find time

How does one find time to do what they want? And even if they do find the time, where does the energy come from? I’ve been horrible at blogging, but honestly, I’ve been horrible at making art. There is only so much one person can do. I am in the process of getting my illustration site overhauled to a new design, one that I should have an easy time with updating and with a possible blog attached to it. So, for now, I am going to concentrate on the tasks at hand and I hope to come back to blogging on my art in the future. Being an adult is a constant battle with doing what you have to do and doing what you want to do. I wish someone would have just told me this sooner, but I guess that is just the way life is. I don’t think any reads my blog, but I will be back one day! Till then, I will be printing away on this ol’ girl…

hello out there…

.. yes, I’ve been away. I have been incredibly busy and sort of hanging out on the sidelines. Well, not so much hanging out. I’ve been mostly focusing my energy on freelance and Paper Parasol Press, including some wedding orders, National Stationery orders, and coming across another press! This one is a Vandercook 3. More on that later in my Paper Parasol Press Blog.

Other than that, getting ready for the Renegade Craft Fair San Francisco and doing a lot of sketching – more in the next few weeks.

music is my boyfriend…

just don’t tell the him. So, when I was contacted a few months ago for a freelance gig from Andrea Asprelli , I was very excited to get started. There’s just something about American folk roots from the music to the art that I really gravitate towards.

Sample more Atlantic Flyway sounds here.

Ha, take that blog – two posts in one day after two months of being idle!

Hello, June!

Wow, it’s been a LONG time! A lot has happened in the past few months and I am amazed I’ve kept my head above water. I did my first ever wholesale show, which was a smashing success for me. (maybe I went in with low expectations!?) With this, I’ve also gained 14 new stores. I’ve also had to put in extra time and energy into my professional job – yes, the day job, but I’ve learned a few new tricks and gained some invaluable experience. And if that wasn’t enough – I’ve been trying to gear up for the summer shows. The first one of the summer is this Sunday in Berwyn called the Constructor Craft Fair.

Hopefully, once I get a better handle on the happenings in my life, I will have more paintings and such to post here! Happy summer to all.

moving too fast…

Taken with the Hipstomatic iPhone app

Is it truly April 1st today? I’ve been hiding as of late, but working on a few fun projects and gearing up for the summer craft/art fair line ups. Thus far, I will be attending the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange in Indianapolis on Saturday June 12th – hopefully, I will be squeezing a few more shows into the mix. This is the first time I am doing the show and the lineup looks fantastic! Again, very thankful to be part of a amazing talent pool.

To try to keep up with my blog and my flickr, I am going to try to post a photo a day taken on my iPhone. I think I need a little dosage of inspiration a day to keep me going. If you want to follow along, please do so here. Let’s see how long I keep up with this!

all I need…

sometimes is a nice little email to keep me going like this one:

I just got to go read the Daily Candy piece and I liked it a lot. I just really liked the format a lot.

I adore you Cindy T. You are all sorts of goodness wrapped up in a cute dress.
And when I’m feelin’ especially unproductive, I try to think of you and how hard you work and that helps me.

thank you.

It makes me realize how thankful I am for the good friends and support I have.

And yes, Daily Candy featured
Paper Parasol Press yesterday! Read the feature right here. It is such an honor being on Daily Candy and I’ve been a subscriber for years.

Art Bungalow

My first week of college I was lucky enough to meet someone I would be good friends with forever. (Go ahead, chime in with “awww.) Not only is he a good friend, but as an artist I love his style. Bret was one of those guys in school who could step up to any challenge and this is also evident in his career, as he went on as an illustrator at Hallmark Cards.

Bret’s career has changed a bit – from Kansas City to Hollywood, but he keeps making beautiful art inspired by the West and natural beauty. Having lived in several different parts of the US, he draws upon his environments. Check out his new etsy shop. I hope to see more work from him – including his breathtaking oil paintings! Visit his blog for more art.

fresh air!

I’ve been M.I.A. There have been a few good reasons. One reason is because I ran off to Los Angeles, California to visit some friends, find balance, do some hiking, and get some fresh air in my lungs and sun on my skin. It was wonderful. The West Coast is home to many good people and I look forward to visiting again soon.

For me, traveling is sort of a way I find balance; I was in a rut before California. Creativity and energy was lacking and I was in need to break out of my routine. I don’t know how other people deal with this, but for me it’s escaping and jumping on a plane. I’ve been known to buy plane tickets at last minute’s notice. Of course, this isn’t always the most cost efficient way, but even taking a break and doing something as simple as walking a new way to work or a more scenic route helps.

Now that I am back and in the saddle, I am ready to take it on! The apartment is clean, new art hanging, and I’ve been working feverishly toward a goal and the date May 15th, which is important for two reasons – one being, that’s it’s my birthday. I need to keep a good pace going on my work and I look forward to the challenges ahead. Bring it on!

hot off the press!

Paper Parasol Press’s website is making great strides. Yesterday, the blog was finally launched!

This blog will act mostly as a “news” section to my website and Paper Parasol Press happenings. These cards featured above are now available in the Paper Parasol Press shop.

Indie Wed Tomorrow!

Indie Wed is tomorrow! If you haven’t grabbed tickets yet, you can do so at the door tomorrow for $20 a ticket. Hope to see lot of brides-to-be there! I will be at table three. I am looking forward to being in the beautiful Ravenswood Event Center building and checking out these vendors:
Vavoom Pinups – for pin-up style photography! I think I would totally go this route for my wedding. All vintage, all the way! In fact, this would be a wonderful and sexy Valentine’s gift for the fella in your life. I also feel like doing this would be an empowering experience.
Tartella – lots of great goodies
Green Paper Co. – great paper company right in the Ravenswood area and I love, love, love everything about them! Plus they are all super nice.

Of course, I am pressed between two lovely tables – Cheesecake Handmade Beauty and Hank and Tillie at table 2. Cheesecake Handmade Beauty makes handmade bath and body products. This will be a huge weakness for me and combining the word “cheesecake” into a name with bath and body stuff is surly going to make me swoon. Looking forward to meeting my neighbors and seeing the turnout.

Oh, and not to forget – Magnolia Photo Booth gang is going to be there. I LOVE them and at the Renegade Holiday show, us girls really enjoyed ourselves. (see images below!) When I do get married, these fine folks will be accountable for. As much as Drew and I are NOT in a rush to tie the knot, we booth feel like we need to before film becomes completely obsolete. We’re totally going old school black and white film for our event. Old school is going to be the theme.