Just for fun

I love these cartoons by lefthandedtoons.com, they're totally my kind of humor. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. I especially like the 'hug' one.

Pumpkiny goodness

Today I carved a pumpkin for the first time in 10 years. Every year I think to myself "I should carve a pumpkin." But then I get busy, I forget to buy a pumpkin and before I know it Halloween is over. Not this year. I picked one up last week and carved it this afternoon. I did one side and Dario did the other. I also baked the seeds which made for a yummy afternoon treat.

This one's mine:



This one's Dario's:

The 5 year plan

In 5 years I see myself:

• illustrating full time. True, that was in the 5 year plan 5 years ago and it still hasn't happened, but I'm in a better position to do that now. I'd also love to work in a little book store part time. Something close to where I live that I could walk to. I've always liked that idea.

• I want to travel more. There are so many places that I want to see and experience. I'd like to live and work in Europe for a year or two. Maybe bring my computer and freelance from over there.

• I'd like to produce a series of paintings on a theme for an art show. It wouldn't have to be a big fancy gallery show, even something small in a coffee shop would be nice. Maybe a solo show, but maybe part of a group show with some of my artist friends.

• I'd like to write and illustrate my own children's book. I've had an idea since I was in high school but I haven't had an opportunity to seriously work on it. Maybe it wouldn't even be published, maybe it would just be for me.

• Once we've finished traveling, I'd like to pick a city (maybe Montreal) and settle down for a while. Buy a small home, fix it up ourselves, grow vines all over it. Have a garden in the back, and a patio where we could sit outside and have meals together.

• I see myself living a simple and humble life where I make time to read, cook, go for walks, drink tea with friends, take classes, learn how to make books, be part of an artistic community...

• Most importantly, I see myself still happily married to Dario :)

So pretty...

I work a design job on week days and Saturday night was my company's annual service awards where employees get recognition for their years of service. I didn't get an award as I've only been with the company for 3 and a half years, but I did win the center piece on our table which is made up of really cool and exotic looking flowers. I like how the banana leaf is curled up inside the vase.

Exclaim! contents page illo

It's taken me a couple weeks to track one down, but I finally found a copy of the October issue of Exclaim! I'm really impressed with how well my illustration printed. I'm always unsure how well the texture in my work will come out on newsprint but all the parts I enjoy are visible. Hooray!

I have to admit that I haven't been drawing lately. I'll get back into it soon as I have a ton of ideas that I'm excited to work on. However, at the moment I have a huge to-do list that has been neglected for months. I really feel like I need to take care of some of that stuff, as well as take a small break from art, before I jump back in. Besides, one of the things on my to-do list is to clean my studio as it has gotten out of control and I like working in a clean space. Of course, I'll still take on any work that comes my way...

The book is here!

I just got my copies of the book today. It was the first time that I had seen it printed. I'm pretty happy with the quality of the printing. I had been concerned with how the colours would look, but they look good. I'm happy with the way it all came together.

It's really satisfying to hold the finished product in my hand after all the work I put into it.