Beauty Spots and Happy Thougths

I got my new coloring book back from the printers Friday. It turned out amazing. My partner and I had printed and bound the first one I did, a while back. It was nice...but this time I really worked on correcting all the things standard cheapo coloring books always get wrong. I even asked for tips on Facebook about what people would like to see in the perfect coloring book.

Here is what I came up with....

• The pages have a mix of larger and smaller sections in each image so a bunch of different colors can be used.

• The last page is speech bubbles for cutting out - so you can make the animals say wherever you would like...hence the "happy thoughts".

• The books are professionally printed by a local Mom and Pop print shop (with a little bartering for art to help cover the cost).

• We picked a slightly thicker paper and printed one sided images that are perforated.

• When you tear out the illustrations they are 8x10's to fit a standard picture frame without cropping...I love parents that frame their kid's artwork and hang them with the rest of their collection.

So far I am talking to two places in Spokane that are interested in carrying them...The Timann Too (Children's Book Store) and aNeMonE  (Handmade Paper Flowers). I will keep you posted on where to find them...and I do have plans for an Etsy shop sometime in the near future (It's probably about time!)

If anyone has any interest in carrying the coloring books in their store please feel free to email me.

comfort sweater

Here's a little drawing for Illustration Friday's theme "Sweater."

Stay cozy! ♥

Pug LOVE

I don't usually share my commission paintings, but I really wanted to show you guys the ones I finished just last week.

I had been doing vintage style family portraits for my good friends Ginger and Luke - and finished up the series by painting their babies Kody and Farley Bob....or Uncle Money Bags and Winston Churchpug:

Of course this way I get to give a shout out to Mr. Brandon Vasquez - amazing local photographer who did this fantastic photoshoot of their family last fall:

 
I became very attached to these photos while I was drawing the pugs! The rainbows are simply perfect...and painted in the playground of an elementary school just down the block from Luke and Gingers house!

Check out more of Brandon's work on here!


Have a bright and happy day! ♥

Go Marmots!

Here is the poster I finished this weekend. It is for the Spokane Woman's Rugby I heart Art event. Marmots are adorable don't you think? ♥

p.s. come visit me...I will have a table of goodies for sale!

(and see the bottom of the poster if you wish to be a vendor too)

Tiny little prints!

Emailing people about submissions on the internet is sort of the same as emailing people on Craig's List...you don't really expect to hear back from them. You can't just not do it, because there is always a tiny glimmer of hope somewhere deep within that actually thinks (this time) they may respond.

A while back I stumbled upon The Littlest Print Exchange. It was exactly what I had always hoped to discover: trading art for art with other artists I have never met from all around the globe. How fantastic!


 Here's their description: "The Littlest Print Exchange is an annual juried trade of tiny art prints. Fifty artists are each invited to submit an edition of 50 prints and in turn receive a complete portfolio of 50 prints from all 50 contributing artists." Of course discovering this amazing site was immediately followed by me writing them and begging to be part of the 2011 project. Then I had to explain to my heart that it wasn't our fault if they didn't write us back...I had actually forgot all about it until I got that little gold nugget in my inbox. Guess who has fifty prints to make?

Check out the previous portfolios, find out this years theme, and (of course) how to submit...over here! Now I am snooping around checking out the other artists already picked for 2011.

And a little video:

super amazing project list update

I guess it's about time to update my blog! I have been working on fantastical projects and had no time for anything else!

My 2011 is lining up to be pretty epic:

• TinMan Gallery:
  I had submitted work to the TinMan Gallerie's 20 Under 40 juried art exhibit. It turns out there were only 8 artists selected for the show, and I am beyond thrilled to be one of them. I am really excited about my new pieces too...the opening is right around the corner - Friday February 4th during the Visual Arts Tour.

•  Chase Gallery:
  I am currently working on an installation piece for a group show at the Chase Gallery - it will be up March and April as part of Get Lit festivities. Getting to be part of a show with some of Spokane's "Seasoned Professionals" almost makes me feel like a grown up or something? (more on this soon)

• Kolva Sullivan Gallery:
  Thirdly, I am proud to be having my first solo gallery show at the Kolva Sullivan in June. And for a little twist - no paintings. It will be a narrative print show...each piece a page from the story. Super limited addition screen printed posters with splatters and hand inked sections. I will also be making a zine of the works.

So that was the big stuff. Right now I am doing poster for the Spokane Woman's Rugby Art and Craft Fair - which I will be having a table at, selling my stuff. It is conveniently 2 days before Valentines...perfect for buying up cards and gifts for your lovers. I will share the poster as soon as it is finished.

Lastly (so much text - eeee) I am really happy that I have been able to have a blog for so long without forgetting about it or getting tired of it...AND I am getting really close to my 100th post (this is #93). It's kinda a big deal for me - so that will mean something super special, like an art giveaway or something...anyways, stay tuned!

Chicken (IF)

 I LOVE chickens. I can't wait for Spring to hurry up and get here so I can get my three hens! I will be sharing my Coop Mansion designing and building progress here on my blog in the coming months...so stay tuned.

Happy drawing. ♥

p.s. Here is a great website I will share - in case you also are planning for chickens soon : www.mypetchicken.com

toy camera

I feel like the year is off to a great start. I have some really exciting art projects lined up...(but more on that later).

For Christmas, my lovely wife bought me a Digital Harinezumi (2++). I was crushing pretty hard ever since discovering them - and about lost it when she told me (close to a month early as usual). So yesterday things had settled down enough and I pulled out the Harinezumi determined to figure it out. I was planning a trip to the laundromat, which seemed like the perfect place to play with a toy camera.

I definitely need some practice on my filming, but I got the hang of it in a snap....and threw together a little test video. It turned out better than I could have expected! Let me know what you think?