Another Letter A for you, folks.
This is me and an elephant named Ot. It was taken in northern Thailand, near the Burmese border, in 2003. I spent a month in Thailand that year. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
That was the last time I traveled internationally. And that is about to change. I have made traveling once a year to somewhere really awesome one of my life goals.
Next up? Scandinavia and Iceland. I am headed there in September. BY MYSELF.
I am, of course, I little scared, but that is part of why I’m doing it. Anyhow, I am just beginning my travel planning now. I plan to visit Iceland (the whole country), Stockholm & Goteborg Sweden, Copenhagen Denmark and Helsinki Finland.
My work has been inspired by the Nordic landscape, people, folk art, and design for years and I am thrilled to finally be saving my pennies for this adventure. If you have any recommendations or tips for me feel free to email me.
Next up after this trip? Clay and I plan to take our honeymoon in Paris in 2013.
My amazing dog. I love him so much.
As a big thank you to everyone who visits this blog and/or supports my work in various ways, I’m offering 20% off on anything you purchase in my Etsy Shop through March 31. The coupon code is MARCHMADNESS. Go get it.
-Adrienne Rich, poet (and a hero to me since I was 23 years old), who died yesterday at the age of 82. This is from her poem, Sources.
May she rest in peace.
Photo © Bettmann/CORBIS // Illustrations by me // design by Anna Dorfman
People, I have not been this excited to share something in a very long time.
Let me start from the beginning. Back in October, my dear friend and talented book cover designer (and talented everything designer), Anna Dorfman (aka Door Sixteen), emailed me and asked me if I was interested in illustrating a book cover for her (she works for big publishing house Simon and Schuster). It took me like .2 seconds to say, UM YES!!!! I was especially excited when I found out the cover was for a book about Frida Kahlo, called The Secret Book of Frida Kahlo. The project was to be a photo montage. Essentially, I’d paint, draw and hand letter elements that would be placed inside a famous photo of Frida taken in 1944.
Anna and I began working on the cover that month and this past January we finished it. It was truly a collaborative effort, and I cannot take full credit for the beauty of this cover. Anna is a brilliant, visionary mind and her art direction was absolutely perfect. As an illustrator, it is a great honor to work with an art director or designer who brings out the very best in you + your work. That is what Anna did for me. She is also patient and kind, which I value as much as genius design skills.
The book (the paperback version of a work of fiction by acclaimed Mexican novelist F. G. Haghenbeck), is not due out until September, but you can pre-order on it on Amazon.
Thank you for letting me gush. Have a great day.
One of my most extensive collections is my mass of hundreds tiny (approximately 1 inch or less in size) vintage photos. You can see most of them (over the course of several pages) in my book. Whenever I go to flea markets and see a box of vintage photos, I rifle through for the smallest. My favorites are portraits.
I have no idea why I drew this today. Feeling silly, I guess.
Those of you who know me know that I love the work of photographer Sally Mann. I am also a great admirer of Sally Mann the human being, for her obsession with her craft, her work ethic, and her daring spirit. This past Wednesday evening, I had the chance to go hear Sally Mann speak. She talked for two straight hours, regaling us with stories and images from her life and work. It was such a privilege to be able to hear her talk for so long and with such intimacy. It is something I will never forget. I highly recommend watching the 2006 documentary about Sally Mann called What Remains, which you can watch (in parts) on the internet. It will give you a wonderful view into the world of this amazing contemporary artist.
Happy weekend, all.
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