Cate Anevski

Destination Unknown

Well, I'm at my current destination, Rockland, Massachusetts, and I'd just like to say that the East coast is beautiful. I've been around quite a bit the past few days. Most notable was a visit to a Philadelphia, which did not go as well as planned.

First off, I visited My My to drop off some of my prints, and it is wonderful. The only thing that made that not-as-good-as-possible is the fact that I got lost on the way there. However, I ducked into another arts & crafts store where the owner was kind enough to make several phone calls just to figure out that I was actually just across the street from where I needed to be. If you happen to be in the area, I highly suggest that you stop by My My. The owner, Taryn, is a very sweet person and has managed to create a perfect little artsy nook in the mere two months that her shop has been open.

After that, since I had managed to lose myself again, Taryn was kind enough to give me directions to Tyler School of Art, which was one of my top three choices for my MFA. Unfortunately, they told me in no uncertain terms that they were not interested in my work and why don't I consider going into illustration. I said that, yes, I had tried to go into illustration, but that no schools offered an MFA in the subject. They harumphed and went about their day.

Ah, well, as beautiful as the East coast is, I guess I won't be moving there. Just as well, given my terrible navigation skills around here. Plus, I'm ecstatic that they told me no for free as opposed to making me pay them $50 to reject me.

Very close

This is the (uncolored) drawing I did for the Strange Folk Festival zine. Be on the lookout for the colored one soon. (Hopefully very soon, since the deadline is coming up.) Click it for a bigger version. In addition to this, I completed virtually everything on the to-do list, and I've done absolutely everything on the "must-complete-before-I-leave-town" list, which is a huge load off my mind. Now if I can just get everything done on my "out-of-town-to-do" list, I'll be a happy girl.

I'm heading off to Massachusetts tomorrow. I've just found out that I will have an internet connection. Apparently, my grandparents are more technologically savvy than I thought. That means I will be blogging while I'm gone, which is exciting for me. I think I'm starting to rely on this blog a bit, but it's forcing me to create things (as is David), so I think that's a good thing.

I'm also headed to My My and Magpie to drop off some prints that they will be selling in their shops. I'm really excited to have my things in a couple of brick and mortar stores outside Missouri, and I've already started looking for more.

The Home Stretch

I'm almost done with that awful to-do list. These prints are part of a show that I promised to have my piece for by July 26th. I'm a little behind on this one, as well as a ton of other projects. Yesterday and today, though, I impressed even myself with my willpower (of which I usually have absolutely none), and I'm almost completely caught up.

I even had a litttle time for fun with the rabbit. When I tried to give her a treat, however, she was totally uninterested, and Squid got very jealous. Every time Bun came near the treat (which are leftover carrots, by the way), he'd bat at her, and she'd bite him back. It was an epic battle, really.

I'm not sure if I'll be around much in the next couple of weeks, because I'm going out of town to visit a grad school and help my grandparents move from Massachusetts to D.C. I should have tons of free time out there to work on fun stuff, and I hope to have access to Wifi to post about it. If not, though, I'll be sure to treat you all to a big post of all my adventures.

I should have a couple of free days in Boston, so if anyone has any suggestions of stuff to do, I'm all ears.

Not Myself.

I've been feeling extremely out of sorts lately. I'm slowly working my way through the to-do list from hell, but it's really taking it's toll on me. I'm just exhausted by the end of the day. Last night, Kieran and I went out for a beer and a long walk, and by the time we got home, he had to drag me to bed I was so tired. Just an explanation for my recent absence here. I haven't had time to make much artwork lately, and it's depressing me.

Luckily, I seemed to have discovered my antidote: Miho Hatori. I've been listening to her album over and over, and it seems to be doing some good. I've even begun the Strange Folk zine cover, which is good. I have a ways to go, since even I can't tell that it says "Strange Folk," and I'll be going out of town for a while next week, so I need to get this done soon. Along with a million other things.

I'd better not think about it, lest I undo all of Miho Hatori's hard work this evening.

P.S.: I added another show to my list, on October 4th. The details are in the link to the right under "Extravaganzas." I should be adding a few more in the next week or so, some of which are not in St. Louis, so keep an eye out there.

Tree Ship

Click the image for a larger version.

My original intent was for the trees to be like sails, which I think comes across somewhat. However, when all was said and done, the little guy looked like he was leading the boat, and since this week's Illo Friday word is "Captain," I decided to submit and allow the trees to be sailors. A friend pointed out, however, that trees riding in a wooden boat is akin to people riding around in a boat made of human flesh and bone. I think it's best not to think about it, though, unless, of course, you enjoy grotesque things as much as I do.

Of course, I have prints available, if you're so inclined.

If you are so inclined and happen to live in the St. Louis area, I have a treat in store for you. I have an art and craft show this evening with the lovely ladies and gents of the Craft Mafia at Cooper Ella. It's located in Maplewood, at 2743 Sutton. For those of you familiar with the area, this is right off of Manchester near the Maplewood Shop 'n' Save. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I'll be there all night, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., so please stop by and say hi!

On that note, I would like to say one more thing. I have, unfortunately, had to raise the prices of my prints. I'm having problems with the folks that print these for me, so I've switched to a new company. The new company is more expensive, but in the end I feel I will have a much higher quality product. So, that's that.

Life, the Universe, & Everything

Since I haven't had many pictures on here lately, I decided to treat you all to a really big one.

I really haven't been up to much real artwork lately, due to an overabundance of intrusions by the real world (and, of course, Harry Potter). That's why I've been so absent lately, but David has encouraged (well, ordered) me to make a post about what I've been up to, so here it is.

The above image will be a bookmark. This is the first real drawing I've done in a while, but there's a fair amount of work to be done before it's complete, not least of which is finding a new home for all the stuff piled up on my sewing machine cabinet.

I've added a link in my sidebar for upcoming events. Currently, we have the Strange Folk Festival, on September 22, and Crafta Nostra, on August 17. Click on those links, check them out, and be sure to stop by and say hi if you decide to come along. Both of these should be pretty fun, and after that, I'm on a mission to start traveling the country in search of more craft fairs. First up will be the No Coast Craft-O-Rama in Minneapolis. I'm on the lookout for more that are close-ish to St. Louis, and suggestions are very welcome.

Also related to the Strange Folk festival, I'm very excited and honored because I was asked to design the cover for the zine that will be available at the festival. Be on the lookout for either a bunch of strange elfin folk or some unfamiliar constellations. I haven't decided which of my two final sketches to use.

I've also received a bit of press lately, which I'm always happy to show off. First is at the Sampler, where Jennifer has written a few wonderful things about my work. Second is an interview over at Cranky Yellow. Go take a look and see if you learn a thing or two about me, partcularly that I always sound rather awkward in interviews.

Last, but of course not least, I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in my work and has helped make my Etsy shop a success in the past couple of months. It's really very heartwarming to know that folks out there in the blogosphere are enjoying my art.

I think that's about it, folks. I hope to have some more fun stuff to show off soon, if I can just wade through the rest of these tax forms and bills.