Astrid's news

Customized wedding invitation card for a Swiss couple. The card opens in the middle, and when it closes, the couple kisses.

Wedding design sample "Anne" from save the date card to menu, all one look.

Contrary to the normal typical summer break, I've been very busy - especially since the last few weeks. I've started working with a coach, Leili McKinley from www.soaring-phoenix.com. She's AWEsome. I've been wanting to grow my business for a while, and worked hard, trying trying trying. But I didn't get ahead much. Turns out, I tried too much at the same time! I've got a clear goal for my business now, thanks to Leili. I'm planning to open a wedding invitation online shop for the USA brides - and I want to offer cards with my illustrations. I can use all the support that's out there - it's not easy to start from scratch, by yourself (well plus with coach).

Does anyone have any tips or happens to know great people in the bridal industry (or modern brides for that matter)?

Any feedback to my idea?

Do you think wedding invitations with my illustrations could make brides happy?

summer stuffs

Hi Ladies!

I just posted this exact post on my blog, but I thought it sums up nicely what I've been up to. Hope you're all having a lovely summer. I look forward to getting back into the soup groove with you all.....

The summer is flying by. I know, maybe it always seems that way..but this year, I really feel it. Bike rides, beach visits, camping...we seem to be squeezing it all into these last few weekends. Soon, blackberries will be overtaking our land here, and this year, for reals, I'm going to learn how to make jam!

In arty news, I'm starting to gear up for Renegade Chicago next month. I've been painting, ordering supplies and prints, organizing, emailing, and all of the tidbits that go into flying halfway across the country to a major event like this. I was there two years ago, and it was amazing. An absolute blur of a beautiful, serendipitous weekend. Even the fantastic thunderstorm on the last day was incredibly memorable. I remember trying to break down my canopy, drenched to the bone, mud and water flying in every direction, laughing hysterically..or maniacally. You know those times when life seems to click into place, and you run into long lost friends and everything seems to have a purpose? Ah yes, those rare times are amazing, and they always seem to happen for me at Renegade. So I'm excited to be going again, to say the least.

In book news, I am starting in on Bandits, a story about some pesky raccoons. There have been plenty of raccoon sightings in these parts in recent weeks, so I've been getting some real life reference for the sketches. I think this must be the time of year that the little raccoon babies are on the move, because I've seen several families crawling over fences, and meandering down darkened streets.

Also, I'm drawing witches and cottages and things for a young adult novel, that's due out next spring. The sketches were due a few weeks back, and now the final art deadline is creeping up. I'll post some pictures one day soon...

Frizz makeover

I've redesigned my website and dropped "Frizz" (bloggerland and casual use only). Makes me sad but I'm ready to get serious. Let me know if you find any glitches.
Next step - joining Childrens Illustrators.
Also, I finished a small collaborative project but don't want to spill any beans just yet. May lead to something...or not. Fingers are crossed.
Full speed ahead!!

Summer Hiatus

I have not been a creating machine this summer. Some of can be blamed on life stresses, some of it can be blamed on family visiting or how I concentrated on writing more than illustrating. But most of it can be blamed on summertime ennui. I just haven't been "into it". Then I started shopping around for a new agent. Nothing will make you evaluate yourself as a illustrator like not receiving any feedback whatsoever from any of the agents you submit to. (I'm sure they're still considering me, right?) So I took a heavy hand to my portfolio, took out several pieces and am concentrating on adding only the best new work. My goal for the fall is to make my portfolio the best it can be, and send out at least two sets of cards to a revised set of editors and art directors.

Game on.