Inspiration Search...Sandra Dieckmann (and some stuff about me)

This might turn into a series.
Feeling lazy, uninspired, and not creative in any way lately, I went on a quest to find new illustrators. My search turned up Sandra Dieckmann, a fantastic illustrator out of London. I never do reviews on here of artists I love, but I think I need to when it inspires me like this. Her work is exactly what I've been trying to get into myself, weirdly enough. Line art, detail, patterns, and of course, animals! LOVE. And she has an Etsy shop! My Etsy wishlist is getting out of hand.

Feathers + Buffalo + patterns = AWESOME.

I love the big solid colors combing with the delicate lines.

Sandra's workspace. I want to go hang out there.

In other news, the weather in Ohio has appropriately turned to bullshit. Sheets of rain, 40 something degree weather, snow in some places (according to my mom who lives up north). I agreed to cover for someone at the horse barn tonight, as well as tomorrow...and Saturday. Once you've been stuck in the house for 8 months, it's hard to complain about going to work, regardless of the circumstances.

Cherry taking advantage of the weather. She lives a good life.

I don't think I mentioned I started working part-time at a horse barn in Plain City, Ohio. It's just something to do while I continue my never-ending hunt for a full time job. They house around 40-50 horses and I think I finally know all their names. Even in this weather, I'm thankful to be working with my passion of horses and not waiting tables or working retail. Helping little riders learn their way around horses is just fine for now, thank you. :)

And with that, it's time to dig my Carhartt coat out of the closet and seize this rainy, yucky day.

Log Cabin Love...Holla!

Opened up my Etsy newsletter in my email today...The title being 'Log Cabin Love'. I LOVE log cabins indeed. I want to live in one so bad someday. It's an obsession close to my vintage camper love.
My print was featured in the newsletter! Hurray! :) That's nice on a Monday.

Illustration Fridaaahhh....Contraption

...And what better contraption than the Phonograph!
This is also a print for sale in the shop.

2012 Wall calendar! Woohoo!

I just put a 2012 wall calendar in the shop. This one is the 'Feathers' edition, but I plan on adding a few more in other designs. And eventually I'd like to get my annual smaller calendar in the shop by the end of the month. Go check it out! I'm mighty pleased with it. :)

Illustration Friiiiday....Ferocious.

Today's word is FEROCIOUS.

This is an old, old sketch, but it's what came to my mind. I drew this while I was on the phones working at a call center years ago. I think I filled up three or four sketchbooks while I was working there.

Illustration Friday Post: Boundaries

I've known about this site for ages and always wanted to get into the habit of doing this. This weeks word to illustrate is: Boundaries.

Give me a job, give me security.

Another week of not having a job.... I never thought it would last this long. I get leads now and then but they turn out to be dead ends. It's depressing, needless to say. I've started applying to retail again because I'm out of options at this point. I've also contacted all horse barns in the not too far area to see if they need a hand. Nothing yet.
I really wonder when a damn door is going to finally open for me.
(If you got the Styx reference in my post title, kudos.)

Meanwhile, I started running again. It sucks, but I'm starting to notice subtle changes. Except it's in the high 90's right now...in Ohio, in September. Next week should cool off though and I can get back on schedule.

Finally, there's a new original work in the shop. You can click on the photo to go to the listing. I'm working on a few more since I've got my watercolors out and everything. And for your viewing pleasure, here's some sketchbook junk too.


Adios.