I'm joining the chorus of people in my blogsphere and singing the praises of Pixar's UP!

I won't let out any spoilers but will pass on Emma's advice to bring tissues or to wear long sleeves. I think it's one of Pixar's most emotionally charged films yet and there were many moments and visuals that resonated with me. It was the little things; the slacking tension of a balloon string to show the urgency of a moment and falling morale... In other words, I used those tissues and I am not ashamed! In fact, I will be back for more!

I got a special "the planets have aligned!" bonus last night as well (never underestimate the powers of paying the bridge toll for the car sitting behind you once a week) when I was waiting in the theater lobby with my friends. Bill pointed a few feet over and said "Is that Pete Docter?" And yes, it was. And you can bet I toddled up to him giggling like an idiot, wearing my Pixar track jacket like a complete tool and asked him to sign my freshly-purchased copy of "The Art of Up".

So, thank you Mr. Docter for putting up with me (is there a pun in that somewhere?). You really made my night. And congrats to everyone who has worked on Up. I wanna buy you guys a round of Fenton's, but I call the red cars.



Also! Added something new to the Etsy Shop! I decided to give myself a pet project and made a vow to use ONLY materials that I already had lying about the house; I'm one of those people that, when inspired, runs out to the art or craft store and goes on shopping binge, only to realize I don't need more than 90% of the shiny things I bought. So I took an old chocolate box I had kicking around, covered it with some of the leftover handmade papers I used for my CTA Train Show piece, accented it with some ribbons and trim from an old college project and decoupaged a print of "Meeting Place" on it.

I like how it came out and depending on my supply of candy boxes, hope to be making more of these soon!

Bedding down before my trip back to San Fran tomorrow. Oh, what a trip it's been; it's popped quite a few pipe dreams into my head and makes me remember why I love the swampy forests of New England so much. This place will always be home to me <3



So I wanted to post another interview video that was done while I was working at the Axiotron booth in January. A little insight as to why I do what I do and as a bonus, I mention the words "Doggie Heaven" multiple times. Yes, you can make fun of me. A lot.



Also, a doodle of me and the boy that I kinda liked :)

A Little Big Update! For those who don't know what all the fuss is about, all is explained here! These stickers are part of the two latest costume packs available for download on the PSN. Get them for Little Big Planet via the PlayStation store and use them to create your own mythological levels!

Lordy, why were these so much fun to make?




Go get 'em while you can!

Dudes, no one told me that Chicago was so awesome! I only spent a couple of days there but I fell in love with the place and chalked it up on my "Places I'd Eventually Like to Live In" list. I spent time with my friends Teddy and the mega talented Lana Crooks, who is a plush artist. There is actually a pretty big plush/urban vinyl scene in Chicago and I ran into Shawn Smith (Shawnimals!) there as well. It was a fangirl moment for me and I snagged one of the last few Forest Spirit Wee Ninjas straight from his studio!

I also checked out the Lincoln Park Zoo and filled a few pages with animal gestures. I like the cows best.




I had a very cute moment with the cows actually - as I was drawing them, a little old lady who didn't speak a lotta English was sort of hovering behind me. When she got a peek at my book she excitedly tapped my arm and pointed at the sketches, then grabbed my book to run over to her daughter and granddaughter across the barn to show them what I had drawn. Then she gave me the book back with a very spirited smile and hugged me. She is just AWESOME.

Also! My Dad's dog Cookie, on a placemat at a favorite Chinese restaurant. There's some soy sauce on there... which is fine because cookie is toffee colored anyway! I am in Boston now with my family and Cookie is my new favorite alarm clock. She also found a dead rat in the bushes not too long ago... see below. :O

I also have a very special addition to this post. My sweetie, Rez, (the blue-haired dork you may have seen in photos past), happens to be a video game programmer and a damn good one at that. For my birthday last month, he nabbed a bunch of my artwork from online, chopped it up and created a side-scroller game using his own engine. He just recently published the first level online (though the music and SFX haven't been added... but I recommend listening to this song while you play, though Rez will be composing his own music for the game!) and I invite you all to take a look!


Click here to read what Rez has to say about the game and see more screenshots!


Click here if you have a PC and want to play level one!

I joked that it was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done to get into my pants, but in all seriousness it was a very personal and lovingly thought-out gift, with little quotes from each of us and inside jokes. I can't wait to see how the next levels pan out and now that he's finally let me see the game, maybe I can more actively contribute special items for it. You know, since I like, make art for video games for a living and all that junk ;)

Speaking of art for video games, hoping to post some stuff from LBP once I get the thumbs-up for it. Stay tuned!