Happy New Year & Illus. Fri -'highlight'

(click for closer view)


12x12, watercolor, pen, colored pencil

Happy New Year!

We were blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine today so I was able to finish an illo in our sunroom to submit for Illustration Friday. I received an amazing book for Christmas (among others, which I'll share with you soon) and I absolutely love it! Kudos to artist & author of Personal Geographies - Exploration in Mixed Media Mapmaking, Jill K. Berry for putting this book together! I've always loved anything to do with maps and can't wait to try out more of the projects in the book....

This illo is a combination of reflecting on the past year and IF's word this week 'highlight'. I knew immediately what the theme for my first map would be, to 'highlight' memories of travel, events or just plain everyday life that seemed to be my focus each month last year.

I imagined each month as an island, shaped like the first letter of that month with symbols representing the event or thoughts & feelings I experienced. I had so much fun with this (and actually didn't realize how much I travelled last year!) I highly recommend doing one of your own - what theme would show up on your map?

Because it's a brand new year, I think my next one will focus on wishes, dreams and artistic goals for 2012 - a possibility map - because last year didn't give me much time to devote to my art like I wanted to. How about you, what will you be focusing on in 2012?

May the new year bless us all with happiness, health, grace and abundant creativity! <3

time and tomes

Helllooooo out there......just peeking in as the dust settles [literally] in our new place. I have a nice, bright studio here, more storage too but there's much to do in the way of setup & organization. The upside to all this work is that I'm purging as I go and finally bidding adieu to things I've long outgrown. It's been quite the haul this past week or so but I'm keeping my eye on the horizon as I sift through all the boxes & totes.

I'd love to have a little giveaway/pay it forward once I sort through everything as a way of sending some good vibes out into the universe - I may even throw in a small art print or two, we'll see :)

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday weekend if you're celebrating where you are - be well friends.

Reads, ConvenZioNE / Michelle of B. Original

What a great mail day it was yesterday!!! I am so looking forward to immersing myself in these books.

Last nite I made myself some Jasmine tea (the leftover tea was just as delicious this afternoon iced when the thermometer started to rise!) and opened up Art & Fear - very insightful so far. I also couldn't resist peeking through 1000 Artist Journal Pages and recognized quite a few names in there - can't wait to dig into that book!! I'm looking forward to bringing it to ConvenZioNE in August for a book signing by the author Dawn DeVries Sokol. This gathering of creative souls will also have many other events going on including extraordinary workshops, breakfast with SARK, Bella Galleria -a gallery & boutique walk, live music and and fine dining to name a few!!

Speaking of ConvenZioNE.....part of the reason for this post is also to officially enter my name into the FREE ConvenZioNE Spending Spree. At the opening lunch, special guest Michele Beschen from DIY and HGTV, will draw a name to celebrate her participation at this inaugural event. The winner gets their registration fee reimbursed on the spot!! I've been watching Michele's B. Original epsiodes for awhile now and just love her can-do attitude, eclectic style and no fear approach to creating. Visit her blog courage to create to see what she's up to.

Enjoy the rest of your week!