visions of....
08.27.08 15:51
Yes, yes it's true, I got new glasses. NEW bright blue-green glasses, and a NEW prescription after years and years of the old ones. It's embarrassing really, how long I've gone without taking care of this, but maybe it was worth it for the dramatic effect that I experienced this morning.
After wearing them briefly yesterday, and spending most of that time feeling sea sick and disoriented (glasses wearing peeps, you feel me on this..) I took the advice of the eye people, and put them on first thing this morning before my stubborn eyeballs had a chance to strain and adjust to their old way of seeing. I took this advice very literally, and lay in bed after waking up with my eyes squeezed tightly shut, while Gabe was kind enough to fetch the new glasses and put them on my nose.
Now, all I can say is wow. Wow, wow, wow. THIS is the world you people have been living in? THIS is what I've been missing? Why, there are walnuts on the trees outside our window, bugs on the flowers...dirt in the carpet!
So many everyday things are infinitely easier now. A tiny scrawled menu on a far away chalkboard? No problem. Difficult documentary with subtitles on a small movie screen? Don't mind if I do!
Everything is brighter, sharper, clearer. My face, my forehead, my jaw have been in a blissfully relaxed state ALL DAY, that I normally only experience for a few minutes in the morning.
Now I'm in my studio and I feel like my brain has been blow wide open. Look at these colors! These lines! What? All these years I've actually called myself an illustrator, with those tired old eyeballs?
WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?
It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunshine-y day.
messy zone
08.20.08 17:35
My studio has exploded into a million little paintings that I'm trying to finish up so I can begin shipping them to Chicago land for Renegade Chicago.
The list of vendors for Renegade is up! Check out all of the awesome folks who are going to be there.
what's new
08.18.08 18:23
After many days of hot, hot times here, we woke up this morning to thunder and rain and cool air coming through the windows. Isn't it strange, how something like this can be the most pleasurable thing?
It could be, that in getting older, I'm starting to remember the bits that I knew when I was young. All of those lessons that come so naturally when you're a kid, like finding happiness in swimming in a river with a pair of goggles on. Staring into a campfire and smelling the smoke in your hair the next day. Eating a berry that's hot from the sun. Digging a hole in the sand. Making up stories.
Or, that sometimes the hardest things, like trying something scary, are the shortest road to joy.... (swinging on a rope swing? driving on the freeway? Revealing a secret?)
I had a weekend full of all of these things, and my brain and heart feel like they've been scrubbed clean....
summer times
08.12.08 19:21
The summer is flying by. I know, maybe it always seems that way..but this year, I really feel it. Bike rides, beach visits, camping...we seem to be squeezing it all into these last few weekends. Soon, blackberries will be overtaking our land here, and this year, for reals, I'm going to learn how to make jam!
In arty news, I'm starting to gear up for Renegade Chicago next month. I've been painting, ordering supplies and prints, organizing, emailing, and all of the tidbits that go into flying halfway across the country to a major event like this. I was there two years ago, and it was amazing. An absolute blur of a beautiful, serendipitous weekend. Even the fantastic thunderstorm on the last day was incredibly memorable. I remember trying to break down my canopy, drenched to the bone, mud and water flying in every direction, laughing hysterically..or maniacally. You know those times when life seems to click into place, and you run into long lost friends and everything seems to have a purpose? Ah yes, those rare times are amazing, and they always seem to happen for me at Renegade. So I'm excited to be going again, to say the least.
In book news, I am starting in on Bandits, a story about some pesky raccoons. There have been plenty of raccoon sightings in these parts in recent weeks, so I've been getting some real life reference for the sketches. I think this must be the time of year that the little raccoon babies are on the move, because I've seen several families crawling over fences, and meandering down darkened streets.
Also, I'm drawing witches and cottages and things for a young adult novel, that's due out next spring. The sketches were due a few weeks back, and now the final art deadline is creeping up. I'll post some pictures one day soon...
Have a great Tuesday!
mix tape
08.05.08 21:43
A few months ago, the talented illustrator Beth, over at Sunberst, mentioned that she had an illustration in Mix Tape, which is a cute little zine that has, "A collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch. It features recipes, eco tips, crafty people profiles, ethical business practices etc."
So, I checked out Mix Tape, and fell in love. It's put together by the very talented Nichola and Justine, based out of Melbourne. You can read an interview with them for the whipup blog, right here.
Now, I'm happy to report that you can find an interview and a bit of artwork, by yours truly, in the latest issue of Mix Tape! The whole zine is packed full of interesting articles, tidbits, craft ideas, recipes and wonderful bits of inspiration. Check out their blog to order your very own copy, or to find a retailer in your area, have a looksie right here.