I'm trying to figure out how to share things that inspire me from other sites.  let's see if this works ...

I LOVE all things with a bohemian style.  all the rich colors & textures.  This is something that I'm striving to add to my painting style.  Here are some things that I find inspiring.

for now it looks like I was able to add the pictures successfully.  I'll check back tomorrow and see if they are still here.   On that note - "Goodnight Everyone".

     I'm not really sure what I want to say today.  I have a few paintings and such that I wanted to post since I haven't been blogging in a while.  I've also been trying to figure out how I can become more productive with my time and better organize my ideas and projects.  This has always been something that I've wanted to improve on, but I really became aware of how important this change needs to be the other night.  I realized that when I do finally have some motivation to get something done I tend to do 5 things at once (literally) in order to get everything accomplished.   I made the following list at the time that I came to this realization -

"At this moment in time I am ...

1. drying dishes
2. cooking my dinner
3. scanning pictures
4. watching a movie
5. writing this list"

     I need to find a way to focus my energies into one project at a time.  It's not a bad thing to multi-task, but I take it to a point that I think may be more scatter-brained than multi-tasking.  This is something to add to my list for improvements in 2011.

     Here are some of the things I've done in the last few months ...

thought I'd add my sketch + color comp this time so that I can share a little bit of the process.

(also tried to incorporate a more texturized background  ( I used paper to scrape the blue paint across the background) - didn't quite turn out like I had envisioned.  Something I'll have to keep working on.  Trying to get out of my comfort zone a little).   I  feel like something is not quite right with the umbrella - so I guess this is still a work in progress.

and I guess I would call this the "companion piece" to go along with "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas".  Trying to work on consistent characters and show some action.  A good start I think.

I'm also including a sketch that I did last night.  I've been looking at a lot of other artists and trying to figure out where I want to go with my work.  I want to develop a more stylized way of rendering my figures.  Here is the sketch that I worked on with that in mind ...

we'll see what it looks like when I use paint.  I'm trying to add more shadows and highlights to the skin - to add more dimension.  I'm not sure how well the sketch turned out here (it looks better in real life).  There are some subtleties that just don't show up.  hmm.. maybe I need a new scanner.  I guess I can add that to my list of things I'll get when we're rich.

I've also gotten the sudden urge to get out a canvas and so something larger.  I really want to paint a wall in my house, but since we are renting this is not an option.  I can't wait for the day that we own our own place and I can paint everything and anything I want!!  :)  (don't tell Ken).

Anyway, I got out a canvas and started thinking about some ideas.  I've been really wanting to do a whale illustration for some time and also wanting to incorporate some collage.  I've been fascinated with collage for years now, but have been unable to incorporate it into my art and create a cohesive style.  So this is my current undertaking.  Here is the sketch that I plan to work with ...

well, I suppose this is enough for tonight.  I'll try and update everyone on my progress by the end of the week.  

Hope you all have a great week.

     I had a great New Year's Eve.  I spent it with great friends and had one of the best New Years Eves Ever!  Now I'm ready to focus on the new year, which I'm really excited about.  I have such a great starting off point since I was able to get so much Illustration work done at the end of 2010.  And just as everyone else is doing right now, I'm thinking about what I want this new year to be.  One of the first things I though about was what my word for 2011 is going to be.  It actually came to me pretty quickly and I feel very confident about it.  My word is ..... "FEARLESS".  This word embodies everything that I want and need this year to be for me.  I want to live my life with no regrets.  I want to loosen up a bit, unwind myself and allow myself to just be me.
     I also felt that I needed to make my lists today (my 11 lists).  I felt that it was important to do these on the very first day of this year  - and not procrastinate.  So here they are....

11 things I am thankful for in my life right now .....

1.  That I have art and creativity in my life.
2.  That I have an amazing husband that is still as motivated, passionate and driven as he was when I met him, and is a huge support for me.
3.  That I have such amazing friends and family, who continue to encourage me.
4.  That both my husband and I have jobs
5.  That I live in California!!
6.  That we were able to get this apartment and live in an amazing town where there is so much for us to do and enjoy (especially since I don't have a car)
7.  That I've had the opportunity to see so many new places
8.  That I'm able to go to Disneyland all the time with my husband and friends :)
9.  That my husband and I have good health
10. That I don't have kids yet and can still enjoy sleeping in and being lazy on the weekends  :)
11.  That I have a Starbucks a block away from my place.  (something I've always dreamed of - lol)


11 things that I want to do in 2011 .....


1.  To start getting illustration work
2.  To get in shape and feel comfortable in my body again
3.  To make Yoga a routine
4.  To loosen up and let myself show through my art
5.  To go to the Farmer's Market more often
6.  To have more fun with my clothes again - maybe go Thrifting again.
7.  To sketch more often
8.  To hike more
9.  To try more new foods
10. Take more photographs
11. To be FEARLESS

I'd love to know what other people would like to do in this upcoming year.  Feel free to share.
I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve and that 2011 is everything that you want it to be.