I absolutely love the world of fashion and often wonder what direction my life would have taken if I never moved from NY to Los Angeles. Late last night I searched the net for some fashion illustrations and got so inspired that I whipped up this little sketch from my head with a Sharpie marker and pencils. I love the blurred photo on the left of the original drawing on the right. Not at all intentional. Just a rush to get off to bed after being up so late. Why does the most inspiration come in the wee morning hours? Promising myself a decent bedtime hour tonight.

The global search is on for Lilla Rogers to find the next new hot talent. Can you imagine the number of entries there will be? I thought it would be a fun, challenging thing to do. Art for licensing is a totally different animal, way different than the paintings I create, or even the cards I design. It reminds me so much of the fashion biz, where trends rule, and predicting the next big wave can be as daunting as which stocks to invest in. The assignment to create a cover for a journal with a playground theme, with all the job specs were sent by email to all who have joined onto the contest. The inside image of my art is the actual design for the journal cover. They were to be placed on a 8x10 background with our names. This is the first design phase of the search. Fifty artists will be chosen for the next assignment. Eventually it will be down to the chosen one who will have a two year art licensing contract with Lilla Rogers. I wish all who entered the best of luck! Click on the image to see the Facebook page for the global search updates.

Who would have guessed when I illustrated this little sock monkey in colored pencil a few years ago that he would be one of my best selling cards? Available on my Card Gnome store. Click on image to view details.

Sometimes a painting sits on my easel longer than I would like. Many other art projects come up that pull me away from my focus to finish. But there is an upside to it. I find that it allows me the chance to visualize the painting finished and helps me to formulate where the painting is headed. I really can't wait for this one to be completed, and it already has been sold!