May 2017
May is just about done and I can't quite fathom that Summer is on its way. I'm wrapping up the last bits of a 2018 picture book and just finished sketches for another book. In between that?
* If you're within driving distance, the current Andrew Wyeth drawing exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum is wonderful. It's a terrific assortment of Wyeth's studies and sketchbooks, and well-worth the visit.
* I'm thrilled that Finding Wild is included in The Best Children's Books of the Year, selected by the Children's Book Council.
* I finished reading Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art by Claire Wellesley-Smith last week and it's wonderful. I really enjoyed the portions about the need to pull back from society's relentless pace.
* I'm doing a shop update this coming Friday, June 2 with some new original pieces. I'm hoping to get back to print sales later in the summer. In the meantime, though, I do have prints available over here.
On Going Goings On
It's been a busy Spring so far. I wrapped up final interior art for a spring 2018 picture book (more on that later) and began working on character sketches for a new project. I've been trying to finish up a few watercolor pieces and some embroidery projects in between. And I'm very slowly working my way through a 2017 personal challenge, illustrating each of the Queens of England.
What else?
* I just finished A Long Way From Chicago (courtesy of my sister, who leant me her copy) and it was wonderful. And I'm just about done with Jane Jacobs's The Death and Life of Great American Cities, which is also a terrific read.
* I've been binge listening to the Creative Pep Talk Podcast. It's swell!
* Speaking of bingeing, Father Brown is top of my Netflix queue at the moment.
* And I'm sewing the Moneta dress from Colette Patterns, using one of my Spoonflower designs. Photos forthcoming! I was a bit nervous tackling this one, as I've never sewn jersey before (and don't own an overlock machine). But the pattern is so well-written and the online tutorials so good that it hasn't been the painful experience anticipated. I can't recommend the pattern enough!
Now back to drawing. And (in the interest of full disclosure) bingeing on jelly beans.
Red Herrings
I've been listening to mostly television and movie soundtracks lately while working. And because said playlist is 75% mystery theme songs, here's a rather mysterious lady (who looks like she knows where the arsenic is kept).
Also, if you'd like a listen, here's a link to the Spotify playlist
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February Findings
The past month, in a nutshell:
* I read Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and liked it (aside from the final chapter, which wandered). It's a beautifully written little volume, leaving the reader aghast at the complexity and wonder of the universe.
* If you aren't subscribed to the Small Batch List, run over and do so immediately. Claire puts together a stupendous weekly newsletter, full of all sorts of goodies. Film recommendations, recipes, artist profiles -- it's a delight to read and I look forward to it every Friday.
* I finished knitting Irina Dmitrieva's Foliage Hat and have been wearing it daily. I hadn't knit cables in years and was a bit nervous initially, but it's a well-written pattern and fits like a dream. And for yarn (if you're local) may I wholeheartedly recommend Saltwater Fabrics?
* Speaking of local, I hosted a Valentine Making Party in my studio this month and it was so much fun. I'm hoping to host more events in the studio, later on in the year.
Aside from that? I'm plugging away at final book art, shoveling out from snowstorms, working on a surface design lookbook, loving Last Tango in Halifax and in general, trudging through February. But the light lasts longer at the end of the day and the seed catalogue came in the mail, so I think it's acceptable to start daydreaming about spring. Right?
UPPERCASE Surface Pattern Design Guide
I'm thrilled to be included in the new UPPERCASE Magazine Surface Pattern Design Guide! A part of the most recent issue, it's packed full of delightful print and pattern and well-worth the read.
Twenty Seventeen
Happy New Year! Hope your holidays were splendid.
I've been mulling over the new year, making plans and resolutions, albeit slowly and with a heavy dose of realism. Professionally, I'd like to:
* Continue to explore embroidery and surface design.
* Make some sort of a zine (or if I'm really ambitious, a book) that would consist of sketchbook faces and accompanying stories.
* Get back to making comics, however sporadically that happens.
Aside from that, I'm working on final art for a 2018 picture book right now, then will shift gears to a project that I can't wait to share more about. And in the fall, Fort Building Time by Megan Wagner Lloyd comes out!
Personally?
* I want to make more of my clothes, mostly because as a grown woman it's impossible to find a shirt covered in cephalopods. But also for reasons of sustainability, I'd like to knit and sew more of my wardrobe, even if it's only a handful of items.
* Reading is on my list of resolutions, but I'm not setting a number of books this year. The Brothers Karamazov and Little Dorrit have been sitting on the shelf forever. Owing to their size, I'm planning to read a couple hefty books this year, rather than a lot of shorter volumes.
And beyond all that, I think I'll just stay the course. I'm sure there'll be trips to see family, vintage shenanigans and hopefully some more camping once the weather accomodates.
And you?
