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 Resolution. I don't really like that word because it feels so rigid to me. The actual definition is this:
res·o·lu·tion n.
1 The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
2 A resolving to do something.
3 A course of action determined or decided on.
I do believe that determination is good. But it's the word "resolute"... why make it sound so horrid if you flub up just a tad sometimes? Life doesn't end. You just keep moving. You do the best you can with what you have. This is really all anyone can ask of themselves.
Usually at the end of the year I make "Expectation Lists" instead of resolutions...writing down all the things I expect to happen in the new year. But this year I don't want to do that either. This year I have a goal. Not a strict goal that I'll be let down if I sometimes forget. Not a harsh mission to lose "this much by this date" or be someone I'm not. Who needs that pressure? Not me. I already put enough pressure on myself.
Which is why my goal is just to take it easy on myself. I spent a lot of 2005 working my tail off. I hardly took a break. I bent over backwards. I didn't exercise much. I didn't eat right. I didn't walk away when I needed to. I didn't travel or shut off for long enough to rejuvenate. Basically, I didn't take very good care of myself.
So I'd like to change that in 2006. I want to give myself permission to nap if I feel tired. Eat food that is good for my body. Walk more. Stop and look around me. Take breaks and relax. Spend more time with my husband. And especially give myself permission to do all these things guilt-free. (I have this guilty conscious that I need to always be doing something productive...working toward some goal or end result.) So in the new year I'm giving myself permission to slow down and be kind to myself (and therefore, kinder to those around me).
Any 2006 goals for you?
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I'd like to wish each and every one of you a very happy new year. I hope you have a safe and happy celebration and that your new year is fillled with many good things!
 I'm off for a few days of cookie making and egg nog drinking. Then I'm going up north to enjoy some Christmas celebrations with my family. I wish you and yours a very happy holiday! I hope it's filled with many blessings.
Cheers everyone!
 Yesterday I went out to my mailbox to find my copy of "The Creative License" by Danny Gregory sitting there waiting just for me (thanks Danny!). I hurried back inside and plopped down on the couch to pour over the gorgeous pages. I plan to go through each exercise in the book. Yesterday I did the first one (draw a chair, a table, a person and a mug). Here are my results:
Still need a gift for someone on your list (or maybe a little something for yourself)? Check this out. Yum! I am so inspired!
Illustration Friday - Imagine
 I find it very strange (and so cool) that people hire me to paint. They ask me to create something and trust that it will fit their assignment and hit their target. And they trust that I will get it done on time and it will be good. I'm hired for something that does not yet exist.
When I think about it too much (as I tend to do), that's a lot of pressure. Sometimes I worry that my creativity will go away. But the assignments still come in and I have to tackle them and promise them that there is more in me. And there always is (thank god)...and I've come to rely on that. But. But that doesn't mean that sometimes I don't get assignments and freak out a little. I wonder what I can come up with for this... will it be good enough? will I have an original idea? will my ability serve me? But of course, I can't tell clients this. I just look them straight in the eye (or email) and say "Yes! I can do that!"
By now I know that freaking out is part of my process. And it's a little more bearable now (just slightly). I just try to move past it quickly and get into the sketching-like-crazy phase. That's a much better phase...
 I just finished a commission for the start up publication, LA Journal. The story is for the sports section, about how the US men's soccer team just won the championship and no one noticed. Working in black and white was kind of a challenge because I like color so much. But I think it turned out okay. If you're in LA pick up the next issue (I think it's the january issue) and check it out.
I also have an ad in there (see below). I had some fun with it (love line art!)... I hope it looks good in the paper.
 I don't know if you can see much in this picture...but that's me in a recording booth (click for bigger view). Yesterday I was voice talent for an animated TV spot. I was recruited after the normal voice talent called in with the flu. Colin wrote the spot for one of his clients and was in a pinch, so he asked me to do it.
And boy, was I nervous. On the ride over to the recording studio, I had big butterflies in my stomach. I practiced my lines and was feeling very embarrassed. I mean...who likes the sound of their own voice?
When we got to the studio I went into the sound-proof booth and put on the headphones. They asked me to warm up so they could adjust the levels. So I spoke a few words into the microphone and laughed. And suddenly all my butterflies went away. This was fun! I felt like I was in one of those extras on DVDs...you know...the "making of" parts where you see the movie star talking into the mic for the animated character.
I said my lines a million times to make sure we got a good take and I was done. (I wanted to do more!) I don't know yet if they're going to use it, but I don't care, really. I was just happy I did something that was outside my comfort zone. I was scared and did it anyway.
