Things and Stuff: A Studio Update

A new shot of me in my studio, taken by Matt (my husband.)

Hi there. How are you?

I've so much to tell you since we last chatted! First off, I've got a new job! I'm now the Teen and Youth Program Coordinator at the Carbondale Public Library. I program and implement weekly programs for middle school and high school students at the library. I'm just a week in, but so far so good! The students and my co-workers are great.  My schedule is fantastic.....I work Monday through Thursday afternoons and early evenings, which means I have time every morning to work in my studio!

I've still been plugging away at my Every Other Day Sketch project. Do follow me on Instagram to see them as soon as I post them.

My sketchbook drawings have very much been influencing my work in the studio.

"Infinity and Beyond", 8"x8", ballpoint pen illustration.

"Looped", 8"x8", ballpoint pen illustration.

Yep. I've got a thing for yellow at the moment.

"Fruit Loops" 4"x4", ballpoint pen illustration.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these finished illustrations, do get in touch.

Well friends, that's all for now. Stay tuned for some new bird illustrations! Ta-Ta!

The Every Other Day Sketch 2015 - Days 17-26

Hi there. How are you?

As I mentioned on Instagram this week, I like to spend a few minutes during my lunch break to work in my sketchbook.  It feels good to get in a little creative time, even if it's just 10 minutes. After I've delved into a drawing, it can be tough to pull myself away go back to work. Switching off that creative "right brain" is difficult!

Here's what I've been sketching over the last few weeks.

My latest sketchbook drawings have very much inspired some of my newest finished works. Stay tuned for more about that or follow me on Instagram to see what I'm working on in real time.

Ta-Ta for now friends. 

The Every Other Day Sketch - Day 9-16

Hi there. How are you? 

I'm happy to be back here and giving you a glimpse of my sketches for the last few weeks. As my loyal readers know, I have challenged myself to complete a drawing in my sketchbook every other day of 2015. See the whole lot of them here or follow me on Instagram to see them as soon as they are completed.

There are some good drawings in this group, some not so good. I'm just glad I'm keeping up the practice even though things have been busy and my focus has been drawn elsewhere. Yahoo for sticking with my 2105 goals/resolutions!

 

Have you stuck with your 2015 goals/resolutions? What motivates you to keep going? Do share!

Until next time. Ta-ta!

The Every Other Day Sketch 2015 - Days 3 & 4

Hi there. How are you?

I'm proud to report that I have been keeping up with my Every Other Day Sketch practice.  (I'm actually a little ahead of the game and already have my next 2 sketches in the bag!) I think I can sustain this project throughout the year. Yes!

I actually drew this sketch in the vertical format. But now as I look at it, I'm liking it better as a horizontal.

I'm totally loving Day 4. It's elegant and has a nice flow and shape.  I was so jazzed about this one that I even tried to start a larger version of this drawing on a piece of cradled hardboard, but it's just not the same. I found myself freezing freezing up when I left my sketchbook. "This one has to be good so that someone buys it," says my brain. My work suffers when that happens. I'll have to get over that anxiety and fast as my first art fair of the year is in early May!

Until I can loosen up a little more, I will continue to sketch away in my sketchbook. Thank you for stopping by and seeing what I'm up to.

Until next time. Ta-Ta!

The Almost Daily Sketch 2015

Hi there. How are you?

Happy 2015!! (How can it possibly be 2015 already?? I swear Y2K was just 5 years ago!)

I'm happy to be back here on the blog...I'm hoping to have much to share with you here in 2015. First up, my new sketchbook. 

For the better part of 10 years I have been keeping a sketchbook. It's always in my purse and when I've got a spare moment I can pull out and doodle away. I am terribly brand loyal and have not used anything but a Moleskine to sketch in for years now. This year I decided to switch it up a bit.

I came across "The Daily Sketch Journal" at the local TJ Maxx. (Love that place! Do you ever dig in the papergoods/craft supply section? It can be a gold mine!) I've been wanting to challenge myself to do a daily drawing project for some time now.  This book gave me the impetus to do it...Sort of. By end of New Year's day 2015, I knew I wasn't going to be able to stick with making a drawing every day. My doodles tend to get complicated, and I can easily spend a few hours on each one.  I reckoned that could commit to drawing one every other day. So that's the plan! One drawing, every 2 days.

Here are my first 2 entries. What do you think?

