a6c397552 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=5dacb89db4d6faeeb96073e31a9b4652 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ccb36ec06d978d264f33305d6b42304f 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=432&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=1ee0c2e0a5aad4428ba0755a4851a90f 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4912.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=a7893d9e244afce6349412c38c6237ec 1152w)
![Bright and reflective materials are placed on top of a piece of fabric.](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=21d52694ffb60cff994c35e147812931 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2560&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=651c1f6d29a1f77b1844897ecc84a4d9 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=5b2b1d4297635554d7acdaad93a94738 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=494f6315725a4befbc4489032565b05e 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=f745f24f3212f90e76e34c8421f37730 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4379.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=d48f9b75202c87fc51f814ca984db99a 1152w)
![A decorated pegboard and shelf.](https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=556&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=960&s=32c0608bed12a580e13d6c2b7abf64ac 960w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1113&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1920&s=73b6690ecba538e3d7f9915e0239bfde 1920w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=445&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=108dceb6f3c80787bee8570ff6637979 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=891&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=6725795935071899850317ea57a6f90b 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=334&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=6cd38e626ff9957492a6ece907c4b92d 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/IMG_4915_2022-09-09-181206_qyut.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=668&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=0d696d7dccbb48091d92b494ad8fc5fb 1152w)
![A sketchy illustration of a yellow house.](https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=8b84ada4a73100a9f01fea51ae08670b 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=031ae1da974d15b177dbe625db85f11d 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=744&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=fbe7a1ee1ad1cae10017dc5e85b7cccf 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1488&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=65a9c1ca33e15813c7ffea621b34194b 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=3c776f595ffa458fa25ffa0f1c284965 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=fa37e6e9a0485369440bca684c7689dd 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=432&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=d312b6ce9c3ebbb324ea6e9dc2c95620 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144042926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=3d59a38bde2ab90d90a7bac636c2809c 1152w)
A wobbly rendition of our little yellow house.
![A sketchy illustration of a couch and table with a skyline in the background.](https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=82c23433a10c741c4bdb40792abdd6df 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=00fcc8c7593d2a31a9640a72840ce11a 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=744&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=f82c3aa063a562981e19028c7ba07fbb 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1488&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=00c4b1484760c382a3000fa58a8c1509 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=d8491c62c208578da53ed3d5586e7341 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=2b3e142aad9c2649d7ca13ec7e3f2fe0 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=432&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=95e2d93d80d23674da3d8b63e6e14b16 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/PXL_20220909_144029117.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=864&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=8a8365f930c5cf34b6ef779f14d5caa3 1152w)
The view from my desk at the Varyer office.
![A screenshot of an alt text field for a website.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=916&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=d0c6fc0d000d9c86c56c19950b08d6ea 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=c8a88a9072fc30792b8c94a9ad4e8a50 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=757&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=2d74e09842ae80e3a7e2a34e8bb5551e 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1515&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=54c2486b828563ccafa20f43cc6eacba 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=586&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=2b915630eec00b1f840779eca1e90b1c 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1173&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=3b9062cdc8f6c139ed73efd4a665922a 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=439&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=927f57d81b101792d499267639b00ec9 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Alt-Text.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=879&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=0d6c6c88eac38a237a43861990aa6b96 1152w)
An example of alt text descriptions.
❍ Leah Froats—Urban Sketching ❍
I spend a lot of time on Twitter. A couple months ago, I saw a really compelling tweet of someone who was using this book to learn urban sketching. I can't relocate the tweet but they made a LOT of progress very quickly which was inspiring! I’ve always been incredibly charmed by people who are able to quickly capture scenes through what seems like effortless sketching—nothing overwrought or precise, just loose and expressive drawing.
What I rediscovered over the course of the month was that I have a very hard time with new things. I knew this already, but would have liked to maybe surprise myself. On my attempts to sketch, I was both overcome with delight (I haven’t manually sharpened a pencil in a really long time?? What a nice feeling.) and self-doubt (why is it so hard to draw stairs?). The process was certainly not effortless, which of course I should have known going into learning a new skill, but I was daunted.
