Inside a creative mind...

Talent doesn't guarantee success

2013-04-27T10:46:00.003-07:00

It seems like natural artistic talent can somehow be more of a curse than a gift some days. I've often heard: "Wow you are so talented!" and "You could design that." Yes, indeed, I could, but I'm not... and why's that? It is a very competitive market out there: so talent doesn't necessarily guarantee success. Well nobody said that worthwhile things came easy, did they? :)

Here's my latest poster illustration (please like it here)

Up Close and Personal

2013-04-20T16:18:00.001-07:00

There are very few artists out there that share my passion of water. Robert Wyland happens to be one of these artists (and he's also associated with Princess cruises! Coincidence? I think not!)

He is one of the world's most famous marine life artists alive today. A celebrated painter, muralist, sculptor, writer, filmmaker, photographer, and scuba diver; he is one of the most prolific artists in the world (not to mention a bit of an overachiever, wouldn't you say?). Wyland not only expresses his passion for the undersea world through his artwork, but has also created a non-profit foundation supporting numerous conservation programs around the world. Wyland is well known for his large whale murals. I've actually had the privilege of seeing some of these paintings in person near my hometown in White Rock, British Columbia (pictured here). Wyland established a goal of painting one hundred whaling walls by 2011. He exceeded his goal by a few years, and reached his goal in 2008 by creating his 100th whaling wall in Beijing, China. His work can be found worldwide, and Wyland has also been associated with Princess Cruises since 1997. He has created bronze fountains and murals for the pool areas of our Princess ships and he frequently cruises with us for special art events.

Time to be Inspired...

2013-04-11T16:08:00.001-07:00

The rain clouds have parted, the sun has come out, and Spring has arrived here in Vancouver. Sure, just wait ten minutes and the weather might change, but I can't help but love this time of year... it means we are one season closer to summer! Plus it's a time for new beginnings, new inspiration, AND the seemingly perfect time to launch my new Etsy shop! Enjoy this sneak peak:

Also be sure to check out the latest design work that I've done for my clients (now available on my website as well as my fb page). I love working with new and budding entrepreneurs like myself; and with telecommuting being my specialty – I've done work for people on the other side of the country! Hoping to reach a global community in the near future.

A morning spent in the Loafing Shed Glass Studio

2013-02-16T13:46:00.003-08:00

This morning I had the pleasure of being a guest in the Loafing Shed Glass Studio — watching Robert Gary Parkes create some amazing sculptures out of glass. I have to admit that this process is completely mesmerizing: I could have stayed there all day (no joke).

Upon arriving at the The Loafing Shed Glass Studio, my eyes were met by glass blown objects that adorn the property gates, as well as some glass little hippos and other animals hiding out in the garden. I love the laid back feel of the property — an obvious oasis for this artist. As you walk past the house and the chicken coop you come to the shed. It may not like much from the outside, but inside it's every artist's dream of what a studio workshop could be.

To the right is a gallery room filled with lights and glass blown ornaments, vases, etc. Each one seems to be more breathtaking than the other. I was especially drawn to the sea-foam coloured fish bowls that had hints of coral and other colours that reminded me of the beach. The far wall is a display of amazing concoctions of fresh jams that Robert's wife, Jeanette cans herself. I will have to go back and buy some Carrot Cake Jam - I hear it tastes amazing on toast with cream cheese... I can just imagine.

The first room that you step into is the welcome room where more glass blown objects are displayed as well as a table full of home baked cupcakes and brownies. There is also a table full of refreshments along one wall: tea, coffee and punch. There is no reason to feel unwelcome in this studio space! After gathering up all the refreshments and baking that one can gather, the next room is the real studio space. For this weekend's customer appreciation event — three rows of chairs were set up for us to watch Master Glossblower, Robert Parkes at work (along with his apprentice).

Looking around at the space, I can see why Parkes loves to spend his time in the Studio Hot Shop. The room feels warm (from the heat of the furnaces) and tropical - with plants basking in the sunlight streaming in from the skylights above. Parkes is entertaining to watch. Not only is he amazingly talented — but he also knows how to keep his audience engaged: explaining steps along the way, and throwing in humorous antidotes as well!

