Happy New Year from Bluehour Studio!



Debbie Styer 2013
 2013 was a strange year. Full of triumphs and disappointments. My business was pretty steady and I got into a few new shops this year but really need to focus and get myself out there in order to survive and thrive as an artist. My biggest disappointment? The holiday season. Truthfully, it was a pretty harsh reality check this season. I suppose I need to figure out how to sell illustration when customers are more interested in buying hand knitted scarves...Anyone have any ideas? My head is still spinning....

So, of course, It's that time of year and I'm sitting here thinking of all big changes I'll make happen in the next 12 months. The New Year is filled with such promise. It is a great time to reflect, get rid of what is not working and start again with a clean slate. I'm getting so excited to get going! Here's to an amazing 2014!!!

  1. Redo portfolio site! I need to add some of the illustrations from the book I've been working on.
  2. Finish that book! My deadline is April 1st!
  3. Create a hand written typeface for the book!
  4. Find part time job. This is pretty crucial to my well being!
  5. Get more involved with The Makeshift Society.
  6. Get more involved with my SFEtsy family. Help out more!
  7. Introduce myself to more magazine and blogs. Get published!
  8. Make more art! (At least 2 pieces a week!)
  9. Experiment with new projects!
  10. Make a new jewelry collection!
  11. Apply to City Arts Gallery!
  12. Less Etsy, more Gallery! (Of, course I will still be adding more work to my shop, but I think I need to get my work out there in the real world, where people can appreciate it up close)
  13. Start working on larger, more complex editorial pieces. 
  14. More walks, more cafes (basically get the hell out of the house more)
  15. Daily Journal writing... I'm restarting The Firestarter Sessions book!
  16. Get my work into more stores. 
  17. Start visualizing what my Big Picture looks like, instead of being bogged down by the little things!
  18. Exercise, move...get more energy to do more stuff!
  19. Make more connections, collaborate on projects!
  20. Redo this blog! Write more, post more, connect to others work.
  21. Keep learning and pushing forward!
  22. Bring camera with me always, take more photos, capture more references for illustrations.
  23. More mini vacations! 
  24. Get more organized!
A thought...I going to print this list! Carry it with me. Post it on the wall! Don't forget it!

What is on your list? 
Now imagine yourself with all the things DONE! Feels pretty good doesn't it! Yep!
Here's to You! May you have an amazing 2014!

New Month...New Possibilities!

Playground Springies (detail) by Debbie Styer 2013

I'm ready to start August anew! July flew by but I was able to get a lot done.
  1. I finished my first of my writers series, Edgar Allan Poe.
  2. I created new blog post and illustrations for "The Declaration of You! blog lovin' tour.
  3. I entered the Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search, (see illustration above) I didn't get to the next level but, man, did I learn a lot. I'm definitely going to enter more illustration contests. Do any of you know of any good ones?
August is always an intense month for me. It's my birthday (hello 42!) and it is the crazy catch up/planning for the upcoming holiday season. I also need to figure out my next big career steps and change my direction a bit.

It has been difficult lately, as any freelancer know, jobs tend to ebb and flow, and I need to figure out how to get it all a bit more balanced if possible. Here's my business plans for August.

  1. Design postcards to send to publishers.
  2. Create dream lists of art directors and publications.
  3. Learn best way to approach blogs about my work.
  4. Finish book!
  5. Design cover for book.
  6. Create at least 2 new illustrations a week.
  7. Blog 2x a week.
  8. Help out with SFEtsy Bootcamp!
  9. Increase hours at New Bohemia Signs.
  10. Create a illustration logo!
  11. Relax a bit and enjoy a mini vacation with my husband! 
I think that gives me enough to do this month... Yeesh! Here's to a fabulous August! I hope you all get tons of work done!

What's The Meetup? Do you have any business goals to share? You are welcome to join us at The Meetup, where creative people join together online and encourage each other to share their goals and dreams each month. Sound interesting to you? You can find out more here.
 

It's time for the July Meetup!

Coney Island Bathers, 1899 via Thiophene Guy

 Hi Everybody,

Wow, June flew by. It's time to get cracking if I want to have my shop ready for the holidays. (Yep, getting ready for Christmas in July).

