Second week of August

Hello, hello! How is August treating you so far? The last few days here have been very nice, not too hot during the day and just a touch of chill at night. I have a few things to report to you this week, an updated logo and website, my second published illustration, and I applied for a job!!

New Logo!

I've been wanting to make my own logo for some time now. I finally have the skills, the only thing holding me back was all the options available to me. And I've noticed that when it comes to my own projects, deadlines are flexible. I've discovered that a flexible deadline does not make for a very creative output. It turns out, for me at least, that a deadline helps to narrow down the options taking it from "oh, wouldn't it be amazing if I did that?!" to "yes, that would be awesome, but it would take more time than I have, and I'm not 100% sure how to do it right now, so instead let's do this which is also awesome and something I know I can do!". Okay, I realize the second sentence is what I should be thinking anyway but somehow it doesn't work that way, at least not at this stage in my development. I'm hoping that with more hard deadlines I will create a habit of thinking and then meet my own deadlines in the same way.

So what finally prompted me to create a logo? I decided to look for work and I felt that my social media would look more professional with a cohesive look and consistent logo. I also wanted to showcase my skills a little more. If you've been keeping up with me on Facebook or Instagram you will have already seen it, albeit in a small format, so here it is:

MWiklund Studio: Illustration & Design, logo

I really like how it turned out. I love the colours, the watercolour effect background, the illustrated wreath pattern and the hand lettered feel of the text. The only negative I have about it is that it's not the easiest read. Because the background is mid-tone light, it's actually quite difficult to make the lettering stand out without being harsh. I'm happy with this first attempt for now. I'm sure I will come up with a redesign in the future, but for now this works for me.

Lucky 13

You might recall from a previous post (which you can read here) that I was working on an illustration for MAEZA magazines 13th issue. Well that issue is finally out and you can see my work, and the work of many other amazingly talented artists, in all its published glory here. Also, here's the final piece - I'm considering offering it as a print on my Etsy shop, what do you think of that?

My submitted piece for MAEZA issue 13.

Website Updates

I've also done some work on my webpage. I've added a page for my shop information, added an illustration or two, and linked to this blog. I also did some work on my About me page. Click here to take a look. I'd love some feedback on it if you have the time!

My website.

Printable Cat Card

And finally, I want to mention that I have my very first product up on my Etsy shop! It's a printable card with all the design/illustration elements from my Staffordshire-inspired plate assignment for MATS A. I'd love it if you'd take a look and maybe favourite my shop, click here to see it. If you have any thoughts on this card or on any you'd like to see made available, please send me a message, I'd love to hear from you!

My Staffordshire-inspired cat card printable, available in my Etsy shop!

That's it for this week! The girls are home with me this week so work will take a bit of a backseat again. I did manage to get all my icons cut out for my scrapbooking assignment for MATS B, so I'd really like to push through and get that done this week (is this deja vu? I swear I've heard this before!). I also want to get back into my hand lettering practice, I really do miss it.

I hope you have a safe and happy second week of August! If you'd like to see more of my work or keep up with me day-to-day you can follow me on Instagram or Facebook. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message.

Until next time,

Mandy

If you're interested in commissioning me, click on the Contact Me button at the top to send an email, I'd be happy to answer any questions :)

Third week of July

Hello and welcome! How's your summer going so far? The weather here continues to be hot and muggy, but I managed to keep my spirits up and worked on some elements that I'm really proud of. This week was spent working on my creative contribution to MAEZA magazine's upcoming 13th issue. This will by my second time appearing in this artist magazine and I'm very excited! Oh, and I have big news - I've opened a shop with Society 6 (click here to see it) to feature my work as prints and on products like mugs, iPhone cases, pillows, and even towels! I'm looking forward to adding more but for now I've got a few reasonably priced products featuring my Purple illustration seen in MAEZA's 11th issue (which you can see here).

Here's a preview of some of the elements that I worked on this week. I will let you know when issue 13 has been released, but for now I hope you enjoy this little taste :)

Crickets are considered to be very lucky.

Pigs are thought to bring wealth and prosperity.

If you have a dream with a white cat in it, it's considered to be very lucky!

Ladybugs, four-leaf clovers, and acorns are all lucky elements in life.

My Society 6 shop is small at the moment, with only a few products available, but I have plans to add a few more decorative and useful options with patterns created from my Purple illustration. Here's a sample of what's available. I chose Society 6 because they have worldwide shipping, reasonable pricing, and I've heard good things about the quality of their printing. I also know they frequently have sales including free shipping! Click here if you'd like to see what's available.

Just a few of the products available with my Purple illustration at Society 6.

This week my girls are home so my work will be limited. I've decided to take a little break from the drawing/painting side and work a little on the digital side. I'd like to put together my scrapbooking assignment for MATS B, as well as a few more designs for Society 6. I'm also considering some printable options for Etsy, but that may be more than I can handle in one week with two very energetic children :)

I hope you and yours stay safe and healthy. If you'd like to see more of my work or keep up with me day-to-day you can follow me on Instagram or Facebook. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message.

Until next time,

Mandy

If you're interested in commissioning me, click on the Contact Me button at the top to send an email, I'd be happy to answer any questions :)