Regardless of the fact that I did not accomplish as many sketches as I may have liked, just thinking about sketching and reading 101 Sketching Tips helped me look at things a different way. I feel as though my observational skills have been honed, seeing the relationship between objects in new ways. I sincerely hope to continue my sketching, but have expanded my subject matter beyond just urban scenes. Putting together little everyday vignettes and drawing them is really fun, too.
Outside of my plan to sketch, I did accomplish some other things in August. I traveled to Portland for the first time (for nearly a full week, by far the longest vacation I’ve ever taken), which was an incredible delight and very inspiring in many regards.
I also started work on auditing the articles on Varyer.com. This includes recording our internal tagging system, adding alt text so that people who use screen readers can better understand the images on the site (including hundreds of butts), adding newsletter modules to articles (you should sign up 😉), and updating related content. This has been a fun and informative process; I started at Varyer in April of this year, so it’s great to continue to familiarize myself with the work that has been done in the past.
All in all, it was a lovely month. As someone who thrives on routine and structure, I am eager to return to a more predictable cadence of work and leisure as we move into the fall. But I believe that August set me up to move into the coming months with a different, more informed perspective.
✻ Chris Kaskie—Notion ✻
Since the inception of Varyer, it has always been our goal to put ourselves in a position to be able to think about August in as close to the same way as the Europeans do. Dating back to when we held a festival in France and—during what is normally the most hectic time of the year from a festival planning standpoint—they would straight BOUNCE and check back once September hit.
As our society has taught us for generations—we just aren't allowed to think this way! But at Varyer, while it might not be possible ever to fully ghost August like our French friends, we do think about it as a time to refresh, re-engage with those things/humans/activities that we have been deprioritizing due to the daily grind of our jobs and life itself.
So why do I mention these things? Because as a well-trained American worker, “shutting off” is fucking impossible. Vacations tend to give me more anxiety than work itself, and an idle mind is non-existent, even as I try to drown it in various types of extracurricular activities. So when thinking about how I could remain connected to that feeling of “productivity” but also remain fully present with my family during this special time we only get once per year. Skills are abundant with us all, but when looking to explore these skills in the context of a very hectic, almost camp-counselor level of activity, I needed to find something that would be both natural to my daily flow and also helpful in terms of what the end result would be to Varyer.
This is where Notion comes in. At the end of 2020, after a year of some of the most acute stress our world has ever experienced, I had been spending a lot of time on Notion documenting my activities, thoughts, interests, links, whatever. It was just for me, kind of my own personal tumblr + to do list + idea board + journal that I could use naturally and do so in one safe place. To that end, my habits with Notion have been amateur at best. The platform itself is about as rich and dynamic as anything I’ve ever seen, and the usefulness that it presents other users and how they go so far as to operate their companies within its world, I knew that I had to be purposeful about using it for more than just me. So, inspired by a recent conversation with another old friend/CEO from a creative organization, I decided to build out Varyer’s whole “home base” in my Notion that— while never perhaps actually embraced by Varyer given I”m the only one who uses it—would be the entry point into finally exploring all that it has to offer.
The beauty of Notion is that it is in constant motion. Nothing is fixed, nothing is unshareable, and it’s malleable enough to truly customize it to make it what YOU want it to be. It feels like the one platform that could link gen alpha with boomers—a cross-generational way to simplify and organize information. It's inspired.
So to summarize, my work within notion will best be showcased in a private setting with those at Varyer, seeing what not only I have put together, but what more is needed from THEM to further flesh it out and keep its Wikipedia-style updating continuous. So as the silverback millennial that I am, this might end up being old news to the rest of the world, but it’s not something I'm afraid to share. I feel that what we can do with Notion could solve numerous problems for companies of any size, and also allow for the individual to also build their own world in a way that feels creative, exciting, and participatory (even if you’re not sharing it). I’m in.