A Recent History

{2008 resolutions}
• launch a project I’ve been entertaining for quite some time now. I just need to jump in with both feet
• organize clients list, send out another round of mailers.
• carry that lovely sketch book friend with me more - and when I go to Paris/London this year - sketch, sketch, sketch!
• perhaps get back into photography more - not so much the digital world, but Polaroids and holga experiments
• knit something other than a scarf
• pay off a chunk of those student loans

(My old studio space before my show is a constant reminder for me to regain my focus)
It was a pretty good year. Got some new clients, a few shows, no health issues, and survived the daily grinds of taking on more than I can handle. I also moved in with Drew. It’s good dating another illustrator (web design/oil paint extraordinaire). It’s nice to have a person to come home to who supports you and challenges you creatively. Plus it’s good to have constructive criticism! Drew wants to apply and attend UIC’s grad program for Medical Illustration in a year and a half. With his art school background, eye for detail, and draftsmanship abilities, I think he will have no problem getting in and doing well.

Portrait © Andrew Lee

I’m looking forward to 2008.

I haven’t had time to post this with the holidays and trying to take care of some technicalities at my home office/studio, but last week before Christmas I received a huge package in the mail. The talented Beth at Freshie & Zero organized a gift exchange between a bunch of crafty/art girls. My gift was from Gina at www.ginamstudio.com (her website will be up soon!) and she made beautiful ceramic platter with a bird! I love the colors and the illustrative style of the image.

Just wanted to share this lovely piece with everyone.

Today I went to Pilsen with a friend for an art/tamale/flan run. I will post photos next week of the Mexican Fine Art Museum. Until then, Happy New Year to all.

Sketchbook page
Being home the night before Christmas Eve gave me lots of time to dig around my old childhood room and sketch. The best type of sketching is the stuff that formulates in your head and makes it to paper - no model, no still life. The unconscious stuff.

It was nice making handmade gifts and receiving hand made goodies. I hand sewn and bound 2 small books for both my grandmothers, I hope they use them! Wrapping them made me want to turn the living room into a book bindery again, but I have a new toy to take over the living room with- Silk-screening! Thanks, Drew : )

2008 is going to be the year of the bear (including Panda Bears) and banjos. That is my forecast.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday!

New gocco prints on my Etsy .

Vintage Lamps Single color gocco print with gold ink on Mr. French Paper bright white. I did a run of 54: 1-29 are gold on white and 30-54 are gold on a light blue paper called Avalanche. (see below image.) It is a very subtle difference in the color paper.

Last week my talented friend Holly traded me this beautiful hand-sewn purse for my Need to Nest painting.

My painting I swapped for the purse.

I love it! She did a wonderful job and the inside comes equipped with extra pockets and a zipper pocket. I also love that she used Amy Butler fabric throughout and I can’t wait to use it.

My roommate from college, Marci ended up being my secret santa and I got a wonderful package from her with lots of my favorite things - two being homemade cookies and a handmade item by her - a scarf! She crocheted it! I love the color!

With that, I am spent and it’s time to catch up on sleep. Goodnight! Or, as we say in polish: dobranoc!

{Here’s some ideas for gifts this holiday season}
I was so excited to visit Hammer Press studio and shop in Kansas City recently on a little mini adventure to visit a friend. Of course, I really, really had to retain myself from not buying everything. They have a fantastic sense of design. I made out with the Ballerina Mini Art Print, Maestro, and Beauty Art Print, but now I wish I would have grabbed the Bird n’ Boot one as well. These make great Christmas gifts for those with an appreciation for fine letterpress, design, and art. Now I have to find frames for these lovely pieces.

Hammer Press Studio

Another favorite of mine is Rar Rar Press straight of out Chicago. I love the RarRar Press card - Growing Up is for Squares , which is proudly displayed at my place of work.

New business cards arrived today - thank goodness!

Sometimes when I think how adventurous it would be to pack up and ship out to a different city, I am reminded of the kind people here. Also the fact that I can step out my door and have the entire city at me feet without having to get into a car.

Happy Monday night… ciao.

It’s snowing like crazy right now in Chi-caa-go! Last night was the opening night at Depart-ment . The place was packed, which was good. I am hoping to check it out tomorrow sometime when it’s not so packed.
Here’s how the final Christmas card turned out:

And with that, I think I am going to put my snow boots on and venture out into the white abyss.