June was pretty good. I went on a mini vacation with friends to wine country. I have a bunch of new work started but I need to get it finished and up. And of course there is the book...

So for July...here's what gonna happen with bluehour studio.

  1. Book is due in two months. That means that it finished and ready for the printer by the end of August. I really need to get back to this. 
  2. Work on my Writer's Project. I'm working on a bunch of new portraits such as Virginia Woolf, Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Dickinson, Dorothy Parker, and Charles Dickens. Do any of you have a favorite writer you'd like to see me illustrated?
  3. Working on a project for Paperchase. More about this later...
  4. Blog post with illustration for "The Declaration of You!" book blog tour. This one is on the topic of "Success". 
  5. Start working at New Bohemia Signs one day a week. Alas...I have fallen behind on all my picture taking duties. BTW, I got to see the Sign Painters Documentary this week and it was amazing (my husband was in it too), it was wonderful to catch up will so many sign artists and so fun to hang out with the directors. I highly recommend checking it out.
  6. Get back to exercising...and get out of the house for walks everyday.
  7. Apply to fall art fairs.
  8. Apply to galleries.
  9. Research how to get my work in magazine and blogs. And do it..
  10. Have a little summer fun...because as we know it will be gone too fast. 
  11. Get more involved SFEtsy and the Makeshift Society.
  12. Another big goal for the summer is to add/subtract stuff from my Etsy Shop. I would love to have over 100 different items...better get to it!
That should be pretty full for this month. I'm so excited for all the new projects. Is there anything you are excited about doing this summer?

What's The Meetup? Do you have any business goals to share? You are welcome to join us at The Meetup, where creative people join together online and encourage each other to share their goals and dreams each month. Sound interesting to you? You can find out more here.
 



It's Meetup Time! Here's to June!

Here's a Sneak Peek of my book!
Wow, May went by so fast! My head is still spinning... But I am heading towards a fabulous summer. May was a pretty good month as far as getting stuff done. I wish that a got a bit more done but my energy is up and I am ready for good things ahead! The illustration portion of my book project is 95% done, will the perfectionist in me always going back for more. I've been busy figuring out the typography and all the layout options.

Here's what I will be up to in June:
 
  1. Design book cover, front and back.
  2. Design title page with spot illustration.
  3. Finish up custom portrait, ( my goals is to  get 2 custom portraits a month)
  4. Write guest blog post/blog tour for Michelle Ward & Jessica Swift (The Declaration of You!)
  5. Learn about art licensing options.
  6. Start working on freelance projects.
  7. Create new art to my writers portraits series.
  8. Get outta town (aka don't forget it's summer).
  9. Get back to a better blogging schedule (currently reading, Blog Inc. by Joy Deangdeelert Cho)
  10. Rework portfolio site. Add more editorial work!
  11. Work on editorial projects.
  12. Exercise, I just gotta...
  13. Rework my Etsy Mission Meetup.
  14. Join in more Makeshift Society and  SFetsy Events
  15. Research Summer/Fall Art Fairs. Do any of you have favorites you like to go to or participate in?
So that's my month. I hope you all have a amazing and productive month!

What's The Meetup? Do you have any business goals to share? You are welcome to join us at The Meetup, where creative people join together online and encourage each other to share their goals and dreams each month. Sound interesting to you? You can find out more here.
 

P.S TODAY ONLY (June 3rd) I am participating in this amazing/crazy sale with other members of SFEtsy. Save 40% off everything in my shop! Just use coupon code SFEtsysplash40 when you check out! Enjoy

Happy May & It's Meetup Time!

Vintage Maypole Dance!
April a pretty terrible month. I didn't get as much as I wanted done and was kind of stuck in a bit of a funk for a couple of weeks. But now it is time I get back to action because there is a lot to be done.

