wedding invitation

©2011 Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli


Some of my process:








©2011 Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli

russian cossack dancing

I just saw the most fantastic video over at Deanna Staffo's blog. She's a really talented illustrator so if you're not familiar with her work you should definitely check it out. The video features Russian Cossack dancing set to Run DMC and it's awesome. I love Russian culture - their traditional costumes and music, the vibrant colors, the fur hats, the thick mustaches, the crazy acrobatic dancing, nesting dolls, Saint Basil's Cathedral... Russia is definitely at the top of my list of countries to visit.

back to work

This past week has been a good one as I've managed to get myself fairly organized. Now that I'm back in Canada and settled in an apartment, it's time to get to work.

I've managed to get myself a part time job and although I've always done illustration work on the side, I will now be doing it three full days per week. And I'm so excited about that :) I did a lot of work on my portfolio while we were traveling and now I just want to promote it and see what happens.

I've been adding to my mailing list, double checking the addresses I already have, and sending out more of the postcards that I had printed in November. I've also been working on a couple of small projects: a logo/identity and a wedding invitation. Today I met with my old sketch group which was just the perfect way to cap off the week.

random sketchbook stuff

©2011 Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli

bowl of cherries

©2010 Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli

january update

Things have been quite chaotic lately, but everything is finally starting to come together...

After much deliberation, my husband and I decided to move back to our former city, Calgary. We just moved into an apartment and are still getting settled, but most of the boxes are unpacked and we now have a phone and internet connection. It feels so good to have a home again! Traveling was exciting and inspiring and such an incredible learning experience, but constantly moving from place to place for a year and a half is also quite exhausting. It's nice to know that we'll be here for a while now, as we recharge our batteries and save up for our next adventure.

Our apartment is big enough that I have a studio space again. It's nothing fancy but it's something I didn't think I'd have so I'm really excited about it. I've missed having a place to work where I could spread out and where I didn't have to be putting my supplies away all the time.

It's good to be back :)

grandpa

I remember being a little girl at my grandparent's farm for Easter. It was just before bed time and we were sitting in the dining room. My grandpa looked out the window into the dark and said he saw the Easter Bunny. He then jumped out of his seat and ran out into the yard in hot pursuit. I remember being so excited at the idea that the elusive Easter Bunny was outside in the yard and I was going to see him. When grandpa returned there was a bite mark on his finger. I guess that's what happens when you try to catch the Easter Bunny.

That's my favorite memory of my grandfather. Rest in peace.

the good stuff from 2010

• visited 12 countries and learned a little of the language in each one

• lived in 4 of those countries

• made many good friends

• learned more history that I ever did in high school

• had amazing cultural experiences

• milked goats

• turned 30 in Paris

• produced a ton of new work, more than I have ever produced before in a year

• continued to develop my style and experienced lots of artistic growth

• expanded my client base to include the UK

• learned how to make stuffed paprike from a Bosnian man

• celebrated my 3rd wedding anniversary

• spent 2 weeks cooking with an Italian woman

2010 was an incredible year for me. It will be interesting to see what 2011 has in store. Happy New Year everyone!