It's pure magic.

I must admit I am a fan of Facebook now. Really big fan. Especially now, because it has put me back in touch with these lovely people. How else can 4 people, out of touch for over 28 years, get reconnected again? I drove up to OC to meet Amy (on the top), Tim and Beth (on the bottom) for lunch. Lots of reminiscing and forgotten memories flooded back today. That's the magic and beauty of Facebook.

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for reconnecting with long lost peeps.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!

If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. –Thomas A. Edison

Karen wrote this to me this morning, and you know what? She is absolutely right! Why do we let fear hold us back from what our heart desires? The book she speaks of is "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield.

Karen said, "Seems like someone needs to reread chapter 15! I never read the book you mentioned in your blog, but I just looked it up on Amazon and noticed chapter 15. I know what you mean about fear. I have REALLY been thinking about going back to school to become what I've always wanted, but I'm pretty scared. ok..terrified. What if I could do it? Would I fail? What then? My confidence is SERIOUSLY lacking, and it would be a big deal to go back to school. I make more money than Mark, and we are getting Sarah fitted for braces, then there will be new cars in our future, etc...I guess I'm really justifying NOT going back to school out of fear. So, just know you are not alone in your fear!"

Get the book Karen, it will change your life one day at a time! Oh, and thanks for the reminder to read chapter 15, I really needed that!

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a front row parking spot and an unexpected letter with good news!

48, 49, 50!

Birthday invite I made for someone... fifty years. I bet it seemed like they just flew by!

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a really hard workout today. Not much fun but boy it felt good.

It's a fine, fine Saturday indeed.

This is a spread in the brand new issue of San Diego Home and Garden magazine with a plastering of a logo I created for the Jr. League, all on page 126. I had to take a photo of it while in Barnes and Noble yesterday. It's a really good feeling when you see your work in print. Gotta love that.

Peaceful dogwoods on my mind yesterday and today and most likely tomorrow too.

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for an entire day full of photo album making with my Gala Girlz peeps. From 11 to 11... all day. That's a mighty fine hall pass from the man and boy! Whoo-hoo!

Birthday gifts.

We were invited to an impromptu birthday gathering this evening. So, I created this little card to accompany a bookstore gift certificate. You may print and use this for your own birthday gatherings... my gift to you. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to make new friends in my community.

Big things can happen...

This is a graphic I did for a new baby and hopefully you'll see it out in card land someday!

There is a book called The Success Principles by Jack Canfield that I have read about 3 times. It is high-lighted throughout, the pages are bent over and it's soft and curly from being well used. This book helped me crawl out of a despondent chapter in my life and when you do the work required within, big things can happen. 

I am trying to re-read this book again but struggling along. The struggle comes from fear. Fear not for the work I will be doing and goal setting and life mapping but the fear comes from knowing that when I do the work, big things can happen. The big things only you can know in your own heart that would make your life sing. Big things that make life worth living. It happened before and I'd like to see it happen again but this little things called fear is tripping up my walk at the moment. 

If we set our minds to do something, we better be pretty darn sure we can take on the results. Squeak!

Does anything hold you back?

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to walk with a second grade class to the symphony for a little mid-morning serenade.

It's a brand new day...

After doing some graphics work today, I was able to swing by my rickety easel and start this painting today. I have always wanted to paint an artichoke so I did in hopes that it would catapult me into the swing of things. I've sort of been in a little funk with my painting. Not that I lack ideas, it's just getting started can be the hardest part of all. For me anyway.

How do you get motivated when you have lost your mojo?

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a refreshing walk this am with the dog and a strong cup of coffee at the end.

Two things in life you can count on...

These are a few business cards I worked on today. In pieces of silence while doing my taxes that is. I am happy to say I am almost finished with them! Hooray! This is unbelievable early for me as I am usually white knuckling it on April 14th.

Today, while at Target picking up cleaning supplies, I ran into a woman who was looking at Swiffers. In case you don't know, Swiffers are a mop type tool to use while cleaning your floors. She was deciding on whether to buy one and I told her to not bother as it's not that great, plus it is made by Procter and Gamble who refuses to STOP testing on animals! She looked at me and this is what came out of her mouth. "Oh, thanks! That is what my Letitia says." 

