San Smith

Photo update: Serenbe and my mom's bday!

This past weekend was quite a busy one!! We celebrated the holidays with Chris's company on Friday, and Saturday was my mom's 60th birthday so I spent the afternoon with her. Sunday I went to Serenbe Farms in the morning to watch Chris do a cyclo-cross race annnd after that I threw a surprise birthday party for my mom!! Whew. It was a lot, but the best reward was seeing how shocked and happy she was. :)

All the pics in this post are from Serenbe... I lived near this area for many years when I first moved to Georgia, and had actually been there when it first opened so I was very excited to visit again. Serenbe is a planned community like Seaside, FL (which I love!), but it's in the middle of no where Palmetto and more of a cutesy farm community. After Chris's race we stopped in their bakery, "the blue eyed daisy" for coffee and snacks until the coast was clear to go decorate for the surprise party.

I got a delicious chocolate snowflake donut and soy chai! :9 they also had a little gingerbread house competition I think because there were a ton on display! I'd love to go back sometime and eat dinner at their farmhouse restaurant.

You can read more about the area here... http://serenbe.com/

I'm so glad my mom's party went well!! I'm kinda party-ied out at this point and would love to just relax until 2012. Haha ;)

Much love,
San on the iPhone

My current collecting interest: Monster High dolls + video!

So I think I've mentioned in previous posts that I really like the Monster High line from Mattel, and I have been collecting a few of the dolls... Well, for the past few weeks when running errands I kept checking in Toys R Us for a particular doll I wanted for my collection, and today I finally found it!! AND! I was so excited about it that I made a video review! :) It's also the first video I've made on my iphone, which was kinda neat on it's own! I always want to make videos for my youtube but can't think of stuff to tape, so hooray for spontaneous ideas.

If you like Monster High or collecting toys, or if you want to see what dolls I own, you should watch the video below:

Hope you guys are having a fabulous weekend!

Photo update from the phone!

I just realized I've been taking a ton of photos since Thanksgiving but I haven't posted them on here... So now I'm going to makeup for that! I've been very busy with family and friends for the holidays - Here are a few pics from Thanksgiving eve when we saw the Muppets (so good!!) and a book I just started reading recently (Wildwood by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis - very cute so far). Annnd a pic of Chris and I getting our Christmas tree, setting up decorations and my friend Molly's gorgeous retro pinkish tree! More holiday pics coming soon :)

Much love,
San on the iPhone!

Ask San: A few career questions!

It's been a while since I've posted an "Ask San" type post! Victoria Black, a student at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, recently emailed me a few questions to answer for her class and I thought I'd share them here...

 

1. What or who is the most valuable contact you made in your career - and how did you make that contact?

I don't think I have a "who" but I do have a "what" when it comes to valuable contacts… I feel the internet and my blog has really opened up the world of networking for me. Through networking on the internet I have met tons of amazing and interesting people who sometimes hire me or recommend me on projects. My career as a freelance artist wouldn't have been possible with out the internet.

 

2. How do you know when a piece is done?

 When it's getting close to it's due date! Hahaha! Just kidding, although I have worked on things up until the very day they are due because I have a slight perfectionist streak in me… But when I finish up early, its usually when it just feels right. Sometimes you just know it's time to stop!

 

3. What inspires you? How do you tackle artist block?

At the moment, I find a lot of inspiration from Tumblr and Pinterest… but outside the internet I feel inspired by my toy collection, cartoons, children's books, fashion and music. I keep my eyes open and try to take in the environment around me while I go through day to day life, and I often take photos of things in my town that interest me to use for inspiration later on.

 

4. Does your art completely fund your living?

Yes, but in past years I did have spots where work wasn't as steady and I'd have to live off some of my savings until more work came in. It can be tough, but its always worth it.

 

5. What stimulates you other than art?

Spending time with loved ones, traveling, photography, fashion, music, cartoons and movies! 

 

6. Who are your favorite artists?

Bruce Timm, Brigette Barrager, Tara McPherson, Katie Rice, and so so many more… I made a Pinterest board a while back actually with some of my favorite illustrations/artists, you can see it here: http://pinterest.com/sansmith/illustration/ My list of favorite artists is forever growing.

 

7. What is the first thing you do when you enter the studio?

Open the blinds so sunshine can come in, turn on all my lights (there are a lot, it's dark in there!) and turn on some music! Doing that stuff helps me get a good start on the day.

 

8. What was your favorite toy as a kid?

Oh gosh - I didn't have just one! A few things I loved were Ninja Turtles, Muppets, Fraggles, my Rainbow Brite doll and a pink plush puppy. I love toys!

 

Have any questions you'd like to ask me? Send me an email or leave them in the comments! :)

Love Letter - List #23

This is Love Letter #23 - a list of all things I'm liking at the moment...!

 

Susie Brown (of the JaneDear Girls) sharing her closet and how to wear a scarf - she has the cutest style! I want to borrow her whole wardrobe! 

The Time Warp Wives - Found this documentary really interesting. I have no desire to live so extreme like that, but its neat to peak into the lives of others living in such an unusual way - here is Part 1 and Part 2. I think my favorite person covered was Sammi Saddler - the young gal in 1940s style who was single. My friend Janaí told me about the documentary and then mentioned that apparently it was edited in a way that didn't feature the women honestly...After searching I found this link where Joanne Massey sets the record straight on their Time Warp lives.

The Muppet Movie!! I saw this the night before Thanksgiving with Chris, and it was SO good! I already want to go see it again! If you haven't seen it yet, go go go! I can't get this song from the movie out of my head...

Black and White Town - Doves  (the video is a little depressing, so maybe listen and not watch?)

Shotgun girl - The JaneDear girls 

Susie Brown covers Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight'? 

Bring me Sunshine - The Jive Aces

Blogs I'm enjoying for recipes and party ideas: The High Heeled Hostess, Six in the Suburbs, and My Suzy Homemaker - they are kinda "mommy blogs" but I think still have useful info even if you don't have a family!

Running for it: Thoughts on body image and refusing the haterade - My friend Katie just recently started training for a 10k and blogged about her experience with how people responded... Take a moment to read this and then reflect. The world needs more positivity, support and inspiration - and we should never shoot down anyone for trying something new to improve their life.

Back talk: A conversation with Sebastian Masuda - an interview with one of my favorite designers from Japan in Juxtapoz magazine. He is so creative!!

Bing's Magical Holiday Calendar - A cute advent calendar with prizes and videos! I love the illustrations they used. 

Love Bridget Barranger's artwork on this post about her work for Prep and Landing