Fruit & Friday...

= j a c k p o t

This is a little book I made for my gift line with C.R. Gibson

Pet Showcase

Big excitement around here today.  Luca's school had the annual pet showcase. (part of the science department)  Kids were encouraged to bring their pets & give a brief presentation about the type of animal, it's habits, what it eats and so on... This was then followed by a question & answer session with a written & drawn entry in their science journal.  Just about the cutest thing ever and a fun way to share what these kids have learned living with a creature.

Luca took Sophie to the showcase. We got her about a year ago.  

She has become an invaluable member of our family!

He was super proud to show her off.

Pow!

Did you have a good Memorial Day?  Hope so!

Pow!  Here we go again... Tuesday that feels like a Monday checked off the list.

This art was used on some boys lacing cards I made.

Yep, girls aren't the only ones who like to lace.

Or need the practice.  Remember what a challenge learning to tie shoes was!

Surtex 2015

Back from Surtex 2015!  A good show this year but it's hard to know what to expect. You hand out lots of cards, meet some really talented artist, sell some art, license some art but there's always things you never imagined.  This was my 11th Surtex so, I guess what I've found is expect the unexpected.   I think our booth looked pretty good.  I always forget that every year artists are doing more & more to design/ decorate their booth space. Good reminder for me for the upcoming Licensing show.

Antonio made a book filled with some of my favorite pieces that I've made over the years.  I brought it as a tool of other styles & directions I've played with. We mainly showed my available collection of art but pulled the book out to show more of a range or if someone wanted to see more. I also brought my sketchbook which seemed to be a helpful way to show people how I work when I don't start a piece digitally.  (Which is what I prefer. You end up with a warmth & richness that the computer can't quite create)

Some of our clients we've had for a long time.  It's so nice to see them come back year after year.
I love making art & it's fun to see when it resonates!

Until next year...

Antonio holding the book he helped put together of my art.

Here's a close up of the book cover.  I subtitled it:

A joyful journey of making art night & day!

Here's a little look at what's inside.

90 pages of art!

Surtex!

Stand out of the crowd.  At a show

like Surtex that's what we're all hoping to do!

I'm nearing the end of my to do list.

Yippee!  

We picked up my brochures today.

I always go with an accordion fold format.

I like the look & it holds a lot of visuals well.

We take a version of this to the shows every year.

This is the front.

In the brochure I include an updated bio about what I'm about &

how I work.  At this point I feel really lucky.  It's not

necessarily finding more work it's about finding companies

that are the right fit.

Cheers to that!

Website Update & Show Info!

Whooo!  We have a lot going on at the studio. Antonio just updated our website just in time for Surtex. (Yay, we needed to do that!)

NEW WEBSITE!

We're gearing up for trade show season.

Find us at Surtex - we'll be in booth 610 with lots of colorful new art!

June 9-11 we'll be exhibiting at the Licensing Expo in booth C 19 

I'm picking up my show brochure later today & made a book that is a little glimpse into what I've been up to the last 10 years.  Lots & lots of ART!  I'll share more of this promotional stuff the rest of the week.

Here's a few of the images that are on the fab print & pattern blog today.

The Surtex show promises to be packed with top talent again this year!

Don't forget to take a peek at my new website!

Baby Shower

I hosted a baby shower over the weekend. (appropriately over Mother's Day weekend)

The event was a small gathering of friends & family for my brother Matt & his wife Sarah.

I have three brothers & now my baby brother Matt is having a baby.  We're almost 9 years apart & it's funny to think of him as a dad. (but, I'm sure he'll do a beautiful job!)

I made a card for the expecting couple.

So did Luca. His was a pop up card.

Added a rose & raspberry to the cake.

At any gathering you need some good food

And a conversational food pieced made by my dad.

He's super creative & likes to add a whimsical touch to all our

family occasions. (the grandkids LOVE him- so do I :)

Instagram

Did you know I'm on Instagram?

Yep, lots of photo's of my art, my life & things that inspire me.

If you'd like to see more check it out!

https://instagram.com/missjillmcdonald/

Team Work!

I painted this quote from Helen Keller for the teachers at Luca's school.  

It's teacher appreciation week.  Team work... what a wonderful thing!

Sometimes I have to remind myself- I am not an island!

Spring Time Counting

Spring is finally here!  This time of year always flies by for us.  

We have Surtex around the corner. (Antonio & I will be in booth 610) 

then the Licensing Expo June 9-11  (booth C 19)  

I'm also starting the new products for my gift line with C.R. Gibson.  Which will debut at the Atlanta Gift show Jan. 2016.  

Whoo, things are busy! Which is wonderful!!!  

Hope your spring is off to a great start!