OK, two things, who is Letitia and why is she claiming possession of this person? We all know Letitia is most likely her cleaning lady and I am sure she is VERY fond of her. (Who wouldn't love the person who makes your house shine and your toilets sparkle?) BUT, she said this like she loved Letitia so much and was claiming her to be part of her tribe. I want to ask her, if this is so and you love her so much, why do you belittle her by saying she is yours and if you are so fond of her do you give her health insurance? If she was sick, would you give her sick pay? Would you allow her to bring her kids when they are out of school and she has to pay for childcare to come and wipe crap off your bathroom floor? I didn't think so. Get over yourself lady. She isn't yours to own.

I don't know why this lady upset me so much. I guess I am really sick of the entitlement and pretense of caring that I see around town so much. Even though this lady won't read this, I feel tiny bit better. I guess I showed her! Ha! (And maybe taxes aren't a mood elevating medium for me!)

What are the two things you can count on? Death and taxes. I'd like to add a third and that is change. You can always, always count on change.

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice long hard work out today. Kicked my butt but I feel good.

Happy Daydreaming

Now I don't regret all the daydreaming I did throughout high school. Or my twenties for that matter.

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice long drive to let my brain think.

Monday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for this day to be ending as I spent most of it preparing taxes. Ugh. The day was really beautiful out my window though.

Last class.

This is a post for the weekend as I'll be out of town and away from electronics. (Hooray!) 

My last class for Children's Books was tonight and we presented our book dummies. Here is my final line up of characters and a spread that I started and will be adding A LOT more detail. Overall, the class supported my decision to change my characters to animals and thought my illustration style worked well with the story line. 

I realize I need to do A LOT more sketching and on a daily basis. I have really been out of practice with my hand drawing ever since I really dove into computers over 16 years ago. Just because I could draw the human form quite well 15 years ago, most certainly does not mean I can draw the human form anywhere near the vicinity of quite well now. It is not like riding a bike! I believe with more practice, it will only help my illustration style, even though my characters are not realistic by any means. That is what I walked away from this class with. An artist's path never comes to an end.

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for living in southern California and experiencing LA.

Hello Friday. Hello Spring.

Feeling a little springy. Happy 1st day of Spring!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a weekend out of town with my best friend! (Gratitude in advance!)

Dear Diary...

This is a logo I am working on for one of my clients. Not sure I can bastardize the official Volvo logo, but thought it worked better with the direction I was going in. If only...

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to be clearing some projects off my plate. Just in time to sneak out of town tomorrow bright and early at 5 am!

Wacky Wednesday

Somebody was mad at me for not getting a long walk today. Any walk for that matter. And then...

Natasha Richardson died today. I am in shock and really, really liked her as an actress. For such a seemingly small accident, I am flabbergasted that it was fatal. She will be missed very much. This is yet another example of how precious and short life really is. None of us will ever have the privilege to know the number of our days we have here on earth so we must take each day and be thankful for everything and everyone in it.

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a beautiful spring-like day and my family on this weirdly wacky Wednesday.

IF_Legendary

Rumor has it that the legendary tale of Little Red Riding Hood actually took place in a big city and not in the woods.

A walk through NYC.

I was going through photos from NYC and these are my favorites. A collage of some sort might be nice.

Monday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful for work that keeps showing up at my door step.

The Gala.

Photos from the Gala last Saturday, benefitting City Tree Christian School.

Joy.

Sunday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a nice relaxing day away from the computer and work and anything that taxes my brain. For one day anyway. It was nice.

16 years

It's 1, 2, 3 strikes you're out...

My son has his first baseball game today and I am sad I'll not be there. The school auction event is tonight and being on the committee, I will be waist high in western themed event planning and setting up. He'll have many more games though so I don't feel too badly!

There are two kinds of peole in the world: those who pull you up and those who pull you down. Identify the peole who pull you up and show them an attitude of gratitude. --Keith D Harrell

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for everyone who visits my blog, taking time out of their busy day. Thank you. You all make my world a brighter place!

The race is on...

