My 2 Cents

I rarely post anything political on facebook. In fact, I have a policy not to: the one and only time I did I received anonymous hate mail telling me I was going to hell for my political decisions (this all based on an assumption they had made based on my status)
I figured people didn't need to know where I stand on things: facebook is a social network, not a soapbox. If my friends wanted to believe different things than me that is fine.
However, there is one political issue I feel strongly about, enough so to break my silence and take a stand for what I think is right.
And so I made this picture based on the symbol for marriage equality and an idea my sister gave me.
And now it is my profile picture.
Because I firmly believe no one should be denied rights because of their sexual orientation.
Ever. And certain people need to remember the message to love one another.
Feel free to make it your profile picture too if you support marriage equality!

or if you want the human rights campaign logo in its original colors

January is flying by. .. .

... and February is almost here!

Hi everyone!
I am really trying to keep up with my promise of updating here more regularly. I missed last week but I was busy working.  . .
on Valentines! I know it seems far away but in two weeks it will be here! January just flew by.
Here are the valentine's I came up with this year for the holiday:

I was super happy with how they came out! And it was fun to do some painting that was pretty simple. The hearts were the most fun to paint because even though I did sketch them out before hand, I didn't transfer the sketches or meticulously follow a pattern. I just painted which was very refreshing.
The best part is you can buy one or all of them on my etsy store!

So that is what I have been up to. I have gotten a little better about sketching something everyday even if it is just a squiggly pattern. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll have updated my website and I can share that with you.
 
Enjoy the last week of January!

In Memoriam: Sandy Hook Elementary School

It’s been exactly one month since the tragedy at Sandy Hook school in Newtown Connecticut occurred. At the time, I had written a poem trying to capture some of the emotions of the moment, and now have decided to illustrate the poem and post it here in remembrance of all those who lost their lives that day. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families today. 

Happy New Year! A quick recap of 2012 and some resolutions

Happy January! "January Snowdrops" from my 2013 calendar. buy it here 8x10 or here 5x7

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your holidays were filled with family, love, and laughter.
2012 was a good year for me with my art. I put together a portfolio, created a new website, updated here more than previously, designed a logo, designed a tattoo (2 of my first paying jobs as an illustrator!), designed wedding invitations for one of my best friends and my sister (you'll have to wait until July to see them!), FINISHED a big project I created for myself (my 2013 calendar), started an etsy store, and sold all the calendars I had printed, plus some prints of my paintings.
I am very excited to start 2013. I have so many ideas that my fingers are itching to complete. I am hoping that 2013 holds so many more accomplishments for me as an illustrator than 2012, that I can't even recount them all here at the end of the year!

Of course,  the new year comes with new resolutions for my art career. I am sharing them here with you so that I know I have people counting on me to complete them. Here they are:
1. draw everyday
2. create more work
3. start contacting publishers with book ideas
4. update my blog, website, and etsy regularly
5. experiment with showing my work on other social media platforms
6. Have fun doing whatever I end up doing
Trying to keep it somewhat short and simple so I can keep track of my goals. Of course, knowing the way I work, I am going to end up creating outlines of all the stuff I want to do and get overwhelmed.

My goal for this week is to finish some valentine's day designs I am working on, do illustration friday tomorrow, and start some of my other projects. I'll keep you all posted. :)

I really am excited for 2013. I think it will be a good year for me as an artist. I hope those of you who read this blog will continue to follow me as I grow as an artist this year and my portfolio grows!
Happy New Year again!

the front of my 2013 calendar. I don't have more printed; however, I will be offering them until February 1st. Send me a message on etsy or put a calendar in your cart,  if you want one!

Just a Quick Update...

Hello all.
It's been a long time since I posted anything here so I am not sure anyone who isn't on facebook even reads this anymore.
However, I am writing to say, I'm back!
With Hurricane Sandy I was out of power for a week and a half and then with transportation stress and painting like crazy, I haven't really had time to post.
I have good news though. I have finally opened my etsy store and am selling a 2013 calendar and prints!
click here or on the link to the left of the page to see it.
I was super happy with how these came out, after going through some printing panic. And the pictures aren't so bad themselves. I will update tomorrow with pictures, but for now check it out on etsy.
I personally think it would make a great Christmas present for that impossible person on your list.
Enjoy!

October Marigolds

Hey all!
just a quick update before I get back to painting. (I have A LOT of work to do).
Here is the painting for October of my calendar. Marigolds are the flower for October, and we happen to have a lot of lovely marigolds in our yard, so I was able to get lots of great reference. The birthstone for October is opal, which I ran into problems with. Since I have been painting SO graphically, I wasn't sure how to do opal, since it is iridescent. However, after talking to my sister who happens to have an October birthday, she said a lot of people use rose quartz as the birthstone for October. Because opal does have some pink in it, I thought this was a good compromise for the painting.
What do you think?

 

 Now on to August!

Illustration Friday: Mirror

I took a break from what I should be doing (my calendar) to illustrate this week's Illustration Friday topic since I really REALLY wanted to. This is an illustration of me and my sister (much younger of course!) I tried adding a little colored pencil to the illustration this time as opposed to only using gouache. Let me know what you think! (I, of course, am the left handed one, and in yellow)

"Elizabeth and Anne had always been told they were mirror-image twins. They, however, didn't really care as long as it meant they always had someone to play with"