So here's my business plans for May:
  1. First of all, my first priority is the book. The illustrations are almost done and then I will be going on to the layout stage. 
  2. For the book, choose type and create hand painted letters for certain pages.
  3. Create a Step by Step for blog.
  4. Work with author on back pages and title pages.
  5. Work on new pieces for the shop. I'm hoping for one new piece a week.
  6. Start my SFEtsy Mission Meetup group.
  7. Get photography done for New Bohemia Signs.
  8. Research and apply to upcoming craft/fairs, anyone know of some good ones.
  9. Mini weekend trips! Time for some camping! 
  10. Keep up with daily walks and exercise.
  11. Start some collaborations with other artists.
  12. Rework blog.
  13. Rework portfolio website.
  14. Work on my "about" page on my Etsy page. (Get some good photos taken of myself and rewrite bio)
  15. Get more involved with the Makeshift Society.
One of the big things I learned over this depressing month is I tend to spend too much time inside the house. I think isolation is one of the hardest parts of being a freelance artist. There is so much to do and I tend to feel guilty taking a hour going for a walk. But you know, I have to do it. I am my happiest/healthiest when I am involved with other people and projects. Anyone else feel this way?

Here's to May being a super productive month with some relaxation and fun thrown in!

What are your plans for May!

What's The Meetup? Do you have any business goals to share? You are welcome to join us at The Meetup, where creative people join together online and encourage each other to share their goals and dreams each month. Sound interesting to you? You can find out more here.





Time for the Meetup! April's Goals!

Back Garden Cabaret, Poplar, June 28, 1935 via Steroge Will Do

Hi All! I don't believe that it is April already. March really flew by. But it was a pretty good one. As far as my March goals went, I continued to work on the book. I painted another custom portrait and I got my artwork in my first shop.

All in all March was good to me. The housing situation is a bit on hold. My husband and I decided to try to buy our place. Buying a house is a pretty scary situation anywhere, but seems even crazier in the intensely over-priced housing market that is San Francisco. Fingers crossed that we get this place...and I can relax once again and feel stable.

Here's what I have planned to April:

  1. Continue working on the book. The illustrations are almost finished but I need to perfect them and make sure they all work together.
  2. Scan illustrations and layout the book, add text.
  3. Create at least one custom portrait a month.
  4. Research upcoming art fairs and apply.
  5. Start preparing more inventory for fairs.
  6. Work on ideas for SFEtsy community. 
  7. Add new work to shop. 
  8. Continue learning better time management skills. (I've been working with the Pomodora App.)
  9. Rework portfolio website (this has sadly been neglected for too long).
  10. Get a exercise program working (even if it just 10 minutes a day)
  11. Get back on a blogging schedule. Post at least 2x a week.
  12. Get more active in the Makeshift Society
  13. Take a screen printing class. 
  14. Keep adding new work to my shop.
  15. Get ready to submit work to magazines and blogs.
  16. Start planning mini vacations and camping trips.
Well that looks like April is pretty damn full. I will be concentrating on the book most of the month, but hopefully I will be able to do most of this work.

What are you up to this month?

What's The Meetup? Do you have any business goals to share? You are welcome to join us at The Meetup, where creative people join together online and encourage each other to share their goals and dreams each month. Sound interesting to you? You can find out more here.

March On and on...

School Children with Teachers Under Magnolia Trees on Oxford Street by Charles C. Zoller c. 1910

Wow, the year is certainly flying! Here's to a fabulous new month! I'm really excited about March. I'm ready to get out and get things done.

In the past, I had been sharing my monthly business goals but stopped because I got too busy, or so I thought. But truthfully, I kind of miss them. It is pretty empowering to create a public set of goals don't you think?

So what have I been up to? The last few months have been OK as far as illustration goes. I have been steadily working on my book project and had a bunch custom portraits completed. Etsy has been a great learning experience and I think I am finally getting how it all works (although it could be much better).

As far as March goes, I have a bit of news, I recently became one of the leaders of SFEtsy! It is so exciting for me. It will be a lot of work but I am really happy to get to know a bunch of new people and shops (There are over 850 members shops in SFEtsy). As a bonus, I think it will teach me more about marketing as I learn through helping the other shops promote their artwork.

Here's my March Goals:

  1. Continue working on the book. The goal is 6 pages a month. I'm almost on schedule...BTW, the books has been really fun so far. I'm illustrating my way through a light historical tale and really getting into the fun of Medieval Europe.
  2. Redo website. It is time to get this as professional as possible. 
  3. Become a Adobe InDesign Expert! I will be designing my book and need to make sure this process is as easy as possible.
  4. Add original pieces to my Etsy Shop.
  5. Add new prints to shop. I am working on some new animals right now.
  6. Work on my Storenvy shop.
  7. Read "The Fire Starter Sessions" by Danielle Laporte. (Has anyone done this?)
  8. Read, "Grow Your Own Business" by Kari Chapin.
  9. Research my next steps...
  10. Get more involved with The Makeshift Society.
What's that saying, "March Comes in Like A Lion"? Well, Roar...

