Goals for 2015

     To follow the tradition I started last year, I am posting my artistic goals for the year in the hope that I will be held more accountable to accomplish them. I will most likely set more goals than I actually have time for, but it is a list to strive for. I'd rather give myself more goals to meet than not enough, and not challenge or push myself. So here goes:

• Complete 3 major book projects. These projects are already scheduled, it's just a matter of prioritizing and using my time responsibly. 
• Creating personal work. I am happy with the amount of personal work I did this last year and I would like to match that, if not exceed it. I still have several ideas floating around my head and in my sketchbook. It's time to bring them to life!
• Make a Picture Book Dummy. I have a story written that I am happy with. Now I just have to sit down and make it a book! I have done one dummy before and I went way too far with it. This time I want to keep it simple and just get it out there!
• Write stories. This one always seems to be last on my list of "things-to-do", and I need to make it a bit more of a priority. Even if I don't write anything worth taking further than a rough draft, I still want to get story ideas out  and let them develop.  
• Exposure. I have recently started an Instagram account and now that I have a smartphone it is a lot easier to post things "on the fly". That's what I want to do! There are also people I need to "keep in touch" with, and I don't want to loose those contacts! This will keep me busy with creating new art to send them occasionally. With that said, I also want to make sure I send out postcards several times this year. 3-4 times is always good!
• Draw kids, kids, kids! I have started drawing them a lot recently to improve my skill in this area. I want to continue to do this until I feel REALLY comfortable drawing them. I also have a few portfolio pieces in mind with more kids too. 

Happy New Year! Tell me your goals for the new year, and we can keep each other accountable!! 

Another Year Gone

     It's that time of year again. Time to reflect on all that has happened in the passed year and make goals for the year to come. Personally, and professionally, it has been a year of waiting; a year of "Almost, but not yet". It is a frustrating place to be because in most cases there isn't anything I can do to change the outcome, I just have to wait for it to happen. However, there has also been a lot that did happen! Here are some highlights from the last year:

• Even just taking a quick look back on my own blog posts, I realize that I have done a good amount of personal work. That was a goal of mine for the year, and although I would have liked to do MORE personal work, I'm glad for the work I did. I finally got to work on some ideas and characters that have been locked up in my head for so long. 
• Kobee Manatee Book 1 received a second award: the Gold Mom's Choice Award!
• Completed 3 full picture books! Phew! 
• Book 2 of the Kobee Manatee series.
• The Coal Thief (book 1 of 3 in a series).
• The Littlest Angel of All.
• I got a new Wacom Cintiq which has made my work flow a lot faster in certain areas. I am so thankful for this new tool!
• I made a spreadsheet of Publishers and Agents that I wanted to submit to. I have been able to consistently submit and update my spreadsheet with all the contact I have had with industry people. I keep track of all my correspondences and interactions. I great discipline to make a habit out of!
• I have spent intentional time working on drawing/sketching kids. I have a pretty good handle on drawing animals, but I know that my people need work. I feel like I am starting to go in the right direction with my humans, but I still have a ways to go. Many pages in my sketch book have been filled with kids, kids, kids.
• I have been working on making small adjustments to my painting technique to give my finished artwork a more unique and distinct look. Texture has been one of my main focuses.

     I am so grateful for all the opportunities I've had this year! I certainly feel like it has been a year of growth and learning, as well as a year of accomplishment and success. It is easy to dwell on everything I DIDN'T do or accomplish, so it is good for me to see all that I HAVE done.

     Up next are new goals for the coming year...

Merry Christmas and The Littlest Angel of All

"For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11
 

This past year I have been working on a video project for author, Terry Mayfield, who has written and produced a new song for the Christmas season. The book will be released in 2015. Below is the music video of The Littlest Angel Of All which is a accompanied by my illustrations.

Please also visit http://www.littlestangelofall.com/ to learn more about the song and how to purchase it.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

You better watch out....Santa Claus is coming to town!

Kid Sketches

Lately I have been spending some time in my sketchbook drawing kids. Just for practice and just for fun. Here are a few. Enjoy!