I woke up like this

Spring!!

Yeah.. Spring is here...its finally here!! As you can tell I am overjoyed with excitement, and why shouldn't I be afterall I was born in the Spring! This is the time of year when everything is growing and sprouting, the weather is nicer, people are in a better mood, the daylight lasts longer so why wouldn't you like Spring?  

I am busy away here in my studio creating new designs for clients and my next show which is The Licensing show  in June in Las Vegas. I have never been to Las Vegas so this will be exciting! I have no idea what to expect so that makes it even more exciting. I have been conscience that I would be putting on a bathing suit there so I have been working out hard these days. Also because I believe so much in the workout programs I use such as P90x, Insanity and Chalene Extreme, I have decided to become a Beachbody coach! What this means is that I am now going to help people achieve their dreams of getting back into shape by coaching them on what products to buy from Beachbody as well as encourage them along the way. I myself a working mother of two know how hard it is to workout and eat right while working full-time and taking care of a family so I can steer you to a program that would be great for you! 

Yes I am crazy for doing so many things at once but if I didn't I would be bored to tears!! I have all the energy I need now because my favorite time of year is here!!

So get out and enjoy the Spring!!

My Other Creative Side

I just wanted to share with you all other facets of my creativity. I am mostly known for my cute and fun Licensing images but I also do fine art as well. Here are some of the charcoal/pastel images I have around my house I created. I have sold many of the "lady in the tub" ones at various gallery shows, and right now I am working on a "couple in bed" for my little bro and my cute sister-in-law who live in LA.

This drawing and then next one I did are in my formal living room. The big charcoal design is of me and my husband, and I found the frame on the street in Park Slope, Brooklyn when I used to live there.

I know that many of my fellow artists also wear different creative hats, and I love to look at all they have to share. I never understood that critique that the art should all look like it belongs to the same person. My dad and I are guilty of wearing many hats, however in the Fine Art field I think the critique holds more bearing than in my field. 

Did you think Picasso wanted to do the same type of work everyday?? No, and he made clear of that. He dabbled into sculpture, and printmaking as well as painting. I dabble into anything I can get my hands on except ceramics, I never liked the way the clay felt on my hands. I hated having my hands dry out, it must be a tactile thing we me.

Anyway so there is another hat for ya! Charcoal and Pastels!! I have paintings too that I have shown in the past and most recent on my Etsy site, although these new paintings are more decorative than fine art. I do have some more fine art paintings in my house as well. I generally sell those at shows or give them away as gifts to my family and close friends.

I have been known time to time to have commissions on the Charcoal/pastels if anyone is ever interested just shoot me over an email. This would be for the couple in bed only.

What sort of other hats do you wear and why??

Ellen

    

 

Woodland Friends II

 

 

  
 

 

  
 Once apon a time there was a fabric collection called Woodland Friends which had wonderful hedgehogs and fauna, but they were sad because their other woodland friends could not be with them, so they made sure to include them in their next collection!

 Hello all...yes its true there is a new Woodland Friends collection that is part II of the first. When I first signed with Clothworks I had originally had a bunch of prints to go with the first collection, but because I was new on the scene and the economy wasn't so great we did a small grouping and decided to add the others when we did the second group and so here they are Woodland Friends II !!

This group also originally had more items in it as well like a mushroom print and some more colorways of the owl and ferns, but since the economy is not great and stores are not buying big lines it had to be cut down. Naturally I was disappointed since I really loved the mushroom print, but ultimately I have to consider what my client feels is best. I know first hand how tough things are in the market so I can sympathize with them on this one. I do have another collection I just finished for boys that is going to be really fun so I am really looking forward to seeing that one! 

I have more exciting news to announce as well, I just finished a Cricut cartridge for Provo Craft and I know your going to love it! I am going to have to buy a machine just to use it. Its my version of "Back to School" and its a cutie if I do say so myself. So all you scrappers out there take note coming soon for that one.

 Also I just signed on with a company that does wall decals so look for that in the future..I will post more about it as things progress, but I am very excited to be working with such fun and amazing people. There is nothing more satisfying than to hear a new client tell you  " You rock!' This was especially meaningful since it was a tough year, and to hear you are appreciated is just the icing on the cake!

 I have also signed on with another really big client but I cannot reveal what or who so I will just say things are starting to turn around which means the economy is starting to turn. I know for many it seems like it never will and I am hearing daily about people getting laid off and moving to other countries for work, but I always feel if you persevere in any economy you always will win out in the end. 

So my friends just keep plugging away, it's all you really can do at this time anyway, and while you are doing that take the time to enjoy what you have as well. We are very fortunate not have a massive earthquake or disaster that has taken away everything precious we have. Count the blessings no matter how small, because in the end all the other things really don't matter!

 Ellen