Do you have any big plans coming up this month?

Hope you all have a wonderfully productive and happy March! Do you have any big plans coming up?

It's Time for the August Meetup!

Bill Reaves, Field of Flowers, c. 1972 via U.S. National Archives


 Wow, the summer has just flown by! It's hard to believe that August is already here. How did all your summers go? Mine was pretty good so far.  I did manage go on a little vacation back East to visit my family and go to a wedding. I did get a bunch more illustrations done. Yay!

I think have a good mellow flow happening right now.  But, if I face reality,  I know I need to pick up the pace and get a lot more done. What about you?

So, as far as the next few months go, here's the big plans:
  1.  I'm trying to get close to 100 pieces in the shop by October 1st. So basically I will be drawing/painting like a maniac the next few months...
  2. Start getting prepared for the holiday rush on Etsy. 
  3. Work on a bunch of editorial pieces to add to my portfolio.
  4. Focus on getting my work out there more...blogs, websites and online magazines.
  5. Work on my portfolio site. Make sure it looks perfect to start showing off to publishers.
  6. Gallery shows...hopefully I have a few coming up.
  7. I applied to my first art contest/art show. Fingers crossed that I get in.
  8. Art/Craft shows. I would love to get in at least one this fall. 
  9. Get my jewelry in stores. There a couple places that would like to consign them. But I have to make a few more to feel ready.
  10. Add more necklaces to Etsy.  
  11. Rework photography (photographing these necklaces has been harder than I thought).
  12. Design postcard mailers and have them printed.
  13. Choose 10 publishers to send my work to.
  14. Study up on professionalism in send my work to places. 
  15. Design logo.
  16. Design stationary and stickers.
  17. Rework blog.
  18. Look for some magic way to make some money (Ok, maybe not magic but I need to figure out a way to get a little more income coming in). What do you do when you need a little extra?
  19. Damon and I have a bunch of mini trips coming up, so I need to get better at time management.
  20. Find some few places to advertise my shop.
  21. Get more involved with SFEtsy and the Center for the Book! Volunteer and get out of the house more!!!
  22. Work on book ideas with the Ladies & Gents series.
  23. Get better working schedule for New Bohemia Signs.
  24. Get a better blog posting schedule.
Well, that seems pretty good for now, don't you think? Do you have crazy plans for the end of summer rush?

Here's to much success and productivity!!!!!

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.  

It's time for the June Meetup!

Happy Summertime! Vintage Vogue Spain photo via Quite Continental




 I don't believe it is already June...and Summer. Well, I must say, May was a pretty good month for me. I had a piece and some prints in SFEtsy gallery show at Studio Gallery. I finished a couple of custom pieces and got 10 new necklaces finished. I also went on my first camping trip of the year and attended San Francisco Small Business Week classes as well as a finishing few new illustrations.

So what's up for June? Bluehour Studio is going in a slightly different direction towards editorial work now and I need to build my portfolio up...

  1. Get at least one new Editorial piece done a week. 
  2. Continue the Ladies & Gents series add 4 more portraits this month.
  3. Create a few more Victorian Children to series.
  4. Work fridays for New Bohemia Signs.
  5. Go through the Artists & Writers Market and find publications that fit...start list of dream publications.
  6. Work on creating a wonderful Behance page...
  7. Hopefully creating a wonderful Dribbble page...(anyone know how to score a invite?)
  8. Join in a few SFEtsy events. 
  9. Create a illustration for Illustration Friday.
  10. Find more blogs and websites to showcase my Etsy shop.
  11. Be more social online. After two years of  doing this thing I'm still really shy...
  12. Start my diet.
  13. Design mailers to send to publishers.
  14. Update official website to be ready to send to publishers .
  15. Keep adding new work to my Etsy shop (Goal is 80 pieces by October)
  16. Work on getting 2 custom portraits a month.
  17. Go on more bike rides with my hubby!
  18. Start researching for art fairs to apply to in fall.
  19. Get back to a better blogging schedule...I really need to improve this. (Do you blog better in writing blocks or as a daily thing?)
 Ok...I think that is enough for June. (Ha ha...Yikes)I'm getting better at getting more work done but I still need to get much more accomplished to make this business to really work.

