Read a NEW Interview with Yours Truly!

I was interviewed by writer Karin Cameron over at her blog, "Karin Won't Stop Talking".  Go take a look and find out how I got my start as an artist and children's illustrator, and what advice I can give to others in the biz.  Be sure to leave a comment and tell Karin you stopped by.  She is a marvelous host and an awesome writer.

Here is a rough sketch I made for the upcoming book "Prairie Storms", due out in August 2011!

so very unimpressive...

©KathleenRietz
Whenever prompted by certain blogger groups to post photos of our studios, I cringe. Mine is nothing all that impressive, really. Sure, I'd love to have a beautiful expensive easel, hardwood floors, a skylight, track lighting and an awe-inspiring sound system. But I don't. Truthfully, I can't even afford an iPod these days. My easel is cheap...I bought one of the cheapest ones Blick carries and used a 40% off coupon. My rickety old metal closet doors (circa 1972) have been replaced by beige drapes from Wal-Mart. My computer desk (unpictured) has a broken leg and is supported by a thick old book. But this is where I paint and draw and write. Sunshine is happy with the arrangement, and I am glad to have her here to keep me company.

Update on yesterday's "Happy Birthday to Me " post

©KathleenRietz

I found my "cake limit" tonite! Thanks everyone who stopped by to wish me a happy birthday.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, or whatever else you may be celebrating! Be safe.

Happy Birthday to Me!

...and my twin brother Patrick, too!

I plan to go out and find my "cake limit" again tonite! Some things never change.

News Flash!!

Hi everyone! Okay, I finally have some great news to break to all of you. Check out this Sneak Peek of ribbons I designed for jcaroline creative earlier this year. Here is one design, as posted on the jcaroline blog...you will have to go and look at the others. There are even more to come, but this is just a peek at the first few releases. The ribbons will be sold through jcaroline's online shop! She has so many fantastic, "drool worthy" fabrics, papers and accessories in her shop....I love browsing.

And...

Remember this illustration I created a while back? It was spotted by Nikki at DewDrop Craftz in the UK last winter, and now she is carrying it as a rubber craft stamp in her online shop! This is my first design for her, but we have lots of other products in the works. I will announce them here on my blog as they come to fruition.

A "Typical" Day? ha!/Day 20 of 21

©Kathleen Rietz
I was tagged by both Alicia Padron and Andi Butler to post about my typical day. Well, I honestly do not have a typical day. It's sort of sad, now that I think about it. I would love to inject a little routine back into my life. There was a time when I made a really decent living frelancing, so I had freetime and worktime and balance in my life. Now I am pretty much all about work. I just finished up my second semester of teaching art at The Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College. Now I am teaching a 6 week course there called "The Art of the Sketchbook". That will take me through June, at which time I may take a 6 week intensive Adobe Illustrator class for myself at the local college here near my town. I really need to learn Illustrator. I work 2 afternoons per week at a chiropractic clinic, where I get free treatments, which is good because my back is so lousy and my insurance does not cover chiropractic. Plus, it gets me out of the house and I like helping others heal and manage their pain. The work I do has a direct and immediate impact on the lives of others, something I do not get to see much with my art. I also know that my smiling face may be the only smile a person gets all day, so I make sure I get to know each patient and give them a smile. Some evenings I get home and hit the gym, if I have the energy, which ends up being twice a week now (I often get home somewhere between 7 and 9). Usually have dinner around 10 or 11 at night. Then I stay up and check email and blogs and I get to work on my art projects, typically until around 4 or even 5am. On days I am not working outside the house, I am able to work all day, unless there are errands to run, and I do love the days I can work without interruption. I do make sure I take time to walk my dog, pretty much every day. Sometimes we go sit in a park. It is good for both of us. I often run into neighbors while I am out walking, so I chat with them a while. I also try to find time to do at least one new illustration for my website/portfolio each week, and update my website and other portfolio sites at least once a week. If I get to bed early (before 2:30am), I may watch a little Animal Planet or Food Network. I love to cook and I make nearly all of my meals from scratch. I get great ideas from Food Network. I also try to make sure I have time for the important people in my life every week, even if it is at odd hours. They seem to understand.