1.06.2006

Happy New Year!

Nothing illustrated today. Rather reeling from many many holiday guests over the past three weeks and thus my decided lack of contribution. Not many real resolutions for the New Year, but in order to keep myself on track with this whole self-employment business, I certainly have goals!

Reflecting briefly, 2005 was pretty great. Certainly my best year ever as an illustrator. Due in large part to my Art Exchange and a late charging entry into the Illustration Friday fray, I've painted more in the past 12 months than at any other time in my life. I intend to keep this going in 2006.

2005 was also marked by the completion of art for three different books and I have contracts for two more that are headed into the brian-storming phase this very week. Excitingly enough, this means that I will have both a spring and a fall book publication to celebrate in the coming year. It's fun to see projects start stacking up a little like this :) Hopefully, this means that at least a few folks will begin to recognize the work...

In any case, I really love what I am doing, and most simply want to keep at it. I can always be a better painter and I learn more about storytelling with every book. In 2006 I'd love to sign contracts for another manuscript or two of my own. I will promise to write more - much more - in order get there. Ideas are stashed like nuts for the winter, I just have to get busy and find them!

I'd also like to publish an illustration or in a children's magazine or garner some greeting card work. I've never gone this way with any commitment, but it seems to be a terrific extension of the work that I'm already trying to do. I promise to log a few entries on the process and we'll see what I can learn.

Simple enough. A short little list. Best to keep it that way amidst all of the other things that will no doubt come up. And then there's my tendancy to go outside and play...17 inches of snow on the ground and 200km of xc ski trails to explore!

Happy New Year!!!!!!

1 comment:

Paige Keiser said...

Happy New Year Erik! Looking forward to your new pieces!