surtex begins today!

today is the day!

one i have spent the last 6 months preparing for.

all my many hours poured into creating

and designing collection sheets to

be presented at Surtex in New York city.

(i even sent some of my sculptures) 

MHS Licensing will be introducing my work

to the surface design industry.

(booth 535)

it will be my debut.

i can't tell you how over the moon i am about this.

how humble i am to be a part of this show,

to be represented and to be amongst so much talent.

i could just pinch myself!

i plan to embrace and enjoy this moment.

to celebrate how far i have come,

the long hours, the ups and downs

but mostly that this is one step closer to my dream.

i know the real work is still yet to come

and there will be another mountain to climb. 

but for now, 

i will celebrate!

 happy-go-lucky!

my huge secret ....

i have been keeping a huge secret! 

(sorry!)

but, i like to make sure everything is in order before i announce anything.

i know that those who follow my blog know that i seemed

to have been on a bit of a roller coaster the last 6 months.

i have mentioned some of my own personal sadness and

how incredibly busy i have been in the studio.

but, today i get to share something extremely exciting.

i have signed with an agency!

i am now being represented by

MHS Licensing!

let me take you back to the beginning of last year where it all began.

the new year brought my determination to create a

portfolio so i would finally be able to

partner up with some manufacturers to license my artwork.

this included my illustrations and sculptures.

i decided to dedicate huge amounts of time to do this

and it took me most of the first part of the year.

in july i sent batches of portfolios out to key companies

that i thought my work would be best suited for.

i waited.
i waited and waited...

(i understood it could take some time)

but, after our summer vacation in july i was

restless with just waiting. i also became acutely

aware that there was things about my business that

i did not enjoy.
i wanted the chance to concentrate fully on the part
that brings me the most joy
and that is creating. 

so i began to create new portfolios and this time i focused on researching agencies.

 it was another big leap. it also meant more waiting. but, i was determined.

in october of last year, once again i sent out portfolios.

i remember sending them all off  on the same day and i was

satisfied that i started to take action to keep working towards my dream.

my dream ... simply to be able to create and share my work for the rest of my life ... everyday!

well, i didn't have to wait too long much to my surprise. 

once i made the decision to sign with
MHS i went straight to work on collection sheets

based on my illustrations.

i have spent long hours in the studio illustrating

and many more on the computer designing.

i am so grateful for all my family and close friends
who have supported my new adventure.
especially, to those who found themselves on speaker phone while i worked.

 my mother and I have logged many hours on the phone that way.

(she has been a huge support.)

but, i am so grateful to my sweet boys and husband

who have supported me ... everyday!
it is amazing how love and support can carry you and

i am so grateful that i had them for all my ups and downs
as i continue on this creative path.

i am so thrilled to be working with everyone at MHS Licensing.

they have been incredibly kind, supportive and so enthusiastic about my work.

i am honoured to be working beside them and

to be amongst such talented artists that they represent.

i can't wait to see where this takes me and my work!

birthday cake, ice and a little turquoise owl!

introducing.... l'l turquoise!

the last few weeks have been very eventful.

 we celebrated our oldest son turn 18!

(i am still dumbfounded about where the time has gone)

i had a very full heart that day.

so many firsts with him, so many adorable moments,

so many feelings and yet so proud.

proud of who he has become

and knowing how grateful i am that he has been

apart of my everyday for the last 18 years. 

we also experienced a pretty nasty ice storm.

(this has been a long winter)

however, we were lucky were we live...

as there is still clean up in our city

and other communities who had no power up until a few days ago.

i was grateful that my children were all safe at home.

(they were just happy they got to sleep in and have a day off from school)

then i had a sweet reminder that spring is on it's way.

these two brothers

put on quite a show in our backyard one afternoon.

they spent some time chasing each other

through the trees and seemed to be having

a grand old time together.

in the spirit of spring I finished my illustration

"l'l turquoise"

(he has been waiting patiently for some time to be finished)

he is offered in two versions in my etsy shop.

and as promised you may now find my offerings

of my "shine bright" series in my shop as well.

have a wonderful day!

shine bright!

i must admit that these little guys have

been gracing the walls of my studio for sometime.

i know that i have shared sneak peeks of them in the past

and

i am finally introducing the

"shine bright series"

i created for my portfolio.

these little bears were inspired by

a few things. 

first the notion that we all have are own

individual light and it is up to us to shine our brightest.

(i know sometimes it is easier said than done.) 

secondly, these pieces were inspired by those

star filled and moon lit nights at our family cottage.

where the stars shone the brightest

and the moon lit up the woods that surrounded our

little place. we were often in our pajamas

to see this spectacular occurrence

and of course we would make a wish.

a- Shine Bright

b- Dance by the Light of the Moon!

c- Wish upon a Star!

d- Sending my very Best Wishes!

e-Reach for the Stars!

they will soon be in my etsy shop

both as prints and cards.

enjoy!