Art I Made
Some of my favorite personal art moments:
I completed a personal project and published a sketchbook.
Amazon link
http://danidraws.com/summer-wonder
http://danidraws.com/2013/12/11/summer-wonder-new-art-and-sketchbook/
http://danidraws.com/2013/09/19/painting-experiment/
I particularly liked my Hourly Comic Day from this year:
http://danidraws.com/2013/02/02/hourly-comic-day-2013/
And I had a lot of fun during INKtober.
http://danidraws.com/2013/10/01/monsters-ink-and-inktober/
http://danidraws.com/2013/11/05/spooky/
Plus you can now wear my art on a Star Trek t-shirt!
http://danidraws.com/2013/11/05/starfleet-girl-tee-now-available/
http://www.welovefine.com/6879-starfleet-girl.html
The best of the rest
Stuff I Wrote
Advice for New Illustrators and Art School Graduates
http://danidraws.com/2013/04/30/advice-for-art-school-graduates/
Managing Time and Being More Productive as a Creative Professional
http://danidraws.com/2013/08/13/managing-time-and-being-more-productive-as-a-creative-professional/
How to Find an Illustrator For Your Picture Book, Part 2
http://danidraws.com/2013/01/12/how-to-find-an-illustrator-for-your-picture-book-part-2-the-self-publishing-edition/
And I started a new website specifically for iPad art related reviews and questions.
http://ipadforartists.com
Notable Events
I had several books released!
Monsters Vs. Kittens
Monsters Vs. Kittens is my first authored/illustrated children’s picture book. It was released as the first title for the new publishing company Stan Lee’s Kids Universe. Yes, THAT Stan Lee, of Spiderman and lots of other comics and movie cameo fame.
http://danidraws.com/monsters-vs-kittens
Amazon link
Because the book and company launched at the same time, I got to see lots of fun things surrounding MVK, such as this cool video of Stan Lee reading the book to a roomful of kids.
Once Upon a Time There Was a Pig
Once Upon A Time There Was A Pig is my second picture book, also published by SLKU. It was released just recently in paperback and digital formats.
http://danidraws.com/once-upon-a-time
Amazon link
iPad For Artists
And on a completely different note, I wrote an instructional book about drawing on the iPad called iPad For Artists. It was published by Ilex Press early this year. It has achieved pretty good sales and feedback. I started up a new website where I can continue to share tips and reviews about making art on the iPad at ipadforartists.com.
http://ipadforartists.com
http://danidraws.com/ipad-for-artists
Amazon link
I went to MeCAF and Kids Read Comics.
http://danidraws.com/2013/07/03/con-pics-mecaf-and-kids-read-comics-2013/
My comic My Sister the Freak won an award for Favorite Webcomic! Here’s the video of the ceremony (my category is 21 minutes in):
http://youtu.be/NYcCa44tRCU?t=21m=
I also got my first magazine cover published!
http://danidraws.com/2013/07/17/friend-july-2013-cover-process/
Fun Stuff
Favorite Movies:
FROZEN!
If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, I think it is no secret that I am in love with this movie. Music. Art. Sisters. Feels. Yup.
Here’s the rest of my top 5. Go see them!
Monsters University
Saving Mr. Banks
Thor: The Dark World
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Favorite Books:
Shamefully, I am dreadfully behind on my reading. So many great books came out this year, but a lot of them are still on my shelf waiting. However, I did read…
Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong by Prudence Shen
A fun story about teens, robots, and evil cheerleaders. Plus there’s stellar art by Faith Erin Hicks.
United We Spy by Ally Carter
This is the last book in the Gallagher Girls series. I was sad to see the series end this year, but was happy for this book. If you haven’t read them, it is a fun series about a secret spy school for girls. I am ever in favor of all books that feature independent kick-butt leading girl characters, and this has got plenty of them.
Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth
These did not come out this year, but the third book Allegiant did. I haven’t read Allegiant yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first two and am looking forward to the Divergent movie in 2014.
And a couple older titles I just got to:
Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado
Ok, this is not THAT old (released in 2012). It is very very funny with gorgeous art and awesome characters you will love as soon as you start reading.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
This book came out ten years ago. My sister made me read it this year. It is probably one of my favorite books ever now.
What did you enjoy this year?
I include these lists not just for the fun of it. As someone who is in the business of creating, making art, and telling stories, I want to encourage others to support those who are out there doing it too and doing it well. Go watch/read/buy these super things, and encourage your friends too!
Up Ahead for 2014
Little Women
Remember my Little Women Graphic Novel Project? It kinda went on the backburner this year, but it has not disappeared. Look forward to more March sisters in 2014.
New books!
I am deep in the trenches of a new as-of-yet-unannounced picture book. If all goes well, you should see that released in 2014.
I illustrated a couple readers for Simon & Schuster that will be released in March. There are page previews up on Amazon right now.
Do Not Open! on Amazon
The One-Eyed People Eater on Amazon
Goals
Looking back at 2013, I got a lot done and hit a lot of milestones. For 2014 I’m hoping to get back into comics and writing. Besides making slow progress on my webcomic, and getting a sketchbook published at the end of the year, I didn’t do a lot in 2013 on this front. I got a lot of freelance work this year, which is a good thing, but it will be good to get back in the habit of more personal projects and original work.
Hope to bring you lots in 2014! As always, thanks for reading.