I was especially interested in Parkes creation of paperweights that look as though they were plucked from the bottom of the ocean floor. He said he happened upon this by accident, but has been perfecting it ever since. It's really amazing how these glass balls seem to contain life within them: complete with coral and anemones. I was fortunate enough to see Parkes create one of these this morning. I think we share a fascination of the ocean. Like Parkes, I love to spend time at the Vancouver Aquarium just taking in all the colour and absorbing inspiration for future work.

If you have time this weekend, I would recommend going to tomorrow's open house from 10am to 3pm. If not, be sure to check out their website: www.robertgaryparkes.ca

The Art Vibe in New Zealand...

2013-01-30T15:36:00.002-08:00

It's good to be home! But it does take some adjusting after spending two months in summer and then coming back to rainy, wintery, Vancouver :) Not to mention the jet-lag after 24 hours of travel time.

I've had the amazing opportunity to work abroad in New Zealand and the South Pacific for the last two months. I've enjoyed taking in all the sights, all the cafes (of course - I'm a coffee addict), as well as all of the artwork. There's something about coastal towns/cities that I just feel like I have an infinity for. I love the artwork that they are producing and the entire "feel" of the place.

Here's a few of the brochures/pictures that I've picked up along my journey. I'm looking forward to incorporating some of those bright coastal colours into more of my artwork (and maybe taking some inspiration from the surf/coastal lifestyle of New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific Islands).

Why create at all?

2012-11-19T13:35:00.002-08:00

If someone came up to you on the street today and asked you why you do what you do for a living — what would your response be?
I've had a few clients ask me how I ever got into art in the first place, since it seems to be an unlikely career pursuit. Was it to get attention? A way to excel where others were not so gifted? Well that's a hard question to answer because it's been a while since I thought like a five year old *wink." I do however remember being in awe of my cousin who could draw Disney princesses and I vowed that if I worked hard enough on my drawing skills, one day I could be as good as she was. I suppose that was the start of honing in on my craft. Since then it's been a bit more of a complicated path to follow. Do I paint for myself? Or do I paint for my audience?

I think it becomes apparent when an artist starts to paint exclusively for the audience — and in turn, for the end profit; something in the artwork becomes lost. Call it soul or artistic passion, but I can always tell when my heart isn't in a piece. Which is why I was so delighted to get a commission job for a painting that involved water! (pictures to be posted on my facebook page after Christmas).

So the question has become — how can I successfully paint for myself and for my audience? I'm still learning how to marry the two. Perhaps the answer lies in getting a Rep? More on that later.

Thinking small... the key to happiness

2012-10-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how I got this lucky in life. When I left Australia 4.5 years ago—I didn't think I'd be back. Certainly I didn't want to be presumptuous and assume that I would. People told me it was a once in a lifetime opportunity—and it sure felt like it. When I find myself in such beautiful locations (I never dreamed I could see on a artist budget), all I want to do is drink it all in: the atmosphere, the culture, the art - and especially the BEACH! (Well you knew that was coming, I wouldn't be honest if I left that important part out :) So it's humbling to be sitting here thinking that I'll have the opportunity to go back in a month.
It's easy for people on the outside to look in on my life and think that I am actually lacking. Sure there are school loans looming, and there isn't much material wealth in my name. But I do feel truly happy — which in this day & age is hard to find; or rather, society seems to do its best to convince us that we're not happy... cause we need the latest gadget, or we need more money, or we need more social network friends or whatever. A wise cousin once said that in order to be happy: think small. Start seeing the world like a child. Be amazed by the small things: how a bumblebee can fly despite its size, how the sun rises every morning... just the little things in life. True wisdom I think, and something I take with me no matter where I go.

Keeping busy

2012-10-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

So as you know, I am counting down the days till my flight to Sydney and my subsequent 2 months spent touring the ports of New Zealand! Excited is an understatement. So it might seem like a bit of a challenge to stay focused on freelance work these days — especially with the weather the way it is here in the rainforest we call Vancouver. The trick, I find, is to keep busy.

