Aileen Holmes

love always

Love is in the air with Valentine's Day nearing!  Even if you don't have a sweetie this time around, loving yourself is just as important.  My print "Love Always" is now available on my Etsy shop.

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If you'd like art to inspire you to create every day AND feel good about helping Haiti, please donate to Girls Drawing Girls and receive my art print.

Also, I guest posted for the awesome blog:  Maria Brophy:  Unconventional Principles on Art, Lifestyle, Inspiration  Read my tips on how to exercise your creative muscles so you can create your grand masterpiece!

 

oc weekly blog feature!

I'm so psyched to be featured on Steph Calvert of hearts and laserbeam's OC Weekly blog Gettin' Made!

Check it out:

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/gettin-made/gettin-made-out-of-this-world/

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Today I hung out with Tracey Taylor, the Assistant Director of The ARTery at the LAB in Costa Mesa.  We made cute vegan cupcakes for the Valentine's show EYE CANDY opening tomorrow night.  They will go fast!  I'm not showing at the ARTery this time around.  I'm busy planning new and exciting projects!  Actually, Tracey is planning some exciting new art shows with all of her independent curating gigs.  Stay tuned!

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Tomorrow I am so psyched to check out the CHA Craft Supershow with the every inspiring and energetic Geri, a former Mattel colleague of mine and great friend.  She's bringing her superstar craft friend Holly along.  You must see her creations!

I'm so very excited to have so many wonderful, inspiring friends to share creative activities.  What are you up to this weekend?

costa mesa

Costa Mesa is the City of the Arts...  and so much more!  I thought I'd show my love for Costa Mesa by creating an art print of my original drawing previously created for a show at The ARTery...  and also by special request for Ned Raggett, local music writer and friend.

Also, FYI, I just wrote a guide to Orange County of the best restaurants, shopping, art, and more.  Details to come!
 

fun creative times

 

Last night I drew this at  Drink n' Draw!  Please stop by sometime.  It's every Tuesday night at the Azteca Restaurant in Garden Grove.

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Weekend of Art

Last weekend I had a weekend filled with art!  Saturday was the monthly meeting with OC Illustrators:

"OC Illustrators is a group for artists interested in the field of children’s literature. We meet monthly in the Orange County, California region to critique each others artwork, share on-going children’s book projects and develop the craft of storytelling with pictures. We also exchange information and ideas about children’s book publishing and self-promotion. "

Later that day, I strolled around the Orange Circle to check out some new gift shops, antique stores, and whatnot.  I recommend checking out Heavenly Hostess if you want to look fabulous all time time, even when you are housekeeping!  They carry a million different aprons in vintage-inspired fabrications.

Sunday I met with my Artist's Way group.  Discussing creativity is a great way to start the week!

After that, I checked out the California Gift Show, a trade show for gift stores to view vendors of gift items, jewelry, stationery, and treasures from around the world!  I got to see the fabulous booth of Papaya, a wonderful stationery and gift company now featuring wonderful gifts with the art of Sabrina Ward Harrison.  I stopped by the Whitelines booth and sketched on their paper.  They were so sweet!  They gave me an A4 squared notebook!  I was REALLY happy to see handmade crafts represented at the gift show.  I met the ladies of the Long Beach Craft Mafia and expressed how great it is to see them at pretty much every craft/gift show I go to!  (and I try to go to a lot).  So inspiring!

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So, overall it was a very creatively inspiring weekend.  That's good 'cause I was feeling a bit tapped out creatively.  I needed a recharge!  This coming weekend, I will be attending the CHA Supershow, a large crafting convention.  I'm totally psyched to learn, get goodies, and meet more fabulous creative people!

 

dr. sketchy's - orange county

Just got back from the premier of Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School at Rothick Art Haus in Anaheim, CA.  Dr. Sketchy's is an art movement founded in Brooklyn in 2005 by the artist Molly Crabapple.  She posed the simple question, "Why can't drawing naked people be sexy?"

 

From there, Dr. Sketchy's venues have popped up all over the world!  Lovely saucy pin-up ladies start out doing short poses fully decked out in themed clothing.  This time Marlena Dali posed in the Alice in Wonderland theme complete with hooka and sitar!

 

What a great turnout!  The place was packed full of artists from Orange County and beyond to support the burgeoning art scene in Anaheim, CA...  and to draw a sexy model!

 

I did a sketch!  Here's a photo of the model:

And here's my...er, somewhat embellished interpretation:

 
 

I look forward to more Dr. Sketchy's events at Rothick Art Haus in the future!  
 

My mission statement

Mission Statement

I've been working hard on defining what my self-brand represents and what I'd like to convey with my blog.  My goal here is to be transparent in my creative process so that folks will gain a greater understanding of my art and hopefully be inspired to pursue their creative dreams.  So, with that, here's my mission statement:

"Here you will find sexy and sassy vintage-inspired girly artwork by Aileen Holmes.  I will share with you all aspects of my creative lifestyle:  share the seeds of my inspiration, artwork in all stages of creation, and the fruits of my labors--new product and happy announcements.  I hope to convey to everyone that creativity is a lifestyle infused into all aspects of life, and I hope to inspire everyone to pursue their dreams."

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The Artist's Way

I'd also like to share with you that I'm so excited to be starting "The Artist's Way" group tomorrow!  We will be reading "Walking in this World", a follow-up to Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" book.  If you all haven't read Julia Cameron's books, I highly recommend it.  It's all about unblocking whatever is in the way of you being creative by having a daily regimen of writing, treating yourself, and filling the well of inspiration.

