Happy New Year {illustration}

This illustration ran last weekend on the cover of our Night & Day section. I love the color palette I ended up with. It was more colorful in the initial sketches, but I liked it better when I limited the colors. Maybe that is what my New Years resolution should be - to simplify things in my life and focus on a few important things. Maybe I will make a bigger impact that way. Have a happy New Year all! Cheers!

Happy Holidays {illustration}

Here are three illustrations that have run in the San Diego Union-Tribune these past weeks. The top illustration went with a story about the Nutcracker performances in the area - specifically behind the scenes and those involved in putting the productions together. The second one (snow globe) was a December Nights cover for our weekend section. The Santa illustration went with a business story about the the holiday season and the economy.

Jonathan Adler Love {inspiration}

Since we saved so much money on our tree this year - see post below - I splurged on an ornament by Jonathan Adler. It's the cutest little porcelain elephant. I found it at Grounded in downtown Encinitas. When I got home, I got lost checking out Jonathan's site. I am in love with almost everything! Here is a sampling of some of his pottery items, but see his site for much, much more. I'm hoping to get one of his two-faced mugs - maybe for my birthday next year. (hint, hint) By the way, Happy Birthday, Kelly!!

Oh Christmas Tree!

We love our Christmas tree this year! With a little inspiration from Anthropologie and a vow not to spend money on a tree this year, my husband made this tree out of one and a half pallets he found behind Pannikin. Yes, Pannikin - since we practically live there! Having a one-year-old in the house also inspired us to have a tree out of reach of little fingers. We screwed the planks together and used screws, nails, hooks, push pins and anything we could find to hang the ornaments up. It was super easy wrapping the lights around the tree too. Hopefully we will inspire some of you to do the same next year! Happy Holidays from Byvik Ink!

Automatic Business Cards {letterpress}

These business cards were printed on French Paper Speckeltone Black 140# stock. We used silver ink and blind impression. I must say I wasn't sure how the silver would print on the dark paper, but I was happy with the result. It's not a super shiny silver because they paper is not coated stock, but it looks like galvanized steel in the larger areas, which I love.

Automatic Media is a new company by the founder of Automatic Skateboarding Magazine. "The Mig" is also our neighbor!

1st Birthday Invitation {letterpress}

My son had his first birthday a few weeks ago. This invitation was way more fancy than the affair itself, but when you own a letterpress, any excuse to design and print an invitation is a good excuse! I designed it to be a two-color job, but we streamlined it into one color when we got a rush of Christmas orders. I still love how it turned out. I also got ambitious and wanted to make cupcakes for the party. In the end, I had the cupcakes made at VG's Donuts & Bakery. My mother-in-law helped me make the surfboard toppers out of fondant. I think they turned out swell! Happy Weekend!

Serious Subjects {illustration}

I'm not sure if you would guess, but the above illustration is about Anorexia. It ran in the health section of the Union-Tribune and was specifically about a treatment that involves the parents helping the child or teenager to eat first and then seek mental treatment after they have gained some healthy weight back.
This illustration was also for our health section and was for a story on how mental decline and retirement seem to go together. According to the article, the longer you stayed working or mentally and physically active, the healthier your brain stayed. I'm sure it was worded much better in the article. I can't remember how I came up with this idea. I suppose that is another mystery of the brain - where creativity comes from. Anyway, it makes me sad to think this poor guy is unraveling his brain the further into his retirement he goes. I'm never retiring!
{The above illustrations ran in the San Diego Union-Tribune}

Holiday Gift Tags

I am so excited about our holiday gift tag sets. We printed them last week - I know, I know, it's very late in the season. But, at least we got them done and up in our shop before Christmas. We printed them on both 100% recycled chip board and also on Crane's Lettra fluorescent white reclaimed cotton paper. I can't decide which version I like best. All I know is I can't wait to start wrapping presents!

Grieving and Heartburn {illustration}

This first piece was done for a story on using journaling to help with the grieving process after losing a loved one. I thought it was a great solution for a serious story. I was worried about the eye at first because it showed no emotion, but finally decided that keeping it simple and almost generic was a nice contrast to the more organic handwriting in the tears. At least that is what I told myself. Thankfully, my art director agreed!
This next piece illustrated a story on the over-prescription of drugs for heartburn. It's a serious subject, but the bright colors and quirky style of this illustration made it fun for me. More serious illustrations to come.
{both illustrations above ran in the San Diego Union-Tribune}

Craft Fair

We are going to be selling our cards and prints at a craft fair this weekend. I'm not a huge fan of selling at craft fairs. In fact, I really, really dislike it - like a lot. I would much rather sell anonymously over the internet or through a retailer. I've always thought most artists are were not the best salespeople for their own work. It's hard to say "this piece is great" or "check out this amazing pack of cards" when it is your own stuff. It feels arrogant to me. The opposite of that theory rings true for me too because I've always thought some of the best artists were arrogant - or at least thought they were good. Picasso is one that comes to mind. If he didn't think he was so great, would he have been as great? Okay, probably. Imagine thinking your art was so great that you could draw on a napkin to pay your bill at a restaurant.
Anyway, back to craft fairs, I'm doing this show not only because it is down the street from my house, but it is also for a good cause. It benefits children that need help paying their tuition. It will be a fun event, especially because I've asked a good friend and Byvik Ink fan to come sit with me and remind me how great our cards are so I can believe it myself as I meet local customers. Stop by if you are in the area. I may be drawing on some napkins.