Oops, forgot to make my post yesterday. This what Friday consisted of at my house... 87 auction boards, 63 small take away auction cards, 36 basket tags, 20 flower arrangements, 5 small table signs, 1 large canvas and 2 large signs. It was production day for the production tonight. Yeehaw!

Friday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the help of my sister on all of the production of the list above and I am also grateful for my son and his cousins who were home from school and got along famously! Double gratitude!

Making room.

Get rid of the excess to make room for what you love. 

This quote can apply to anything in our life, not only material goods but thoughts too. I believe I have stumbled upon this quote specifically for my career direction. I have had numerous opportunities to continue on doing the same type of work and while it does pay a pretty penny, it's not feeding my soul. I think it may be time to spring clean and clear the way for new experiences. It sort of hit me tonight while driving from my children's book class. I am feeling stuck and not sure how to get on the right path and my new illustrator friend gave me some fresh insight on finding that path. I think there may be a few obstacles in the way that keep me from what I have only dreamed of doing. The time is now to be precise and crystal clear on where to go from here. Just makin' room...

Thursday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for Facebook. It presents an opportunity to reconnect with people from a very distant past. I didn't like FB at first but after "meeting" up with 3 people from at least 20 years from my past today, I have to say me thinks I likes it!

Mind over Matter

The new lineup with the doorman still missing, but in the works.

Words to encourage:

Say what you want and 

be who you are because 

those who mind don't matter 

and those who matter don't mind. 

--Dr Seuss

Wednesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to take my son to baseball practice and sit in the golden sunlight and sketch in my sketchbook. Deeelightful!

Little Red Riding Hood will NOT go to bed!

Here is a post of some new characters for my Little Red Riding Hood book. My teacher was so kind last week to look at my illustration portfolio and she suggested I make some new characters of our book dummy and share it with the class. Oh the pressure! Well, anyway, I am playing around with some and here is the line up. I am missing Little Red's mother and the doorman. Maybe they'll show up tomorrow sometime.

Tuesday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful to be able to arrange my schedule to meet my good friend Nancy for coffee late this morning. She also arranged for me to meet the owner of the shop and I will be hanging my paintings there in July! Just in time for when my show at the hair salon comes down! I am so grateful for that!

Reading, it's always a good thing.

This is what is in my hand at the moment, that is when I have a few moments to read something other than work related books and articles. It's about a 36 year old mom who discovers she has breast cancer and her father is diagnosed with late stage cancer at the same time. I know, seems heavy and oddly parallel, but she is a funny writer and it's lighter than you'd think.

What's on your nightstand?

Birthdays are always fun...

Thanks for fun and yummy evening out P's! Oh, and happy belated birthday Mister Man!

Sequential patterns of noise.

I am on a committee. A committee for my son's school. We put on the school auction which is a one night event fundraising event. It is fun. It is quite a bit of work. My peeps are on the committee with me so it doesn't feel like work. The event is this coming Saturday, so on Sunday, I'll be breathing much easier and slower. I can't wait. I can't wait for the actual event AND I can't wait for it to be over.
Here is the classroom project I helped the 2nd grade class work on. I am showing stages: 1) the very beginning 2.) the middle 3.) the final product. If you can't see it very clearly, it is a canvas banner with a painted tree branch and self portraits of each student in the circles.

Monday's Gratitude: I am so grateful for a nice long walk this AM in the dark with the dog.

Sunday's Gratitude

Hmmm, I went to make my post for the day but the importing photo option has disappeared, so for tonight I can only leave some text.

Sunday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to sneak off to the movies today. Saw Revolutionary Road and it was very good but very heavy. A tad uncomfortable too as some of it felt a little familar. Wow. Still grateful for the flick though.

It's a small world after all...

This is a beginning of my wolf. He is VERY hard to draw, I am so used to drawing cute things.

Weird day today. My boy is starting Little League and the big day of photos happened to be this morning so while we were there, I watched from afar the interactions of little boys who must ban together to form a team yet do not know each other and need to establish the pecking order. One little boy who seems like he has enough energy for about three other kids, started to antagonize my boy. The mama cat in me wanted to pull a "Hand that Rocks the Cradle" move and run right over, grab the kid by the arm give it a good twist and an earful of parental wisdom. Common sense got the best of me so I just watched. From afar. You know what, my boy just blew him off and ignored him. Treated it like it was no big deal instead of getting all worked up. It was awesome. I was puffed up with pride. Then when pictures were over, I made sure to meet one of the other parents of a nice boy so maybe my son will bond with another kid and there will be power in numbers.

