Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Decorated Envelope


At the beginning of 2010 I joined a decorated envelope letter exchange. Every month, I must send off an envelope to my person and in return I receive a lovely piece of mail. Getting it in the mail is the highlight of that day!

This month, I did the envelope above to both my assigned person and my pen pal, Alison. I sent them off yesterday but was too excited by the way they turned out not to share.

Sorry if you see this before it arrives!

I'm so excited about spring that flowers keep popping up everywhere in my thoughts and work!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Friday




On Friday both D and myself were tired of going out to eat, only to be disappointed and thinking that we could probably make something better at home. In Austin, there are a few restaurants that I think are worth spending your time and money at, but in general, it is much easier to have a great meal at home.

Top 5 restaurants worth the wait (there are some new ones I'd like to try though!)

1. Vespaio
2. Uchi
3. Enoteca...shares a kitchen with Vespaio!
4. Food Heads...best lunch spot in town
5. East Side Cafe

There are more restaurants that are great, but I can personally guarantee that these offer me something different that either I wouldn't or couldn't make at home!


So we went to the grocery store (Central Market to be exact) without much of a plan. We decided on fish, not because of lent, but because we wanted something light. I paired it with brussel sprouts from the Thursday farmers market and roasted red potatoes.

The fish is my favorite recipe that I have made time and again. This time we used halibut which I think is my favorite fish so far.

The brussel sprouts I sauteed with shallot and garlic in a pan and then deglazed/steamed them with white wine and chicken broth. They were fabulous!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and are ready to start the week off fresh!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Geez

I can't believe it is already the end of another week. Sorry I have been MIA lately but I am up to my eyeballs in doing envelopes.



On another note, my website has had a few edits, thanks to my lovely web designer Robert Bredvad. The envelope above shows the new script I have on the site called knot! I have done it on a number of wedding envelope jobs and it always turns out beautifully no matter what color it is done in.

Everyone have a happy weekend!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Oh So Beautiful Paper!



Emma's wonderful invitation set got featured on the ever-so-popular blog...Oh so beautiful paper! It looks great and there is a lovely write up.
Check it out here.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Love & Folly





A big thank you goes out to Miss Emma Brode for featuring me on her blog, Love & Folly!

I was so thrilled to work with her on her amazing wedding invitations that she designed herself (not exactly DIY when you are a talented graphic artist). I couldn't have had more fun with these for there are few people that really let you go crazy with concepts for their envelopes.

All in all, with everything together (including the fantastic cactus and western stamps she sourced) I haven't seen such a creative and cohesive wedding set come my way!

Check out her blog and you will see what a talented designer she really is! Thanks Emma!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Nassau


One of my favorite things from my recent vacation in Nassau, Bahamas was coming up with things to write in the sand. It was the perfect consistency to hold the letters. Nothing is better than soaking up a sunset on the beach with the people you love.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Drawing Workshop


And so I am beginning my journey for now...teaching myself to draw. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain was not available yesterday at the Half Priced Books so I settled on this one. It guides you through projects so that you can experiment with different drawing styles.

This is my first study from the book....drawing what you see. This one was similar to what I had been doing this past weekend in the workshop, so I was comfortable doing it. I have a feeling that the challenges will not be so comfortable as I go along.



This was some coral I found at the Beach in Nassau last week. I picked up some pieces because their simple opulence amazed me.

Another thing that I have learned over the weekend regarding drawing is the time that it entails. I have always thought that drawing was easy for good artists but I have been shown just how much time and patience it takes to really get something right.

The best way to put it is that no one would expect to be able to play the piano well overnight. The same is true for anything...calligraphy, drawing, etc....just enjoy the process of learning.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Drawing



This past weekend I attended Kristen Doty's Drawing for Calligraphers class here in Austin. It was wonderful. I am now an addict and have made yet another goal in life....to learn how to draw really well.

I have always been fascinated by art...painting, drawing, etc. but I have never thought that I was very good at it. I really think that it stems from my experiences in art as a small girl. In elementary school, my art teacher told me that my stuff was bad. Not just that....she would throw things away that she didn't approve of. Basically it is just plain wrong to do....especially for someone who really does like art.
I don't think that actual talent is needed...helpful, yes, but not needed. Passion is really what makes things worthwhile and gives you the longevity to actually pursue it.

Case in point: In 1994 I wrote that my favorite thing that I loved was art. I was 7.
After my art experiences in elementary school, I pursued music in middle and high school. I studied pretty intensely and even won state awards, and was drum major of our marching band. I stopped playing my flute in college and haven't looked back. I love music and am grateful for all the experiences of my youth in music but it boils down to a lack of passion. Also, I wanted to be a doctor.

In college however, it was part of the curriculum to take art history, costume history and fashion illustration....which ended up being my favorite classes. I was finally on the right track and moving toward a career in visual arts.
This society and the world that we live in does not nurture alternative thinking and creativity. I was so very afraid (and still am) of relying on my creativity to make a living. I purposely chose my degree fashion merchandising (aka the business of fashion) over design for fear of having to be creative, of failing.

Up to this point, my experiences and decisions have been made with a "practicality" mindset instead of really feeling what has been right all along. I love art, every aspect of the visual world, be it textile, paint, pen or pottery...I love it all. I finally feel that while I don't know what opportunities lie ahead, I am wholeheartedly ready to take the challenge and pursue my passion...art.

I think your passion just finds you. It takes a lot of reluctance and discouragement sometimes to break through to find your purpose, your happiness.


Drawing of my hand done last night...using a Plexiglas technique that Kristen taught us. She was right..anyone can draw!