Thursday, December 30, 2010

Illustration Friday: Winter


My first foray into Illustration Friday. I meant to do this a lot sooner! This week's theme was "winter." I love to knit and so it felt natural to include some fair-isle patterns in the background. Nothing keeps you warmer. I'm loving red and green together right now, this kind of olive and cherry red is so pleasing to me. I love that pop of color against the neutral, it's just what I need on the dreary northwestern winter days.

This is actually a holiday postcard created for this year, but it fits right in with the theme. Next week will be a brand-new illustration, though. No cheating! Although I did just create this a few weeks ago so it's not really cheating so much.

Goodbye to 2010 and hello 2011!

New Year's Resolutions

  1.  Learn to make a killer Beef Bourguignon
  2. Finish the Couch Potato to 5k program (even just once). I tried last year and it didn't work so well. Going to try again.
  3. Achieve permanent residency in Canada. This I'm working on now.
  4. Grow my freelance practice to include another steady client. Send out promotions, make us known in the area.
  5. Get into a new market with illustration: papercraft, pattern work, fabric design, packaging, etc.
  6. Get the design business site up and update Perpetual Flights with new work.
  7.  Make a quilt. Even if it's just a lap quilt. Been meaning to do this for a long while.
  8. Go hiking in the mountains, snowshoe, ski, snowboard, some kind of outdoors activity that I haven't tried yet. We live in this gorgeous place, we need to take advantage of it!
  9. Find a yoga studio that I like and can go to on a semi-regular basis.
  10. Accept more invitations to go places. In a nutshell, say "yes" more to more things. I'm too much of a homebody. I can't complain that I can't meet people if I never leave the house!
  11. Blog more! Ye gods, I'm terrible at it.
  12. Participate in Illustration Friday. To keep sharp, try new techniques, etc. If not every week than every month at least.
  13. In that vein, FINISH Beautiful Scars. Make millions, buy a boat, etc. (That may not be feasible, but hey.)
  14. Write a letter to one friend every month. A real letter, on paper, and mailed. 12 letters, 12 friends, 12 chances to reconnect and say "hi."
  15. Be the best partner I can be.
I think it's a good start. We'll see if I can stick with it! Tonight is Peking Duck with some new friends, renewing my SIN card, attacking the ever-present pile of laundry, and even a little drawing stuck in there for good measure.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Merry

This was an excellent holiday.

This is the first time I haven't spent the holidays with my giant family, and it was just me and the Dude, here in Vancouver. A little odd and a little sad but it's shaping up to be a good day.

There is a channel on the TV that is nothing but a fireplace. It's the best thing on today. I guarantee it. That and Barenaked Ladies holiday music, kropsu, funny hats from the crackers, movies and not getting dressed ever.

My adorable husband got me an original Lorraine Fox painting, and a copy of "Water Babies" illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith with his vows written inside. I got him a few DVD and an art book. And a children's book that I read at the wedding. I think he won Christmas. See my pretty painting?


I looooooove it. It's absolutely gorgeous and totally unexpected. Can't wait to frame and hang it. Yep. He does pretty good. Tonight is fondue and more movies. We went to mass last night and managed to find the church that is at least 75% Filipino completely by accident. Dude was transported back to his childhood. It was nice, even though we came late and ended up standing in the hall the whole time along with the other 50 latecomers. It doesn't matter though.

Have a very merry Christmas, internet.