Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! 2013 really flew by. I can't believe it's already 2014!
2013 was a pretty good year. I made a LOT of wedding invitations for two weddings, put another calendar together, took a textile design class and a bookbinding class, started/finished some commissioned pieces, and received a couple of work opportunities that I  can't share yet but will in the future. There were some down times where I did not feel creative or productive, and there were times where I was painting like a maniac. I did not get as far as I had hoped, I would have liked to get even more work done, but there is always this year to work even harder. Most importantly, I feel I learned a lot about myself as an artist and about my process so I hope this will help me have my most productive year yet!
I probably shouldn't post resolutions here, since last year that failed miserably, but I have a good feeling about 2014 so what the heck. I really do want to post here more often so that you can all keep up to date with my  process and what I am working on. It's hard when I have jobs that consume all my time (like wedding invitations) where I can't post the information until after the event, but I am going to try my hardest to keep doing other work at the same time so as not to get in a creative rut again this year.
I also want to get back to doing more children's illustrations as there was a sad lack of these in 2013. Children's illustration was what got me applying to art schools in the first place when I started out, so I really want to get back to my roots (so to speak). I have some sketches and some ideas that I started in 2013 that I am excited to pursue in 2014. Hopefully, you will be seeing some of those here on the blog.
I don't know if anyone reads this outside of my facebook friends, but I just wanted to say I have two new places you can follow me and my creative process! I published my facebook page this weekend and also have an instagram account. Look for me there as anneappertillustration and follow my soon to be daily posts (another new year's resolution).
I am off to a good start for 2014: This weekend I cleaned up my studio so I can actually get some painting done in 2014,  put together a new office chair so I don't have to worry about slicing my hand on my old one, published my facebook page, worked on a commissioned painting (which I will post when I can), worked on a graphic design project which I can hopefully tell you about in the future, and worked on a crocheting project that I meant to start last year. Yes I know crocheting isn't technically art related, but I find being crafty helps me get into my creative zone and jump starts my process. Therefore, I will be looking to do more of this kind of project in 2014 as well.
Sorry for the lack of art in this post and all the vague project mentions that I can't actually share yet. The next one will have some art in it and soon I will be able to tell you more about the projects I am working on. (Including 2 sets of wedding invitations!)
Here's to a productive and creative year for us all!

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!