Here's one customized journal from 2009:

 

Stay tuned for updates on "The Artist's Way."  I'll post more customized journals from the past...  and future ones too!

Do any of you all journal?  If so, how has it helped your creative process?

OC Arts & Culture feature + 2010 Goals

I'm SO excited to tell you all that I've been featured in the OC Arts & Culture Artist Spotlight.  You can read about my history, inspiration and all sorts of fun facts!

http://ocartsandculture.com/2010/01/artist-spotlight-aileen-holmes/

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I'm participating in the Meet Up which is a monthly goal sharing group which is the new version of the Modish Biztips goal group.  I'd love to share my future goals and highlight some past accomplishments in 2009.  It's all about progress and an artist's career is ever evolving!  I'm happy to share with you the nitty gritty of my creative business.

2009 recap

• Designed graphics, prints, and accessories for Mattel's Barbie Consumer Products division thru July 2009
• Displayed art at numerous shows at the ARTery Gallery in Costa Mesa, CA
• Launched my Etsy shop selling tees and art prints in November 2009
• Began working full-time from home providing design services to numerous clients
• Took a screen printing class expanding my skillset and created new artwork

December 2009 recap

• Live painted at Orange Coast College's gallery for a benefit for OCC clubs
• Sent my 2010 postcard out to 100+ magazines, apparel companies, art galleries, publishers and, of course, friends and family
• Started working on an artist self-help illustrated 'zine/mini comic book.  Hope to release for Comic Con 2010!

January 2010 Goals

• Taxes!
• Set up accounting system.  I guess Quicken for the Mac?  Suggestions?  Would like to set up sales taxes and get a resellers license in preparation for selling at local craft fairs
• Keep working on my mini portfolio to send to textile design houses and apparel companies
• Start the next Artist's Way group on Sunday!  It's at The Art Bar in Santa Ana, if you want to participate!

Thanks for witnessing my goals.  It motivates me to stay on track!  What are some of your goals for 2010?

 

thanks for your support in 2009!

Here's a little doodle I sketched out the last day of screen printing class.  That class was soooo much fun and eye opening!  I haven't even begun to share with you all the amazing art that came out of the class.  I love Orange Coast College so much!  I'll be taking a Story Illustration class next semester which will help me learn more about branching out into editorial illustration.

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking to OCC students about my background in art, graphic design and illustration.  I've had a long, winding history of working mostly in the apparel industry and it was so fun sharing my story!  It was great to share my portfolio too.  It's rare that artists share their book.  I created mine through YEARS of trial and error.  Finally I got to the point where I got the attention of fancy big companies.

I am so thankful for having the opportunity to work with so many great design clients and to meet so many new art-lovin' friends!  Thanks to everyone for supporting my Etsy shop, for coming out to events, and giving me shout-outs on your blogs/twitter/FB!

By the way, please sign up to be my Facebook Fan, if you haven't already.

And, get ready for 2010 with a FREE Calendar Postcard.  Just fill out the form and I'll send you one!

 

december goals

December 2009 is upon us!  Though, I am already projecting myself into next year.  What will be in store?  Before I look forward, I will reflect on November's goals.

1.  Create a mailing list for snail mail.  This will be geared towards sending out promo postcards to potential clients for my illustration services.  (also for friends! sign up here! )

Done!  Well, I have the labels hand written.  Gotta enter into a database before I mail out.  Next time it'll be more automated!  Sign up here if you want a free 2010 Calendar Postcard!

2.  Finish the fancy postcard and send to the printer.  Get ready to mail out in December for the holidays. 

Done!

3.  Print fabric of my own design in screen printing.  Test out other materials to print on to broaden my screen printing knowledge.

Done!  I made some tote bags.  I will post when I'm ready to sell 'em!

4.  Update my physical portfolio.  I recently updated my online portfolio, now my book has to get up to speed!

Mostly done, just gotta add a page of paintings...

5.  Scan in my paintings and test out printing archival reproduction prints of my paintings and illustrations on my new archival Epson printer.  Got the paper and ink.  Just gotta make it happen!  Then, sell on Etsy!

Mostly done.  I am selling prints of some illustrations on Etsy!  Haven't scanned in my paintings yet.  That will take a long time scanning in all the parts and putting back together in Photoshop....  So, not just yet.

OK!  I made awesome progress in November!  Here's goals for December!

1.  Practice painting fast so that I'm ready for a LIVE PAINTING event I'm doing called (what's with all the HOOPLA!)

2.  Make a mini portfolio to mail out.  In researching submission guidelines of companies via the 2010 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market, I discovered that many would like a few examples of work.  I'd love more textile design and publication illustration work, so I'm gonna mail out either little books or a brochure.

3.  Create and maintain a mailing list database.

4.  Sell my first e-book, a tutorial on creating repeat patterns in Adobe Illustrator:  for textile design, wallpaper, whatever!

5.  Work on my 'zine. It will showcase my sketches and tips on How to Be an Artist!

Thank you Modish Biz Tips for facilitating the goals meet-up.  I know Modish will be heading in a new direction soon, but I appreciate the forum to share my goals and support other fellow creatives!

Stay tuned to see how I fare at accomplishing my goals this month!  Then, onto 2010!

free 2010 calendar postcard!

Sign up for my mailing list and get a free 5"x7" 2010 Calendar Postcard!