El Porto, 1/7/26
Happy new year and welcome to my first “5 Things” email of 2026! January has already been off to an adventurous start… I flew to New York for work and got caught in the middle of the big snowstorm. Luckily my friends Kim and Isaac were wonderful hosts and kept me warm and cozy in their beautiful cottage.
Now that I’m back in California, I’m feeling extra motivated to take advantage of the sunshine and get back into surfing and skating. Wherever you are, I hope you’re staying warm and healthy. And with that, here’s some creative inspo from this month that I’m excited to share with you.
✨ 5 THINGS INSPIRING ME
1. ARTIST: Rodrigo Azanza
Rodrigo is a Mexico-based artist who paints symmetrical, nature-inspired artwork on surfboards and large-scale murals. His immersive patterns can be found on the walls of hotels and restaurants around Los Cabos and Tulum. I’d love to visit these dreamy spots one day.
Check out his work here.
2. BLOG: “Year of Yes” by Deb Liu
Every year, I choose a word of the year and use it as a guidepost across different areas of my life. In this blog, tech leader Deb Liu shares how she made 2025 her “Year of Yes” after recovering from early-stage breast cancer. It’s inspiring and a great reminder of how a simple reframe can create meaningful change.
Check out the blog here.
3. BOOK: None of This Is True
I’ve been on a thriller kick lately, and thanks to my artist friend Ann’s recommendation, I picked up this book and finished it in just a few days. I like how the author, Lisa Jewell, weaves in some fun podcast-inspired storytelling formats that make the book really engaging.
Check out the book here.
4. PODCAST: Josh Safdie on The Director’s Cut
I watched Marty Supreme and absolutely loved it, even with all the chaos. Timothée Chalamet’s performance is incredible, the costume and set design from the Japan scenes are beautiful, and Josh Safdie’s meticulous approach to directing (which he shares in this interview) is inspiring.
Check out the episode here.
5. VIDEO: How Dating Has Changed…
I recently discovered Kyle Nutt’s short film series and love his nostalgic approach to cinematography and storytelling. He explores how everyday human interactions have evolved in the age of tech, covering topics like dating, grocery shopping, and playing video games.
Check out his videos here.
📺 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
How I Plan My Year as an Artist Working in Tech (with Notion!) 💻
In this video, I share how I plan my year as an artist working in tech—using the same roadmapping and planning systems I use at my day job. → Watch here
