Hello Friday!!

Thursday came and went. Not sure where it was off to but I barely felt it breeze by. My class was awesome last night. We had a guest speaker, Paul Brewer, an illustrator and author of kid's books. He writes mostly joke books and has a cartoon illustration style. He told us about his whole path into the book industry and how long it takes to get a book published (a long time!) and not to get discouraged.

This is a digital character sketch of my Little Red Riding Hood. My story is going to take place in a large city and is a modern day tale with a small twist. I am so much better at making my sketches on the computer than in a notebook. But since it is easier, that doesn't necessarily mean it's better so I am forcing myself to continue sketching. I should be doing that everyday!

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a really fun class to attend and new friends to make in the illustration industry.

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for some work to be done and some time to rest.

Everyday Matters!

Everyday matters. I like this as a tag line for life. Keeps you moving.

Here are some sketches from my sketch book of my wolf. He needs a lot more work but it's a start anyway. I need to do some character sketches, a line up of the whole possé, the grandma, the mom, Little Red, the wolf and the doorman (woodcutter). My first round was quite sad so I'll post more tomorrow after they develop a bit more.

I am painting something in my house this color. I can't say what exactly because my husband has been out of town and it will be a big surprise when he comes home. Whenever he goes out of town, I redecorate. Usually something that has to do with paint but he's come home to new furniture before! Hmmm, maybe that's why his trips are so few and far between! ha-ha!

Everyday matters. So everyday for a week I have been taking my son to Balboa Park to ride his bike. We don't live on a very bike friendly street so he could use the extra practice and I have discovered that stopping by the park everyday has been so nice. I heart Balboa Park. It's my favorite place in San Diego, I'll go there anyday.

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a full day of getting prints ready to send out for my Etsy site!

IF_Instinct

It was her instinct to take a look, although Henrietta knew very well that Herbert was conceited beyond words. She just couldn't help it.

Delicious Eye Treats...

Two more books came in the post today. Bruno Munari's Zoo (which was a source of influence for Eric Carle, one of my favorite children's illustrators!) and If Kisses Were Colors, illustrated by Alison Jay. The Zoo book was recommended by a dear friend and the other was one I've had my eye on. Yummy treats!

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for well stocked libraries to visit and wonderful bookstores to browse through.

Grow, expand, invest...in yourself.

Made a little banner for a friend's blog. Two cute little girls who are entering the blogging world. Yikes!

Someone asked me the other day if it is hard putting myself out there on my blog every single day. That question took me by surprise because it is soooo second nature now. I've been doing it for over a year and a half and have over 730 entries. I suppose it may have been a little hard in the beginning. How much do I reveal, what do I say, who would read it anyway?

Now, sometimes I have so much to say, I wouldn't know what to do without this platform. Not that I am looking for an audience (although I DO appreciate every single person who stops by to visit), I just have gotten used to the idea of putting myself in uncomfortable situations because that is how I grow. Grow, expand, invest.

By nature, I am an introvert, so being in front of people, speaking my mind was not something I was at ease with at all. I just felt I needed to do it. Be squirmy and a little perspiry, like I am standing in front of people, and then maybe, just maybe that action will feel worn and comfy like slippers or pajamas. I used to always, always be worried about what people would think about me and the things that I say. Now, I've come to realize that nobody was really EVER thinking about me or what I was saying because everyone is so worried about themselves. It's not that I don't care what anyone thinks now, it's just that I feel so free not to be worrying what others think and letting that define who I am. If someone doesn't like what I say, I don't take it so personally or let that ruin my day. I am guessing this silly little blog has set me free from some of my insecurities. And being set free is very liberating and exhalting.

Now, what shall I do about my fear of drowning?

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a really restful day and an early turn in time!

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a son who enjoys trying new things, little by little. I'm also grateful for some new illustration books to help me with my book dummy. Yahoo!

Oh the pressure...

This is an invitation I created today for someone. Just a tiny bit of work and that's going to be it for today. It has been a nice relaxing weekend so far and I intend the rest of it to be so as well. My husband is out of town so it's just the kid and I. We are having so much fun just being lazy bums. he-he.

I am hoping to work on  my sketches for my Children's book class but drawing by hand doesn't come so naturally to me anymore because I do so much of my art on the computer. It is quite challenging for me, not to mention that there are several VERY talented people in the class. That is a little intimidating.