What I like about the "Daily Sketch Journal" is that there are no dates on the pages, just a Day number and a space to write the date. No pressure to draw every day that way. The book actually only has room for 356 drawings anyway, so it's looking like it will take me about 2 years to knock this one out.

On the downside, this sketchbook itself is a little larger than I'm used to, but I can still get it into my purse, so I'll make it work.  The other minus to this sketchbook is the weight of the paper. As it's a little thin, drawings can sometimes bleed through the pages. (Please excuse my dirty fingernails! I was cleaning most of the day. Ugh.)

I really neglected this blog in 2014. Going to try and rectify that in 2015. This sketchbook will give me some weekly material to share. Wish me luck.

Until next time. Ta-ta!

P.S. If you'd like to see more of my sketchbook, do follow me on Instagram. I post there much more frequently than I do here.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 30

I did it! 30 drawings in 30 days!

Overall, I really have enjoyed this project. It felt good to produce something on a daily basis and now my drawing hand is really "in-shape!" Just like an athlete, I need to "warm up" if I expect to make quality, detailed work and I get rusty when I've gone too long without drawing. I enjoyed this project enough that considering giving myself another 30 day challenge, but don't know exactly what that will be quite yet....

I had some down time during the art fair this weekend, and I was able to do another drawing....

To see all 30 of the Month of the Moleskine drawings in one place, mosey over here.

Gotta run. Much to do in preparation for next weekend's art fair in Rockford!  Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Days 28 & 29

Hi there. How are you?

I know. I know. This post is very late! I'm a failure. But I do have an excuse! My internet access this weekend was very limited while I was away for an art fair.  I promise that this sketch was completed on time though!

I intended to do more to this sketch, but decided that I liked its minimalist look. Especially after the debacle that was "Day 27!"

Today's post is also a little bit minimalist. Inspired by the delightful breeze that blew all weekend at the fair,  I played with wispy lines in this one.

If I get a chance, I'll do a little review of my time at the Cedarhurst Craft Fair. But don't hold your breath! We leave on Friday to head up the Rockford for the Greenwich Village Art Fair. Ahh!

Ta-ta for now friends!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 26

Hey. It's Friday! 

I'm getting ready to head up to Mt. Vernon, Illinois for the Cedarhurst Art Fair this weekend. They are predicting evening storms. Great. Wish me luck!


The scribbly background covers a big, nasty smudge. I kind of like it!

Have a fab weekend friends!  Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 25

Hi there. 
How on earth did it get to be Thursday already?  So much to do before heading up to Mount Vernon for the Cedarhurst Art Fair tomorrow!

Sending out hope, grace and contentment to all.  Ta-ta!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 24

Hi. How are you? We're back in Carbondale after a weekend away.

I'm not feeling the drawing thing right now, so I've been lettering my "daily drawings" instead.  I'm also a little annoyed with my new Moleskine. It was one that I picked up at Target on clearance, and I guess I got what I paid for. The paper is really thin and you can see yesterday's drawing peeking through the blank page. It also doesn't seem to absorb the ink very well. I end up smudging all the time! Grrr.

To check out all of the Month of the Moleskine drawings, make your way here.

I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday! Ta-Ta for now.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 21

Today is a special day!

This is the first drawing in my new red Moleskine and.......It's my birthday!  I'll be spending the day with family and friends in Rockford.

Hope you are enjoying the Labor Day weekend and last throws of summer.  Ta-ta!

To see the Month of the Moleskine series in its entirety,  click here.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 20

I'm 2/3's done! Woo!

To see drawings 1-20 of the Month of the Moleskine series in one place, make your way here.

Ta-ta and happy Saturday!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 17

Hi. How are you? What are you doing today?

I got a late start today. But better late than never, right?

I have to admit that I'm getting a little tired of illustrating numbers. But, not to worry. I will persevere and complete my 30 days!

To see the first 16 drawings, make your way to my Flickr page.

Ta-Ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 16

Good morning friends! How are you?

I did this drawing while attending a reception for Illinois senator Gary Forby.  He is a huge supporter of teachers and Matt often works with him in his position at the IEA.  We marched with him in the Duqoin State Fair parade on Friday as well. It was great to meet him - he's very personable and fun.  We also heard John Cullerton, president of the Illinois senate speak last night in support of Gary.  I've been enjoying learning more about southern Illinois politics and like how close we can get to the action here.  I'm also proud to report that we live in a district represented by a Democratic senator and 2 Democratic representatives!