Illustrator meeting

I. Have. So. Much. To. Do.

Well, maybe I exaggerate a bit...but I am busy. My mailers are in and I'm pouring over my client list to edit and update- so far I've weeded out several people that I realize I'm just wasting mailers (and stamps) on. I actually will try to be more heavy on the publishing side this round. However, not for picture books, just more juvenile covers for young adults and novelty items. I FINALLY got Dreamweaver back, which means that my poor website can be updated with a bunch of new work that has only appeared on my blog.

Oh, and did I mention I start teaching college again on Monday?

In other exciting news, I am meeting tonight with some local illustrators to have a drink, talk shop, and share some war stories. One is Allison Cole, who is an illustrator, Art Director at Providence Monthly, and also runs the awesome online store Bang Bang You're Thread that has everything from her illustrated stationary and comics to handmade bags and wallets. Along for the ride is also Jyll Ethier-Mullen who runs the West Side Arts Gallery in Providence. We hope to join forces, combine our illustrative power, and...eh, you get the point.

Allison Cole

Jyll Ethier-Mullen

Craftland

These paintings will be available at Craftland in Providence, RI. Going to be away until next week (my mom is in town and I'm looking forward to it!).

OTAD update

Self-Portrait, originally uploaded by lauren minco.

One Thing a Day (OTAD) is working well. I'm moving on to revamping my website and creating some new paintings that will go up as portfolio pieces ( they will also be for sale in Providence at Craftland).

Above is an image from...ooooh, 2004? It was my sophomore year final for my first oil painting class. A little different from my current work, isn't t?

New Mailers

Here they are! I'm switching up things a bit this time around, but nothing crazy. The text in front does not have the huge LAUREN MINCO like before- just going with the email and website (both have my name, do I really need the large one? Probably not). I also have them not centered, and so far I think it looks a little more streamlined than before. The back is full color this time, and I really like my suitcase guy as a spot illustration (he was part of larger painting). I think these images are a nice balance, and whether I'm sending something to a teen publication or a more adult market, I should have something for everyone.

Look Ma, No Paint!

I finished my new mailers last night and sent them off to be printed. 

Meanwhile, I forgot to post this final I had to do for a Continuing Education Adobe Illustrator class I took. No Live Trace here! Mostly the pen tool and basic shapes. We had to recreate a vintage crate label.

One thing a day (aka Operation OTAD!!)

Now that I'm back from a whirlwind trip to both Philadelphia and New York City, I am looking forward to a week at home in my studio and at the computer. RISD pre-college has wrapped up (fun as always), and in August I have time to shift my attention towards freelance and galleries before Fall teaching springs back into action.

This August I'm trying something new. Obviously, I'm always working on teaching, freelance illustration, or gallery work, but the truth is that I do alternate between the three, sometimes days (or weeks) separating the "shifts". This Fall, I hope to do one thing each workday (Monday-Friday) focusing on my freelance work in order to really push that area of my life. This includes working on my new website, creating a portfolio piece, sending mailers, or just buying stamps. I'm calling it Operation One Thing A Day, or Operation OTAD for short. I don't have a particular goal, just to stick with this philosophy and hope that I see big pay off once Christmas rolls around (for the sake of the "experiment", let's say Mid December is when I'll look back and reflect on my progress).

I invite you, dear reader, to join me no matter what your objective is. You could even try one thing a week (OTAW??) if that fits your lifestyle better. Today my goal is to work on my new mailers. Stay tuned, because I hope to be posting regularly.