There’s nothing that makes me feel more in touch with a “typical” Canadian experience than meeting people from other parts of the world. On a recent trip, I introduced some new friends to the old campfire classic, (and the only song that I can play on guitar and ukulele), “Land of the Silver Birch”. I love how Candiana has come into fashion in recent years. It was that combination of fashion and kitsch that inspired this illustration. The painting draws from the folk song’s lyrics and some the most common Canadian stereotypes. This piece was so much fun to make… I think that I may need to make it a series. What do you think?

I’ve just wrapped up a couple of busy weeks, catching up after vacation and taking a short buying/research trip to New York City for the NYIGF with Paige Boersma. Since I’ve been away from my desk, pencils and paints, I haven’t had a chance to do much illustrating. So instead of an illustration, I thought that I’d share some Instagram shots from the trip. It was my first visit to the city and I went on a bit of an Instagram binge.

One of the highlights was getting last minute tickets to a live taping of the Martha Stewart Show. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan and the whole experience was pretty surreal. I’m lucky enough to have a chance to go back to New York next week, so there will be more photos and illustrations to come.

Happy Chinese New Year! To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, I put together this illustration inspired by a beautiful friend of mine. I love all of the symbolism of the Chinese Lunar New Year and the palette of gold and red is one of my favourites. Here too are some of my favourite articles about the celebrations:

Read what’s in store for you in 2012 thestar.com.

Take a look at these gorgeous shots of New Year celebrations at Mail Online.

See how some of the world’s search engines marked the occasion at the Washington Post.

Finally, Warren Buffet welcomes the Chinese New Year on a ukulele on YouTube.

This week, I’ve been busy planning an art exhibit and holiday party to be hosted by Catwalk Boutique this Thursday…. (More to come on that!) This means that I have spent many “productive” hours on pinterest.com, troving through pretty pictures of holiday décor in search of inspiration for invitations and displays. Having grown up in the 80s, I’ve seen many a pink-and-blue-bedazzled Christmas. But this week’s inspiration comes from an updated version of the pastel palette that, when handled artfully, produces all of the charm of traditional holiday décor. I especially love the rose covered tree!
What do you think?

Here’s a look at a watercolour and digital painting that I did for the 2011 Agenda. Because
you have sent such positive feedback on posts that include process work, I’m trying something
new this week! “This to That” is designed to show you my starting inspiration and finished
piece side-by-side. Some of you might recognize “This to That”, which is based off of one of my
favourite blog topics over at Oh Joy! Can’t wait to hear what you think!