Cranky koala is tired from all the collaging in Mati Rose's Daring Adventures in Paint class. He may be tired but he's rocking a spectacularly sparkly yawn!

I wanted to write this really thoughtful and clever post about the past 8+ months and the changes that have been going on. A gremlin in me says you've said this before, you've felt this before and btw- you can't write. I am SO tired he is winning at the moment. Anyway....I've been shy to post some of the stuff I've been painting because I've been doing some serious experimenting and it

it's fun to sit down and NOT know what's going to come out.

Mischief with Mindy!

not sure he's done....woof!

My ABC Circus critters were chosen to be a part of 3x3's Illustrator Annual No. 21. Yippee!! I have a couple ABC Circus prints left in my shop. Get them while they are HOT!

Is this what the kids in Alaska fear most?!?! A little pencil scribbling, a little hand painting, a little digital collage....Hungry Bear at the Playground is the culmination of things I learned at Lilla Rogers Make Art That Sells course. This is my journal cover for Lilla's Global Talent Search. 500+ artists have entered and the art pool will be whittled down to 50...then down to 6. Amazing

MATS Week 5/ Gift Market: This is where the cool kids dwell! Lilla had us dig deep and let loose when she asked us to create a super-lush zipper pouch design. I wish I had more time with this one, I was leaving for summer vacation on Wednesday so I was rushed to complete something. I spent ALL day putting my bear idea together in Photoshop. As I was wrapping it up I saw the file in a small format

MATS Week 4/ Wall Decor: Veered off my normal path for this assignment. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. I returned to charcoal pencil sketching for my animals which I haven't done since school and got SO into it along with the whole painting process. Tuning in to how you "feel" about the piece as you go is key and something I want to explore more because it gives you such an

MATS Week 3/ Picture Books: The Snail and the Rose Tree, have you read it? It's a pretty glum tale about a negative-nelly snail and a beautiful rose tree. We could mock a cover or spread for this assignment. I thought I wasn't going to have anything to turn in, I was so stuck. Then I found this vintage paper online and the idea just came together. It's a digital collage. I threw

MATS Week 2/ Home Decor: Our assignment was to design dinner plates using odd pods (unusual plants) as our inspiration. So I did my share of plant research and a ton of sketching then tried to infuse it with my critters so it's kid friendly. I was happy with my digital roughs but not as satisfied with my hand painted result. You learn from every piece you create so I made my notes and

One of my favorite customers, Randi, sent me pics of her craft. My Princess Bunny & Dragon got the royal treatment on her handmade cards. I'm absolutely bowled over - they are almost as sweet as the photo styling treatment. LOVE THIS, everything is SO perfect!!!!! Thanks for sharing Randi!!!

MATS Week 1: It was all about mushrooms and pyrex - retro style -  for our first bolt fabric artwork assignment. I had to put my critter spin on things and I am proud of myself for staying calm and not letting my head get in the way of getting things done. I think a lot of that has to do with the way Lilla breaks down the assignments. Priceless info that I am incorporating immediately!! It's

School has begun! Lilla Rogers Make Art That Sells is in full swing. Started our first assignment. I am excited and nervous all at the same time!?!?! Hang on, it's gonna be a wild ride!

now this was fun and stuff... Read the rest of this post

I really wanted to do boy stamps... really I did (sorry Ruthie)! The princesses won this round. I tried using some professionally made stamp mounts - they rule! More stuff here.

It was one of those lightening bolt moments... the wise and wonderful, Lilla Rogers was speaking about art and joy. It stuck with me. Do you ever get so wrapped up trying to get somewhere with your art it sucks out all the fun? Have you ever felt the need to revamp your creative process? I have! So I jumped at the chance to enroll in Lilla Rogers Studio School! I am excited about

Experimenting...which do you like?

 A 24" x 36" wood panel is BIG!! Monique Farren commissioned a couple pieces for quite possibly the most beautiful baby I've ever seen! Her and husband Martin wanted a lake theme... fishing is one of his favorite things. It was such an adventure painting so large and I learned a ton. The growth chart has some

She's related so she HAS to love it!! he he Get the Kindle Edition here.

It's almost Valentine's Day and love is in the air ....and also on Amazon! That's right!! "I Love You" written by Calee M. Lee and illustrated by ME is now available (pinch-pinch). You can choose the paperback or Kindle Edition (heck, why not get both?!?!). Cuddle up with your little one and share the love. The hand-painted critters all came straight from my heart