Cold

I have a summer cold and it is the grossest thing ever.

While I sit here and blowing my nose and coughing and generally make disgusting noises, I am steadily adding work to my Society 6 page. If you don’t know what Society 6 is, it’s a print-on-demand site where you can buy items with your favorite artist’s images printed on them. Hopefully I’m your favorite artist. Shop by clicking HERE.

Get blank-inside-cards with this image printed on them, for example:

You can get cards like this, too:

 

You can even get framed prints. Go forth and hop!

Hey, Dudes

Hi!

I have a nasty cold and I want to punch everything, but the virus has made me too weak.

Here are two tiny paintings I made for my parents, based on their graduation photos. I am currently running a little special: send $10 to my PayPal account address (underwiredvintage@gmail.com) and I will create a tiny 3″ x  4″ painting for you. It can be a surprise, or it can be a cute or funny image inspired by something you tell me about yourself. Hit me up!

Here are a few more:

 

Character Sketches

My beautiful mother is turning 70 next month. I can’t believe it. I was hoping to have the book that I’m working on completed for her birthday. It’s about her devilish childhood antics; unfortunately,  I am nowhere near done with the book SINCE I’M ALSO WORKING ON TWO OTHERS AT THE SAME TIME AND THREE COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS because I have no time management skills. Here is one of the failed character sketches of my mom as a lil’ stinker. It’s not devious enough. The one I’m actually using will not be unveiled until my mom sees it. Hopefully,  I’ll have a painting of it ready for her birthday!

Long Overdue

How I spend the majority of my time, give or take a few extra cats and dogs.

 

Hi! It’s been far too long since I’ve posted to this ol’ blog. A lot has happened.

 

I am still working for a veterinarian, and I love it. I have lots of adorable and also some gross stories that I will publish at some point. Also, I am still finishing up my next round of children’s books. I have them written, but I’m completing the illustrations and being extremely picky about them. I am also working on a book for adults that may or may not be picked up by a publisher I’ve been talking to.  That’s all I will say about that, because I don’t know if it will really happen or if I’m talented enough.

 

Other things that you should know include:

 

1. My bra tried to murder me yesterday. The underwire popped out and stabbed my boob and armpit all day long, but we were traveling to house calls, so all I could do was wrap the wire in bandage tape and hope for the best. Last I heard, I survived the attack.
2. We’re having a blizzard here in Bethlehem today, and my dogs can’t figure out if they love it or hate it, so I’ve been getting up to let them out, then right back in, since 8 this morning.
3. I have one commissioned art project in the works right now. It’s for three individual pieces for one client. I’m happy for the snow day so I can make some progress.

That’s it for now. Enjoy this mysterious shot of one of my book’s illustrations.

 

You’re intrigued.

 

 

HEART HEART HEART

I am geeking out over here. First of all, the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA is carrying my books. They have been wonderful, supportive, and fantastic from my first book signing event and beyond. Second, they are now selling my Little L dolls/pillows. Third, OMG my books are on the same display table as a Neil Gaiman book!!!!! I mean, I know Neil Gaiman didn’t select my book to go there or anything, but the fact that a book I wrote is anywhere near one of his books physically in an actual store has made my day/week/year/life. I am so excited. It may be silly, but too bad, because here I am, drinking too much coffee, typing about this display table, and texting this same photo to all my friends. WOWEE!  WOOHOO!  XOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXO

Pictured: OMG.

My First Hair Diarrhea

Artist, author, vet tech -in – training…person who got diarrhea in her hair last week. I do it all.

I want to share this story of love, intrigue, and poop with you.

It all started last Thursday when I got to work. It was a surgery day, and we were transporting a sweet, tiny little dog to the hospital with us so that she could have some dental work done. We bonded on the car trip and I was happy to have made a new friend. Fast-forward a couple hours. This adorable pup was waking up from anesthesia, and I was gently cradling her and preparing to tuck her in with loads of blankets and kisses in her kennel. I held her close. I heard her soft breathing. Then I heard my boss say “Diarrhea!” And then the diarrhea was all down the front of my shirt and nestled soundly in my hair.

I’m still friends with that pup, because diarrhea is never on purpose 🙂

Super Heroes

Besides the recent discovery that one of my dogs is Batman, not much new is going on here. I am low on paints and paper, and must make a big purchase soon, or I will have no way to continue with the illustrations for my next book.  I have had a pretty good couple of weeks, art problems aside. I met a big dog on the job and I got to dress him in a pink t-shirt, so that sort of made my week. I met a cat who wanted to be a vet tech, and assisted my boss and me by handing us pens, paper, and Square readers at one of our appointments. And last, but not least, I have had some great times with friends and family recently.

Now to just get to the store to buy supplies! This next book intimidates me, so truth be told, I am procrastinating.

Batman does not approve.

Book Sales and other Problems

Book sales have fallen off for both of my books in the last six weeks or so, so I currently look like this:

That’s an upgrade from this:

But still not ideal. I am happy and excited about my current job, (which is working with a house call veterinarian as a tech in training). It’s pretty awesome, and I actually could not be happier. Now that I am not a full-time artist, however, I have been having trouble organizing my time so that I can work on marketing, and even creating. I know I will find the right balance soon, but in the meantime, my face is making faces of self-doubt. Ah, the sensitive demeanor of the artist. What a bunch of jerks.

Let me tell you about my new job though. I’ve been at it for about two months now, and it is fantastic. I work with wonderful people, and I get to see cats and dogs all day. Can you imagine?? It’s great. So great. Oh man, I hug so many cats and dogs every day. And then I come home and hug MY cats and dogs all night!  Yessssssssssssssssssssssss.

Buy my books:

This one

And this one

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super Models

This morning, I was brainstorming new ways to promote my first two books, Little L and Little L and the Monster Under the Bed. I didn’t have any ideas, but I sure did have fun taking pictures of my cats underneath the pillows I made to accompany the books.

 

Writing and Crying

I wasn’t sure what to write about today, so I chose to discuss my writer’s block. It’s not really writer’s block, it’s more like illustrator’s block…draw-er’s block? The book I’m working on has been written for quite some time. I’m at the point where I have begun the illustrations. The problem is that this book is different than the Little L books in that it is emotional and a little sad. I don’t want to get into the story here, because I have not yet released the book . But though it is a sweet story geared toward children, it covers a more serious subject than runaway imaginations or monsters under the bed. Every time I sit down to draw the pictures for it, I get emotional (because I am a wimp). I am too sensitive for my own good sometimes. I have used this illustration in my blog before, but here is a reminder of the kind of person I am:

 

Actual photo.

Anyone out there experience this kind of shenanigans when working on a creative project?