A Recent History

Sketchbook page [See post from yesterday]
Being a freelance illustrator is a constant job. When you’re not working, you’re sleeping and if you brain works anything like mine, you are thinking about self promotion. Ha. I admit, the past six months have been a whirlwind of screen printing, working, Paper Parasol details, planning faraway adventures, and what not, but I really need to focus on marketing. Thanks to Tristan and Patrrick Auletto for sending their postcards to my apartment. It’s a constant reminder for me to get to work! It’s hard though when you have worked with magazines such as Playgirl to Chicago Parent magazine… it’s like I want to come up with an image that will appeal to the masses. I have to brainstorm the content more. Wish me luck. I have until Monday now on the freelance gig I was working on yesterday, so that is a relief. Back to the drawing board!

This morning I am off to a good start - sketching, cookies, green tea, and a bowl of oatmeal. If this doesn’t make for a productive day, I don’t know what will! Luckily, I am getting paid to draw today and the sun is out. It also always helps listening to The Beatles to start off my day. The Love album is pretty good.

One of my favorite local artist is Kass Copeland. When I was fresh out of college I came across her portfolio at a local illustrator get together. When I saw her resume I realized she had also attended the Ringling College of Art + Design. Since then I have been keeping tabs on her local shows. She also does a lot of great art for Redmoon Theater here in Chicago.

Not only is it actually sunny out, but it’s a decent temperature as well. Fancy that. This past week has been a rough one - working 40+ hours for the man. Now that I finally have a day to myself I am ready to work on personal projects. In the middle of the week I got a lovely surprise in the mail - a silk screen print I had ordered from Ryan Jacob Smith , a silk screen artist in Portland. I think it was the colors that really pulled me in. It’s so pretty! I had even sought out a frame beforehand in the excitement of receiving it.

Healing Crystals Ryan Jacob Smith

Drew and I also ventured out on a school night to see the amazingly talented Nicole Atkins.

Her music and lyrics are just brilliant and seeing her live made me more of a fan. She also studied illustration. And shoot, everyone I know from New Jersey are just the nicest folks you will ever meet. Check her out.

may not be the safest of havens from the rain, but they sure make pretty cards! I give you Paper Parasol - still under the works. You can check out the Etsy page for more. I am hoping to launch the website sometime in April. Right now, my entire focus is finishing some freelance and trying to clean off my plate. Plus, my trip - less than a month away! I feel like there’s never enough hours in the day or days in the week to get what I want to get accomplished.

Two Doves acrylic on mdf

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Despite the bleak landscape outside, our indoor plants are thriving!

Lots of freelance, painting, and the sorts to do this weekend. I have nothing planned so hopefully it will prove to be a productive next few days! Have a nice weekend!

Oh, how much French can I learn before March? :I

I will have drawings, paintings, and collages at Jane’s in Bucktown. Swing by, have a glass of wine and stay a while. Opening weekend I sold five pieces, so I am busy working on new pieces to swap out. Two of the pieces sold:

Grow a Little with Me

Golden Heart A portrait of my creative and free-spirited friend, Meredith.

I’d like to paint another similar to Meredith’s- paisleys and pink are a lovely marriage.