So what happens in the summer for you guys? Do you do more or relax more now the weather is calling you? How do you keep from being distracted. Do you have any big summer plans? I'll be visiting my family back east for a week or so in July and I am so excited to get a  break, enjoy some real summertime life along a lovely little pond...

I hope you all have a lovely and productive June!

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. 

It's time for the May Meetup!

Mlle. C.H. Dufau painting Via Library of Congress

 It been a very interesting month. I was excited about the upcoming SFEtsy show that opens tomorrow. Woo Hoo! Most of last month was spent getting ready for the art show. I'm only showing one original and some prints but I had to totally work my Etsy shop to reflect the sizes and prices the gallery wanted. April was a huge learning experience and I am excited about what's next.

May is going to be another busy month. And I'm switching focus a bit.

  1. I want to start focusing on the bigger picture with my illustrations. I want to start focusing on editorial work.This will require a lot of research and learning about the industry. Can any of you recommend any good books on getting into the publication world?
  2. Get a better blogging schedule. I've lost my way a bit and really need to get back to posting at least 2 to 3 times a week.
  3. Add more pieces to shop. Add more folk tale illustrations (seasons series). Learn about SEO and better tagging.
  4. Work on some editorial for my portfolio. I think I need at least 15 editorial pieces by the end of summer.
  5. Get Jewelry done! Consign to shops and add to shop!
  6. Work on new custom portraits.
  7. Create a couple samples for custom portraits.
  8. Go camping...get out of the house and into nature.
  9. Get back on an exercise schedule.
  10. Research local art fairs, apply to at least one for this summer.
  11. Apply to more galleries.
  12. Work on money fears issues. I am currently reading, "Overcoming Underearning" by Barbara Stanny. I highly recommend this book. It has really been blowing my mind.
So that's where I'm at. Seems like enough to keep me busy, don't you think? May should be a really good month. Bluehour Studio will be celebrating it's two year anniversary in July and I really want to be in a good position the time come around. It seems like a really good time to push myself. Wish me luck with all that!

So what is your month like? I hope you all have a super creative and highly productive May!

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. 



Here's to 2012! (January Meetup Goals)



Finding my balance...Tightrope Walker from Life Magazine
2011...What a year! This last few weeks have giving me time to really think about my goals, where I am and where I want to go with bluehour studio in the future. It has been an huge eye opening experience. Here is a bit of what I've learned...

To start off, it was a good year and I am pretty proud myself. I accomplished a lot. I started my Etsy shop. I think I found my creative voice and I made more art work in a year than I ever have since art school.  Most importantly, I have found my passion for illustration again (it was blocked by fear for a long time). All in all, I'm pretty happy about where I am heading as an artist but I still have a lot to learn.

So what is ahead for 2012? This is not a list of resolutions but more of a list of what I will be focusing on in the next year.
  1. Etsy...oh... Etsy you amaze me. There are so many possibilities within your pages. Honestly, I thought that it would be easier to make a living with it. I thought that once I opened my shop it would be like magic and the sales would just happen. This is not reality... Now my shop is open but I don't always understand how to get views. I need to figure out how to make sales. I have heard that the magic number of shop items is about 100. I have 30, there needs to be a lot more...and I need to create a bit of diversity in artwork. I need to create different sizes, subjects, stationary, and some illustrated jewelry...It is going to be a very busy year.
  2. And yes, although Etsy is great, I really want to focus on doing editorial work for non-profits, books and magazines. That will be the ideal. That is the dream...I hope I can make it happen this year. There will be a whole new learning curve about how to send my artwork to companies and publishers. But I am ready for it...
  3. Kick the last bit of fear to the curb. I need to start talking about my artwork more. I can't afford to be shy anymore. I want to get out there. That means bringing my artwork to local shows and galleries. I joined the SFEtsy team and they are opening my eyes to so many new opportunities. I'll probably start small but I would love to do about 3 or 4 shows this year. Anyone know of goods ones to start off with?
  4. Deal with money (and learn the ins and outs of running a successful business)...I know this is a boring subject but it is something I need to face as an artist. How do you truly support yourself? I need get myself out there in the world. I need to learn to advertise, facebook, twitter and blog more. Listen to all the marketing guru's. I need to get over the starving artist thing once and for all. Work a solid part time job too. 
  5. And the key to most of this...better time management. I need to get a good plan. Write daily to-do lists and finish them. So simple, yet so hard to do...Learn to see the big picture with my business.
  6. On a personal level, I need to journal more. Write out my thoughts and fears. I need to get out of the house more. Read some really good fiction and keep my imagination going always. Go for walks, make plans with friends and plan more mini vacations. Plan for a big vacation with my hubby in the next couple of years. Keep my exercise programs going (Damon & I are currently doing P90X, yikes what a workout). Oh...yeah meditate a bit daily.
So that's will be my 2012. It is going to be a really interesting year. I'm sure it will be an intense year. All the crazy politics around the world might get really serious. I'm trying to remain positive about the world around me. And keep looking at all the amazing things people are creating and get inspired by them.

