Celebrating a great year of work in 2021. The Ski A to Z book, private commissions, the Fall Line t-shirt, my work being published in 30 Years In A White Haze, and meeting great people whilst promoting Ski A to Z, these are all wonderful highlights of 2021.
Here are my favourite 9 outcomes of 2021.
The best 9 explained – alternatively scroll down to ‘Choosing the Best 9’
1-9 going across from left to right:
1. Citrus themed sport ‘Joynal’ journal cover design project for Make Art That Sells (MATS) Bootcamp brief. 2. Belgian waffle, strawberries and raspberries watercolour painting. 3. Ski Band – Air guitar meets skiing for this cable car stage performance,
4. Ski themed surface pattern designs applied to tableware inspired by Margo Tantau’s teachings in MATS Home Decor course. 5. Snow falling on my first book written and illustrated, Ski A to Z. 6. Family skiing illustration for F for Family in Ski A to Z – tricky composition to get all those skis in.
7. Ski themed fabric design applied to an upholstered rocking chair and cushions (pillows), floor lamp, wallpaper and wall art prompted by MATS Hone Decor briefs. 8. Ski Piste/ Trail map created for M for Map in Ski A to Z. I created the map design then applied it onto the folded placeholder held by the mittened hands. And finally number 9. Commissioned artwork of Donna and Vaughn (who love to ski) to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
Choosing the Best 9
These pieces stand out in terms of the stretch, the challenge, skills development progress and satisfaction with the final piece.
Ski A to Z has over 100 illustrations created from January 2020 to August 2021. The final illustration for the book was this one, painted on 20 August, dropped into the book layout the same day, and sent off for printing in first week of September.
I worked really hard, dug deep to muster all the courage, resolve, stamina, belief and imagination needed to complete the projects/goals. The months of very long days although incredibly productive were at the expense of sleep, wrinkles and family time which I plan to balance better in 2022.
My new website and shop were other key outcomes, which solopreneurs will know is not easy.
There were many new pieces created this year, so in order to narrow it down I put all my favourite pieces from the year in a photo album on my phone, then selected the best 9 from these.
Thank-you
Thank you for all the support, likes, to my commissioners, collaborators and my publisher Meyer and Meyer Sport.
If a piece resonates with you I’d love to know, please comment or DM.
Remembering @tutorbill – I am grateful for Bill’s teaching which was a breakthrough for my drawing approaches, that are the foundation of that I create.
I’m excited to see what emerges through the work and projects in 2022.
Inspire by Kim 
3 thoughts on “Best of 2021”