the good stuff from 2014

I'm a little late on this post. I initially wasn't going to bother with it because I couldn't think of a lot of things to include. I usually focus my energy on building my illustration business, but in 2014 most of my energy went into growing a baby and then caring for him. Although extremely satisfying, it made for a short list :)

I have been thinking about this for the past month and a half though, and this is what I've come up with. The good stuff from 2014:

• illustrated my second trade picture book

• celebrated 7 years of marriage to my husband

• went on one little vacation to the Rocky mountains

• painted our house dark grey with creamy white trim

• planted an awesome vegetable garden

• had at least 6 visits with my mom who lives 9 hours away

• helped my husband start his own business

• learned how to be a bookkeeper

• perfected my thai red curry

• experienced being pregnant

• experienced giving birth

• became a mother - definitely the big highlight from this year and along with it came good stuff like baby snuggles, baby smiles and baby laughter

the good stuff from 2012

• I started getting more illustration work from the children's market, plus some new editorial and packaging clients

• My husband and I celebrated 5 years of marriage in July

• We bought a small house in Calgary

• I discovered Moroccan cuisine and have been learning how to
make tagines

• Had a wonderful visit from my best friend who lives in Australia and who
I hadn't seen in years

• Started sketching weekly with my old sketch group

• We got a car

• I was able to visit my home town for the first time in a few years

• I spent Christmas with my entire family for the first time in a few years

• I got to spend some time playing with and getting to know my new
little nephew

• The highlight for me this year: my first trade picture book, 'Bye, Bye, Butterflies!' was released in June

Happy New Year everyone!

the good stuff from 2011

With all of the travel and adventure that I experienced in 2010, it was one of the best years of my life and will be pretty much impossible to top.  Despite a severe lack of travel, 2011 has been really good in a different way.  The stability of staying in one place has made it possible to have a proper studio again, with access to my art supplies and papers, computer, printer, scanner, drawing table, good lighting... all things I went without while we were traveling.  I found ways to get around needing those things, but it's been nice to have everything at my fingertips again.

The beginning of 2011 saw us move to the city of Calgary, Alberta, into a fun, trendy, and central neighborhood.  We settled into an apartment with a studio space and enjoyed staying in one place for a while.  It was nice to reconnect with family and old friends.  But we also made many new friends this year.

I did illustration work for a bunch of new clients.  I got a part time job to get me out of the studio and to take some of the pressure off of illustrating.  And I learned a ton about spices thanks to The Silk Road Spice Merchant.  My favorite dish that I learned to make this year was Louisiana Shrimp Gumbo. Yum.

The biggest joy 2011 brought was definitely being commissioned by Fitzhenry & Whiteside to illustrate the picture book Bye, Bye, Butterflies.  It's been a goal of mine to do that since I graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 2002.  It took 9 years, but I did it!

Happy New Year everyone!

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!

the good stuff from 2009

• the big one: decided to move forward with our plan to live in Europe in spite of the fact that it didn't seem like the best time (recession, no good job prospects, not a great time to sell a house...) It still ended up being the best time for us to do it in terms of where we are in our lives.

• sold our house, our car and most of our furniture

• quit my job after five and a half years with the same company

• was a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding

• visited parts of Canada I had never been to: New Brunswick, Quebec City, Ottawa. Also went to England, Scotland and Poland

• met my in-laws

• started participating in couchsurfing.com and had so many positive experiences - I can't say enough good things about this way to travel and meet people.

• made some new friends

• celebrated 2 years of marriage with my hubby

• learned how to make zurek

• although a slow year in terms of paid illustration work, a pretty big year in terms of personal growth as an illustrator

Happy New Year!

the good stuff from 2008

• I unexpectedly fell into a way of drawing that has been keeping me inspired and motivated. It also renewed my desire to illustrated for children.

• got some new illustration clients (including another American one)

• started teaching a class at the Alberta College of Art and design - which I love

• learned how to cook Indian food - yum

• started learning Italian

• made progress towards some goals I have - more on that later this year ;)

• celebrated 1 year of marriage


Happy New year everyone!