Hello wonderful humans, I write to you with a sick sleeping baby strapped to my chest. I hope that you’re well and easing back into work gently. My life has been pretty wonderful recently, Nina is 7 months old now and she’s at the wonderful age where she can sit up independently and entertain herself for longer periods of time. I’ve been enjoying sitting next to her so that we can ‘play’ independently side-by-side. My play is (of course) drawing and I’ve found that every little moment I have to be creative gives me a greater enthusiasm in my ‘Mum duties’. Check out some of my recent play in my most recent ‘Dose of Whimsy’ post.
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the value of my limited time and how I want to spend it. I’m relishing every moment I have with my daughter and when I’m not with her, all I really want to do it paint or garden. Up until now, I’ve been enjoying creating 4 posts every month on Substack (the platform in which I fashion these emails), but I think it’s time to simplify and commit to less. I’m so incredibly grateful to my paid subscribers, and they will continue to receive lots of special subscriber-only goodies every month in my ‘Dose of Whimsy’ post. Here’s what I’m thinking:
Monthly Newsletter - Practical Stuff
Free and sent to everyone
Upcoming workshops
New products
Sales/discounts
A Dose of Whimsy - Arty Fun Stuff
Mostly free with extras for paid subscribers
Nature/Life journal pages for that month
Artwork spotlight
‘Whimsical Wanderers Club’ art prompt
Monthly zine
My paid subscribers will receive every month:
My 2026 calendar (subscribe now for this)
Monthly illustrated ‘To Do’ lists
Shop discount
Printable artwork or phone/desktop wallpaper
PDF ‘A Dose of Whimsy’ zine
My ‘Letterbox Legends’ will receive all of that as well as a physical zine/mini-print in the real mail.
Phew, sorry for the brain-dump! If any of that sounds at all appealing, it would be so lovely if you’d consider subscribing. Like I mentioned above, if you subscribe now you’ll receive a free copy of my 2026 calendar in my next ‘Dose of Whimsy’ post.
I’m still so grateful for your support whether you pay or not. Every time someone tells me they read my newsletter or buy something from my shop, I’m both thankful and a little shocked! If you only get this Monthly Newsletter in your mailbox and would like to receive the ‘Dose of Whimsy’ newsletter too, you can subscribe here for free.
Commissions
Whenever I get the chance, I’ve been working on some large scale 12 Days of Christmas paintings that will be mounted in Hahndorf around Christmas time this year. It’s been nice working at such a large scale with my little helper. Watch this space.
Workshops
I’ll be running workshops again this year and am in the process of creating my new 2026 PDF for Libraries and Community Centres. I plan to get back into more teaching once Nina turns one (June), if you’re interested in hiring me, feel free to reach out.
With Love and a Dose of Whimsy
If you’d like my emails and want more regular goodness in your inbox (with extra special downloads etc.) you can subscribe for as little as $5 per month or $50 per year. You also have the option to pay a bit more to be a ‘Letterbox Legend’ and receive a monthly zine and mini-print in the real mail!
With love and a dose of whimsy,
Zinia King
Check out my website (portfolio and shop) www.ziniaking.com
I love your calander🥰