a little bit of soul

I've discovered something about myself recently that you'd think I would have worked out by now. I really like classic R&B. All these years when people have asked what kind of music I'm into I've said, you know, a bit of everything. But as it turns out I'm a classic late 70's-80's R&B fan. It makes sense. I like music with a bit of soul, lyrics you can sing to, and something you can dance to = classic R&B. I found out by trying a whole lot of radio stations all over the world through itunes while I've been working in the studio. I've found this great one based in Chicago. It's a bit daggy but it gets me moving.

And the pics above? More egg studies in sumi ink. But this time with twigs.

light

Late afternoon light. That first pic is of one of our apricot trees in flower (growing in a pot). A friend grew it from seed!

I just love early spring weather.

Are you doing anything special today?

shoe fetish

Covet: TWS by Camper. What I like to call 'investment footwear'. But that's not such a bad thing if they do last a long time.

egg

Sunday morning studies in egg-ness with my beloved sumi ink. We're baby-sitting a friend's chickens for a week.

2011 calendar

Here it is....well a few pages of the finished product anyway. The calendar has two months to a page of my original illustrations and sumi drawings. Tea features strongly. As do eggs, and furry critters such as cats and chickens. And a few unusual things with legs and feet. All printed on archival quality paper with inks that will last forever. It's in my shop now. And I'll even pop a free greeting card in with each purchase.

thinking ahead

A sneak preview of the 2011 calendar I'm making featuring my illustrations and sumi ink drawings. It should be available in the next few days...

persistence

These gorgeous old Japanese medical prints made me smile after discovering them via print interesting the other day. Just look at that detail!

I've been pondering creative matters at length in the last little while. For work and for pleasure and now somehow they've become beautifully entwined. I've been particularly focussed on how creativity is fostered and nurtured for creative folk, particularly those in art and design. If you too enjoy thinking about these things check out Elizabeth Gilbert's wonderful podcast on TED about nurturing creativity. It's 19 minutes of your life that will be well spent. I have watched it a number of times in the last year and each time I come away thinking about something new. Today it was about the importance of persistence. Now ain't that the truth?

Is there something about persistence and your creative process that you'd like to share? Do you have any magical methods/approaches/routines that work for you?