New Ink Harbour Illustrations
Fun and quirky prints, pins, and stickers. NEW Ink Harbour Illustrations!
I’m so excited to share our son John’s new collection of illustrations.
John has loved beautiful illustrations since before he could walk or read. I remember walking him over a mile to the Newton Free Library when we lived in Newtonville. We’d go for story time, where moms would sit with their babies sitting nicely on their laps. John was eager to crawl and explore. Sitting wasn’t on the menu. So invariably we’d always leave but I’d make sure to check out about 20 books with each visit. We’d pour over the stories and imagery.
Fast forward to 3rd grade when John was diagnosed with ADD. It seemed to make sense. Those mornings where he couldn’t sit still. The nap-times in kindergarden where he’d roll around on the floor with his shark blanket rather than sleep. I don’t think I’ve ever shared his diagnosis on the blog before but he struggled for many years with ADD – we visited therapists, doctors, and had neuropsych evaluation done. It was hard for me as mom to watch John struggle with anxiety and an ability to focus. John is on medicine that helps him focus but he’s alway found art and drawing to help him. He’s now a straight A student and balances working at the local super market, volunteer work on Holly Hill Farm, and creating art for our online shop. This summer he’s taking part in an animation intensive at MassArt and thinking he may want to pursue animation and character development as a career.
John sees things in a unique way. He has a million ideas at once. I look at him in awe. His ADD is a super power. We’ve talked to many friends who have children who have been diagnosed and try to help others.
You may remember John and I started an online shop together back in November 2019. I shared more in a post here. We slowly have been adding more items. This week John took part in his first market here in Scituate. I’ll share more photos below.
Illustrated Pins
His pins were quite popular at the Farmers Market. I love his Aw, beans! one 😉
It’s a self portrait of when he cut himself shaving.
New Stickers
Stickers are also a fun way to personalize computers and water bottles.
This one is called “Two Faced”.
The lute player is very rock and roll…
Prints and Cards
He has 5×7 prints and note cards in the online shop.
The pianist – he dubbed “Catharisis” I think this is how he feels when playing the piano in his room – completely joy in his heart and mind.
I love the heron –
Highlights from Scituate Farmers Market
Here’s how John’s booth looked at the Farmers Market! I snapped these with my phone…
It was his idea to display the pins in shells:
It was a really fun day and a great learning experience for John. I tried my best to give him space but also tried to be there if he needed support. There were so many great booths and young entrepreneurs.
I think this is my favorite photo from the market. A brother and sister had a booth set up next to John’s and they were selling shell necklaces. John bought one and the kids bought some of his stickers and pins.
I hope you enjoyed seeing John’s latest creations and reading more about him. We’d love you to come by the shop to check out his work.
Awesome! Best of luck to him- he’s sure to succeed.
That is really awesome for John. He is really talented!
They grow up so fast!!! Good job John. Maybe you could send some to Hallmark..for them to review ???? Couldn’t hurt!! You could suggest a “young artist highlight selection”. A career in art would be a most fun job!! Good luck.
Josette! Your package just arrived and it’s beautiful. Thank you for the beautiful surprise gift curated by you!!! They do grow up so fast! We’re so proud of John!
I love that John has such a sense of personal style! His art is so unique! It’s fun and vibrant and totally recognizable as a ‘John Driscoll’ piece. And he’s only 15! Fabulous! I adore the pins. Back in the early 80’s, pins were super popular. Newbury Comics in Boston, had tons of them and we’d wear them on our Levi jackets. I think John may be an old soul!
Yes, John has his own style and fashion. I love that he’s so comfortable with who he is. His art always makes me so happy to look at. I love looking through his sketch books. Yes!!! I had a jean jacket in the 80s and 90s and loads of pins. They’re coming back! I actually took him into the Garment District in Cambridge on Friday and we had so much fun. Haven’t been there since high school!!!
The brilliance of God comes wrapped in many packages. How blessed that you got one In John! I have one named Tyler. He’s now 38. As moms we mostly love and champion them, hang on for the ride and watch them blossom and find their way. And we PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! And that is how they grow us up to understand the gift they are to us and the world.
So beautifully written, Toni. Your Tyler sounds like an incredible gift. I loved hearing more about him. Yes, there were years where I just wanted to be able to help John. It’s incredible to see him coming into his own and blossoming. I’m really proud to be his mom!
Danielle, John’s work is amazing! I’m thinking he may have a sale or two coming his way!. My nephew Tim Kaminski is a graphic artist, with a masters from SCAD. He has an Instagram account that John might be interested in, Random Spirits. He lives in LA, and has been involved in the artwork for The Dragon Prince on Netflix. And as a backstory for John, he was homeschooled in a little town in upstate Michigan that is mainly Amish, though he is not, and the first time he went to school was a local community college. An aside, finally… Read more »
Lisa, the sales are coming in a steady stream and I’m so happy for him! Wow, your nephew is super talented. I’ll share his Instagram with John. Did he study animation in college or something else? John will be a sophomore this year so we’re starting to think about college and the next adventure for him after high school! I can’t believe it! Yay! I’m so glad you got Kristy’s book. Isn’t it fabulous. Such a fun read!