Voice-talent-lope.
p.s. I'm now on the Scott Hull website. Sweet! (clear your cache if you can't see my name...)
Note to self: There will be times when you feel like a complete hack. When all the art (if you can call it that) that comes out of you is a waste of time and a bunch of horse hockey.
What to do in that case: Leave. The. Studio. IMMEDIATELY.
What not to do: Break the window blinds. Cry till you can barely see out the slits you were given for eyes.
Remedy: Movies. Time. The bookstore. A cup of coffee away from the studio.
Next day: the hack will be gone and you can move on. Then work your ass off to still make your deadline.
Life is always feeding art.
Anne Lamott (one of my favorite authors) in "Bird by Bird" writes:
"One of the things that happens when you give yourself permission to start writing is that you start thinking like a writer. You start seeing everything as material. Sometimes you'll sit down or go walking and your thoughts will be on one aspect of your work, or one idea you have for a small scene, or a general portrait of one of the characters you are working with... And then, unbidden, seemingly out of nowhere, a thought or image arrives."
I think this applies to being an artist too. The world around you feeds you with all kinds of inspiration. And you have to be open to it and try looking at things with new eyes. I'm amazed by how, after a while, it starts to become effortless... something you do without even realizing it. And it starts to seep into your artwork.
This happens to me with pattern a lot. I notice patterns in things and love to incorporate that into my art. Sometimes, it happens without me recognizing it. Just this morning I went outside to photograph the new snow that fell last night and I looked through my view finder and noticed the pattern in the chair. The same pattern in the chair that is outside my window appeared on the jammies in my coloring book piece. And it made me smile.
 Anne Lamott carries index cards, folded into her back pocket to capture things she overhears or little bits of scenes as they enter her brain. They jog her memory when she sits down to write. I kind of do the same thing (only I'm less organized) - I capture those things on the backs of receipts or draw them on my hand.
The man with the chubby cheeks and round glasses (which just add to his chubbiness) at the table over. He'd be great in a scene somewhere...or maybe just those glasses. Or the lady behind the counter trying to spritz me with perfume. That bend in her nose is just perfect. Or even a phrase that you over hear that makes you think of a great illustration. These have all graced the back of a Target receipt (high art... ha!)
I just love the idea that everything that is put in front of you could be fodder for a painting. Makes me appreciate even the smallest of things. (Yesterday I swooned for the swirls the cream made in my coffee cup... maybe a mustache for a character?)
I'm always looking forward to seeing the next bit of life that appears in my art.
I was approached by Herron School of Art to contribute a piece of art for a coloring book they are putting together to raise money for scholarships. It needed to be line art (um...yeah...that's a given I guess). I thought it would be a fun little exercise. To think specifically about basic shape and line...how someone would color something and giving them little areas where they could play. So here's what I came up with:
And just for kicks, I did a quick two color digital color comp (playing hardly at all)...
You guys are amazing. Thank you so much for all the positive vibes. It means so much to me. (blushing) I feel my luck turning already. Today I thought I'd do a really upbeat image to try to capture some of those good vibes.
So, for you and for blue (Illustration Friday topic this week), this is what I drew:
I need to get this off my chest. I've had some really really bad luck lately. Consistently. People have been mean. Things are keep getting destroyed in the mail. Nasty emails. Cars breaking. You name it. Yesterday was the culmination and I spent most the day in tears and hiding in bed. I've tried not to write about it here...trying to stay focused on the positive. But I really need to ask for your help.
If you have any good vibes...please send them my way. I could really use some goodness.
 I feel like someone just filled a giant cup full of tasty inspiration just for me and let me drink the whole thing in one gulp. I miss doing art for myself. My brother sent me some great japanese sketch books...I want to fill them to the brim.
 I love pencil marks really close up. There's such a wonderful texture that you don't see from far away. Ever try looking at your signature with a magnifying glass?
One last reminder about my show tonight in Indianapolis. It's at Galerie Penumbra from 5-8pm. There will be a giant lunch box there...come see it! (I'll take some pics for everyone too.)
Also, if you are in the Detroit area, I have a show there opening tomorrow (Saturday). It's at the Pr1mary Space Gallery. Show called "Wish You Were Here" and it's all postcard sized art. Check that out if you're in Detroit!
(image above is one that is in that show)
My archives are working again (yay!) ...all thanks to Korallin. Bless her little heart. :) Thank you so much!
For a little holiday treat, I'm offering free shipping till December 12th. (Then closing the store for a little break.)
Also, there are only 8 caged bird prints left...if you want one, now's the time!
xo,
your friend at 10... :)
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© Penelope Illustration. Stealing
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