Welcome to 2011!

I hope everyone had a fun but safe holiday season. Now it’s onward and upward into the new year!

It’s amazing what one year can bring, even if you think that you weren’t accomplishing much. Looking back, I’m so grateful to have made some important strides this past year...made it into the 2010 International Exhibition in Los Gatos, CA for the Colored Pencil Society of America; created and published my first children’s book from scratch; signed contracts with ABC/Disney Studios - Desperate Housewives, Season 7 to use some of my artwork on set (although I’m not sure where or when they’ll pop up), and so many more small things that all add up. It amazes me and I wonder how much more could happen if I had more time to devote to my personal artwork endeavors. Wow! I can only hope that 2011 will be bigger and better!

A few things I have in the hopper for 2011 right now? Well, I’m currently working on a larger format piece (12" x 24"P) which will hopefully be juried into the 2011 International CPSA Exhibition in Dallas, TX. If I am accepted, it will be my 3rd International show in 4 years and my induction as a Signature Member of CPSA (which means that I am allowed to use the CPSA designation after my name - a high honor in my book).

I also have another children’s book in the works which I hope to have out before summer. As of today, all the illustrations are penciled and are ready for color, but that’s just the first step. Then I must design the book, which I do digitally in my design programs. It just becomes a question of time allocation to get everything wrapped up and uploaded, so I’m hopeful that I’ll have it done and on Amazon (and in bookstores) ASAP.

One more thing to add to my “To-Do” list was to sign up to help out at the Art League a bit more. I had been asked to be on the Board before but was never sure of scheduling conflicts. I owe them some quality time, so I’ll be seeing what they need me to do...possibly signing up as the exhibit coordinator. We’ll see what they recruit me to do this coming Wednesday meeting. LOL Hope the rest of the Board can stand my goofy sense of humor!!! :)

So...that’s it for now. We’ll see what surprises 2011 brings. I wish you all much love, success, health and happiness in the new year!!!

Dream BIG!!! ~ Amy

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Welcome & A Wee Bit o' Info About Me

Welcome to the AckLfee Art Blog!  I will be adding info, cool/helpful links and hopefully a bit of inspiration and insite into my creative process as we go, so be sure to check in often.

For now, just a quick bit of info about myself....  I've been an artist since I was given my first set of crayons (maybe sooner).  Like most artistic types, I took as many art-related classes in school as I could and was lucky to have had some wonderful, creative mentors growing up.  My field is "Graphic Communications" which encompasses a bit of everything, from various print media to POP and specialty event designs.  My 18+ years has been spent as the self employed, artisitc half of two businesses that my husband and I started shortly after we married (and we're still both relatively sane...well mostly).

I have always had a desire to merchandise my artwork but, because of a lack of licensing knowledge and two busy businesses, I was never able to fully pursue that dream.  The idea of bankrolling lines of merchandise, warehousing product and pounding the pavement to sell it all seemed daunting (to say the least) on top of everything else!  How did those famous names ever make their mark in the retail market????

Epiphany Day for Amy!
Early this year while researching my merchandising dream, I sent a fateful email to art licensing maven, Tara Reed, asking for her advice.  I found her site, http://www.artlicensinginfo.com/ , and thus began my true education into all things licensing.  From there, I have spent most of my free time of late scrambling to bring myself up-to-speed, to launch my own art licensing brand.  I still have much to learn but I'm loving every minute of it and have met some wonderful people along the way.  AND I get to expand my creative universe exponentially!  Wooo-HOOOO!!!  I'm having a blast, the art is flowing and my big dream is well on it's way!  :)

There is one other person I need to thank, however...so I'd like to give another shout-out to a fine lady who has been of so much help in the last few months...J'net Smith - licensing guru, agent and font-of-knowlege extraordinare!  Thanks so much for your patience and wisdom J'net!  Visit her sites here:  http://www.allartlicensing.com/   &   http://www.jnetsmith.com/  .

Stay tuned!  More to come!