Here's to a New Year! (Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018)

Happy New Year, Everyone!

2017 was pretty interesting/fabulous/terrible year. Politically, it was a huge mess for me. I don't remember a year that seemed to wrestle with my heart strings more. I am still struggling with the decisions being made by our government. Although, I don't want to get too political, I hope 2018 will be a better year for most people and we will all reclaim our sense of fairness and justice in the world.

On a personal level, 2017 was pretty good. Of course I had a few ups and downs but in general things went well.

Here are my favorite arty things that happened in 2017:

1. My first book and largest illustration project "Happily Ever After I Do", was released in October! I am so proud to finish such a huge project. It was definitely a learning experience but I am so happy to have done it. I am looking forward to many more book projects in the future. And here's a little shout out to the amazing author Valerie Chiappone. Thank you for taking me on this book journey with you, it has been a privilege working with you.

2. The Pre-Vinylette Society Art Show in Chicago. It was such a honor to part of this awesome women in sign painting show. It was even written up in one of my favorite publications, Uppercase Magazine! (If you squint you can see my painting on the wall). Read my post about the show here.

The Pre-Vinylette Society in Uppercase Magazine (Issue 36)

3. My French Revolution portraits for the Tiny Show at Studio Gallery in San Francisco.

4. My trip to Oslo, Norway with my husband for the Oslo Letterheads Sign Painters Meetup was amazing and it reignited my love for Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.

Some of my favorite portraits from the Edvard Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway! Aren't these amazing?

5. Although not technically a art moment, I did adopt two new kittens at the SF SPCA Meet SinJin Otto and Poe in December.

Yes...they are awesome and they will inspire me to be more creative, if they are too busy distracting me from painting.

Now that 2017 is over, it is on to 2018!

I am feeling pretty optimistic and had grown so much as an artist in the last few years, this year should be another fulfilling art year.

Here are a few of my plans for the new year:

1. I became part of City Art Gallery in San Francisco. I will be working on a series of portraits for March show. I will be sure to post them as I make them.
2. Get into more gallery shows.
3. Work on getting in more publications
4. Submit to more blogs, magazine and book publishers.
5. Continue to work on my new Artist Portrait Series.
6. Add more portraits to my Literary Portrait Series.
7. Finish my Little Goth Riding Hood illustration Project.
8. Draw more animals...
9. Blog more...
10. Travel to London for the next Letterheads Meet with Damon. 
11. Delve into more historical illustration projects.
12. Read at least one book a month.

What projects are you most excited to challenge yourself with this year? What are you most scared of?

It's Time for the November Meetup!

12 year old strong girl via howtobearetronaut

I don't believe that October is over. Yikes...it must be time to crack the whip again. I decided that this month is going to be all about art. I know that sounds silly because all of my time should be about art, but it seems like days go by without me actually doing anything art like. I need to work on that.

Last month I was very happy to get my Etsy shop up. I added 4 new pieces am a slowly figuring out how the Etsy world works. You can check out my shop here.

I also sold my first piece on Etsy...Thank you, Paul!

Here is my November Plan:

  

1. Get 10 more pieces done for Ladies & Gents series.
2. Add these prints to Etsy
3. Rework website...add banner and a link page.
4. Rework blog...add handwritten bits & buttons, add more illustration.
5. Start Nursery series... A Victorian inspired children's series. I would love at least 10 pieces done this month...if possible.
6. Work on large illustrations for website/portfolio.
7. Buy extra supplies for Holidays.
8. Get business cards done. I would love to include one with each purchase.
9. Research charities to get involved with. Does anyone know of any websites or organizations that connect artists to doing good things?
10. Create a holiday card for family & friends.
11. Research and experiment making necklaces/lockets with my artwork. Find suppliers.
12. Start getting my Christmas shopping done(I don't want to panic this year)
13. Remember to exercise!
14. Get a better work schedule at the shop.
15. Find time to help Ashley at Glob Paints.
16. Research holiday fairs. Am I ready? or should I wait?
17. Get involved with the SFEtsy.
18. Remember to draw daily!

So that's my month. WooHoo! Hopefully I will get a lot done. I am looking forward to the holiday season. This is the first year I have anything to sell. I better get drawing. I hope you all have a successful and inspiring November!

I almost forgot. Since I am now on Etsy, do any of you have a shop you would like to share? I would love to see them. Just leave a link to your shop in the comments. Thank you!

What is the Meetup thing, you ask? It is a group of creatives that encourage each other each month to make and complete their goals. Join us...it is an amazing to watch the progress of others and yourself...
Contact Liz for more info here.