My word inspiration for 2019 is “RISE”.

My plan for 2019 is to “rise” in my illustration career. I am ready to pursue new paths in the art/illustration world and taking on things that scare me. And when I say scare me, it might just be me taking myself seriously as a professional illustrator. Yes, it is time for that.

I am so happy to be starting 2019 off with lot of exciting new plans! I will be starting a bunch of new illustration classes that I am totally ready for. Although, I do have a BFA in illustration from Massachusetts College of Art. It is from (….gasp) 1995! So much has changed in the art/illustration world since I last took real classes. The classes I will be taking will be focus on Editorial and Childrens’ Book work as well as classes that will help build my portfolio with wonderful new work. I will also be busy creating more gallery work and trying to get into books and magazines as well as keeping my Etsy shop (and my shop here) filled with new work. It is going to be a super busy year. But, busy is a good thing…right?

As for 2018, it was a pretty amazing as far as creative growth goes. I’ve never made so much artwork! I joined my first cooperative art gallery (City Art Gallery in San Francisco) in which I took part in 4 group exhibitions and made 23 new paintings for the shows! I got my first Magazine Cover for a small Shakespeare theater in the Netherlands and an illustration in the fabulous Uppercase Magazine. I also helped co-found my first Instagram Challenge #folktaleweek . #Folktaleweek was so amazing, it made me really come out of my shell connect and discover to many incredible illustrators around the world . We will be doing #folktaleweek again next November too, and I am already search for some of my favorite folktales from around the world.

As for you, what were you the most proud of last year? What are you looking forward to doing the most in 2019?