My Big Yellow Sketchbook

I am addicted to books.  My dream room (besides a large home studio), would be a huge library with comfy chairs, a fireplace, and floor to ceiling bookcases filled with my books (and a hidden bar;).  My affinity for books has created a very discerning regard towards my sketchbooks.  I have tried them all- the ring bound hard back of many sizes, the hardbound book style (still an inexpensive favorite), the Moleskins of many sizes, and many types (and now so many beautiful colors), but with all of them, the paper sucks.  You can splurge and get the watercolor paper sketchbooks, but lucky you, 15 pages!  I'd finish it in two weeks and it'd blow the budget (not to mention take up a lot of storage space I don't have- that would be about 25 a year).  Being the ingenious girl I am, I decided to bind my own.  I pretty much made up the recipe myself (with a little help from Gwen Diehn- a personal hero), and the first one I ever did was hardbound, not soft.

Now, five years and many sketchbooks later, I pretty much have it down to a science.  I used to bind some for friends every once in awhile (the ones who would appreciate what they were getting), and now at Red Bow I have some on the shelves for sale.  They aren't cheap, so I don't try to talk the unwilling buyer into one, and I believe you have to be drawn to it (not a pun!), and ready to pay the price.  A true connoisseur knows what they're getting, and that it's actually a steal.  I don't like to part with one unless I know it's going to a good home; I bind my books with love.  For myself I always bind a new size sketchbook with a new color leather- in all my years, I never seem to want to use a color twice!  It brings back memories of a certain "sketchbook" time period, and who wants to relive the past (okay, maybe sometimes), but I can never do the same color twice (don't worry, the guy pulled out the color palette of all the leathers he had, and there's hundreds, so I won't run out anytime soon). 

I like to bind mine big enough that I can get a decent sized painting on my pages, but that I can carry around somewhat viably. (this one measures 10"x10")  I show my sketchbooks no mercy.  I am not afraid of a new book- I embrace it, for it's nothing until filled.What is an unlived life?  Wasted.  No one should have such a great book and not fill it to the brim!  I have scratches on the covers, newsprint stains, water stains, you name it, and the more there is, the better it looks, because it shows my book has been places.  This yellow one has seen ferry rides, wolf packs, California missions and mountains, as well as sunny beaches and benches, Boston buildings, Rhode Island poolscapes (thanks Christine;), and many other jaunts.  Its around 90 pages of Arches text-laid paper- my sketchbook favorite, and not easy to find off the internet.

Recently I opened an Etsy shop and this is where I have the most luck selling my sketchbooks. Over Thanksgiving, the most wonderful thing happened. Lovely Nancy of SilverMagpies featured one of my sketchbooks in her Etsy treasury, and loved it so much she bought it. THAT is the highest complement in my book;)

Now that this yellow one is almost filled...I'm thinking gold. Or silver.  I want to make a splash into 2011.

Stamps

I've been fighting a cold all day, so I stayed in bed this morning carving plastic stamps and watching Dexter.  I LOVE DEXTER.  If you aren't familiar, I highly advise you to watch this show.  A great way to spend a morning: with an xacto knife, a Staedler plastic block, and Dexter.  (I'm also addicted to Martha Stewart craft punches- I punched hundreds of hearts out of the current Bloomingdale's catalog.)

HELLO 2011!

All I can say is that I am FINALLY finished with my 2011 calendar which is soon to be hot off the press!  My life has been at a standstill while I madly painted all the work inside of the calendar, but it's done and I've been drinking champagne to celebrate.  In my opinion, it's the best yet, and sure to class up you wall.  If your interested in purchasing one, you can find the Paypal button on the side of my blog, or you can always go to my Etsy shop.  If you live near me, feel free to stop by my house or Red Bow and pick one (or ten) up;)  I will be shipping calendars out next week.

There are two sizes- small (8.5"x11" or 17"Hx11"L when hanging on a wall) printed on heavyweight glossy paper for $20 plus shipping and XLarge (19"Hx13.5"L when hanging on a wall) printed on a heavyweight linen paper for $35 plus shipping.  Both are fabulous (and a great gift for anyone).

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

On the inside...

Mother Earth

Sorry I've been missing again (I know I've been doing this frequently, lately. Having two young children, a new business, and other projects leave me little blog time anymore. I'll work on it though. You can always find me at Red Bow Studio.)

Above is a peek at the month of May for my 2011 calendar (my most current project).

My First Official Interview Ever with Jen from Painted Fish Studio!!!

 I am so proud to have my first interview with Jen of Painted Fish Studio.  We met via a craft swap years ago and then kept up with each other's blogs until she visited NYC and I was able to meet up with her IN PERSON.  I don't know if it's because we both like to guzzle red wine, or if it's because we're the same age, or even because we're both creative people, but whenever I see Jen, I have a blast!  

Jen will be back in NYC in October, and I'm so pleased to say that she will be hosting 2 bookmaking workshops at Red Bow Studio.  If you're near Long Island, please join us!  You can find more information at Red Bow Studio.
 
Most momentous moment in your life?

there have been so many! the most recent: being invited to participate in a local artist gift mart at the walker art center. they found me, which is very cool, and the event was so much fun – i sold some of my work, i met other artists, and felt like a true artist. i wish every day was like that!

Ocean or mountains?

both are fascinating: i grew up (and still live) in the Midwest, so seeing either is a treat for me.

Sweet or salty?

oh boy. both. not at the same time, but both.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

chocolate chip with those little candy pieces in it.

An instance of blind faith?

i’m slowly learning to let go of fear of failure and just jump right in! in the last few months i’ve decided to do everything i can to see where my creative career (painted fish studio) will lead me. if i fail, i fail -- it’s a lot better than not trying.

What did you dream of doing when you were younger?

being an artist, and opening my own store where i’d sell the stuff i make.

Something you recommend doing before you die?

travel to a different country! and learn to like yourself.

What do you wish you were doing less of?

i do wish i wasn’t working full-time!

What do you wish you were doing more of?

i wish i was creating more, and exploring the possibilities...

When you’re walking down a city street, what makes you stop in awe?

if i’m in a city, that probably means i am out of my usual routine, and i am actually in the present, which is rare. being in the present really makes me stop and realize “i am HERE. i am in this amazing city.”. i feel that way when i’m traveling, and when i’m exploring downtown Minneapolis.

You are well known for the pARTys that you host for your friends...how did they start, and how do you feel that they have evolved over the years?

pARTy’s started after i took a stained glass course through community education in 2003, and i went a little bonkers and bought lots and lots of glass. so i asked my friends if they wanted to come over and make stuff from what i learned, and to help me get rid of the glass i bought. we all drank wine, we had a blast, and only one soldering iron incident. the evening then became a monthly event. i’m constantly trying new things, and trying to think of new projects for us to play with. the core group has remained pretty much the same over the last 7 (7!) years, and while we haven’t evolved much from the original format (project, cheese, wine), it’s so amazing to see what my friends create!

I for one can say that you are an inspiration for many people.  I love your Polaroids and the many other wonderful goodies you create.  Which is your favorite?

thank you! it’s such an honor to be called an inspiration. i’m just doing what makes me feel productive/creative. usually my favorite projects are my most recent: i really love the punch cards, and am excited to see how those evolve. and Polaroid film will continue to play a role in my creativity. i love the little magnets!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years?

in 5 years, i really hope my IT career has taken a lesser role than it has now. i’m not sure i’ll ever fully be able to support myself with my creative pursuits, but i’m going to do my damnedest to try. hopefully in 5 years i’m either working part-time or consulting and setting my schedule. in 10 years? who knows! i don’t like planning that far ahead, because i think having “a plan” can make it difficult to see potential in different opportunities that are right in front of you.

Thank you Jen!

Oh the Wonders I've Seen

It's been more than ten years since I've visited the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and it's quite amazing what they've done in their renovation.  From the colors to the green building to all the living and once living things- it's all quite amazing. 

Yes, Claude, the albino alligator, is real.

Oh So Pretty!

I don't usually frame my art unless it's going to be in a show because it can be expensive.  It's only when you hang it up on a wall and see it that you realize that it's worth it because it makes the art look even nicer than it already did (even if it's slightly askew...oops-due to lack of sleep last night,my mind wouldn't stop racing)!

Drawing Faces

Teaching my daughter how to draw a face at the studio...

My House

Here is a watercolor of my house that I painted for "The Beauty of Sea Cliff" show at our local library.  I had such a great time working on this, and would love to paint more houses.  If you would like a watercolor of your house painted by me, please get in touch. (Yes, I'm shamelessly promoting myself;)

Happy 4th of July to all!

Paisley

Petunia ponders the perfect pattern: paisley.

My Little European Fountain

One of the things I love about walking through cities in Europe is all of the fountains you find in out of the way places.   Last fall at an end of the season nursery sale I found a perfect little fountain for our little backyard.  I bought this baby for a steal, and although my husband rolled his eyes while making the purchase we took it home and stuck it in the...garage.  (Yep, stone can't always handle the cold New York winters.)  A couple of weeks ago we brought the fountain out, filled it with water, and plugged it in.  Voila!  We now have a very soothing tinkling (I am at loss for a better word) sound in our backyard and when I close my eyes I can pretend I'm in Europe!

Busy Busy Busy...

...is my middle name.  I'm working on some pieces that I am creating for a show at Erawan Seafood & Steak in Bayside, Queens.  They usually have a featured artist at their wine dinners and I will be the one on June 27th.  The restaurant is a 2 story building with a bar in front, so there is a lot of space to decorate.  Hence, my new middle name- BUSY, but very excited because other than my open studios, I've never had a solo show before.  Excitement is in the air!

A Huge Shout Out

I have not been a star blogger recently and even worse at reading other blogs, so I was honored to catch up in person with two ladies from Minnesota who I met via swaps years ago!!  We all went out to dinner in Fall of 2008, and a year and a half later I meet up with them again and it's even funner!! (Yes, I know that's not a word, but it suits the situation).  How time flies.  Jenn from The Write Ingredients and Jen from Painted Fish Studio were in town for a little NYC energy and food.  Jenn's goal was to have at least five meals a day, and I was impressed with the food she found.  I may be a good clothing/accessory shopper, but she is the food shopper.  It was great to be a tag-along as opposed to leading the group.  Jen was busy shooting pictures with her polaroid camera at it was great to see the results.

They did the research and showed me some new haunts that I've never heard of. I met up with them in Brooklyn where one of the highlights was Cog and Pearl, a treasure chest I had never visited. I found night lights by Happy Owl Glassworks which are so cool that I get excited for bedtime;) (well my daughter does). We then jumped on the train and went to the Hester Street Fair, another gem I had never heard of. Talk about goodies for the eyes- so many colorful things to look at and many young entrepreneurs. Great vibe, but the best find was the food. I had the most delicious lobster roll I've ever had outside of Maine from Luke's Lobster and a heavenly lemonade (with other flavors) by I forget:( Sorry, guess you'll just have to visit to find out for yourself.

We did a lot more walking and looking and a pit stop for this group involves wine- these are my kind of ladies.

Inside My Sketchbook

I've been working with that alphabet recently- addicted to it in fact. I'm obsessed with fonts and have been coming up with some interesting ones.

Fearless

My version of "fearless" for Illustration Friday.

Red Bow Studio Etsy Shop Up and Running

The Red Bow Studio Shop is up and running on Etsy.  More items will be added in the near future, but for now it's tiger pillows!  Please stop by.

Inside My New Studio

 Well, the Red Bow Studio doors are open and it is an exciting experience, but it is also a little scary.  I opened my studio in a small town and the weather has been a little rainy, so not many people are walking around.  I am busy with things to do, but opening a new business is quite an interesting task.  Below is what the studio looks like.  It's super cozy and has a lovely feel.  I am opening up a Red Bow Studio shop on Etsy where I will sell hand made Patricia Kaegi Weiss originals.  The first are my Tiger pillows which I have handmade using a painting that I made earlier in the year.  Please feel free to stop by the Etsy shop- or even better, the real live Red Bow Studio!

Bouquets to Art

About ten years ago I went to a wonderful exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco called Bouquets to Art. It was the most delightful art show I've ever seen- a group of floral artists design bouquets inspired by works of art in the museum. Since then I've moved to New York and haven't had the chance to go again until last Monday night. This time it was back at the DeYoung and again, it was wonderful. Here are a few of the bouquets.

Soo...I Really Haven't Disappeared...

....I'm starting a business!  I have been dropping hints for awhile that I want to open up a studio/inspirational destination, and that is where I have been.  Let me tell you, there are so many DETAILs involved in the organization of a business, and it's even tougher when there is NO FUNDING for a start-up business anywhere.  You have to be in business for a year before any nonprofit funders will get involved and 3 years before a bank will even look your way to lend.  (Opening a bank account wasn't difficult of course, they will take your money anytime).  As you may have guessed it is called Red Bow Studio and is located in Sea Cliff New York.  I will post more pictures, but this is the signage. So far I have painted the space and location, added a freestanding wall, bought furniture, ordered art supplies, hooked up phone service, found a credit card provider, opened a bank account, designed a logo and stationary....wow, it seems so simple when I put it in one sentence...I'm off to paint the furniture, but I will give updates soon!

Straight out of Elle Decor...

...well not exactly, but close.  For those of you who are familiar with my calendar, you might recognize the month of June in this photograph.  The painting is of my parents backyard,  and my mother loved it so much that she framed it and hung it above her bed.  It is a real coup, because when I was growing up, most of the artwork I brought home ended up in the closet or the garage.  I guess this means my artwork is moving up in the grand scheme of things!

Another Sketchbook Page

I'm busy painting, so this will be short.  I taught myself how to create a watermark in Photoshop this morning  using this tutorial from About.com. It was fairly simple and about time that I learned how to do it!!

Sketchbook Surprise

I've been looking through old sketchbooks, trying to organize my shelves and I often come across pages that look like this...the black ink is my hand and the colored ink is one of my dotters aka daughters (I can never catch them in the act, so I don't know who the culprit is...argh!!). Basically if I leave a sketchbook opened with a black ink line drawing, one of the dotters can't resist "coloring it in". They have both done this from an early age- 1, and it is so endearing, but at the same time I want to pull my hair out!! I know that the day will come when I open up an old sketchbook and see their scribbles and miss their younger years.

Frida by Ayala

I was so excited to receive the Frida doll I won in the ADO OWOH giveaway.  This beautiful doll was made by Ayala of Ayala Art Cards~Dolls. Be sure to check out Ayala's dolls and paintings- they are quite inspiring.  I have such admiration for Frida, that it is wonderful to be able to hang her as inspiration in my creative space.  Thank you Ayala!!

IF- Propagate

Wow...propagate.  What a word.  Illustration Friday is getting all SAT on us.  As a crossword addict...I like it.  In this painting, I'm aiming for propagation through inspiration.  I am trying to reproduce the whimsy that I have created to the many other pages of this sketchbook.  It's all for a project that I am really excited about and keeping under wraps.  Until the next page, please propagate.

Dallas Love

I'm a firm believer that everyone needs a change of scenery to spark the creative spirit, so I try to take a trip every couple of months or so. (Yes, I am a Pisces rising=dreamer). Since I have two young children, it's often to visit friends and stay at their homes, because bunking in the same hotel room with the kids can be tough (and expensive). For President's Week we traveled down to Dallas to visit my best friend from college.  My husband's only wish while in Texas: gorge on some down home BBQ, which we found at Sammy's in Northern Dallas.  This is where I found all of these bottle openers.  They clearly believe in choice at this joint.

OWOH Giveaway Winners

What a wonderful OWOH world tour I've had!  I hope that others enjoyed theirs as well!  Because there were so many commenters, I decided to give away 4 calendars instead of 3.  I am so flattered that many travelers decided to follow my blog, that I also added a "follower" giveaway.

My four winners are:
1)Lenore of eat write create
2)RR of Ravenous Reader
3)Jenea of Dispatches from the me
4)Snap of  Tales From Twisty Lane
and my Follower winner is Hippie Dog

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who visited!  It was so wonderful meeting all of you.  All the best for a wonderful year and HUGE thank you to Lisa Swifka for investing so much precious time creating this event.

If you still don't have a 2010 calendar you can find mine at my Etsy shop.  I will be adding more artwork to my shop in the next couple of months as well.  Please visit anytime!