Portfolio Prep

Still plotting along and trying to keep my head up. Trying to finish some work before heading to Folsom for the last faire of the season. I have to send out my items for the sampler on Monday and go into the city to drop off my portfolio for a review.

Here’s some more pieces from the project I was talking about the other day.

Moving Along

Sorry about the lack of blog last week life sometimes gets in the way. I had an extremely hard week and I’m trying to move past it and continue on with my life. I really don’t want to elaborate so let’s move on.

I went to the Cartoon Art Museum on Saturday to see the Totoro Forest Project Exhibit. I was amazing to see the sheer amount of pieces there and to know that’s only half of it. They even have an original signed Hayao Miyazaki hanging among the other amazing works. Sadly the books for the show had sold out before I got there and I was tragically sad. The rest of the exhibits were cool too, I got to see original Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) and Charles Schulz (Peanuts) comic pages. While I was in the city the Blue Angels were zooming around because it was Fleet Week. It’s very disturbing to hear the sound of jet planes bouncing off the tall buildings.

I’ve been working on some knew portfolio pieces for my environment and character design section. Here are some environment studies for Stalking the Elusive Quetzal my story project featuring Xcaret the Margay.

SiliCon

Thanks to all of you who came to see me at SiliCon I really enjoyed meeting you! I also got to meet a lot of fellow artists some of which also went to the Academy. My panel and workshop went well and people seemed to find value in what I was talking about. I hope to do more panels and workshops in the future.

I also got to meet Peter S. Begal again hopefully my camera won’t eat the picture this time. As well I got an out of print children’s book illustrated by K. Craft. She’s one of my favorites and not only was the book signed but was hand decorated on the inside as well which made me very happy. KatGirl Studio helped raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes fund and Alzheimer’s Aid Society by donating some of my art to the charity auction.

I don’t know if we’ll be at any other events this year since currently we are on waiting lists for a few and you know how that is, so I will leave you with invisible cup tennis.

SiliCon

KatGirl Studio will be at Silicon starting today! I will be at my table in the artist’s colony when I’m not giving my workshop or in a panel.

Meet the Guests
Friday, October 3rd, 2008
7:30 pm - 8:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom

Standing out in a Sea of Awesome: Marketing for Artists
Saturday, October 4th, 2008
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in Monterey Room
One of the most important things for artists is getting your name out there but how do you do that and what on earth are art directors looking for? This workshop covers how to make mini promo books, promo sheet, post cards and why their important.

Digital vs. Traditional Art
Saturday, October 4th, 2008
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in Monterey Room
Some artists are doing all their work digitally. Others work with paint and canvas and/or air brush. Most use some combination of tech and techniques. Working artists talk about what they like and what they use.

I’ll be offering the same images that are in my store at SiliCon so if you’re planning on attending save yourself the shipping and just pick one up there. If you are attending the con and want one of my images as a print and it’s not one of these please email me and I can see about making one for you. I will also be offering some buttons and maybe a few other goodies as well. So come by and ask me whatever you like or just say hi.

Today’s Feature Artisan
Zygopsyche
In need of a cute furry face to brighten up your office desk or con table? Why not stop by Zygopsyche.
Over at Zygopsyche cute little bunnies and guinea’s stare up at you from round fluffy faces. Just staring at them makes me smile but I’ve always had a soft spot for plushies and have many adorning my studio. Zygopsyche’s creatures are crafted out of plush faux fur and are stuffed with a super soft down alternative polyfill to make them extra hugable. So if you’re in need of a Friday pick me up why not pick one up at Zygopsyche.

Designs, Packets and SiliCon

My new packet lists are done so there are more packets to create and package in the near future. I’ve been working on designs for a client and wedding invites for a friend. As well SiliCon is this Friday so I have to get everything ready for that. All and all, its busy busy busy here at the studio. I’ve switched the artisan feature to a Monday, Wednesday Friday schedule for the time being though in the future we may go back to a 5 day a week schedule.

Today’s Feature Artisan
Funky Friends Factory
Feline Appreciation day is just around the corner (Oct. 8th) so why not make you beloved feline friend a special handmade treat?
At Funky Friends Factory you can get patterns to make your own soft toys, be it lambs, elephants or kitty toys. Giggles the Goldfish, Mishka Mouse and Baby Bird come straight to you in the form of easy to follow pdf pattern. The Catnip toys can easily be made of scrap fabric or something special you pick up at the store. Pauline, the creator of Funky Factory Friends, says her patterns a very easy to follow even for beginning sewers and children. So why not try sewing your own Funky Friend or cat toy today?