I've managed to snag a few painting commissions before I leave, as well as some video editing/compilation projects. When I'm not working on those things, I've also become self-motivated to keep all of my sites updated AND I'm also working on T-shirt designs. You might ask: well what's the point of that work Viv? It doesn't exactly pay well does it? Well that might be true in the grand scheme of things, but as a graphic illustrator you always want to stay in touch with your target audience and see what trends are happening. I've recently become an active artist at Threadless.com - be sure to check back for new designs/illustrations.

The travel bug

2012-10-18T13:50:00.001-07:00

I've often thought that I really should have made this a travel blog rather than an art blog since I seem to travel for work so much. However, traveling the globe has also exposed me to a lot of different architectural styles, art history, and natural wonders. My recent stop in San Francisco was no different. I love the vibe of the city! There's a lot of "hustle & bustle"; Art & Culture. Not to mention it's a city by the water - what's not to love?!

As you by now know - I'm obsessed with the water/beach lifestyle. I don't know if it's because I'm a true west coast girl or what. It's the reason I spend a good portion of my time working on cruise ships. So I'm excited for my next adventure — which will take me to New Zealand for two months! New Zealand is a country I've had on my bucket list (which I now like to refer to as my "life list") for a while now. So stay tuned for pictures!

An adventurous spirit

2012-07-16T14:09:00.004-07:00

As I was kayaking beside my uncle along the shoreline of Sylvan Lake on a recent trip to Alberta, he turned to me and said "sounds like you have an adventurous spirit." I wonder where I got that from? :)

As far back as I can remember, I've loved the water and anything that has to do with it. Snorkeling with sting rays?! Sign me up! Set sail for a summer of cruising?! I'm there! Despite my timid first few years of life, I've managed to follow the calling of the ocean air with little resistance. So I suppose it's no surprise that I've managed to accomplish quite a lot in life while pursuing my love of water (despite being a 'starving artist'). One of my fans even wrote to tell me that she could see my love of water in every one of my brush strokes.... talk about a compliment!

So keep living the dream! Following your heart — and following your artistic nature can have its challenges, but don't forget to look back and see how far you've come (and how far you will go) keep living with a hunger for adventure!

Freshly squeezed optimism coming right up!

2012-05-23T12:03:00.004-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers and followers! Well spring has arrived here on the West Coast :) Which means that a week of sunshine and heat is followed by a week of rain and cold. But no worries. Don't let the weather bring you down, cause you know that summer is right around the corner, right? And summer just happens to be my most favorite season – so I'm in good spirits right about now (and I hope you are too).

This past week I journeyed out of illustration hibernation into the real world to do some retail therapy on a cold and rainy Victoria day (long weekend). I, of course, found myself drawn to Bath&Body Works. I don't know if it's just the smell of summer that draws me in, but I love their store layout, product packaging, and everything that seems to be geared towards a beach-bum-at-heart type like myself. If you haven't been in for a while, I'd recommend it highly. The candle scents bring me back to summers spent on the boardwalks in California. Good memories; good times = great marketing! What also makes me in such a great mood this week is that I received a cheque in the mail from the big illustration gig I landed. I love it when clients actually follow the "net 30 days" on their invoices :) Makes me love what I do even more (if that's possible).

I love to see this kind of stuff come in the mail

2012-05-09T15:02:00.005-07:00

What the average person considers junk mail we in the industry have learned to call direct mail pieces. See how that term managed to get rid of the negative connotations? But how could you think that this direct mail from the Union Gospel Mission is anything but positive?! I enjoy getting mail as long as it's not a bill (I think I'm not alone on that one, am I right?) so it was a pleasant surprise to find a fully illustrated envelope in the mailbox this past week. I think more mail should come in cheerful packaging, don't you think? Maybe those credit card companies should try that – ha!
It's always great to see companies/foundations like this using the talents of illustrators. I especially like the added touch of the little colouring book! So cute! Absolutely love it! If any companies would like to hire me for similar work – I'm your girl!

Success doesn't happen overnight

2012-04-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

When people tell you that the first two years after graduation are going to be challenging, you simply smile and think to yourself: how bad can it be? But one year after graduation, I'm getting a better picture of what they were talking about. It seems hard to find that perfect niche.

