Marjolein Bastin has been an inspiration to me for years as both a watercolor artist and as an art licensor. If you are not familiar with her name, you most likely have seen her work in the Hallmark products since the 1990′s. She is based in Netherlands, but she paints and draws wonderful imagery from nature stories from all over the world. This is a charming little video that you are sure to enjoy.

A special thanks goes out to Joan Beiriger for sharing a link to this video on her blog.

*Special Craft Project*

Embroidered Name Christmas Gift Tag & Keepsake Ornament

Download the PDF craft directions here -For your personal use only please.

*5 things that really inspire you*

1. Relationships – family, friends, clients & students
2. Color
3. Exploring nature
4. Traveling to new and old places
5. Music

*5 things we might not know about you that you’d like to share*

1. I am married to an awesome guy, Benjamin Hummel, who survived not one but TWO liver transplants when he was a teenager due to an auto immune disorder that he was born with. He is an artist, too. I am so lucky to have him in my life. You can see some of his work at www.Painting for Life.com.
2. During the summer of 2008 I had my first rib removed (the one under my left clavicle) since it was damaged in a car accident (I was not at fault). The dislocated rib caused a huge clot in my left arm several hundred blot clots broke off and passed through my heart and into my lungs. I am EXCEPTIONALLY grateful to God that I am still alive and back in the studio making new art!
3. I wake up almost every morning with a purring cat on my good shoulder. Her name is Lady Guinevere (Gwinny for short), my little sister named her after she was rescued as a kitten from the streets of Kansas.
4. To read the last two items, visit the article that CraftForHealth.com just posted HERE.

*5 things going on in your creative world*

1. I am learning Corel Painter for the 3rd time since its release. I am really excited about the watercolor brushes. Thinking about some hybrid art making possibilities.
2. I will be exhibiting at CHA for the 3rd year in the License & Design section in Anaheim, CA. My lightbox it stacked with a ton of ideas and paintings for new watercolor embroidery art licensing collections.
3. Also, as a part of CHA 2010 I am participating in the crafting around the world exhibit and will share art inspired by Sweden.
4. Our studio is also working on some new digital art products for computers and the iPhone with a new licensing partner . . . stayed tuned for details.
5. Oh, and did I mention that my husband and I are also excited to share our collection of Christmas cards? You can check those out and sign up for a friends only e-mail update list at www.PaintingForLife.com.

*What’s Next?*

Tomorrow be sure to check out the wonderful work of Joy Hall and feel free to visit and comment on each artist’s blog before the 24th – the more the merrier!

Terri Conrad Designs November 14th

Brenda Pinnick November 15th

Tori Higa November 16th

Joyce Shelton November 17th

Phyllis Dobbs November 18th

Cherish Flieder November 19th

Joy Hall November 20th

Barbara Johansen Newman November 21st

Sharyn Sowell November 22nd

Something to Cherish
Watercolor & Embroidery for Art Licensing
See more at: www.SomethingToCherish.com

Cherish Flieder exhibited two of her recent pieces of “Something to Cherish” watercolor/embroidered art in the 18th Annual Colorado Alliance of Illustrators Members Show. As VP of the Colorado Alliance of Illustrators, she had the honor to help organize and promote this event to artists and art lovers alike. As a result CAI ended up with almost 90 pieces of illustrated art from over 40 Colorado illustrators and over 200 people attending on opening night!

AIGA Colorado, Art Director’s Club of Denver and the New Denver Ad Club partnered together this year to sponsor, promote and recognize Colorado illustrators.

May 2 – 30, 2008

Ink Lounge Gallery + Anam Cara Living Arts Studio and Gallery
Studios H & B on Block 7 in Belmar
445 South Saulsbury Street
Lakewood, CO 80226

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*You can see more photos by Stu Alden from the show and artwork here.*

Cherish Flieder and Benjamin Hummel, Colorado native artists & children’s book illustrators, in conjunction with the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, bring to Colorado art lovers a show entitled “Illustrated Books.” Through April 25th, the Madison and Main Gallery in Greeley, CO will display original artwork, prints, journals, cards and the award winning, co-illustrated children’s book, What Would You Like to Do Today? by Larry Grizzell. For more information please visit the gallery at http://www.madisonandmaingallery.com and the artists at http://www.paintingforlife.com.

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