My contract with the Royal Alberta Museum is up and so is the exhibit I worked on: Cool & Collected. Here is a very tiny preview of the labels I created with the team at the museum. The exhibit was designed by a wonderful & creative woman, Marina Hulzenga, who organized the space into three quadrants: Gallery, Emporium and Laboratory. Each section has a different feel and utilizes a different colour scheme (as well as different artifacts with varying stories and ways of examining them). Beautiful work Marina and all those who worked with you along the way.

Cool & Collected at Edmonton's Royal Alberta Museum. This is the primary exhibit I worked on these last two months. Working hand in hand with curators, designers, writers and other wonderful staff at the museum I couldn't be more proud. The exhibit was completed under a tight deadline and is already drawing fantastic crowds. Shown here are some of the amazing artifacts in the exhibit.

From Top left to right then below: (for the collage with the bat, sword, bone...etc)

Just noticed I forgot the bat: It's called a "flying fox" and eats fruit. Watch those fangs baby!


1) "Play Football": Only 5 cents to play with these cool guys? (see the little guys along the bottom)
2) Entrance sign: Created by art director Carolyn Lilgert. Beautiful photography!
3) Chinese Lion Dance Costume
4) Brilliant hummingbirds.
5) Samuri Sword with Ray Skin handle ("firm grip for a bloodied hand")
6) Two headed Calf
7) Gas Pump (why aren't gas pumps this cool anymore?)
8) Alligator Skull (this skull once belonged to West Edmonton Mall and when the creature died the entire skeleton was donated to the museum!)
9) Gorilla Skull
10) Bone Tool (inuit)
11) Football game's little playing pieces
12) Cassowary Bird (bad taxidermy job!... see it up close at the museum!)

I would highly reccomend this exhibit. It's a great combination of weird, wonderful and amazing. Read the stories as most of the objects that seem plain to the eye aren't so. A piece of the Red Baron's plane might go unnoticed or a .22 calibre firearm belonging to Sir Conan Doyle might seem quite normal at first glance...

I will certainly miss going to work there each day. What a wonderful place! (sigh)...

Snowman Band



I got my postcards printed (& Bus cards to match) and they look great. I can truly say that there is nothing quite like finally having something to hand out to people when they ask me about my work. In retrospect I would have liked to have printed them on something a bit thicker (12pt perhaps) but as I plan to print postcards at least twice a year I'm sure I can try different thickness out as I go along.

Miss Dishy (new zealand illustrator extraordinaire) has recently started a blog of notice as well. Check it out: http://mishemcbride.blogspot.com/ as you'll really enjoy some of the more recent articals. She'll draw a chuckle everytime.

The last fun tid bit is that I have signed up for a fundraiser called Doctors and Derrieres II which involves creating art for a silent auction... This is an excerpt from an email I received asking me to join:

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"It's called "Doctors and Derrieres II: Posing for a Global Cause" It's a joint effort between local artists and a non-profit University of Alberta organization, International Health Initiatives by Medical Students (IHIMS) (and this year, Change For Children). This fundraiser will take the form of a silent auction where art will be sold. However, this is far from a regular silent auction. The subject of all the art pieces will be the nude human body and the model for each one will be a medical student, dental student, health professional or an MD from Edmonton's Hospitals. This event will raise funds for international health projects taking place in Tanzania, India, and Kenya. As well, funds will go to support a medical project in El Salvador carried out by a well established NGO, Change for Children. Last year we had a huge response from the public and the media. Raising over $5000.00. 17 artists participated and over 40 pieces of art auctioned off. This year I want to have more artists and more art because the exhibit will be held at the Red Strap Market. (2nd floor)The exhibit will run from the 21st to 24 of May. The silent auction will occur on the evening of the 24th from 7-midnight."

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So! A very interesting cause indeed. Already myself and friend/illustrator Gabe ( http://www.designustrator.blogspot.com/ ) are signed up as well as I'm sure many other fine artists around Edmonton. I hope to see some readers at the show this May.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: "I spy with my little eye"...



Can you find: Harry Potter, a clown, a dog, a cat, a robot (or two), a guy on his cell, a boy picking his nose, a super hero...

I was so excited yesterday to see that my mermaid painting had been chosen as the "feature image" on artwanted.com and even more excited that it recieved over 5,000 hits in one day. I'm beginning to think that this website might be worth upgrading so that I can publish more than three images a month on it. It seems to get some good exposure although admittedly I'm not sure how much exposure it gets by professionals? So far in less than one month there have been over 7,000 views on my three little images which is really neat.

I am officially an entrant to Edmonton's annual Art Walk this year. The event runs from July 13-15 and it's all along Whyte Ave. I'll be there "painting in action" and will have a few cards and prints to sell by then as well. If you show up you just might be lucky enough to get a free postcard which I am having printed this week.

