Late fall is one of my favorite times of year. Granted, leaves don't fall here. And granted, we don't get snow. But it's still crisp and cool and wonderful. I like bundling up in layers upon layers, rotating through my massive scarf collection.
I've been a busy little worker bee lately. And finally I can start to share some of those things!
First, I just wrapped up the art for my second Erstwhile Comic with Strawberry Comics. All Fur is actually the story that introduced me to fairy tales when I was in college and it got me started on this whole path of inspiration. I had a lot of fun working on this, from the designing to the inking to the coloring, and I think it shows.
Second, Skratch Publishing went live this fall. I did the illustrations for their titular book (coming soon) and you can see some of those illustrations in their site design.
And between those two, I think that might explain why I haven't had as much to post in the later half of this year! Illustrating a 30+ page comic, finishing up a children's book, and working tends to keep one busy!
But for now, I'm resting up as best I can in anticipation for the holidays. 'Tis the season of knitting gifts for people and holding tight at my day jobs as things get insane. But at least, this time, I'm not working retail?
Apologies for the radio silence. My left hand is still on the mend but it's almost back to full capacity. I quit my part time retail job right after surgery and somehow I got hired for two part time office jobs a week later. So, uh, I have a bit of a time management struggle at the moment. I'm still drawing, but it's all comics or long term projects that I can't share until they hit print (or fanart to blow off steam).
I really want to finish my OC100 soon, though, so I'll make that a priority next time I hit a comicking break.
I'll be attending SF Zinefest from August 22-23rd (my table is listed as "The Littlest Elle").
And, like last year, I will be tabling at Alternative Press Expo from October 17-18 (also listed as "The Littlest Elle").
So, although I'm not as active on this account, I am still being active! If you're planning to attend either of these cons, come say hi I will be stocking minicomics, Frog Prince, Erstwhile 01, and jewelry.
More OC100 when I return. Want to wrap that up asap.
In less dreary news, I was invited to the Charles M. Schulz museum in Santa Rosa as a cartoonist-in-residence on Saturday, June 13th. I'll be there to chat, Q&A, and sell minis to any locals who swing by. Hopefully by then I will have my hand back!
Busy fall, busy winter, busy January... things keep rolling along like usual. Some of my personal projects are a bit more delayed than expected (I will get the etsy up! And online sales for Ellezilla! Just... not in January like I planned). Some, way more delayed (second webcomic, alas, you look like you will start in fall now!).
Why are things being pushed back? Well, one of the big reasons is that I have some projects going on with other people that I'm working on in the background right now! I can't share details yet, but there I will have my hand in something new for Strawberry Comics and then there's something hush-hush that I'll talk about at a later date.
Also, owning a cat is time consuming.
But! Here's some exciting news, for anyone who's been watching my commission bar and been frustrated to see things permanently closed: a friend of mine is hosting a fundraiser on her blog to pitch in a little on her roomate's yorkie's surgery (okay, that sounds complex, but basically: a little dog has cataracts, she's trying to raise money for the little dog).
I agreed to offer a commission slot for a one page comic or a simple illustration and if you go over to her blog, you can enter for a chance to win that commission slot. It will be up until Wednesday, February 4th. If you're a fan of my art, I fully encourage you to swing on by. Asking price for donations is pretty tiny, and you don't even have to donate to enter. I'd be so excited if my contribution could bring a little bit of funds to the table. Like, if I could get enough bids to raise 20 dollars, even that would be amazing.
(My only restriction to this, seriously, is no porn. Everything else? Totally an option. I will even overcome my fear of furries and draw furries for you. I will even revisit Okage for you. You want some art to go with your epic fic about how Ned from Pushing Daisies joins the Teen Titans, marries Raven, and totally has a daughter who totally ends up being the Doctor's true love? I will make it so.)
Busy fall, busy winter... at least I'm keeping active APE was fantastic and very validating (people liked my work? Amazing!). I'm contemplating where I want to go from here with my comics and things, but in the meantime I'm putting more time into my journal comic (now on a shiney new wordpress server, huzzah!) and plotting out a fictional webcomic I want to introduce in 2009.
Other things in the works include an etsy shop for my crafts, rolling out in early 2009, and online sales of some of my self-published minis (like Ellezilla. You know you want to read about Japan!) on my website shortly thereafter.
Other plans, though not nearly so grand, include going through my sketchbook before the end of the year and finishing up all the in-progress original character 100 pieces from as far back as August. I won't finish by the end of the year, but I'll be done soon. Which will be downright momentous!
In other, totally non art news, I recently adopted a cat. Which is consuming all my time. Enough said, really.
But, it's the holidays and I feel festive, so a meme I was tagged for:
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? When I was 14 I got on this high horse about how wasteful Christmas is and I started our family on pre-wrapping boxes (like in the movies, where the only thing holding them together is a bow). We now have a huge stash built up over time with all kinds of funky paper. Those are my favorites
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real! I have a tiny living tree outside my apartment, it is adorable. But the family does real.
3. When do you put your tree up? Sometime in December, depending on how busy we all are. This year was kind of early...
4. When do you take the tree down? January? Dad's a neat freak ^_^;
5. Do you like eggnog? Never had it!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A build it yourself Victorian dollhouse kit that my dad and I then put together... and never finished painting.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My older brother, because we are totally not alike
8. Easiest person to buy for? Mom
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Mom has one
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? E-mail.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oven mitts that are too stiff to actually use for cooking.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Nightmare Before Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I used to start real early, but now it's late November.
14. Have you ever re-gifted a Christmas present? No, but I've been regifted one by my brother before.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Honeybaked ham
16. Lights on the tree? Yep! Multicolor.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "White Christmas"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher Dancer Donner Blitzen Comet Cupid Vixen... Rudolph... am I missing one?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Used to be tradition to open exactly on on the Eve and the rest in the morning... now it's just morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Working retail.
23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Silver and white or red and gold
24. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? Honeybaked ham. And pie. And chocolate. Um. All of it?
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new printer so that I don't have to borrow someone else's to make my own minicomics
it's beginning to feel like winter 
Tired
I will be stocking minicomics, Frog Prince, Erstwhile 01, and jewelry.
APE was fantastic and very validating (people liked my work? Amazing!). I'm contemplating where I want to go from here with my comics and things, but in the meantime I'm putting more time into my 
