Monday, January 1, 2018

Welcome 2018!

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Welcome 2018! 
You could not arrive soon enough! 
Yeah, 2017 was most definitely NOT a good year for me. All kinds of not so pleasant challenges found me in 2017, including some with my health, and some that actually seem to be the CAUSE of the challenges with my health! But I am very excited for the new year, and the changes it will undoubtedly bring! And I look forward to achieving more milestones, experiencing more adventures, and just plain moving FORWARD!!!


To kick off the new year, I am once again participating in children's book author, Tara Lazar's "Storystorm" (previously known as PiBoIdMo) It is basically an exercise in brainstorming. The goal is to come up with 30/31 picture book ideas in so many days! Along the way, Tara provides great articles and interviews with other writers and illustrators for encouragement, guidance, tips, and inspiration in her daily blog. This will be either my 3rd or 4th year participating, and I always find it to be a worthwhile exercise! Anyone interested in learning more can read about it here: https://taralazar.com/…/storystorm-2018-registration-is-o…/…

Another activity I plan to do more of is UPDATE THIS BLOG! Thank you for sticking with me here! I DO find myself far more attentive to my FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM pages, so if you are on either of those social platforms, please check me out there! I love hearing from you, so don't be afraid to comment here, or on any of my channels!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year in 2018!!!



Saturday, June 3, 2017

New Comic Strip & Studio Update!

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Happy June! 
Although the weather seems more like April here in New England, between the cooler temperatures and all the RAIN! (Thus the inspiration for the illustration above!!) LOTS going on in the studio these days, starting with sketching for a new children's book with Xist Publishing! This will be my second book with them, and the story is short, simple, and sweet - perfect for the youngest of readers!

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I also started a brand new, weekly comic strip in May, that can be seen on both Facebook and Instagram! (It has its own page on both!) I have worked in the women's home fitness industry in Product Development and Marketing for the past 7 years, and have learned along the way that no matter where you are in your fitness journey, whether a gym junkie, or reluctant participant, we can all use a little encouragement and a BIG laugh! And so "Fit By Mit" was born!
 Be sure to check it out on Facebook ***HERE!***  and Instagram ***HERE!***

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I had time to participate in the May SCBWI "Draw This" challenge! The prompt was FEAST! (Anybody have a dog who is overly enthusiastic about dinner?) I love these challenges, and was so glad to be able to submit my work for this one! It is so much fun to see the different ideas the prompts spark! And of course, the Society of Children's Book  Writers and Illustrators is a FANTASTIC organization and one I am proud to be a member of!

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I also got to play "teacher" at my local library for their artist group that meets there twice a month! The members were very enthusiastic, and learned how to draw cats, dogs, and I even threw in a lion for good measure! It was a lot of fun!!!

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And finally, I have been overwhelmed with the warm reception my coloring book has received since it became available in March! It was such a big project that took a year to complete, so it is both heartwarming and gratifying to know that people of ALL AGES are enjoying it! So much so, that I have begun work on a second one, and have an idea for a third!! If you would like to get a sneak peek of the fun, whimsical coloring pages, and are curious about what people are saying about it, check it out on Amazon ***HERE!***

That's all for now! 
As always, I appreciate your interest and LOVE your comments!







Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Illustration Friday - HOT

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This week's challenge word was HOT. 
Been awhile since I've had time to participate in an Illustration Friday challenge! Glad to be back!!! This guy began as a doodle during a work meeting, as many of my drawings do! He was inspired by a rescued bear I saw at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado (a truly AMAZING place!) a few summers back, who was cooling himself off in the exact same manner! I hope he gave you a smile!!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Excited To Announce the Release of My First Coloring Book!!!

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Incredibly excited to announce the release of my
 first coloring book!!! 

Creations By Mit Art to Make You Smile has been in the works for one solid year, so it is very exciting for me to be able to finally get it in the hands of coloring enthusiasts!!!