So here it is, one week into my new job and I'm already looking for other ways to pursue what I really want to do with my life: and that's to make illustrations/art for a living. Unfortunately illustration work (as opposed to graphic design work) requires another job to finance expenses. I'm hoping that I can at least work on building my client base. The last thing I want is to be trapped in a minimum wage job and lose sight of the bigger picture. I want to ensure that I am moving forward toward my goal. I guess the one good thing about this job is that it has forced me to get serious about my true passion. I'm hoping that sitting down and talking over coffee with some professionals in the business will help give me some perspective, and hopefully some pointers, on how to climb the professional ladder.

On a side note, I'm happy to announce that my illustration was chosen for Winsor & Newton's new limited edition ink packaging! If you want to see more of my recent projects, be sure to like my facebook page: Vivian Gerber

Finding that perfect fit

2012-03-22T13:47:00.002-07:00

It's hard to believe that a whole year has already passed by since I graduated from the IDEA (Illustration and Design: Elements & Applications) program at Capilano University. At first glance, it may seem that I didn't accomplish much in the last 12 months; but looking back at past posts, I can see that I have done a lot of growing. I managed to squeeze in nearly 3 months of "working vacation" in the Mediterranean after my grad show. I then endeavored to take on as many freelance projects as I could find, including web design, business card designs, fine art paintings, children's book illustrations, and (recently) corporate illustration work. I also tried an experimental internship as a graphic designer – which reaffirmed my conviction that I am built for a more hands–on approach to art and illustration.

So here I sit, a year later, about to embark on another adventure. I was recently hired for an art instructor position. I'll be trained on all aspects of the studio curriculum, studio set up, art history training, and eventually leading up to curator training.

So how has all of my schooling prepared me for this job? In some ways, I feel like this job is a culmination of all of my past experiences: my BA of Arts, my semester in the PDP program, and 3 years at IDEA. Not to mention the 7 years of working in the hospitality industry as a seasonal youth counselor for the cruise line company. Now I feel I am finally ready to be out in the real world and not simply settling for sitting behind a desk... because let's face it, I never thought I was the 9-5 office type anyways. I'd rather be out there, living and breathing art and getting my hands dirty! I can't wait to have splatter parties and teach kids about Jackson Pollock!

Some of the other perks?

I get to wear jeans and sneakers to work every day!
I don't have to worry about getting paint splattered all over me – cause that's actually part of the look!
I will be able to perfect my canvas stretching skills, refresh my pottery abilities, and teach kids 2-100 about art, artists, and artist grade materials.
I don't have to turn my back on all of my learning, and I can still do freelance work on the side!

I think I am in for one exciting ride!

They warned you about the big bad wolf, but...

2012-03-02T23:46:00.002-08:00

This past week I've had the unfortunate pleasure of coming up–close–and–personal with the reality that there are smucks out there looking to exploit our creative talents. Sure, it's something we were warned about in fairy tale books... you know, the one with the big bad wolf — coming to huff and puff and blow our house down... only this time he's coming to blow away our dreams and our source of income. No one warned us that these wolves would be so sneaky and go incognito. Sadly this is a theme I see all too often... and actually have fallen prey to. So I'm here to share my tale with you (take from it what you will).

Take a look at craigslist and you'll find a lot of opportunities to display your artwork. Pretty amazing stuff! But don't be fooled, if it looks too good to be true make sure you read the fine print. Many establishments will gladly provide you with the wall space and in exchange they can "rent" your work for free. Wait a minute... that doesn't sound right... but okay, in the name of getting your name out there (ha!) and reaching a larger audience, you'll take what you can get right? Sure, nothing wrong there. This is where red flags should go up (even if your friend/classmate/fellow artist recommends it): they want to charge you for a one time hanging fee of $$$, and yet when you go to pick up the artwork at the end of the show, there are mysterious extra fees that also pop up. Now this is just a huge red flag waving just inches... INCHES from your face. So, if like me, you've managed to find yourself in this sort of predicament, hold your ground. You can't let people walk all over you just because you are the talent. But after a few weeks of slow business, you may be tempted to walk back into this realm where artists seem to get short changed. Just don't forget to pack your ruby red slippers (you never know when you'll need to drop a house on someone... metaphorically of course!). So happy hunting out there :)

Now for something a little different....
When I feel I'm in a bit of a freelance slump, it's always good to get my brain working just for the sake of working — and to get those creative juices flowing on a more consistent basis. So here is a fun little ink illustration I did today for a Winsor & Newton Ink Competition. If it doesn't amount to much more than this post, at least I had fun! And hey—sometimes that's what it's all about!

