Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas


Its almost time. Shopping for the holiday dinner is about all that needs to be done - things you can't get until the last minute, like shrimp for the salad and fresh produce. I'm trying to not eat all the fancy cookies before the day (even putting them in a tin with a lid, hidden in the cupboard doesn't help - I know where they are).




The kitties are enjoying the tree, each in their own way. There's just something so soothing about those little white lights. I've decided to string some up around the fireplace for an all-year-round glow, when we're in the mood. 




There is a lot of art and knitting on my 'to do' list for after the holiday, but for now, I'm enjoying some time off to re-create and recharge the batteries. I'm officially on vacation from my etsy shops until January 6th, but if you need to ask me a question or would like to give me a big illustration job, by all means, please drop me a line! I'm here, I'm just hibernating a bit.

I hope all of you have a warm and wonderful and healthy and fun and cozy and delicious and everything else good holiday, whatever you celebrate. 
Merry Christmas to all, from me and kitties!



Sunday, December 15, 2013

Winter Snow





I'm so thankful I don't have to shovel any snow! This little guy is pretty cheery about the task, all dressed in his warm snow-shoveling outfit. He even has a special knitted "tail cozy". After he finishes he'll go inside and have a nice cup of cocoa and watch Downtown Abbey reruns on PBS. 

My tree is up and decorated, and the presents are bought but not wrapped. I'm hoping to enjoy a little quiet time for the holiday, with no work stress. I think I'll put my etsy shops on vacation for a week or so, and just hibernate. That's allowed, right? 

I hope all of you have a warm and cozy holiday, whatever you're doing and wherever you are. And that you don't have to shovel any snow! 




Saturday, December 07, 2013

Building Portrait Holiday Card

I just finished this building portrait for a client. It was done with Polychromo and Pablo colored pencils on Stonehenge paper. Its about 7" x 13". 




The wreath isn't on the original art - it was drawn separately, then added on digitally for a Christmas card. Same with all the type. It was too small to do it all by hand and have it look good for printing. So this is the final version for the card. I've blurred out the name and address, but left the rest so you can see how we made it into a nice card design. They're at the printer as we speak - fingers crossed they turn out OK!


It really does pay to have a few Photoshop skills. Just being able to add on that little wreath would have been such a headache once upon a time - same with all the type. Its amazing what you can do now with a little help from a computer program. I like how its possible to combine hand drawn art like this with a digital tweak to come up with a nice finished product.

These will be printed fast, and shipped and delivered in plenty of time to mail them out. My heart goes out to all the people who are working overtime these next few weeks, at printers and similar places, as well as all the delivery people, who insure all of us last minute people will get our stuff done and delivered on time! Thank you all of you!


Hope everyone is managing to stay warm in this icy weather we're having. Even we usually warm and sunny Californians are having a major cold blast, with below freezing temps at night. I've been out covering plants, and have to make sure my wild Ben kitty has enough sense to come inside the house at bedtime. Crazy cat.