A New Year

Sorry I've been away so long. With Christmas sales and getting that awful bug that's been going around, I've been out of commission for a while. But I did start on a new drawing and I'm making some New Years resolutions.

Last year I made a resolution to draw 100 birds before the end of the year. Didn't manage that, but did manage to turn my drawings into a new business! I probably drew 30-40 birds, but also drew other creatures, such as mice, rabbits and squirrels, then went on to llamas and alpacas! I will continue this year to draw my favorite animals and turn them into giclees and try to add one new outlet every month! So far I have my giclees in 5 shops and I have 3 contacts to turn into clients in January so far. Or maybe one in January and the other two in February!

I want to create some drawings specifically for "Valentine's Day" and Easter, but try to keep them generically very "spring" to extend their life on the shelf. I have started a sweet mouse inside a rose covered tea cup and I'll post that this week.

Happy New Year to everyone and I wish you continued success in all your artistic pursuits this year!

My Christmas card chosen as one of the Top Editor picks!

Check out the link here: http://kateharperblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/editor-picks-christmas-cards-with-new.html

This is Kate Harpers blog and I'm thrilled to be included. Everyone that knows me on EDM, (Every Day Matters, a collective of artists who draw, paint or sketch every day), would you be so kind as to leave a comment on her blog about my card?? I'd love to get some greeting card deals going with some of her publishers!!! Thanks so much.

It's because of EDM that I even got to here. I've only been blogging back and forth with you guys for under a year, learned to draw birds (LOL!), now I have my art giclees in 4 stores (going on 6!) and it's all because of the inspiration I received here. You are all so talented and great. You keep me motivated. Keep drawing and painting every day!

Hope everyone is having an awesome Holiday Season so far. Time to make the donuts!! Er, make the cards!!!! LOL

Full Raven card

Christmas cards from my artwork

If you'd like to increase the life of your work, and the income from it, think about making some seasonal greeting cards and giclees. I just added more to my Etsy last night, and sold a Raven Holiday card right off the bat. A half an hour later, someone was creating an Etsy Treasury, and selected my white tailed deer! Great additional promotion! Off to make more cards! I love this, as I love to re-use and re-purpose my artwok. Hope you are all having a great holiday season so far!

Colored Pencil Demonstration

I'll be giving a colored pencil demonstration in Newburyport, MA this Saturday, Nov. 27, from 12-3pm if anyone is in the area. Stop by and say hi! The name of the store is Sisters We 3, and it's located at 57 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950. Here's their website for hours, etc. www.sisterswethree.com. They have a great variety of handmade items and artwork. I love this store!

Pit Bull Christmas card

Been working on some Christmas card designs. Hope you like this! I'll be adding it to my Etsy shop today!

Here's a few close=ups of Sophie!

Sophie, Bearded Collie

Here's a picture I drew of my brother's dog, Sophie. It's the first dog I've drawn with my colored pencils this year, and I'm happy with the way it came out. Anyone else have a bearded collie? I may do my 2 cats next from a photo I have of them looking out the back window. We'll see!