Day 29 of 29 Days of Giving: I have given the gift of time to my sister and my son. My last day of 29 days of giving and I'm ending it without a tangible item but something that can never be purchased by anyone. The gift of time.

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a long walk and a healthy breakfast with my sister. I am so grateful for a little nap this afternoon and I am also very grateful for the Wii game I am going to play with my son right now (after I get off this computer!)

T.G.I.F.!!!!

Some more licensing art from the past few weeks. Today was a very scrunchy, twisted, jacked up kind of day and I am so glad it's over and the whole shiny weekend is staring right at us. Hooray!

Day 28 of 29 Days of Giving: I was almost hit by a car today while out for my walk this morning. I gave the driver the benefit of the doubt that he was not texting, talking on the phone or looking down while driving and just misjudged the turn and that is why he came within inches of taking me out. I also gave an hour and a half at my son's school for an art project for our upcoming auction dinner. (This alone makes up for my lack of giving yesterday as this can be a quite rowdy bunch.)

Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for an early evening in.

Birthday Smirthday art.

This is some licensing art that I created for a large paper goods company. I think it's OK to show it because it is in their hands now and out of mine. Birthday art. Thats where my mind has been for weeks now. Plates and napkins. Plates and napkins.

Wow. I can't believe how fast this day slipped away. I worked on my project for my class all day (and a few days prior to this day also) being really stressed about not being able to refine and go into more details, only to find that it wasn't due today. In fact I am weeks ahead of the game. I guess that is a good thing, although I was embarrassed by being so far ahead because I am usually the one so far behind. Anyway, I like how my book dummy is coming along and I was able to create a twist in the Little Red Riding Hood story and make it more modern. My teacher liked the direction too so it was not all in vain. When I get a little further with my revisions, I'll post some photos along with a recap of the class for any other illustrators out there.

Day 27 of 29 Days of Giving: Today I am showing up with nothing. I gave nothing today. In fact the only giving I got around to today was for myself with a professional massage. To work out all the stress of my deadlines. I suppose it's good to give to yourself once in a while.

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for how well my son and I get along. He is my favorite person. He's fabulous.

Believe the energy, the energy is you.

Believe painting number 2. This is the finished product from the other day. There are numerous layers of paint and texture and handwritten word that says:

Dream the possibilities and give voice to the beauty radiating inside. Imagine a life of hope and clarity, it is the new beginning of the journey. Trust yourself to dream. Believe the energy, the energy is you.

How many times have we found ourselves not trusting our selves to find out in hindsight that we were right? We are all energy and every single one of us has unique dreams inside that need to see the light of day, to feel the lift of flight and a sense of hope. Trusting ourselves is an important step to seeing those dreams become fulfilled.

Did you take a step towards a new possibility today?

Day 26 of 29 Days of Giving: I had the opportunity to give a homeless person a handout but I failed because I used up all my cash beforehand on a cup of coffee for myself. Just driving past him and his dog made me feel really awful about not being able to give. So I made up for it by putting more money in the meter for someone else and sending off a really nice email to someone.

Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to have a really lovely dog to give extra love to.

Boot Scootin.

Just trying out something different. This is hand drawn, scanned in and colored in Adobe Illustrator. I am in some serious need for Illustrator patterns. Let's see what I can find.

Do you have any good pattern resources?

Day 25 of 29 Days of Giving: I gave away some laughs and some forgiveness.

Tuesday's Gratitude: 

I am so grateful for my son. He is pure joy.

Ooooo, eye candy!

This book came in the post today. I am over the top ecstatic about that. I heart this little book so much. Sparkle is one of my very favorite words!

Is there any particular children's book that you love?

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a creative breakthrough to get me through the next assignment for my children's book illustrating class.

Playing Catch Up.

The day snuck by so quickly yesterday. Rain, rain, rain all day and then night came and the whole day was gone. My boy and I played a Wii game, read and made a batch of Rice Krispy squares (maybe I should say square because it really was just one big giant square that we ate up right away, ack!) and that is about it. Goodbye Monday.

I did work on this however. It is a start of a new painting.

Day 24 of 29 Days of Giving: I was generous with my time and I gave away many sincere compliments.

