First Ramble of 2012

Hey Everyone!

How’s the New Year going for you so far? This post is a bit of a ramble. When I was still studying I always dreaded the months after Christmas and New Years. Time always seemed to go soooo sloooooow, but now, I really had to take days off for the holidays and the new year started quite busy! I did (and I'm still doing) a lot of reflecting and organizing and it's funny (sort off)...I thought I got things pretty clear in my head regarding my blog, but I realized I wanted to switch things up again.

I mean I have two blogs now. This one and TJ on Illustrations. The people who follow me on Twitter and Facebook know I’ve been sharing my older columns on a new writer’s site called Expats Post. I’ll tell you more about this site another time! My second blog is like a diary where I let you all peek in my brain and give some insight in how I perceive and experience the Illustration World. It's really focused on the writing element, whereas this blog...this blog is a true arty ramble blog. I like to keep it that way.

I’ve been pondering what I want to do with my blog and how to keep it interesting for you and myself. Well, the cupcake tutorial and ‘appelflappen’ recipe got a lot of great feedback, so I will be adding more recipes and simple tutorials. Fun times! Next to that, I’m also discussing a side project with my sister. We've been planning to do something for quite some time now and we're finally setting things in motion. Fun times again, but more on this soon!

You know, ever since I have my fanpage, I started to draw even more. I've increased my drawing by adding a doodle or two each day on my fanpage. Usually sketch work, but it keeps me drawing every day, no matter how little the drawing is. I was thinking to upload it on my blog as well, but I don't want to be all spammy and otherwise I'll be spending my entire day uploading and promoting my posts! So every now and then I will add sketchwork here (like I did in this post), but do follow me on FB as well, if you want more frequent little bits of art by me ^_^

I'm working on a series of paintings that I can hopefully show you over the next couple of days as well. Plus! My Etsy will be up and running! I can't say 'again' as I never used my Etsy store, but this shall change soon.

See? The year started busy, busy! Is there something you'd like me to share my thoughts about? Questions you'd like to ask me? Just let me know below or in an e-mail.

End Ramble ^_^ 

Ciao!

Capturing colors, creating something new, showing something old

Don't you guys just love the Fall!? Well I do ^_^. The changing colors, the falling leaves. It's not too warm nor too cold. Well I just love it! So I decided to make a new banner! What do you think? Perhaps I will alter it a bit though.

Anyway moving on!

When I first decided to start making cards and needed some material, like organza bags and ribbons and so on, I searched the web. By doing that, I stumbled on a very nice web shop, NICX. This web shop is owned by sweet lady named Nicole and she had everything I needed! Even cute little cards with the text; 'This One-Of-A-Kind piece of art is a unique Impression of the artist inner life....'. I just love that sentence!

So I ordered quite a lot haha. Either way a couple a weeks ago I placed a new order and I noticed that she had a new item...Stamps. They are very cute and easy to decorate, for example a card. We got in contact again and she asked if it was possible to turn a chibi into design that she could use as a stamp. An interesting idea.

So I sketched up a few drawings and she choose one AND she turned it into a stamp! How cool is that!

Tadaa! Hmm maybe I should have switch the images.
The design first and then the stamp....I'm too lazy to change it hehehe

Pretty cool huh! Nicole also has a nice blog, featuring the items she sells in her shop. Do have a look on it when you have the time! Her shop is in Dutch, but on her blog you can find English translations of what she has written about the items!

Only a note to myself; I need to work on more straight lines. This can be quite difficult, because I more the type who draws in many lines haha. So if anyone has a tip, instead of practicing (which I keep doing of course), I would be happy too hear them! Also is there an option in to do this easy in Photoshop?

Another thing! I found a bunch of old sketches, by old I mean really OLD and filled with mistakes hehehe. But perhaps its funny for you guys too see...not the mistakes, but the drawing in general ^_^. here ya go!

I have this one on my DeviantArt. But I rarely use that anymore.

Till next time!