Astrid playtime

As announced some weeks ago, I've been playing a little with children illustration! No deep research or project purpose, just fun. All non-digital (except for scanning and minor color adjustment). The one with the rabbit gave me problems, I only realized after the fact that I had bought cheap gouache paints! NOT worth it, they built up, and got thick, hard to handle. Here are 2 of the illustrations I've come up with. Open for feedback and suggestions!

Pencil, ink and gouache (cheap kind)


Cardboard. Pencil and oil pastels, a new kind! They look like make-up boxes, they're fun!

Procrastination by A.

Wow, Dee, I'm impressed. You sound like you really have things under control!

I do too, but I have to admit that I have these 2 people sitting on my shoulder sometimes (I'm not crazy, I'm referring to the devil and angel analogy ;-)). As soon as I get a project assignment, I plan worktime into my calendar. I add time (if I can) before the submission deadline so that if something happens I'm set. I stick to the client's submission deadlines, I have to say. But how I get there, is sometimes at my own expense. I don't know where this comes from, but right when I have a lot of work, and should be working on assignment x or y, I get this huge fascination for marketing and internet research, namely training for illustrators, portfolio platforms, networking... That's when the "devil" speaks to me I guess ;-) Does anyone feel the same??

I don't feel too bad, as long as I keep my customer's deadlines (which I always have). And when I REALLY don't have time, of course I won't fall prey to this temptation. But it happens every now and then.

I've looked into the book "eat the frog", and it has something, and I try to stick with it. On my list of things to do for the day, I try to pick "the frogs" first. This usually makes me feel very accomplished and good, as opposed to guilty with a bad conscience.

So, this was my confession session. ;-)

Procrastination

The "Big P,"as Leeza refers to it, is not something I necessarily struggle with when it comes to assignments. The main reason is because I enjoy completing art assignments. (When it comes to housework, I can be the Queen of Can't!) Once I have a project to complete, I create a time-line of sorts to help keep me on track. For a very large project, I'll sometimes create an outline of steps and assign parts of the list to the calendar. Doing this holds me accountable and motivates me to work whenever time is available to me. It also helps to prevent me from becoming stressed out or overwhelmed by whatever job I need to complete.

I don't really have enough experience to tell whether certain assignments hold me back or not...but I do know that some things outside my comfort zone can require a little problem solving on my part. When this happens, I usually step back for a little bit to let ideas settle before trying to get back to work. Sometimes a fresh eye brings a new perspective and solution.

To be realistic, sometimes life will get in the way, so things will get put to the wayside every once in a while. Even with that in mind, my determination to achieve a career of freelance illustration is a strong motivator, and my greatest weapon against procrastination.

Astrid about Mentors

That I'm happy with my happy PotatoMammaDesign business today is due to blessing of some talent, but majorly a set of circumstances, and certain "mentors" and supporters. Kurt Hugelshofer, a business coach and teacher, showed me pragmatically that I had what it takes to start my business. A portfolio, enough savings for a few months, a market for my services, and a good business plan. Illustrator John Hollander was first my teacher at a multimedia school, for Photoshop and Illustrator, and turned into a good friend, mentor, and today also business colleague. He kept giving me hints to go forward, and believed in me. That was so valuable to me! I thought he was a god and I nothing :-)

This group has helped me in a way mentors do too, you ladies are awesome, I'm so grateful to be in this group!

I also believe that in some way, we are our own mentors too. We can continuously learn and challenge ourselves. Here's a great business book for designers I just found today. It's free!! Started reading it, it seems great!

Download the book by David Parish here:
T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity

Mentor for Frizz

It was my first day at my first real creative job in front of my first Mac computer...and I was terrified. Then I met the ultra-talented Tim. I was truly starting from scratch - finding my process, learning the Mac, creating a style and boy did he help me out. He always answered my sometimes repetitive computer questions, never laughed at my mistakes (at least in front of me) and talked a lot about living a creative life. Although it's been years since we've worked together I can still count on him for advice or a reassuring kick in the butt. Thanks Tim!

Check out his illustrated works -
The Gooch Machine
Chicken Socks
Elephant Games

Redo!

I'm trying to use up all of these loose sheets of watercolor paper I have, but unfortunately none of them fit onto my scanner. I'm taking pictures of my work with a digital camera, but don't quite have the hang of Photoshop, so the colors are a little off.
Regardless, here's one of my latest pieces of work. I took that Billy Goats Gruff challenge from last year and redid one of my images. I plan on breaking up the first image into a comic book format.
What do you think? The littlest goat annoys me, but I'm tired of messing with him! ;P