 This collection features silly, whimsical characters that are sure to bring a smile to your face. Birds, dogs, cats, pigs, giraffes, raccoons, fish, ponies...so basically a good portion of the animal kingdom!!!!

 The book consists of 24 single-sided images of varying complexity that will appeal to slightly older children and adult colorists who are looking for something a little different and morelight-hearted than complicated, serious mandalas and geometric designs, but who still enjoy being challenged.

 There really IS something for everyone!
 I hope people have as much fun coloring it, as I did creating it!!!

For a sneak peek some of the inside pages, click HERE!!!

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

A Brand New Year! Welcome 2017!

Here we are, at the start of another brand new year!
 For me, that always seems to bring feelings of optimism, and visions of a clean slate, just waiting to be scribbled upon! Life seems full of possibilities! 
Of course, a few weeks in, oftentimes I get back into my old routines and bad habits rear their ugly heads (read: PROCRASTINATION), but it is always nice to think "this may be the year" that I get my act together and finally do *THIS* or *THAT!* I start writing out goals and plans, and it is always fun to see how far I got with them, come December.... 
 (or not so fun, if I didn't manage to get very far!) 

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Well, THIS year does have some guarantees, because I am entering 2017 with a new book contract with Xist Publishing. So regardless of what else does, or doesn't happen, a new children's book will be in my future! And that adult coloring book that I worked on all year long in 2016? Well, THAT will go to print, too. No ifs ands or buts about it! It is all drawn, formatted, and ready to go. All that needs to happen is some uploading and a few clicks of buttons! So already, 2017 looks like a year of accomplishments, and we are only 3 days in! (I like the sound of that!)

                                             
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The new year means a fresh start, so last night, I started a new sketch book, too. There is always something daunting about that very first blank page, but I got that out of the way, and had some fun with my watercolor pencils that I hadn't had much time to play with last year. 



January also means a month long of pretty intense idea generation through participation in author, Tara Lazar's "Storystorm." Previously called Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) and held in November, it is a cool movement of kidlit authors and future authors where the challenge is to come up with 30 story ideas by the end of the month. This will be my third...or maybe fourth?...year participating, and although it is sometimes a struggle to work it in with everything else I've got going on, I always find it to be a very worthwhile endeavor! So I am very excited about that!


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As exciting as it is to look forward to the new challenges and projects of the new year, it is also a great time to look back and revisit favorite projects of the past 12 months. 
During 2016, I was able to fit in a few special commissions. I have not had much time for this in recent years, so it was great to be able to work with clients outside of the children's book arena and create unique art that was very personal for them. Among these special projects were some pet portraits. The one pictured above is of my friend's beautiful girl, Sadie. I surprised her with it when she purchased her first home last month.

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And speaking of dogs, I also expanded my design offerings in my Zazzle store, and for the first time in its almost 3 years of existence, it actually generated some sales! I have spent a HUGE amount of time building the store, so it was so gratifying to know that products with my whimsical, silly art were resonating & making their way into people's homes for the holidays! The poodle pictured above is featured as part of the design on my "Parade of Poodles" coffee mug. 

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My mugs were, in fact, my most popular item!
 (I was so blown away by them, I had to get one for myself!)
 Everyone should start their days off with a smile, right?! 
Click ***HERE*** to check out my store!

                                         
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And 2016 also marked the year Creations By Mit joined the world of  **INSTAGRAM**!!! My account has been up for a few months now, and I fully admit I am still learning the ropes, and am not nearly as savvy with it as I am with **FACEBOOK**, but I am having a lot of fun connecting with other artists, and am hoping more people will start following me there as well!

Well, that's all for now! Sending a BIG FAT THANK YOU who have stuck around to follow this blog! Wishing you all a happy and fruitful 2017!!!



Sunday, November 27, 2016

Busy Busy Busy!!!


Hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! 
Thanksgiving took on new meaning for me 2 years ago in 2014, when my husband proposed, so now I always look back on that holiday with a special fondness!