I can hardly believe my contract with the Royal Alberta Museum is almost up. I've finished doing all the labels and signs for the "cool & collected" exhibit which I will try to post here after the exhibit is open to the public. I keep wondering if I should have applied to the full time job that came up a couple weeks ago as I am really frightened by the prospect of such an unsteady income but know I must give it a fair shot or I will truly regret it.

I have requested many quotes for my postcard mailer as well as for my bus cards and am waiting on several quotes to get back to me before I start spending money. I'm so excited to have postcards made up of my "spring girl" (posted earlier in this very blog). If anyone wants a copy simply email me (artist@crystaldriedger.com) and I'll see if I can't spare one for you.

Another fun tid bit is I'm seriously considering applying to our local "art walk" on Whyte ave this year. It's a three day event that allows you to "paint in public" (sounds naughty!) while selling prints and such of your work. For only $45 it's truly a steal of a deal folks... I'll let you know if I decide that is in my budget (but I think so).

Just a note that my first newsletter (April news) will go out in a few weeks so sign up via my website if you want a copy emailed to you.

It has been such a great week for me. I finally published my site and sent out a massive email for my website launch (complete with "e-donuts" which one person enjoyed while another was upset by as I ran out a little early: Sorry!). I also published some work on artwanted.com as well as portfolios.ca (click the links to the left for more info). I could hardly believe my eyes when my art made the "top ten" list for the day (http://www.artwanted.com/browse/topten.cfm?Artist=33483) which is of course an honor as I just joined this weekend. Artwanted.com seems to be quite an interesting site thus far as I have already garnered 1500 views of my portfolio (only three images allowed) where as on flickr I am nearing the 500 mark and I have been on this site for over a month now. Either they are skewing their numbers or I should upgrade to the full portfolio option because thus far they have proved to be a very "happening" place.

I also received a personal phone call from portfolios.ca (which I found on my answering machine) and can't wait to hear what they have to say as well as a request to submit art to an artshow in the U.S. near Chicago.

Nothing feels real perhaps because I am so happy right now. I could think of nothing more exciting than a career in illustration (especially freelancing, and freelancing for great people)... I thought it would take so much longer to get work and I do have so much farther to go but right now I couldn't be closer to cloud 9.

Thanks everyone who has stopped by the website this week. It has meant so much to me to have you all for support. Thanks guys!

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?

MERMAID PAINTING is done!

After many weeks painting after work and on weekends I am proud to bring you my mermaid. I produced her because I was tired of working with tight deadlines and as you may have noticed, I LOVE mermaids! The ocean is such a vast unexplored place and it's right here on this planet. Who is to say merpeople do not exist? I would dare to say that they are probably not as "human" looking at my painting is but maybe they have hair like seaweed and sea animals flock to them. If you are a careful observer of ocean creatures you will notice several things. The first is that there are two fictional animals in this piece (you guess which). The second is that some of these species do not belong together (and no, not "shark and little fish, I'm thinking more geographically). I wanted to paint something that reminded me of the great barrier reef, which I visited a couple of years ago. It's so packed full of creatures of different sorts that it's hard to turn in each direction and not bump into something.

New species of fish are being discovered all the time. Coral reef populations in many parts of the world are being fished by dynamite (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, etc) which is devestating the fish population and reef life and therefore must be respected, documented and painted (haha, cue for me). Fish are such amazing creatures too! Did you know that salmon return to the same river they hatched in to spawn? Some shark species do not lay eggs but rather bare live young. Every place you turn there is a wonderful new creature doing something amazing.

Why not paint it!

Illustration Friday: RED

Click on image for better preview.

This little illustration is a product of staying up too late. It evolved into a representation of what employers imagine their employees capable of (or want them to be). Unrealistic expectations of the multi tasking angel who is diligent, ontime always and stays indifferent to office politics.

Today was my first "free" working day. I finished the cover to the handbook (only three more illustrations to go, whew!) but cannot post it here (hark! Must wait until it is published, if it does get chosen). I was invited to subcontract at my old employment and am waiting to review the contract to decide what to pursue.

After the meeting, however, I rushed to Chapters and bought two very important books: 1). 2007 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market and 2). Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market. If you have never heard of these books I would suggest you go out and read them (even if you have to read them while sitting in the middle of the business aisles in Chapters). Handy little guys, let me tell you.

Time ticks on by as I try to get lots of art completed before the big book show in New York. That's right, in case I havn't said so earlier I am going to Book Expo America to talk to publishers and hopfully make a couple contacts. Maybe learn a bit more about the big guns... who knows?