life stinks

Quote of the decade...

"the trajectory of my life was that of a cannon ball fired into a sewer -- hurtling through shit, but hurtling nevertheless."
from Gould's Book Of Fish, A Novel in Twelve Fish by Richard Flanagan

Full circle...

Quite scary really - almost a year later and I'm back designing, but this time freelancing. I guess it's better than working for the pair of clowns I used to work my a**se off for! But still... my illustration dream eludes me...

Ah well. I sometimes think that children are the best cure for the creativity disease. Right now I can't seem to get anything done (and it's been this way for the last three years (coincidentally the same amount of time since my little boy was born). The only time I get to think these days is in the bath...

I'm back

I've been neglecting this for a while, partly due to work stuff, partly because I've lost some momentum. I've got a few freelance design jobs on at the moment, which is good in a way (I can keep paying my bills!) but also quite depressing at the same time. I was a graphic designer for years and the whole reason I quit was to focus on the illustration side of things. Being back there doesn't make me feel too great...
The pet portraits are still coming in and they are a welcome break from the computer, but they're not my passion like the books are.

the kite runner

What started as a three illustration project is rapidly developing into a book (although obviously not 'the kite runner', that's already been done...).

Here's the final illustration for the exhibition in Portugal, but alongside this I have a raft of sketches, a new additional character, a storyline and even some text! An agent in New York has expressed an interest in seeing dummies, so watch this space...

Rotterdam Summer Carnival

Talk about great timing! I got an out of the blue chance to visit Rotterdam. I've heard good and bad things about the city and was looking forward to going (for the old harbour part of town and the architecture) but worried it might be a bit bland and soulless with all the modern buildings. Anyhoo, got to pick my dates and chose 27 - 29 July, and that Saturday turns out to be the day of the Rotterdam Summer Carnival street parade and after carnival party! http://www.zomercarnaval.nl/nl/index.php It looks like a really great atmosphere and I can't wait to take lots of pics. I was looking for some inspirado for my work - looks like I'll have plenty now. Just hope I can still find a hotel room....

Lost

The first illustrations (not the final artwork) for my new book idea. I like to think of it as 'Where the wild things are' meets 'Alice in Wonderland' or something like it! These two, and one others, will go to the Illustarte 3 exhibition in Portugal.

rejection

My first rejection letter! I was prepared for it I suppose (I am a natural pessimist anyway but it was taking so long I was beginning to hope just a little...) but it is still disappointing.

Here is what the letter said:

Veronica
Thank you for sending your work to Little Tiger Press for us to consider. Unforunately, the material isn't suitable for our list.
I'm afraid we are unable to enter into correspondence on material we haven't accepted for publication.
Wishing you success in getting published!
Warm regards
Melinda Tallier
Little Tiger Press

Guess I better start toughening up!