How about you? What is the biggest thing you hope to accomplishing in 2012? What are you most afraid of? What are you most excited about? I'd love to hear about it.

Well, here's to a amazing 2012. It's going to be a hell of a year...

Here's to you and success in the new year!

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.


It's time for the October Meetup!



Trying to keep some balance...via How To Be A Retronaut
I don't believe that it is October already...Where the hell did the time go? Yikes...Well, it has been a crazy couple of months...but I did manage to complete a few things...

  1. I'm on Etsy! It has only been a couple of weeks but I'm am so happy to get this going. I still have a few weeks  to make but I am excited with the possibilities. Here is my shop!
  2. I'm got on Illustration Mundo! Ok I'm a nerd...but I am happy to be official part of this amazing illustration site. Here's me.
  3. I started my own Tumblr site. It has been so fun just to play around with the things that inspire me. It is called, Little Penny Dreadful and I hope you like it.
So what's up for October?
  1. Get more of my art on my Etsy site. I would like to get 2 new pieces a week done. I've never done a holiday season before so I am a bit nervous, but I am part of the "Holiday Bootcamp" and am learning a lot.
  2. Blog 3 or more times a week. I need to keep a good schedule going and I would love to add more artwork to my blog.
  3.  Keep adding more work to the portfolio page on my website.
  4. I need to start thinking about the Big Picture and start introducing myself to magazines and websites.
  5. Make a Halloween costume for Virginia City...I'm thinking of being a silent film star...
  6. Illustration Friday...2x a month.
  7. Keep working on my Ladies & Gents series. Create a few more portraits...write their stories.
  8. Keep fighting off my procrastinating by making better daily schedules and sticking to them.
  9. Keep a solid schedule at New Bohemia Signs (10 to 15 hours a week)and practice my lettering every week.
  10. Keep up with my homework, meditation and exercise for my Integral class.
  11. Find balance...Is this is possible?
  12. Research possible new income streams...
So busy, busy, busy...I think it will be a good month. I'm looking forward to the big challenge is ahead. But I think I am ready for it.

I hope you all have a great month ahead, full of accomplishments and goals made. October seems like the make it or break it month for the holiday season...so let's all kick a bit of ass this month.


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.



It's March Meetup Time!

What an inspiration...Camille Claudel via Turn of the Century

 Happy March, Everyone! I don't believe it is already the 3rd month of the year...yeesh...Sorry that I've been a bit absent the last month or so but I have been working hard trying to do what I do. So what have I been up to?

In the last few months I have succeed in getting more artwork done. Which is wonderful and I have put that artwork everwhere:

 I finally have a bluehour studio facebook page. I still have some work to do on it but it is up! Check it out! I'm still need a bunch more followers for it to be working, what do you need 25? I'm not sure how that works...

Still getting stuff together for website but am having a friend put it together for me. This must get done ASAP.

