Eve

Here's my "Eve" painting I just finished. In these pictures the reddish fabric behind her came out really dark, but it's actually a little lighter.

taxes

Anyone know how to write off the Illustration Academy on your taxes?

assignments

I agree with Tyler that we should still keep up assignments because, if anything, it will give us an idea of what to work on. But I will change the format so that there is a new one due once a month. How does that sound? Speaking of which I need an idea for this month. Maybe we could do a "conversation" again - we could all use ideas that got shot down at the Academy :)

Graphic design and layout

We had to do a self-promotion letterhead, envelope, and business card and then put them in a layout.

fire and ice assignment

We had to illustrate "fire and ice", acrylic 10''x10''

things

Wow, I am so happy everyone is posting work, and it's such great work!!! I have been really out of the loop. As I mentioned in a previous post, I was looking for work as a graphic designer. I was really hating the starving artist thing and I kept going into more and more debt and couldn't afford to do anything. I was working more and more hours at my 2 jobs just to try to make ends meet and it was leaving me feeling exhausted and angry all the time. I looked to see what types of jobs were out there and applied for a few just for one. A headhunter found me on Monster.com and interviewed me for a job for a real estate investment banking company owned by Wells Fargo. Well I ended up getting the job -it pays amazingly well - probably twice what I was making working 2 jobs - and the benefits can't be beat. I started last Monday and I really like it so far. It's nice to be back in a regular routine (free weekends? what?) and have a regular paycheck.

I'm still taking my MFA classes - I'm taking 2 this semester - so I have been SO f@#%ing busy. I also have an hour long commuter until me & David move in June so my entire day is pretty shot. I haven't drawn in my sketchbook since I started and I don't know how I'll find time to do any illustrations of my own design. The classes are keeping me super busy!

I was halfway done with my celebrity portrait before i started work... maybe one day I'll finish it :) I think once I settle into more of a routine I'll be able to squeeze things in.

So about the assignments - let's vote. People seem to be doing their own things, which is awesome, so should we do away with the assignments and just encourage art making in general?

I love seeing the sketchbook stuff by the way. I started a sketchbook section on my website if you want to check it out ;)

-cat

SOI Reception Ticket Info

Hey everyone,

I got a hold of the people at Society of Illustrators. The reception will be on Friday February 23 from 5:00 -- ?. The tickets are $30.00 a piece. When I called, tickets weren't on sale yet, but they sent me an RSVP form. You may be able to order them over the phone in the next week or so, but I'm not sure. I can't wait, this is going to be amazing!!!

Sarasota

this is an alleyway in Sarasota, done in acrylic with a gel medium underneath for the texture. About 8''x10''

Finally!

This is a painting I've been working on since before Christmas. I finally finished it today. It's got four layers, the black, blue, figure, flower. (I was trying to show the layers with the side picture). I'm pretty happy with it... I've still got a lot to learn with my wood working skills. I was looking at Klimt and Botticelli a lot on this painting.
Hope everyone is doing well in the New Year!