I've been a little obsessed with Matryoshkas (Russian nesting dolls) for a long time. My mom has a pretty large one (about 12 inches tall) and I remember having so much fun taking them all apart (it had quite a bit nesting in there).
This past summer I participated in the 100 Day Project on Instagram where I attempted to create a new piece every day for 100 days (I say attempted because I think I took 105 days to complete). My theme was cats and during that project I created these cute little kitty matryoshka characters. I recently went back and retooled them a little and created a pattern collection.
I have to admit, I didn't really think I'd be totally immune to having my art stolen but it's one of those things you feel happen "to other people". Well, the unfortunate thing is that we're all "someone else" to someone else.
I'd love to share this new collection with you! These are a bunch of fun and cute sea dogs having adventures on the high seas! I started out by sketching out the little guys and then I developed the other elements like the ships and birds.
Although running your own business and making a living doing what you love is the American Dream, sometimes it can literally feel like a nightmare. I can honestly say from personal experience that owning and running your own business is much harder, more stressful and time consuming than working the typical 9-5. I can also say that it's a lot more fulfilling, satisfying and I really do love what I'm doing! It's all about finding balance.
When I start designing I usually tend to create designs and illustrations geared towards girls. Not sure if it's because I am/was a girl or if I just love really cutesy, sweet inspired clothes and patterns, but I feel that I've sorely neglected the boys' market. One trend that is currently hot right now is the nautical/pirate trend for boys.
As a digital illustrator, I'm always looking to expand my skillset and keep up to date with the available tools that are available. Although I've been illustrating for over a decade, I feel it's still important for me to keep learning and discovering new things and I've found Skillshare to be a wonderful source of constant inspiration.
I'm all about tools to make working more easier and efficient! Whether it's a great brush set to give my work a more texured and natural look or if it's a great hand drawn font to accent my illustrations I feel that a good tool is always worth investing in.
I often felt afraid of going full time freelancing because my career would be completely reliant on clients/customers to make a living. This fear stemmed from a lack of confidence as opposed to life experience. I will be the first to admit, I initially failed at being a freelance illustration years ago. I lasted a couple months before giving up, confidence crushed and resolved to find a full time job elsewhere.
This week's Net Picks focuses on designs for boys. I have been loving the woodland trend that has been pretty popular for a while now! Personally I grew up and have lived in Hawaii my whole life so I have never experienced true forests. We have rain forests here (which I haven't experienced much of either) so the woods and forests with all the wonderful flora and fauna is very foreign and almost fantastical to me.
