I can finally show these!
My first product development and surface/textile designs for PetEdge!
Unfortunately, these are currently unavailable for anyone except Dealer Services Members.
It’s here!
3 hours to charge!? Boo!
I’ve been a little in Design Mode lately as I’ve been working on a website for a friend and artist (Ms. Nikki). I’ve also done like 20 or so more patterns. Just so you don’t think I’m lying here is a peek at the beginnings of Leaf Peepers:
I am writing this from my big, comfy-cooshy bed… ahhh. I have a fresh cup of coffee on my night stand (Thank you for the Cuisinart Grind & Brew™ Santa!) and I’m enjoying Mushka’s company. Lots of places to go today and people to visit but I’m allowing myself this lazy morning because I was up late last night working on some digital patterns. I just couldn’t stop! I was struck with divine inspiration while holding the Lotus Position at Bikram and I wanted to start something new right away… I just didn’t realize I’d get so much done in one sitting! I haven’t really shown any of my new digital stuff yet but since I haven’t posted anything else in a while I guess I should show something.. got to love guilt. Ok, well here is the beginnings of a file from the collection I started last night.
I found a website where you can send in digital files and get small amounts of fabric custom printed at a very reasonable price. When I am done a few more files of this collection I may send away for a couple yards and make myself a yoga mat bag. Once I get the results I’ll share the link and let you know how the fabric came out. Uh-oh! Here comes the rain. I better drag my tush out of bed and up to NH to see my ma. Oh, but my legs are jelly! Damn you Warrior One!
Leaving snickerdoodles out this year? Amateurs!
A new sketch for a New Years and Holiday theme. Never a good reason to not paint bunnies, swirls and stars. So far this autumn has been suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder but it’s not hard to think about the coming holidays with the crisp nights and their deep, clear skies. The smell of fireplaces and wood stoves somehow make my stomach rumble and I dream of coffee and pie as I pass the farms on my way home at night.
Stripes…
Although I’ve been working on 3 of these at once, this one was done first and I couldn’t wait to scan it. I just loved painting these colors and I can’t wait to see them all together completed!
Another Fini: Today I have officially paid off my car! WooHoo!
scary
Tomorrow starts the first day of Picture Book Month.
Picture Books have been so important in my life and I continue to collect them. Rare, strange, popular, or torn… if it connects with me I’ll keep it on my reserved shelf. I was so passionate about them as a child, teen and now as an adult. I remember my mom cuddling up with me and the two of us reading together once she got home, very late, from work. She’d barely taken her heels off and I would be in her face with a Van Allsburg. Even my father (an emigrant who could not read) would sometimes sit with me and we would muddle through ‘Hop On Pop’ together. Picture books are what made me want to be an artist and they helped mold me into the person I am and hope to be someday.
While I was at art school, getting my BFA in illustration, I had a part-time job at my local book store where I was the Story-time lady ‘Ms. Tiffany’. For a few years I continued to share my love of books, pictures and stories with the Story-time kids and I still remember all of the names of the regulars… although I can’t quite remember some of the faces of the people who I worked with. Proof to me the power of bonding over books. I’m so thankful that my mother read to me no matter how busy she was or how late it was. And I’m also thankful that as I grew older she continued to understand my love for them and continues to share that we me.
Not too late in the fall to start painting this lil’ guy!
For those of you who are coming across this site by googling ‘acrylic paint in my hair’ in order to see if you can give yourself a homemade dye job for upcoming Halloween parties using plastic based paints… I assure you it’s not a good idea. As I do it accidentally every time I sit at my desk I can testify that cutting it out is inevitable. And even if you do wash it out before it dries the split-ends are not worth you squirting Liquitex onto your head. Grab some Manic Panic at your local Hot Topic and enjoy your night.
Well this one doesn’t quite fit the mood of the frosty, white evening, but that’s alright. So bright and sunny! It has me longing for green places already. I can’t remember the last time it snowed in October. Wasn’t I just wearing sandals last week?
Here is a sketch that is actually almost finished being painted by now, but why not show it anyhow. I need more happy, light pieces so I started this lovely lil’ fella.
Lots of bright blues and yellows so far… I didn’t use any Phthalo blue at all in this one ans so far the result is a much cleaner day-time moment. Well… you’ll see in a few anyways.
Every Fall Equinox I have a little party for my best girls. This year the theme was ‘Drink & Draw.’ Really fun and simple! Just drink, doodle, chat and watch the magic unfold.
Is it true that pet octopus climb out of there tanks at night and try to cuddle up in bed with their owners??? I need to know the truth!
The latest Micah Rd. piece
… ooohhh… scarrrrry!
There is actually a rather large bleed on this one (’bout an inch all around) so it will be cropped much more tightly on the girls when printed.
Did you know that on 11/11/11 it’s ‘Think Positive Day’? All you have to do is take on moment and think about one beautiful thing. Your children, pet, the feeling you get when you read or paint… just be grateful and or wishful. It will be very selfless of you. Positive thoughts are magnetic.
Thrive is also being released that day:
http://www.thrivemovement.com/
Another Micah Rd. Sketch. This time for a book cover. I’m so happy they picked this one! I was so excited to work on the mysterious lighting from the flashlight when I realized… huh… what have I gotten myself into?! Luckily though I have my trusty reference in the form of a 50 watt bulb and some D batterys. So far the background is a very limited blue pallet and the light of the flashlight reveals a yellow toned contrast of the girls’ expressions in the darkness.
I also remembered that I have a copy of Annie Was Warned by Jarrett Krosoczka. Lots of great flashlight scenes in here that really help to simplify what’s happening with color and light through paint. It is more then magical that I get to do this painting right when the leaves are starting to turn and I’m seeing skulls and cats in store window displays. I’ve got my ‘Autumn Leaves’ scented candles burning, a chill coming through the quiet window, and I have my girls to help get through the woods tonight.
My favorite time of year for so many reasons.
shhhh… did you hear that?
Mysterious Mysteries!
After all: you can never have enough cute!
I’ve finished my latest Micah painting but I need to color correct it before posting it. It’s just in time for Illustration Friday’s theme this week! In the meantime I’m-a-sketchin’ for a cover.
Lots going on in the next couple weeks! Very cool! Already got my tickets to King Richards Fair (“Spartains!!” )
Plus I’ve sent out the invites for my annual fall party (Equinox already?? Good Golly!)
And of course some illo stuff. (Hooray!)
Moms moving to a new house, Teague is turning 30 and Steph got a new job! (Whew!)
Here is a link to the first Micah Rd story.
I wish I could share the fun dog collars and patterns I’ve been doing for PetEdge 
Soon!!
Love the fox! What great color and personality. Really cute and happy and expressive. But what has he done to make the squirrel so mad? It doesn’t look like he knows.