"Inked" by Vivian Gerber. 2012. Pen&Ink with digital colour.

Now this — I like....

2012-02-22T09:34:00.001-08:00

It's always nice to wake up to some sunshine a nice rejection letter. Ummm.... What?!
Yeah—you heard me right (or rather, read me right).... the key word being nice. Take a look at what I awoke to in my inbox this morning:

Wow wow- amazing work…just not right for our market, I wish! Keep showing it around I'm sure there is great things in the pipeline for you –

I would love to be kept updated though- and to help you with your search try <insert secret link.... what? You thought I was going to share it with you?> a full listings of all other UK based illustration agencies.

Thank you for your time and consideration, we wish you all the best for the future. Keep illustrating your point! Oh and please link up with us, you never know things may change. We also have an active internship program here, lots of our artists and almost all our staff came from interns. You get our market when you have been here for a while.

Deriving inspiration today from UK illustrator, Heidi Burton. Find her work on etsy and flickr.

Illustration/Design Fees: A sticky subject

2012-02-21T15:17:00.002-08:00

Have you noticed that "fees" have become that unmentionable and awkward f word? It can throw off an entire client consultation. And WHY? Well part of the problem is that illustration and design fees can be very vague. There are a lot of factors that impact the price. I did a little research on the internet, and I found some interesting methods of determining a price standard for artwork (we're talking graphic design and illustration work here). Gabe Lanza suggests that it's your lifestyle that determines your price point.

As you know, the amount you charge for your Illustrations depends largely on how much you need to make in order to survive. This means that you need to determine expenses such as rent, utilities, marketing and promotion, supplies, and many other costs of doing business. One thing that is also important to factor into the equation is your own idea of a satisfied life.

What kind of life do you like to live?

Where are you located?

What level of comfort do you try to maintain?

What luxuries do you desire?

What does success mean to you?

If this is the case, I better find myself some high clientele! Cause no one wants to live in a cardboard box! But it's just not as saying "I'm going to charge a premium price for my design/illustration work" when you're just starting out in the industry. Everyone wants to see that your portfolio justifies the price. And while you think so, and I might think so too... since we are a talented, creative group; the fact is we're still just newbies in this business. So where do we start?

I think you have to have a flexible price structure and build up a price point as you go. This is largely why I haven't posted my rates on my website. Fees depends on a number of factors - i.e complexity, external print costs, etc. It also depends on the client's budget. I've done simple business cards for a nominal $250 design fee (plus printing costs on top of that), and a website for roughly $650... but I think if my clientele was more established I would have charged more. So here's a good gauge for pricing your work (based on my research):

Book illustration
The following rates are based on A4-size projects. Rates can be increased depending on detail required, research involved and conceptual input required. For ‘one-off’ or single illustrations paid on a flat fee without royalties add 20 per cent; for online usage, a limited time agreement of a maximum of two years and an indication of the type of access should be specified. The rates are exclusive of GST.

Roughs
• Black and white $65
• Colour $95

Black and white book illustration
• Quarter page or chapter head $215
• Half page $340
• Full page $455
• Double page spread $575

Colour book illustration
• Quarter page or chapter head $300
• Half page $475
• Full page $675
• Double page spread $900
• Cover $1300

Graphic Design
Standard Price for Custom Business Cards

$150.00 for full color, 2 sided business card artwork
Standard Price for Post Cards or Flyers, 4 × 6 inch, or 5 × 7 inch $200.00 for full color, 2 sided post card or flyer artwork

*Rates may vary for custom size post cards or flyers, so you should ask clients to contact you for a quote.

Miscellaneous Custom Artwork for Printed Marketing Materials

Logo Artwork (simple $200, complex $450 up)
Advertising Artwork ($250 up)
Newspaper Ad Artwork ($250 up)

Even with this being said, there are going to be projects where you know (for a fact) that you are being underpaid, but you take it because

It seems like an amazing project and you want to be part of it no matter what.
Your client is just starting out and they don't have the budget.
This is a returning client, so the job flow justifies the price.
This is an opportunity to get published and get your name out there.

