Dumb Bunny, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink, colored in Adobe Photoshop CS5Finishing up a ton of stuff. Got two big publications off the desk, and another two going to press in the next few days. Have had some fun with the new branding system—making little illustrations and pushing it a bit. I even talked animation with one person…and was able to spin enough of a dream to let my client see what could happen with the combination of ideas. A couple of good words like “continuum” and path, and journey…and he got it…So, hopefully he can sell it to the broader group.

I think the Communication Arts folks have let their people know who has gotten into their Illustration annual…and I think I am not on that list. Charles Hively let us know that they are working on the annual 3x3 and we should hear soon from them. I got 2 out of the 3 “AMLP” (a Million Little Pictures”) cameras so that Kitty, Alex and I can enter this project. Should be fun. I signed up for the sketchbook project 2012 as it was a kick this past year…and got me on a jag…so its worth it. Need to start getting some work done. I think I will do another hour portrait a day program this year as it really got me thinking improving the chops. The recent portrait I did was a testament to the important to do a throw down like this. It pushes your eye, your hand and gets you to the place you need to go, faster and surer. I hate being unsure under pressure. Confidence is such a jolt and makes the work so much more fun…and more of the emotional charge that it can be. Loud music helps too (Alex has gotten me to listen to Kanye West, DJ Shadow and Girl Talk (my friend Marc says its very “2010”—which for this Van Winkle is absolutely au courant).

Gotta go. Its delightful that its still light out despite the rain. We have a few daffodils, a few red buds of the peonies poking up…and the stinky frittillaria pushing up to the deer’s dismay.