Merry Christmas :)

I know there are a few people that probably haven't gotten their cards yet because of the distance/me cutting things a little too close for comfort... but it's Christmas, so I had to share! Here's the 2010 card I made for my family to send out, featuring our two cats tossing toys out of Santa's sleigh. Happy holidays, everyone!

Re: Barney and Ben and Janice and Jen

I just finished the 2010 Christmas card for my family featuring Eileen and Norman, but I can't show it yet because many of you will be receiving one shortly! This is just a snippet of it. Bonus points if you know where the post title comes from.

CongRATulations!

Only one more semester of school left! Ever!


I thought I'd save this last greeting card for the end of the semester, since we all deserve a party right about now. Plus they're rats, and my school mascot is the river rat. :)

It's A Party in Your Mouth

A magazine ad for Pop Rocks- I never though lights glaring off a disco ball would help an illustration of mine... but they totally did. When my mom looked at it she commented, "I think he's going to choke with all that going on in his mouth."

Ernie Snippet

Here's a preview of the print I'm nearly done with. His name is Ernie. Hopefully I'll have the finished version scanned in by the end of next week for your viewing pleasure. :)

You're Purrrrty

Just thought I'd let y'all know. :)

Look What St. Nick Brought!

(No, not another three-legged kitty. Long-johns!)
(Haha, I love how angry Eileen looks.)

You're Cool

Just working on some greeting cards for class. :)

Promo Preview

Here's a little preview of the project that has been killing me the past week or so, a promotional mailer on rummage sales.


Unfortunately, I got hit by illness Sunday night while standing in line to meet Amy Sedaris (!!) so I haven't been able to print and bind it yet, but I'm anxious to see it all finished.

The Beginning of the End

(found all over tumbler, so I have no idea who originally put it out there)
ps: The movie was wonderful, and even though there is no way I can wait for July 15th, part of me wishes it would never come.

Marquette Map

Our latest Seminar I assignment was to create a sort of guide to Milwaukee's highlights for a Marquette pamphlet. I have two final versions that I'm still debating between- shadows and no shadows. It looks a lot happier and lighter without the shadows (...er, obviously) but the shadows give it a little something extra. All in all, there isn't a huge difference, but I thought I'd put it out there. What do you kids think?

no shadows

shadows

Is the square shape in the bottom left corner bugging anyone else? It made more sense when there was a full square behind the piece, but I got rid of it on the top.

String Bean

Here's part of my entry for Design*Sponge's alphabet contest.

And I had to try it in pink, too, just for kicks.

Check out the holiday cards my friend Marisa made out of her entry, too!

Croquet Ornaments

Alright, so I lied yesterday-- I just can't contain my pride at the little tweak that made my croquet-playing raccoon from my Penfield Poster into my tree-decorating raccoon for these holiday cards! It was a really nifty last-minute adaptation if I do say so myself (and I do, so check it out).

Before...

...and after!

Can you spot the changes?

The Ambition of Crazies

...Or maybe just crazy ambition (that's me trying to look on the bright side of things). Coming up next week on Saturday, November 13th, from 10-5pm (*cough*plug*cough*) MIAD is having a student and alum art sale, and my friends and I all wished we could have participated, but what with homework and work-work... and then a certain teacher convinced us it was a good idea. So here we are, approaching one in the morning and printing cards up the bum. I tweaked my Terrestrial Critters to adapt them into Christmas cards- I'll show you those later when it's not November. I also adapted a little guy from my Penfield Croquet Poster that, if I may say so myself, was pretty clever... again, you'll have to wait until after Thanksgiving.

Stressed!

Stressed x3!

Oh, how I wish I didn't have to work at 7:30 tomorrow morning. This is going to be a long couple of days...

Costume Collections

On Halloween this year a little boy, probably three or four years old, came to our door trick-or-treating dressed as Woody from Toy Story. As he held out his bag, we asked him "What are the magic words?" expecting a "trick-or-treat!" in return, but he stood there for a moment, clearly thinking 'Well I know it's not 'thank you'... maybe it's 'please'...' and then he finally squeaked out "French... fry?"

I didn't get a chance to dress up this year, but here are some of the things my awesome friends did.

Joey and Mark made me squeal with glee- they're Harry and Draco! They're dressing up for the premiere on November 19th, too. I can't wait!

Jaclyn was Keyboard Cat... geeky costumes are the best, are they not?

Chelsey, Kyle, Marisa, and Jamie all participated in the Waukesha Zombie Walk. They all looked so great, if there is another walk next year I'm definitely taking off work!

(HP pic via Mary Cate Raynor. Zombie pics by Cory Albrechtson. I can't find where I got Jaclyn's pic from, but it's not mine!)