So whatever you decide, just know that you can change your pricing structure as you see fit. This is a fluid job, so there's no rigid and set guide to pricing your work. Good luck out there!

From concept to completion

2012-02-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

So many people have asked me "what does it take to illustrate a book?" The real question is, what doesn't it take?! Patience and dedication are forefront (and a whole lot of caffeine is also important). Creating a book is a long process from start to finish, so you better get settled in.

As an illustrator, I usually meet the characters once the final manuscript has been handed to me. I take notes about what the author has mentioned about them: physical features, characteristics, personality, etc. And then it's my job to fill in the blanks. I have to get a sense of who the characters really are, and how to best portray them. Then I start sketching the characters in various different positions to get an idea of how they move in their environment. After this stage I usually create story boards to figure out what will happen on each page of the book. As in the case of my current children's book, I am also the designer — so I am also responsible for choosing typefaces and layout. The fun really begins once I can start adding colour to my sketches. Right now I'm working from watercolour studies, which I then scan to create my digital illustrations. Quite a process, but the payoff is amazing. Stay tuned for a release date in 2013! *fingers crossed*

Refuse to simply settle

2012-02-19T18:13:00.001-08:00

I don't know if it's simply stubbornness or willpower, but I'd like to think that I was meant for more than just a mundane kind of life. Perhaps that's the artist in me talking. I'd love to travel the globe and follow inspiration wherever it leads me. Someone once told me that it was easier to find work within the commonwealth than it was to find work in the states. Although I have set my sights on local jobs for now, I still haven't given up on my dream of finding work in Australia or New Zealand sometime in the future.

When all you can dream about is paint chips...

2012-02-18T20:34:00.000-08:00

Well I've learned one thing for sure: design sense isn't always passed down... or inherited. I think my design sense can largely be attributed to that fact that I grew up living with my mother. She is clean and organized like I am (or would like to be most of the time). But it's certainly not a quality that my father has. Today I went to visit him for his 64th birthday (wu hoo, congratulations to my pop)! And you know what my creative brain had me thinking about? That all I really wanted to give him for his birthday was a complete remodel of his current trailer home. This is truly when design-sense seems like a curse (and when I start seriously considering that I have some OCD tendencies – lol!) because I spent all night thinking of how I could change things... what I would paint, how I would organize things. I know, crazy right? Hopefully I'm not alone. There must be some other creative enthusiasts out there brainstorming layouts and colour schemes. As proof, I found some great trailer remodels and I thought I'd share them with you. Amazing what you can accomplish with just a few coats of paint!

See the entire unique Bohmian trailer home here

What's trending in the creative world

2012-02-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

Finding creative outlets anywhere and everywhere

Hey guys! Welcome back! It's been a while since my last post... since then I've interned at Max Advertising Inc, took on a couple more freelance jobs, and seriously started on my children's book illustrations. So a lot of new and exciting creative changes... unfortunately the bank account doesn't reflect this just quite yet, but I'm hoping that following my dream will pay off... I'm fairly confident it will, I'm just in the "struggling artist phase." Nearly everyone goes through this stage. Take a look at actors, musicians and the like... they always have such great stories about how they lived off of canned soup for a year in a crappy little apartment (so I'm well on my way *wink*). A great example of this?
Facebook's graffiti artist, David Choe.
He went from homeless to a millionaire.

I'm constantly looking for new opportunities to showcase my creative talent (or as some relatives have referred to it, my artistic curse). I came across DENYdesigns — quite by accident. My sister and I were searching for a well–designed duvet cover to transform our mother's bedroom, and we came upon this site. What I love about DENYdesigns is that local artists are showcased, and finally bedding, shower curtains etc. have caught up to our contemporary tastes! Worth the click, check it out.

Adding some inspiration to your space

2012-01-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

After a recent shopping trip, I noticed that a lot of home decor shops carry prints of inspirational quotes. Some were printed on canvas, and others were on wood panel. Although I love the concept of these sort of pieces, I always find them overpriced (for my art budget), and rarely ever in the right colour scheme. So I decided it was time for another home art project.
All you need is a wood panel, some acrylic paint and you are pretty much set! The key with this piece was to maintain simplicity and not to over-think it. For the base coat I played around with a combination of three colours and blending them as I covered the surface. After this was dry, I used a ruler and tracing paper to make sure my words were straight and even. I also wanted to add a few quirky and "sketchy" birds to the bottom of the panel. I think it turned out well, though perhaps next time I might think about punching up the boldness of the colour just a bit.