All in all, I'm doing Ok but I need to still keep pushing forward full force:

Here is my March to-do list:

  1. Get an Etsy page set up. (I laugh at myself that through all of this work, I've neglected to sell anything...what a fool I've been)
  2. Do prints for Etsy page: I'm starting out with about 10 to launch site: my brain is all a spin in ideas...
  3. Get the website up!
  4. Banners done for Etsy
  5. Banner redone for blog(needs more illustration)
  6. Banner for website!
  7. Illustration Friday 2x a month
  8. Keep adding more artwork to Society6/Design:Related and other sites...
  9. Be more awake and contribute more to social networking sites...find my community!
  10. Contribute more to The Creative Empire...it is a wonderful community I'm not using enough.
  11. Deep thinking...I'm taking The Declaration of You! It has only been a week but it is wonderful so far.
  12. Figuring out my issues with the money thing, I need to create a sense of abundance.
  13. Continue to expand my artistic world...take another letterpress class at the San Francisco Center for the Book.
  14.  Keep pushing forward with my blog, and find ways to create more of a community there. Don't be afraid to take risks and include more illustration inspiration...
  15. Get published! I'm working on a few things in the next couple of months...
This will prove to be a very interesting month. My husband is moving his sign shop to a much bigger space so I will be helping out a lot with that. I am so happy to work at at the shop and will be learning some sign painting skills too. How exciting!

Hopefully I will get most of this work done. I like March, it is the beginning of spring and there is a lot of growth and excitement in the air. My word for the month: ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Hope you are all doing well and I look forward to checking out all your sites and blogs. Good Luck with the upcoming month.

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.

The January 2011 Meetup is here!

I will admit December kind of sucked as far as productivity. My husband and I took a trip back east for Thanksgiving for couple of weeks and we came back and got sick. And Christmas happened, well let's just say I am very happy the holidays are over and I can get back to work.

I learned something really important(and a bit obvious I suppose) over the last month. It is that I can't do everything myself. I was trying to build a portfolio website and driving myself crazy. I soon realized I really have no idea what I was doing.  So I decided, through a few tears,  I am hiring a friend to help with all the coding and getting the website to run smoothly. What a relief.  It feels so good to let some of the pressure off  of thinking I have to be an expert in everything...

2011 resolution? Finding Strength in Myself...via this

So,  what is in store for January?

  1. Finally get the mini-book done.  The paintings are 99% done. I just need to photograph them and get them to work  in the book. 
  2. Rework text for mini-book and rework book layout in Adobe InDesign.
  3. Work on prints to sell on Etsy.
  4. Create an Etsy page.
  5. Create banner and logo for website.
  6. Finish new portfolio pieces and revamp some favorites.
  7. Perfect wording for website copy.
  8. I'm taking my first Letterpress Class at San Francisco Center for the Book.
  9. Keep improving blog, finding my voice and show more of my artwork.
  10. Get my work published in at least one blog/website a month.
  11. Mediate/Exercise/Walk daily!!!!
  12. Continue volunteering at SFCB.
  13. Take more pictures.
  14. Get out in nature at least once a month.
  15. Learn to use my time more wisely.
  16. Illustration Friday!
  17. Get website up and running....
  18. Start working on my own stories again. 
  19. Find new income streams and implement them.
What a great way to start off the new year. Yay! I hope you are all are also in a happy work mode. I feel really positive about 2011. I think it will be the year that everything comes together.

What about you? Are you feeling awesome about 2011? What are your biggest challenges for the year?

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.

Creating a website

Feeling a bit stretched...I've got a lot to do over the next few weeks. How about you?

 Ahhh...December. It is the crazyiest time of the year. The very, very end of the year where all big projects are to be completed and your year is to be  be summed up with a clear view of accomplishments done.  What is on my plate this year, you may ask? We'll,  I'm getting going on building my official bluehour studio illustration website. Finally, right?  Well, the huge task is at hand and I have a lot of work to do on it. Here's to hoping Adobe Creative Suite 4 will make it semi-easy... Right now I am designing a logo and trying to figure out just what I want to say about myself. Who knew that writing an "about" page would be so strange?  I must remember to keep it simple...

After that, I will be choosing what artwork I want to include in my portfolio and figuring out what artwork I need to create. It will be amazing to get this done. I can't wait.

During this time, I am trying my damnedest to stay focused and awake and not lose site of the where I'm going.  Here is a bit of music I've been listening to to keep my energy up:

Two newish songs by the fabulous Arcade Fire from the album, "The Suburbs"





I'm hoping the website will be up and finished by January 1st. Wish me luck!