Summer days & nights

Hello again, finally. I cannot believe it's been two months since I posted anything here(!) Life has been a strange mix of many things for me this summer: lots of travelling (car & air travel), preparing for a move (again), trying to fit in time for art, even if it's only to journal (yet not feeling inspired to do more than take photos of everything) and trying to get thru the heat here in Texas (108 degrees here yesterday ok? pass the sweet tea please)

I've been very introspective as a result of all the above - when I find the time that is - and so opened up my paper bag journal yesterday and completed the spread below. In the second pic I placed a deck of cards that I purchased on my latest trip, "Healing With the Angels" by Doreen Virtue, PH.D. (yes that's her last name) and they were sitting nearby unopened, I had been waiting for the right moment to experience them. I read the little book that came with it and picked out a few cards before I made this piece. These Oracle cards are said to help you communicate with your guardian angels, that they have messages to deliver to us and are ready to guide us if we open our hearts & minds and just listen:





How did you spend your summer? Hopefully it was filled with many, many wonderful things to look back on and also things to look forward to.

Before I forget, I wanted to mention that the 100 Illustrations 2011 Annual, featuring my work and 49 other illustrators, is now available from Barnes & Noble. The pink arrow points to my cover piece:


Thank you to all those on the book design team and of course to the lovely Diana Evans, for the opportunity to be a part of this project.

Will try to post more as things get done & free up my time to do so, enjoy these last few days of August friends - be well.

Book Love ♥

Happy Monday all -- hope you hit the ground running today to get your week off to a great creative start!

My day was spent tying up loose ends on a project, one I mentioned awhile back. I'm honored to be a part of the book project shown below which is due for release soon:

More sharing:

Today's mail brought some huge inspiration to my studio! One is by the amazing & talented Misty Mawn and the other by a new to me illustrator - fashion illustrator Anna Kiper. I love how each book is unique & beautiful in their own way, reflecting each artist and their style...

First up Misty Mawn's book:


book images © Misty Mawn

You can really feel that Misty's heart & soul is present in her book and the surprise at the end [insert spoiler here] was icing on the mixed media cake for me - brava dear Misty!! I've always loved her fearless approach to art and messy is okay attitude. I was thrilled when I won a couple of her original paintings a few years ago from her online portrait class. Let me tell ya her book is going to be displayed right beside them when I set up the gallery wall in my studio. Now if I could just get her to sign my copy [hint hint ;]

book images © Misty Mawn

Next up, Anna Kiper, totally different in contrast - fashion & design influenced and a feast for my illustrator eyes & senses! Fabulous renderings, tips and ideas for any fashion /costume illustrator. My mind is swimming with ideas, I just need to stock up on some new supplies :) :)


book images © Anna Kiper


book images © Anna Kiper

All I have to say is SO much inspiration - SO little time! Oh well, we do the best we can right? Have a lovely inspired week!