Nicola Black

@nicolablack

Designer & Analog Adventurer Puzzles, history, knitting, genealogy, drawing, hiking & the outdoors, self-employment, culinary arts. Ethical Designer & Strategist: Communities: &

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Nicola Black@nicolablack· 22d

Here’s what’s happening this week at Work in Progress! 🥳 WIP is a community of creative solopreneurs supporting one another as we grow our businesses. Support, accountability, plus a much needed retreat from all of the AI hype – a key component of our ethos: www.joinwip.com#WHO

Nicola Black@nicolablack· 22d

Found a cool spot on my walk today. I stood here for a while, watching the water, daydreaming.

A tall, green, metal beacon on a rock pier foundation on a lake. A bright blue sky with a few, tiny clouds.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· 26d

Looks like tomorrow’s air quality forecast is worse. 😷

Screenshot from AirNow app showing today’s forecast of 165 AQI and tomorrow’s of 200 AQI.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· 27d

It’s wild how hazy orange the sky gets on a not so great air quality day. We’re not in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range quite yet, but will be shortly. 120 AQI is our forecast for today.

Screenshot from the AirNow app showing today’s forecast of 120AQI (for CNY region) and messaging for those who are sensitive to check the status throughout the day before enjoying outdoor activities.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jul 11

Boule! 🍞

A round loaf of fresh-baked bread on a cooling rack.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jul 10

Had a lot of fun with @makinaro.com for Friday night game night playing @davidmalki.com’s BOLTED! ⚡️

A table with BOLTED! playing cards placed to make our very odd creatures.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jul 8

Taking some time to explore The Public Domain Review’s Image Archive. The infinite view option is fun! 🖼️ pdimagearchive.org/infinite-view/

A screenshot of various public domain images via The Public Domain Review’s Image Archive set to infinite view. A fun way to explore and see where your curiosity takes you.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jul 3

It’s a boule! 🍞

A fresh-baked, round loaf of bread on a cooling rack.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 28

Boule! 🍞

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 27

A little garden break. 🙂

Close up of a beautiful, pink hollyhock flower. Lots of pollen!

Sedum Rupestre. Tall, yellow, succulent stalks.

Lots of lavender against a bright, blue sky.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 23

Here’s what’s happening this week at Work in Progress! I’m especially excited for Thursday's Writing Retreat tester. There’s always something that needs writing when running a solo business. Having a full day dedicated to it feels good. After testing, plan is to produce a public version. More soon!

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 15

This week at Work in Progress! 🥳 www.joinwip.com

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 13

Went out and enjoyed CNY Pride fest today! Such a beautiful, sunny day. But those rays were WAY more powerful than anticipated. Got home and immediately took a nap. 👵🏻😄

A path painted with a rainbow at CNY Pride. There are vendor tents in the distance. Trees frame the shot with people relaxing in the shade. The sky is bright blue with a few clouds.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 10

Some days require grilled cheese. Grabbed a nectarine for alternate bites contrast and yup! So good.

A grilled cheese on a plate with a nectarine.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 10

Been reviewing the Work in Progress site messaging and thought it could use more info on who our community best serves. As someone who is always on the look out for spaces and offerings that truly have creatives' interests at heart, this declaration is important to include. www.joinwip.com

Screenshot from the Work in Progress website with text that reads:

More on who WIP is designed for:

• Creative small business owners such as illustrators, designers, writers, coaches, game designers, comic-creators, photographers, artists, and other skilled, creative solo-practitioners (other non-artsy solo small business types are welcome to apply and are sometimes accepted dependent on their alignment and needs, but this short list will help give you a better idea of our community’s focus and whether it aligns with your interests/needs).

• People who are interested in running ethical businesses and who put humans and the environment first.

• People who believe that the creative process is and always will be intrinsically human. We do not rely on GenAI or AI to do our thinking, writing, visual art, photography, research, decision-making, etc. This is an important stance in our community of creatives and intentional use of GenAI/AI is prohibited within our space.

• People who believe that creative work is work and should be compensated properly. We always do our best to pay a fair wage to anyone we hire, subcontract, or collaborate with.

• People who truly care for one another and taking care of our space.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 9

Boule! 🍞

Nicola Black@nicolablack· Jun 1

This week at Work in Progress: Good stuff in the works! We just started a new Accountability Group 5-week cycle (I'm so ready to get a new project - a writing retreat - off the ground this month). And tomorrow, we have office hours with illustrator extraordinaire, @makinaro.com. 🥳 www.joinwip.com

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 30

Family gathering prep = rum peach cobbler! 😋🍑 And yes ima use the peach emoji.

A baking dish of rum baked cobbler. A smaller one is in the background for taste testing.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 29

Fireball Printing, the printer I've used since I started my business in '08, has always had an artist-first mindset. As artists themselves, they take care of us. This animation project they've unveiled showcases some of that. Check out FireballTV: fireballprinting.com/t/FTV Love them. Good people.🙌

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 26

Aw. 🥰 Ollie caught a wish.

The cutest little black and white dog with a dandelion seed on his head.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 22

Made two loaves of banana bread and… forgot to add sugar! 😂 Honestly, it’s still good. There are chocolate chips and walnuts sprinkled on top which add a touch of sweetness here and there. I might make it like this going forward.

Two loaves of banana bread topped with chocolate chips and walnuts on the counter. One has been cut with 2-3 slices missing.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 20

Went out and here’s what I saw!

Crescent moon between Jupiter and Venus. There are power lines crisscrossing the view.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 18

Looking forward to another great week of accountability, support, and camaraderie with my solo biz, self-employed friends at WIP! This crew is the best. 🙌 www.joinwip.com

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 17

Chittenango Falls Park today. Perfect day. Beautiful views! 😍

The water fall at Chittenango Falls Park.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 15

It’s a boule! 🍞

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 13

I had a really good day! For the first half, I went to a local event and met some fellow self-employed folks. Felt good! I'm not one who gets excited for networking, BUT I made a little Networking BINGO card for my friends at WIP a while back and figured I'd try it out. Ya'll it was FUN. 😄

A black and white printout of the Work in Progress Networking BINGO card. There are 25 spaces with various cues to help make networking a little bit more fun. 10 spaces are marked off.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 12

The joy this project has brought me!!! Took some time this AM to fold some #EOPP zines to distribute in my local community. My hope is that it brings just as much joy to those who'd like to take a beat and enjoy an analog art adventure. ✏️ Available to download here: www.nicolablack.com/eopp

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 10

Explored Stone Quarry Hill Art Park with Maki and Ollie today. Perfect weather for an adventure. Stopped first for breakfast sammies and coffee at a cute little cafe where Ollie was a big star. Passersby stopped to say hello and their chef even brought him some chicken to enjoy. He had a GOOD day! ❤️

A sculpture of a person looking out over the scenery. Lots of green and blue skies.

sculpture of three tall pieces of reclaimed wood against a field of green grass and a beautiful bright blue sky.

A metal floral sculpture against a natural back drop of green grass and blue skies.

Three metal horse sculptures in various action poses out on field of grass.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 7

A bit of fun! Spell your name in Landsat from NASA! science.nasa.gov/specials/you...

"Nicola" spelled out in aerial images from NASA.

Nicola Black@nicolablack· May 5

Awesome! Another entry for my list of good companies to work with/support when I can. I'm so here for all these anti-genai and/or artist owned co-ops efforts popping up. 🙌 This one is Stocksy (www.stocksy.com) - a premium photography, video, and illustration stock site. 🧵