Best Assignment Ever.

I've been asked to develop an entire product line of "wine witches". I get to design tabletop items while coming up with really elaborate illustrations to go on those items. Here's a first draft conceptual illustration... needs tweaking. I had to laugh when the client said "we want to develop a line of wino witches, and you're the first person we thought of." What a fabulous compliment! One of the best!

Grim Greetings

I'm still trying to push two things... 1. My book (piggymonster). 2. My busy kit (bitekit). Both have been praised and slammed. Not sure what to make of it. It scares me that there are so many predators out there- just this morning I get a sunny sunshine email from a completely bogus literary agent playing up my ego and telling me how much she wants to see my manuscript. It was so well written, I almost believed it- truth is, I wanted to believe it. Doesn't everyone? Scary...brrrrrr. Gives me the chills.

I'm really not enjoying the "starving artist" life. I don't want to "suffer for my art" anymore.

I want some new shoes, damn it.

Ghostess

Quick sketch for a character development project. Hard to make a ghost really feminine. Hmmm. I think the mouse came out cuter than she did.

Fiesta Fido

Rough sketch for a rough concept.I'm thinking of making this a spring promotional illustration to be sent out on a postcard. We'll see.

Princess Puddyfoot

I often refer to my daughter, Stella, as Princess Puddyfoot. I have no idea where she got all her girlishness from- but at the age of 2, all she wants to do is put on my heels and wear a tutu. We've been getting dozens of catalogs for Halloween costumes lately, and of course, she wants to be a princess or Tinkerbell. I did this sketch o' the day while she was napping.

Fresh Sketch of the Day

This is my fresh sketch of the day. "Witch Way to Westwood?" I'm still trying to come up with a great fall promotional illustration. I did get some response from my last mailing and need to put my marketing hat back on. Funny thing, that marketing hat... I picture it looking a lot like the sorting hat from Harry Potter. Maybe that will be the fresh sketch tomorrow!

Solo Seaside Sketching

I had the most amazing experience yesterday... 

I went to the beach sans children. I started reading a new book (30 pages in, and I'm in love. ) and sketched without interruption. Very relaxing. I'd like to make a habit of that- such a win-win situation. 

As my husband put it... "happy wife equals happy life." 

Twitchy Witch

This is my personal favorite- as a HUGE Harry Potter fan, I love all things twitchy and witchy. I'm working on a new magic-themed illustration for a fall promotion. Stay tuned. 

Sparkle Magazine

New Client! Sparkle Magazine for Girls. They asked me to illustrate and article entitled "Together We Are Praying" which will be published in their next issue. Very exciting stuff. Although I've been illustrating for over 14 years, this is my first venture into editorial work. Not to honk the horn, but "no revisions necessary" is such a dreamy phrase to hear. 

The story was written by a young girl who saved up enough spare change to build a church overseas. Very inspiring. 

Blogos.

Has anyone trademarked the term "blogo"? Just a thought. Not sure where it could go- but you never know. I'll have to ask Nita to get on that.

I'm new to the blogosphere- still not grasping the full potential, but I'm not an old dog yet. I've always viewed blogs as a self-indulgent online diary chock full of ridiculous opinions, theories, and ideas that go nowhere... I've recently discovered it is that AND more! Sign me up. But enough about me, let's talk about me.