It has been a very busy couple of months, and sadly, I let my blog posts lapse. But I'm very excited to share what I have been working on! First of all, I signed on to illustrate a second book for Xist Publishing! The first book, I Saw A Friend, is one of my FAVORITE projects to date, & I am eager to  begin this next assignment as soon as the holidays are over. 

In October, I participated in Inktober2016, where people are asked to do daily ink drawings based on prompts. I didn't get them all done, nor stick to the prompts, but generated LOTS of fun drawings, many that resulted in cool finished art like the pumpkins above! 


I also participated in the SCBWI DrawThis challenge! The word prompt was: FRIGHT. 
I had a lot of fun with it, as you can see above! SCBWI is such an important organization for children's book authors and illustrators, and I am a proud member!


And finally, I am in the home stretch with my adult coloring book that I have been working on for the past year! It will actually appeal to folks of ALL ages, and is filled with images of varying degrees of complexity, displaying fun and silly scenes designed to make you smile! Not sure if it will be available in time for the holidays, but DO check back for ordering information! 

That's it for now!
You can expect me to be posting a bit more regularly, so be sure to subscribe!
As always, I appreciate your interest in my work!!!

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Happy National Bacon Day!

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And now, I am suddenly craving BACON!!!! 

I just started exploring the wonderful world of Instagram!!!So if YOU have an Instagram account,  and would like to see more silly art like this, follow me HERE!!!!

Monday, August 29, 2016

Download my book FOR FREE!!!


TODAY & TOMORROW ONLY!!! (Aug 29-30)

Download the e-book version of the latest book I illustrated,  I Saw A Friend
FOR FREE!!!!!!!


It is a super-cute story about a young animal lover, who discovers some friendships
 are easier to make than others!!! 
Download it for your kids, your grand kids, or simply to view my artwork!!!
It is a sweet story, and a project I am very proud of that I am very excited to share!

I welcome your feedback, & honest reviews on Amazon and Goodreads are 
GREATLY APPRECIATED!

As always, I THANK YOU for your interest in my work!!!

Monday, August 22, 2016

#scbwidrawthis ROYAL

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Although I draw people rather infrequently compared to animals, this little guy instantly popped into my head when I saw the prompt for this month's #scbwidrawthis challenge was "ROYAL." So much media focus has been on Prince William, Kate and their progeny, I do wish them some privacy! I could have easily done something with the king of beasts, as I can draw a lion with my eyes closed, but I like to think of these assignments as "challenges" and thus decided to do something a bit out of the ordinary for me. (Even threw in a touch of "royal purple." Did you catch that? ;) )Would love to know what you think of him!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Illustration Friday - TRAPPED, SCBWI #DRAWTHIS and My Adult Coloring Book!!!


Lots of things going on in my studio these days!!!

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Was happy to have a few minutes to doodle something for Illustration Friday this week! 
The word was TRAPPED! My husband and I are hoping to get a Bernedoodle puppy next year, so I guess had Bernedoodle on the brain! I hope this one made you smile! (Although the kitty doesn't seem to find it a bit funny!)

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I also was excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators monthly #DRAWTHIS program. The word was ADMIRE. 

This drawing was inspired by a memory from when I was a kid. A police officer came to our elementary school to talk about safety. We were in awe of him. We were impressed by his badge, intimidated by his uniform, we respected his authority, and admired his bravery. Most of us wanted to BE a police officer (myself included!) by the time he left. (When I got older, I saw a police training bootcamp video, and that was enough to change my mind :D ) As an adult, with several friends who are police officers, and a brother-in-law who recently retired from the force, and having a better understanding of the horrors these people see every day as part of their job, and the risks they take with their own lives to insure our safety, I admire their courage more than ever. Especially now. And I pray for their safety. 


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And finally, here is a sneak peek of the adult coloring book I have been working on! I've been having a great time creating pages with different levels of complexity, to offer varying challenges, but also infusing a bit of humor to make things fun!!!