thanks

I'm past the point of furiously unpacking and have finally had some time to create this past week.  It's been so nice. 

Before

After

The house is feeling cozy and comfy. 

Last time I mentioned a winter bird I was working on. 

You can see I've since finished with the detailing, and then added color using Pixelmator.  You can do a lot more fancy things with Photoshop, but Pixelmator is more intuitive and simple for me and usually it's all I need to get the job done.

Well now this little guy is available to buy on BoomBoom Prints.

It's so nice to have a successful little drawing that I complete in a day or two.  Most of my drawings takes weeks if not months.  Like this Oregon illustration.  I began awhile back when I had barely started packing.  Then I paused it to work on other more pressing projects (and to move houses).  Yesterday I pulled it out and I would love to finish it soon.

I'm excited about it!  And so are other people, which leads to me being more excited.  Seriously, thanks for all of you out there who encourage me.  Whether it's just "liking" a progress pic I put on facebook, or leaving an encouraging comment, or buying some of my art, or encouraging me in person--its really helps to keep me creating.  I don't want to rely on others approval, but man it means a lot just the same.  So thank you for that!

On that note, as we are approaching the Christmas season, and you contemplate what gifts to buy for your loved ones, please consider this...

If you live in Portland, you can buy all sorts of gifts made by local artists (including myself) at Artistic Portland.  If you don't, seek a place like that out locally--either a permanent place or an art fair.  Or try Etsy--you can search by where things are made,so just search your hometown and see what comes up.  I'm at Driftwood Coffee right now and there are tons of cute handmade things here to buy as well.  Really, you have no excuse.....

So now I have to practice what I preach, right?

Wow, this blog post really took on a life of its own.  I had no idea I'd end up here!