Monday's Gratitude: 

I am so grateful for a great night's sleep.

Gratitude and Giving.

Sunday's Gratitude: 

I am so grateful for some time to slip out of the house and see a movie. Slumdog Millionaire. It was fantastic!

Day 23 of 29 Days of Giving: Well, gulp, today I gave away a lot of patience. I had very little to give but somehow I scraped some together and dished it out. That's about all I had to give. Hopefully the piano from yesterday makes up for that.

IF_Celebrate

To celebrate another successful show at the Starlight Hotel, Elvis capped off the evening with a round of "JailHouse Rock."

Wish I were here right now.

Friends and Love.

Friends for life.

Here are sketches for my Writing and Illustrating for Children's Books class I am taking over at UCSD. We made storyboards for Little Red Riding Hood. Just simple, little sketches. Quick. Easy. Very little detail. I swear, this took me about 3 hours. Sad.

Day 22 of 29 Days of Giving: Today I gave away this. It is the piano I learned on as a child. I haven't played in years and no one in my house is ever going to so it was time to find another home. Keep what you love and give the rest away. Right. I am so into that idea. I also gave away some art to someone and it was hard. Not because of the art but the person. Keep what you love but give some of it away. Right.
Saturday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a nice leisurely breakfast out and time to relax and read. Excellent.

Mhmmmm. Yup.

Giving. And Getting.

This is some art I worked on for a licensing project. And it is a day for celebration! My agent called me yesterday to tell me he sold my art to a calendar company for a calendar that will be for the year 2011! Holy Cow! That seems like so far away but you have to work so far in advance for items like those. Yahoo, yipee I aye!

This 29 Days of Giving has been quite interesting. I knew that it would help me become more gracious and charitable with all this thinking about whom to give something to. Keeping giving up front and center, well, sort of keeps you focused on giving. I didn't expect however to be getting more from all these tiny bits of giving. Not only do I find myself open and searching for giving opportunities, it makes me feel quite peaceful ... more humanitarian ... more forgiving and less judgemental. I also am trying to figure out how to give more of myself. And I'm not thinking about what I would lose or what I would gain, only how may I help. How may I serve. How may I contribute.

So, my next round of 29 Days I will have a nice little surprise for all my daily readers. 29 days for you. If... you want it. More to come in nine days.

Day 21 of 29 Days of Giving:
Today I gave away time to my son's classroom for an art project and a little Valentine's party. I gave away a smile to someone who needed it. I gave away some love.
BUT today I was given many gifts! Two clients sent me checks that I received in the mail today. Hooray! I was given a VERY generous gift certificate (for no reason) to my favorite store, Anthropology. Hooray! My book from Amazon arrived today. A gift certificate for California Pizza Kitchen AND the movie theater arrived today too. But the best gift, I got to hold a baby for about half an hour, the best gift of all!

It was a really nice day today!

Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for meeting new friends!

Giving and Gratitude.

Day 20 of 29 Days of Giving: Today, I felt I had much more to give. I gave away a logo. I gave away some compliments and input at my Children's Book class tonight. The best part of my giving today was the gift of patience. I had plenty to share, so I did. That felt good.

Thursday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for my agent who showered me with kind words today. That felt really good and I heart him for that!

I heart this video.

You have to watch this video. Seriously. It's pure creative magic. Nice music too.

Smitty Bee.

I've been asked to create a new logo for my son's school. It's for a special promotion and I really don't think they are going to change the logo permanently but a fresh new update is always fun. Like a make over for a special event where you are crisp and clean and then afterwards you get to slide back into your regular sloppy ways! (Please, I am NOT saying the old logo is washed up and sloppy!)

Anyway, here is what I have so far. A work in progress of sorts but I need to get this done, like this minute, so we can get the promotional items printed. What do you think of it so far?

Day 19 of 29 Days of Giving: I didn't have much to give today. I sort of jinxed myself with my "get lucky" post from yesterday because today, NOTHING was going right so the only thing I had to give was kindness in my voice. (I really wanted to scream obscenities instead but that's really not a very nice gift!)

Wednesday's Gratitude: 

I am so grateful my car passed the California smog test. It would have been fitting if it didn't but I am really glad it did!

How to Get Lucky...

