2026 Calendar – How A Calendar Gets Made (The Good, Bad, And Ugly)

Hi awesome human!

It’s that time of year again. That special season when my studio transforms from “artist tornado zone” to “artist tornado zone with calendars in mind.” The 2026 calendar is officially under construction, and it is looking ridiculously adorable in here.

Listen, making a calendar every year is a magical process, but it’s also the kind of process that reminds you that magic is often 20 percent inspiration and 80 percent me mumbling things like “Where did I put that brush?” and “Why does this paint water look and smell like swamp juice?”

Still, here we are, and I’ve already got four paintings finished and the cover design done. I’m actually ahead of schedule this year, which almost never happens. Usually, this phase involves me hunched over my table in December muttering, “Why do I do this to myself every year?” But not this time. This time, your bandana wearing weirdo is thriving.

And yes, in case you’re wondering, calendars are still only $16 this year for the pre-order (on sale from $24.99), because I want everyone to be able to bring some joy home, even if that joy comes in the form of weird little “Love Is” characters doing something wholesome and ridiculous every month.

The Fun Parts of Creating a Calendar

Let’s start with the good stuff, because there really is a lot of it.

1. Watching the characters come to life.
Every painting starts as a scribble. Sometimes those scribbles look like potatoes with legs, but then, somehow, they evolve into heartfelt moments that somehow manage to be adorable and existential at the same time. It’s like Pokémon evolution, but with questionable anatomy.

2. Designing moments that will live in your space all year.
I love imagining these things hanging on your walls… in the studio, the pantry, the bathroom (yes, people tell me they hang them there), or that random hallway that looked sad and needed cheering up.

3. The weird holidays.
National Doodle Day? Absolutely in there. World Kindness Day? Of course. National Absurdity Day? Wouldn’t be a Rafi calendar without it. I sprinkle these weird holidays in because normal calendars are cowards. That’s right, I said it.

4. Letting you in on the process.
This year, I’m building the calendar while your pre-orders roll in, so I get to share all the behind-the-scenes chaos and charm as it happens. And I love that.

The Not-So-Fun Parts (AKA “The Rafi Struggle Bus Section”)

Ah yes, the real talk.

1. Formatting.
Have you ever spent hours making something beautiful… only to realize the computer has decided margins are a myth? Graphic design is 50 percent creativity and 50 percent bargaining with your software like, “Please… please don’t move that.” My graphic design program crashed twice just designing the cover. Every time that happens I think, “damnit I should’ve saved it.” Then I completely forget to save it for the next crash.

2. The paint water situation.
I swear, by day four it smells like I’m cultivating a new species. Although, to be fair, this happens all year long in the studio. I really have to wrap my mind around cleaning my brushes and water cups more often.

3. Deadline math.
There is always a moment, usually around November 20th, when I stare at the schedule and ask, “Who made this timeline?”
Answer: me.
Comment out loud: “Thanks a lot past me!”.

4. Shipping logistics.
You’d think after all these years I’d have accepted that boxes, labels, and packing are part of this journey. But no. Every year I rediscover my “love” for packing 100 calendars.

But Still… I Love It.

Despite the chaos, the head cramps, the formatting rage, and the fact that I often forget to eat while creating, I wouldn’t trade this project for anything. I GET to do this!

Every calendar I create is a little time capsule of joy, humor, hope, and human-ness. We’re all navigating a weird world together, and if I can give you twelve images and twelve quotes that help you smile, breathe, or feel less alone, even for a moment, that’s everything.

The 2026 Love Is calendar is shaping up to be one of my favorites. I’m painting each page with the intention of giving you a tiny spark every time you look at it. Something that makes life feel a little lighter, softer, happier.

And yes! The calendar release party is happening November 28th on YouTube, and I should have the finished printed version in hand. You better believe I’m doing a full flip-through on camera.

If you already pre-ordered, THANK YOU. Seriously, you make this entire thing possible.
If you haven’t, and you want one of the $16 calendars (signed, with a surprise), now is a great time.

Thank you for being here through the fun, the chaos, and the swamp-water paint cups (Which I have not confused with coffee yet). I can’t wait to show you the finished calendar!

—Rafi

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERICA!