next steps

I realize it's been awhile since I posted – mostly because I was trying to figure out the next step. Continue to blog? Take the blog in a different direction? Etsy? Portfolio site? Video? Or simply... take a break? And then, I blinked, and a year had gone by... pretty unreal. 

But even though I haven't been blogging, I have been keeping busy with other creative projects. Below is a sampling of illustrations, videos and even a few photos from the gallery opening where three pieces of my art work were chosen. I have to say, It was a pretty cool year.

Even though I don't know which direction my creative passions will take me, I know I'll keep exploring, experimenting and learning. In the meantime, you can find me and more of my projects here:

Behance   •   YouTube   •   Society6

Thanks for all the encouragement, support and best wishes to everyone,
Christina

choose happiness

Lately my life has involved a lot of inner dialogue that goes something like this: “breathe Christina… breeeeeeathe… deeeeep breaths.” I know deep down things will eventually be fine and I DO realize things could be worse, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the roller coaster of emotions that’s involved with divorce. Sketching and reading positive books/articles/quotes has been a HUGE help. This one below is a pencil sketch I did with my own watercolor incorporated in the background. Hopefully you will find a bit of the serene-sunny-tranquility combination in it that I do.

keep creating: watercolor sailboat

One of the toughest things about blogging, in my opinion, is the longing for everything you put out to the world to be amazingly wow-worthy... PIN-worthy... VIRAL-worthy. Unfortunately, I have piles of creative work that's anything but.  However, I'm forcing myself to keep going, keep practicing.. sketching... painting... sewing... because I'm not going to get any better if I don't do anything, right?  This article is an amazing inspiration and refreshes the way you think about talent. Serious motivation. 

So here's some of the work I did today. Not the most impressive sailboat... I think I actually like my paint mess photos a little bit more... but I think that proves you never know where things will go. Maybe I'll take my messy palettes and scrap paper and do some collage work - who knows? The point is to keep going.. keep creating. 

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

wave collage

Last weekend I got the opportunity to meet up with 13 awesomely talented girls and for 4 days and 3 nights we illustrated, created, quilted, collaged, scraped, designed, photographed and wined & dined. We slept in, caught up on our books & mags, went running (or not ;), and took inCREDible uninterrupted showers. (for Mom's with little ones - this is as good as gold). 

Cherry on top is that you actually get a ton of stuff done during this weekend. I finally wrapped up a project that I've been working on and off for way way too long: filling some blank frames on my wall (See first initial brainstorm here). I ended up going in a different direction (with thanks to my RoXy and Quicksilver catalogs), but it was fun to collage and it's great to finally have a little more color up on the walls. 

pretty faces

Things have been so hectic lately that it felt really therapeutic to sit down with a sketch pad and pencils and draw this week. I thought I'd share a face that I was playing around with. I think it's really interesting to combine different mediums and then also incorporate more technical designs. I love the endless possibilities and can't wait to explore more.

SeeByChloé Perfume

Let's be honest. I don't need more perfume. Yet, the nose wants what the nose wants and right now that is the new fragrance, See By Chloé. I loved my time sketching this because I had the magazine tear off under my nose the whole time and it was.. amazing. It's a playful, floral, fruity scent that's PERFECT for spring. Apple blossom, vanilla and jasmin notes are mingling in there too and in typical Chloé fashion, it comes in a gorgeous glass bottle and have I mentioned it smells amazing? Because it does. ;) 

candy store

My husband said he didn't know it was physically possible for someone to spend as much time in a makeup store as I had. I didn't mention to him that that particular stop was actually quite quick for me. :) What can I say - those little stores of gorgeous vibrant color gradations, sweet smells and sparkling shades of ... Everything... are intoxicating - like my own version of the candy store. :)

Sephora (photo courtesy of mallhopper)

Sephora

grey boot search

Sometimes there's something that just needs to be in your closet. Right now, for me, that item is knee-high, grey riding boots.  The grey would go well with so many outfits I've dreamt up. Especially my navy Paige Denim skinnies (similar here but I found mine at Nordstrom Rack on super sale :). It would be a great way to tie so many things together when black or brown boots just don't get the job done. And to be perfectly honest, having that low heel means much more wear when it comes to the average Wisconsin weather. 

Unfortunately, I'm having a really hard time finding them (within budget and in my size). There's a lot of greys that have a lot of yellow tones and aren't a true grey. Or they have gold hardware when I'm leaning on silver, etc..etc...  Either way, the search continues! Until then, here's a watercolor and pencil sketch of mine and a few other inspirations.

Here are two that are SO close but not in my size. :(

1. Kelsey     2. Lundunn

And here are two Polyvore ensembles that I would love to recreate if I got my hands on some knee high grey boots. They may seem a bit plain and monochromatic to some but I definitely have a thing for matching and keeping things simple, so for me, they are perfect. :)

Casual ensemble with a pop of beautiful coral - my creation from Polyvore

A classic combination - very Kate Middleton I think - my creation from Polyvore

leather handbag love

I'd been searching for the perfect leather handbag since...since forever it feels. A sophisticated, quality, rich brown, leather handbag. And then I started a new job and wanted a new handbag even MORE. 

Here's a bunch that I'd been lovvvving - but unfortunately - most were WAY out of my range *tear* ... so I kept on searchin'.

Lotuff Leather Working Tote • $750

Fossil Vintage Revival Satchel • $298 

Chloe Bag  •  (no longer available)

Stuart Weitzman Flaptote • (no longer available) • $595 

Prada Handbag • (no longer available)

omg, I drool over that last one every time I look at it. *sigh* 

I also did a little pencil/watercolor sketch, modeled after the Fossil Satchel:

Happy ending to my little handbag story. I recently found an amazing bag on eBay for a mere $55. It's that perfect worn-in, soft, brown leather. It's a convertible (both short straps and adjustable cross-body strap) and has tons of pockets and fits my work binder. It's a little more on the masculine side but I still adore it. The color is somewhere in between the shots I've taken - which was is so nice because I think it's really hard to find a darker brown leather that's not too cognac or chestnut. And the smell - UGH - you can't beat that awesome leather smell. :)