Took my son to a crazy kid birthday party at one of those party houses where there is too much sugar, lots of elevated noise and video games, laser tag, bowling and a climbing structure. While on the way, we picked up a friend and while in the car, the little boy proceeded to tell me about how he hit a duck with a beebee. I asked him if he killed the duck or just hurt it and he of course didn't kill it. So I proceeded to pursue the conversation with "don't you think that is mean?" He said no because the duck couldn't talk back so I then pushed it further with "wouldn't it be mean if someone came up to you and hit you for no reason?" He didn't get why I would ask that so we (I) talked about how animals have feelings and can experience pain and just because we cannot hear them doesn't make it alright to hurt them. He started to get it because I could tell he was getting uncomfortable when he asked "why are we talking about this?" Whatever. I was furious. Personally I don't believe in hurting or killing animals for sport so this wasn't a great conversation topic to begin with but it was so obvious that he didn't know how to have compassion for animals. That should be taught at home and from the parents. I am appalled and I don't think we'll be spending much time with that family anymore. Weird. 

Then out of the blue tonight, I ran into a classmate from my children's illustration class while waiting to pick up some sushi. It was nice to see someone out of the school element and in a more relaxed natural environment. I have met some really nice people by taking this class. Money well spent.

Saturday's Gratitude:

I am so grateful for a meal of Thai food and Japenese food, all in one day! Yum!

More about Children's Book Class...

Last night we discussed showing your portfolio to publishers. After you have done your homework of looking at literally thousands of kid's books and taking note of who the publishers are, you need to distinguish which publisher make the books that you are attracted to and where your style will fit in best. For example, a publisher who makes technical science books will not be that interested in your comic book style illustrations.

Here are my notes from my class:

- 90% of the time, the cover is unique. It most likely is not an illustration pulled from the inside of the book.
- Most houses have certain days for you to drop off your portfolio and then come back and pick it up. They won't keep it more than 24 hours.
- Make an appointment ahead of time to drop it off. Communication is good!
- It is still very effective to send postcards to art directors to keep your name current in their heads.
- Only put your STRONGEST illustrations in your portfolio. You will know if an illustration is strong if there is ease in the figures and movement and doesn't feel forced. I know this seems like a DAH! moment but you'd be surprised what people choose for their portfolios.
- Always keep pushing yourself.
- Use a standard size portfolio. 8.5" X 11" is best.
- Only put ONE style in your portfolio.
- Do character studies. Show the same character in lots of different poses.
- It is really GREAT to include a book dummy.
- Include full color and some black and whites.
- Really pursue a style that is comfortable for you.
- Show children and animals.
- Show NO representational poses.
- If you include teen work, mock up a book jacket.
- You can include a SHORT resume inside your portfolio.
- It is good to have some business cards and/or postcards for them to keep.
- You may want to leave a self addressed, stamped postcard for them to send you some feedback.
- Your illustrations should stand alone and tell a story without any text.

There. That was a great class last night, I hope you can use these notes. I know I sure can.

Friday's Gratitude:
I am so grateful to be going out for a really nice dinner tonight.

Children's Illustration Book Class

For those of you who are not that interested, please know this is a very long post about my Thursday night class. I won't be insulted if you make a quick U-Turn out of this blog because although I find this topic EXTREMELY interesting, not everyone does. So...consider yourself forewarned.

Here are some photos of my book dummy. It is really rough and parts of it are lacking ALOT of detail but I have received a few emails from interested folks about this class so I am dishin' out the info here. The first photo is the whole book dummy spread out in a looooong line, accordian style. This is how real illustrators do this. It is common in the industry. You will look professional if you do this. I know. It looks rather unprofessional to me but it shows publishers your train of thought and also that you understand the business of book making. You show them you know most kid's books are 32 pages. If you follow this format, you imply that you are in the know and will be easy to work with. That my friends is always a GOOD thing!