Bow Master Murru

Having been taken by a bit of insanity, I volunteered to pair up with a communication design major to illustrate an article for a magazine they create every year. It's a project usually reserved for illustration juniors, but we have less illustrators than we do designers, so they recruit some seniors. I had a pretty stressful time with the project last year, so I wanted to prove that it could go down easier this time around. I'll post the whole article once I get a copy of the finished product, but for now here's a spot that ended up getting cut.

Metropolis

We had a project to create some illustrations for coffee bags while still keeping with Metropolis' existing identity. I had some big ups and downs while making these, but I'm happy with the outcome. Granted, I'm still considering a couple things... bumping my Thai girl over to the right more, and tweaking one so Argentina and Thailand don't have quite that same yellow... maybe.

I Heart: The Circus

I've always loved the design aspects of the circus- the fancy type, the bright colors with a tinge of dirty and hay, and the ability to pack and move from place to place all nomad style (if only I were so organized). Check out this cool stuff, boys and girls:

I love how the kitty looks so petrified. (from etsy seller busterandboo)

Dark Cycle Clothing does a bunch of neat biking animal designs. Until I see a cute kitty, though, this fly on a unicycle is at the top of my list.

I originally saw this kick ass circus tent ring on the blog Greedy Girl. Unfortunately, it only comes in size 6 1/2 (what nonsense!) and I don't think I'd want to wear such a chunkerific ring on my pinky.

(In case you don't have kitten tail fingers like I do and are looking to drop fifty-two buckeroos, it also comes in red.) (by Old Gold Boutique)

Kitty Freaks

As many of you know, my kitty Eileen is a tripod-kitty (she is sans one front leg). When I told my parents about my plan for my senior thesis (animals as sideshow freaks) my mom suggested I go look at pictures of four-eared kitties. Eileen (and Norm) are cute and all, but man, if I ever see a kitty at the shelter with four ears, it is so coming home with me. Here are some of my new friends; aren't they awesome?

Here's Lilly, she's so cute, all black and white!

Yoda, probably the most famous four eared fellow.

And Luntik, from Russia.

(Photos from here, here, and here.)

Decadent Dex

I cannot get enough of these Dexter posters from Ty Mattson. One for each season. They're reminding me of my love for Saul Bass, hardcore.

The Unfastened Heart

I finished the book cover design... I don't mind it that much, I guess. But it's definitely not my usual cup of tea. Cross your fingers for tomorrow's critique.

Get Your Quilt On

I don't think I've ever wanted to quilt more in my life than after seeing this ah-mazing piece on Sherri Wood's blog. I can't wait to see it finished!

I'm Faster Than A Bear

I'm suddenly wishing I lived in Cleveland, just so I could watch this news team in action. Hardcore.

The Unfastened Fart

You know how sometimes you get an assignment and you just aren't feeling it? I'm working through a "meh" phase right now. I think it'll be okay in the end... but man, it's a book cover for a depressing book that's all dainty and shit, and... well, meh!

This was my first work up of what "the elders" liked... blah blah blah. It's too froo froo.

This little workup was of what I guess I'll be doing the final of... maybe I can make some cute patterns on the teacups or something? But in all honesty... THIS is the ONLY thing I feel like drawing right now. (I guess the girl in the book ends up in a wheelchair? Woo.)

Calling Doctor Craze

I've been a total sickie the last couple of days, so between watching episodes of American Pickers, napping, and wiping snot, I've been ogling Etsy. It's all related to the healing process, right? Check out these gorgeous pieces of jewelry made from concrete, glass, and metal, all from DrCraze- I love how they turn rougher elements into solid, sturdy, well-crafted pieces. They're cool and feminine without being lame and dainty.

Drunk and Drew

On Friday I attended my first (and hopefully not last) Drink & Draw event in Milwaukee with some friends from school. If you're wondering what exactly a Drink & Draw event is... well, it's pretty much what it sounds like. We sit around and draw according to a few chosen themes and then hang them on a wall, all while consuming alcohol. September's themes were Old School, Fall, and what I'm pretty sure was everyone's favorite: Underwear!

Um, of course I drew a cat.

Pants party! Bonus points if you can identify all the topless ladies.

You can see all the drawings from that night in Milwaukee's Drink & Draw Facebook Album. :)

More Logo Funness

Just messing around with more logos- now roughs with type. I'm going with Juice Kitty as my final one (woo! a decision!) but the type isn't settled at all, nor have I started the final art for it. >.>

This last one is pretty darn adorable though, if I do say so myself. It's definitely going to stick around, I'll find a use for it somewhere.