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.

Power Lines Sketch

© 2007

This is a sketch I did of the power lines in the alley behind my house. It's one of the projects I started on last spring before I started working on the kids book and stopped having time for anything else. It's not finished yet. I want to turn it into a gig poster for my husband's band.

Check it out...

It took a few days to get all the bugs out, but my website is now up and running. I updated the design and I added a bunch of new work. I hadn't updated since March so it was time. However, in my defense, this is the first opportunity I've had to work on it since the children's book.

If you see/experience any problems with my website, please let me know so I can fix them.

Painted Problems Painted Finals

Although I haven't seen the printed books yet, Painted Problems has been printed and is now for sale. At this time they are not available in book stores but if anyone is interested in purchasing a copy they are available through this website: www.paintedproblems.com .

Now that the book is printed and out in the world, here are some of the painted finals...


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Joy Division Portrait - Final

© 2007

Sorry for the delay. I didn't have time to post this yesterday.

Joy Division Sketch

© 2007


This is a sketch for an illo I just finished for Exclaim! It's a portrait of the band Joy Division. The were popular in the in the late 70's. The lead singer committed suicide and the remaining band members went on to form New Order. I put those 3 members on a separate branch for that reason. In the research I did about the band I found that they were described by the media as being "doom laden" and that death, sadness, anger, bitterness and loss were recurring themes in their music. I love using crows/ravens as metaphors for death and I love drawing birds so it seemed like a good solution. I wanted to incorporate the birds somehow and eventually arrived at using the bird's bodies. The art director wasn't crazy about my idea when I first suggested it, but he liked the sketch. That just goes to show that if you have an idea that you like, draw it even if it's not what the art director had in mind. They don't always know what they think they want.

I'll post the final tomorrow.

Funky mugs

© 2007

Here's a sketch I did on while I was on vacation.

These mugs live at my aunt's cabin. I love them. I don't usually drink coffee, but I like to drink coffee from these mugs when ever I visit.

Road Trip 2007

I got back from my vacation on Sunday. It was great. I love going on road trip adventures with Dario. We just laugh and have so much fun. After an entire summer of all work and no play I really needed that. The break was good for me. I feel refreshed and inspired and excited to work out some ideas.

Our road trip took us to Nelson and then to my Aunt's cabin in Salmon Arm. Here are some shots from the trip.



In a coffee shop in Nelson...





GOATS!!!!!!









I love old hippy busker couples.



On a pub patio in Nelson...









In this shot I'm enjoying the new rosemary olive oil Triscuit crackers while waiting for the ferry. They're wonderful. If you like rosemary you must try them.