I recently completed this fun, colorful set of four art blocks that are inspirational and uplifting. But the best part is the sides, they are fully decorated with little flowers, swirls and hearts!  

These would be perfect little blocks to have recreated as canvas block prints for people to place on walls, mantels, side tables, etc.  But, the front design can also be used on numerous other products from greeting cards and journals and even coasters and other home decor products to inspire on a daily basis.

In addition to the work that I create for licensing with layered icons in Photoshop, I also paint fine art originals that are bold, colorful and have a pop art style.  These aren't traditional style licensed paintings, but they have met with quite a bit of success in the licensing industry over the years and I hope to continue to add more of these paintings to my portfolio.  

These new paintings are definitely applicable for wall art in any shape or form, but I can also see them translating onto other products such as home decor, ie pillows, shower curtains, coasters, and more, and also stationery products such as journals, greeting cards (add in some text), and even gift/fashion products such as purses and bags.

One of the newest collections in this style that I am working on is "Celebration of a City" that will feature fun and funky skyline paintings of famous cities and their landmarks.  In the studio right now is the Eiffel Tower, below are some photos of the painting in progress; I'm hoping to have it completed within the next couple of days and will post it under the NEW ART! navigation tab for October. 

Stay tuned for more pop art style paintings to be posted to my portfolio and for mockups showing how they can translate into everyday products.

I've been working away on rounding out a collection of 12 whimsically elegant designs that are both fun and sophisticated at the same time ~ "Ethereal Whimsy"!  I love the juxtaposition of the more whimsical, almost funky design of the bird and butterfly/dragonfly elements in these designs, against the very soft, elegant feel of the backgrounds and borders.  It creates a mood of happiness and fun that I think will appeal to women across the board, particularly with colors that always do well.  

These designs can be applied to so many different products, from calendars (hence the 12 images), journals, mugs, hat boxes, pillows, notepads, greeting cards, wedding invitations, you name it, they will work!  I've mocked up some designs on products just to show how well they translate and love the way they turned out :)  

Each design also has an inspirational message or word to inspire and motivate women to live a life full of promise and passion.

Everything seems to have fallen into place and almost all the details are finalized before the big Art Licensing Surtex Show in New York this Sunday.  Finishing up my press kits today; I ended up going with something a little different and hope the media will enjoy :)  On the front of each of the folders I actually hand drew a fun, whimsical design, that can be enjoyed as is or used as a coloring page.  Fun for me and fun for them!  Yes, a little time consuming for sure, but my daughter Aroon is helping out with the final pen outlining and putting all the folders together.  Thank goodness for some help, it's a lifesaver!! And my daughter will also be accompanying me to New York and helping to (wo)man the booth and also share in some of the attention as we collaborated together on the New Inspirational "Happiness Is..."™ line.

I have a couple of days left to soak it all in and double, triple check my list and packing and make sure I have everything I could possibly need, and more!  But, it's also important to take these last few days before such a big event and business decision, to relax and not stress too much, it's supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience, and to go into it with a positive relaxed mindset is key!  Make sure to take some time for yourself the next few days, whether it's to get outside and exercise (going for a run myself today :), have a spa day/massage, get your nails or hair done, take your dogs for a long walk in the park and/or anything that customarily relaxes and rejuvenates you.

Here's to everyone having a very successful and FUN Surtex!!