I happened to pick up the February issue of O magazine and inside is an article called "How to Get Lucky." But it's not really about getting lucky, it's more about creating your destiny. You know how sometimes it seems that some people have all the luck? They find money, they always have dates, they seem to have it all together ALL the time. Then there are those who just can't seem to get a break. Everything seems to go wrong all at the same time.

Yes, we all do have those moments, but don't set the table for a pity party for one just yet. Maybe, just maybe, if you take a second and think about what your thoughts were at the time when things just weren't going your way, it could be possible that your thought pattern may have started the decent into misaligned magic. (Now I'm not talking about car accidents and bad illnesses and deaths, I'm talking about losing your keys and feeling like everyone is against you for a day. The little crap that eats away at your attitude if you let it stack up. That kind of misalignment.)

OK, bear with me. Could it be possible that if we envision ourselves in our minds, before we venture out on that job interview or meeting, a postive and successful outcome, just maybe our dialogue and body language can create that in reality? What if we leave ourselves open to new opportunities instead of stacking another brick upon the walls of judgement? When you see a certain person walking toward you and you just know there is going to be an issue of some sort, brush that aside and don't expect anything from that person because your body language may steer them into a completely different kind of conversation than what you might have expected. What a surprise! You never know who you are going to meet and how that one new person can influence your life. If we think of ourselves as lucky, prepare our minds with the thought patterns that good things are drawn to us like magnets, then maybe it will actually happen. Yes? 

Here is the rest of the article, it's so good!

Day 18 of 29 Days of Giving: I gave myself the gift of rest today, and two really strong cups of coffee to fend off a whammy of a headache. Oh, I also gave my dog a really, really long walk early this morning.

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for really nice people in my life.

Sick Kitty in the City.

This little kitty is feeling a little under the weather. Come to think of it, so am I.

Day 17 of 29 Days of Giving: Today I gave the gift of time to my friend by having her boys come over and play with my son (that was before I started feeling ill, mind  you.)

Monday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a child who loves to read.

Nice and sunny with a sprinkling of cherries.

I've got summer and picnics on my mind for this gray and rainy day. How about you?

Day 16 of 29 Days of Giving: Today I shared some really important health information and I treated my sister to a movie. (Then she treated me to lunch but the thought was there and she was giving too!)

Sunday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a relaxing day of rain. Nice cool rain in San Diego is a really, really good thing.

IF_Time

Violet and Camille have much to talk about after the birdhouse fiasco from Thursday. They have some time to catch up on some neighborhood gossip!

Day 15 of 29 Days of Giving: Today I gave my spot in line at the market to the person behind me. I also gave away some time to my son and his friend playing a board game but it really was a gift for me.

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so glad this day is coming to a close. Time for some well needed rest.

Edrian Thomidis awarded me with this lovely award. Thanks Edrian! Here are the rules:

I am supposed to list 7 things I love and pass this along to 7 very creative bloggers:

1. I love a clean car.

2. I love my boy, he makes me grateful for living.

3. I love to be creative and can't go one day without creating something.

4. I love God.

5. I love to exercise.

6. I love my family and friends.

7. I love good coffee.

I tag you!

Happy all the time or just sometimes?

"Happiness doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It simply means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."

Wow. I seem to really be drawn to happiness quotes and I post them quite frequently, not sure why. I guess they just make me, well, happy. I know that it is sort of silly to always look for the happy. Someone said to me, "You can't always be happy. You need to have the good the bad and the ugly so you can appreciate the good parts." Yeah, yeah. I get that. I really do. I just think sometimes that there are so many opportunities to see the bad and the ugly, for example, getting into a complaining phase or surrounding yourself with negative people or just being swallowed whole by the ugly parts that hit our lives like cancer and illness.

Why is it so bad to check all the crevices and nooks for happy fragments? Why not spend energy looking for the happy in common things like the way the sunlight streams through a window and the warm sleepy neck of your child? Why not constantly be on the lookout for the bits like that because when we have something on our minds and that is what we are concentrating on, isn't that what becomes abundant? Like the power of intention or the law of attraction?

I think so. I really do. In fact I think I'll go look for some happy right now. I sure could use a good dose today.

How about you? Did happiness find you today?

Day 14 of 29 Days of giving: I gave away a secret recipe today. I gave away some of my time to a classroom of children for art's sake and I gave away a large cooking pot.