There's always time for tea time

2012-01-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

First of all, happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed your holidays wherever you were. I enjoyed my time in the Caribbean, despite having to work long hours. Now I'm trying to settle back into a sort of routine. I have an upcoming interview that has prompted me to put together a design portfolio in addition to the illustration portfolio I already have. And my deadline? 3 days! So why am I taking the time to write a blog you might ask? Well, I've discovered that there's always time for tea time. Call it a sanity break, if you will. Sometimes it's a good idea to take a break and come back to a project with fresh eyes. While I was away working with Princess Cruises, I came upon this tea packaging and I thought I'd share it with you (as I sit here sipping on the tea). Simply love the packaging!

Making the ordinary extraordinary

2011-12-20T23:18:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about this time of year, is that you can make anything special just because. The mantel is decorated with ornaments and garland, the roof is adorned with lights... there is almost nothing in the house left untouched by the magical holiday wand – which is why I like to add a holiday flare to ordinary things.
Take hot chocolate for example. Why not dress it up a little for the holidays? This evening I was helping my sister wrap gifts while watching a Christmas movie, and it seemed like the perfect occasion for one of these drinks. I think stemmed glass mugs give the drink that extra step up (makes them look classy), but any mug will do. We started off with some rich hot chocolate mix, added in a teaspoon of skim milk powder. Then we poured in the hot water, stirred, and added in a little Baileys liquor. Topped it off with some whipped cream and a candy cane, and ta-dah! The perfect beverage for an evening of gift wrapping.

What is your holiday tradition?

2011-12-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

I was recently at a Christmas party over the weekend and the discussion came up about holiday traditions... and it got me thinking – I'd love to know your favorite holiday traditions! Is there something special you do on Christmas day? What does your family bake/cook?
I thought it would be fun to spotlight some of your traditions this year and spread some holiday cheer! If you have a photo that you’d like to share with all of us, attach a link in your comment below and I will feature a few in an upcoming blog post!
In my family, it's become a tradition that my siblings and I take turns every year requesting a special holiday treat that my mom will make from scratch. Nothing like home-made baking at this time of year! My favorite holiday cookie is Gevulde Koek, a Dutch recipe that has been passed down through the generations. Try making your own batch this year! I always like to top off the cookies with half of a candied cherry — which adds a bit of festive colour.

Gevulde koek
(Recipe adopted from mydutchbakingblog.blogspot.com)

For the dough:
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of cold water
1 3/4 stick of butter

For the filling:
1 cup of almond paste*
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 egg white
2 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon of almond essence

For brushing:
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon of milk
8 sliced or whole almonds/ candied cherries

Mix the dry ingredients and cut the butter into the dough, until it has the consistency of wet sand. Add a tablespoon of icecold water and knead the dough into a cohesive whole, making sure all the butter is well mixed in. Pat into an oval, cover with plastic film and refrigerate while you make the paste.

Now crumble up the almond paste and beat it with the rest of the ingredients foamy and thick. *If you don't have access to canned almond paste, you can easily make your own by processing two cups of slivered raw almonds, adding 1/4 cup of sugar and three tablespoons of water to make it into a thick paste. If you think it's too runny, add a tablespoon of flour, but not more.

Set your oven to 350F and turn it on. Take the dough out of the fridge, cut it in half and roll one half out, to about 1/8 of an inch and cut out eight rounds. I use the canning ring for a wide mouth jar, it's approximately eight inches across. Roll the other half out and cut another eight rounds (or more of course!). Place one huge heaping teaspoon of almond paste mix in the middle of one cookie, place a second round on top and carefully seal the edges. You can do this with a fork or gently tapping it with your finger.

When all are done, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet or on a silicone mat. Beat the egg yolk with the milk and brush the top of the cookies, then place an almond or cherry on top. Bake for about thirty minutes or until golden.

Let them cool a little bit and enjoy this typical Dutch treat!