a close up of her face. i love painting "sweetness". she is my fairy without wings.

I had the most interesting day today (and perhaps amazing in some way as well). At first it seemed to be turning out to be a hard, everlastingly long day. I scanned my spring girl and went off to staples. They told me I couldn't print my artwork until tomorrow so I went off hunting for another staples... three staples later and I was downtown with hardly a line at all. My prints started coming (the entries for applied arts and communication arts magazines) and so did the compliments. Two very sincere and wonderful business men helped me pick glossy vs matte and on top of it all I sold my very first fine art print ever! $20... and from a staples print off nonetheless (of my mermaid painting). I gave my newest client my blog address so I hope he posts a comment on here as I have a message for him:

I will one day be making prints with archival quality paper (and colors that are much more true to my actual painting) and promise to give you a $20 discount towards a replacement print of your choice. Plus the copy I gave you is yours to keep forever. You never know... perhaps that copy will be worth alot more than you bought it off me for tonight one day? You never know really!

Cheers and here is the scan of my final painting for applied arts and my self promo postcard mailout.

Today I was so lucky. It's 10:30 and I've managed to finish my entry for comm arts/applied arts (one of two entries, thanks Gabe!). I believe I spent a total of approx 30hours on the piece and am happy with it. Right now I've been staring at it for far too long in one chunk (12 hours or more... 14???) so maybe I'll think it's terrible tomorrow and want to start again but I surely hope not because I simply do not have enough time or energy. Whew! I know I already finished my painting but due to exhaustion I have decided to scan it tomorrow instead of today. Not to leave empty handed, however, I have been photographing my progress. This was where I was this morning. I put another 10 hours into it so get ready for the grand finale....

Today I have told myself that it would be in my best interest to finish my communication arts entry. I have spent far too long fiddling around with etsy and am losing track of my goals. My entry is going to be one of four designs completed for a post card series and series of art cards, buttons, etc used for self promo and resale. Four cards: four seasons. The first post card is for spring time and shall be a little beacon of hope for those with the winter blues. She's still wearing her scarf because where I am from you never can seem to avoid wearing all your "winter wearables" long past due...

I've put together a mini demo as I go along. This is the "prep" series. I forgot to take a picture of me gessoing the chunk of wood but I'm sure you can all imagine how it's done (you just paint it on). I will attach more in the series as I begin to finish her and then perhaps a bunch as I try to print and make things with her.

Today and yesterday I finally made time to get some product in my etsy store, birdybear. Handpainted original pieces of art that decorate your kitchen: Kitchen fancies! These are currently up for sale so if you are interested check out my store on etsy (link located to the left under my links).

I am going to put up prints, paintings, buttons, little quirky nick nacks and more. Keep checking for fun things to purchase!

Happy valentines day everyone! I'm off for a dinner and chocolate cake with my husband. I drew this little guy at work while saving a massive banner file. Whew!

This week I have been working each evening hour away on my website. I am working with iweb, a program on new mac computers. Iweb is a program that makes website publishing easier for people like me with no experience (but honestly can still prove quite challenging at times). I completely designed the site but am finding that I am redesigning as I go in iweb (having discovered this after designing my site entirely in photoshop... silly me).

Other news is that I am to be the guest professional illustrator at Grant MacEwan for the final year illustration students this thursday. I have all my stationary samples laid out on the floor and am currently sifting through the pile to see what I am going to show off (and not show at all!). I'm working out what to say and wear (funky or formal?). As with most, if not all, public speaking occasions I am nervous and excited.

Other things are happening on the New York front. I have met with a local author and am planning to finish a dummy for May complete with at least three illustrations and cover. I am going to bring copies of the dummy, tearsheet samples and other fun free stuff to hand out. I'm thinking magnets, buttons, bookmarks or postcards (tried, true and affordable...). All of these will go hand in hand with the local author's work. A themed proposal if you will.

The attached illustration is for valentines day because it reminds me of the tim burton's romantic even in death style. I'm certain no one else has done as much for children in the realm of seeing different perspectives on death as he. Happy V-day everyone. xoxo -crystal

I had this copy in with my illustration friday but it didn't make much sense so here it is in it's "own" location:

I started my contract with the Royal Museum of Alberta on Monday and it's great to be back in a positive, excited work environment. I am trying my best to convince everyone that illustration is exactly what they need a project I'm working on (cross your fingers!) but otherwise I have my hands in some very cool exhibits. In fact you should all check out their website and read all about the renewal project. The museum is expanding (huge!!!) and will be closed after July I believe (or June???) to do some heavy construction work and preparation for the great things they hope to accomplish. So, my advice is to go and see the exhibits before they close for quite some time.

Otherwise I have been collecting contact numbers from papers around the city and scoping out places that might need illustration so that when my "local" tear sheets are done I will know where to send them. Otherwise the ball is rolling to get to New York. Illustrations are being planned out and details are starting to get clearer: I am so excited. Life is amazing right now. Amazing.

I'll add a sketch later!

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: SPROUT

I admit I had another illustration in the works for this project but am currently putting my website together and found a painting I did last year that fits. Only the alien has killed said sprout... (bad alien!) This painting was a self promotional piece: a bookmark that I am going to eventually make into a series of fun little oddities.

Painted on rough wood. Approx original size: 4x13".

If you havn't already check out my mermaid painting a couple of blogs ago. I finally finshed the piece!

I've been so terribly busy working on my website the last three days (hence hardly any new sketches). I patiently wait for approval on photographs I took of some products I illustrated while at my last employment so that I can start doing the "behind the scenes" part of the website (ok, my husband is going to help me actually "make the buttons work". What on earth would I do without his help that amazing man?).

I had to cancel my "make things for Etsy" crafty day with some cool gal pals of mine. I bought a block to stick knives in from the thrift store which I am going to paint up all funky with cool cows and chickens and things. I adore painting farm animals. I hope to charge at least $40 for it and want to charge more but frankly who would spend more than $30 on a knife block even if it was hopelessly cool in the kitchen? I guess if it never sells I will put it in my kitchen and all the other kitchens on the block will go over the edge in jelousy. Take that.

I will let you all know when my website is working. Right now I'm almost done the "information" section which outlines a bit about me, my contact info, links to cool places like this blog (how exciting) and a picture of myself. My husband thinks it's terribly cheesy to have a picture of myself on my website (I think it's pro and cute...) but I rather enjoy it. Does anyone else have an opinion on this matter?