Thursday's Gratitude:
I forgot my gratitude for yesterday. I am so grateful for my Children's Illustrating and Writing class. It rocks!

Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach some kids art today, even though it was a VERY frustrating experience. I really am grateful for it.

Day 13 of 29 Days of Giving...

Lucky 13. Today I contemplated what to give. Do I just stop somebody on the street and see what they need without me trying to imply my opinion of their needs? How about giving anonymously? Yeah, I think both of those will work nicely. So, while on my walk I gave the most generously cheerful greeting (without being way too over the top Pollyanna) to someone who was very grumpy. Then while stopping into the art store of art stores, I put extra money in the meter for the next person behind me. I gave away some compliments online and some references to my friend for a plumber. (Does that count?) Anyway, this challenge of Giving is making me more aware of the mere thought of being more generous. Looking for chances to brighten some one's day in little insurmountable ways. All this adds up to being, well, nice. Maybe a little niceness will brush off onto someone else and then on and then on. Maybe.

Did someone give you anything today?

Day 12 of 29 Days and then some...

Day 12 consisted of my gift of strict parenting. Another gift of some kind words and yet another gift of intent listening. Double or nothing or something like that.

Wednesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for the ability to move my body. Life is such a gift that we take for granted.

Illustration Friday_Flawed

Boris was feeling quite flawed with his Elizabethian collar but somehow Fifi could always make him feel much better. She was perfect in his eyes and she felt the same way about him.

Helpfulness is a choice.

Hmmmmm. I like this. If what we think, is that what shall be? If we focus our energy and thoughts on one thing, will that come in abundance in our lives? Maybe.

Day 11 of 29 Days of Giving: Today I gave nothing. I looked for something to give but came up short. Zip. Zilch. Nada. We are supposed to be gentle when we fail, tell our selves that it's OK. I'm not buying that. It's not OK. I had nothing to give today and I will make up for it double tomorrow. Double or nothing Wednesday here I come!

Tuesday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for "Double Stamp" day at Golden Spoon yogurt, where I take my son for frozen yogurt after school once in a while. I am also grateful for Taco Tuesdays at El Camino in South Park where I was treated to dinner and yummy sangria by my friend and client, Vickie. Yahoo! Tuesdays are so good!

Hand Carving (and that's not turkey!)

This is my first attempt at carving a stamp by hand. I like how it looks on the gummy carved part, it somehow looks better than the actual printed design. Anyway, it was fun. Goodnight!

Pretty Preggers.

This is Perla again. She is so pretty and also pregnant. I love that she has no hair and is kind enough to share her story with others. She is a very giving soul. This is for you Perla!

Day 10 of 29 Days of Giving: Let's see. Today I gave away some illustrations. I wasn't really in a position to help someone out with an extra coffee or some cash because I was holed up in my office for most of the day so my giving was through the internet. I also gave away the gift of time playing a Wii game with my son. (I consider that a gift because I really don't like electronic games.)

I've been thinking about this 29 Days of Giving thing. I am really glad to be a part of it because I am more aware of kindness and generosity but my giving, although is heartfelt and truly meaningful, seems to be just more of my ordinary life. Yes, I think the little bits of kindness are very meaningful and a GREAT example to my son, but I am thinking on my next round I want to up the anty a little bit. Not sure how to do that. Any suggestions out there?

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a very productive "Marketing Monday!"

This is for Perla!

I made this for you Perla. I took a photo from your website and drew a picture of you. Send me your email address and I'll email it to you, or just take it off this site. Let me know if you'd like another one for something specific...

Get out of that Spotlight!

I was just thinking about something along these lines and then BAMM! This quote found me and I had to share it. Sometimes when all you can focus on is your own stuff, step away and focus on someone else. It's grounding. And that's all I have to say from my armchair on a Sunday.

Day 9 of 29 Days of Giving: I gave away my sincerest apologies for something I said. I also gave myself the ability to not be railroaded by someone else's opinionated demands. That was good. Frustrating but good.

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for a lovely movie I snuck off to see during the Superbowl. It was Last Chance Harvey. Fabulous. Loved every bit of it. Oh, and I cried (which I don't often do in movies.) The speech at the daughter's wedding... priceless.