FALL

it's been a really great Fall so far!

Loom Space & Thoughts

Here's my loom space! I got to go in this morning for a good couple of hours to work on a new project. It was great to have a chunk of time to make some actual progress. I've been working on this loom for about 6 months now (where I rent one, we rotate depending on projects as they're all donated looms, and all different) and it's my FAVORITE! it's a 4 shaft Schacht Mighty Wolf. This is the one I would love to buy once I have the space.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about balancing time, and how having a full time job effects my outside of work time and priorities. I've been having a little bit of a hard time since starting my new position, which is very similar to my old position, but still different, as to keeping a good work life balance. I think it's more finding a balance between expecting to accomplish what I used to when I was a full time illustrator/artist to now where I have significantly less time to devote to making mini books and the like. I have been trying to set aside certain days for certain things and that seems to help keep realistic expectations for myself. 

Along that line of thought, I'm thinking about shutting down my actual portfolio website when my hosting runs out in February. Right now there's a bunch of gibberish error text across the top, which makes me think this is just the universe telling me it's gotta go. I don't really update it much anymore, and most of the things I like to share with people I do here on the blog. It's a big decision for me, mostly because it seems like admitting that I'm not really an illustrator anymore. Maybe it's time to bring in a new era... I am still making things, and weaving, and drawing and designing textiles, but at a much slower pace. I think accepting this is a change for the better, I'm just waiting to see how things progress.

Drawings of Weavings

Lately I've been working on a series of small drawings based on weaving patterns, and textiles. I'm really enjoying drawing out the patterns, and thinking about how they would transfer into actual woven pieces.

New Textile Pattern

My new textile pattern!

The fabric I ordered arrived yesterday, hopefully will have some sewn goods to share in the coming weeks. I've also been working on a new series of drawings based on woven textiles, kind of a merge between all of the weaving I've been doing and drawings, it's really fun so far, maybe a new mini book will come of these.

Red Dot Tote

{red dot tote}

I've been busy making new designs, and new prints for my etsy. It's been a while since I've had new products but this feels like the right step. I've just finished these red dot totes this weekend, they're much better than the last totes, heavier weight, and with a gusset bottom, so you can fill it with loads of stuff! I got a sample swatch back of the fabric I designed this weekend as well, It looks awesome! Expect some sewn goods up in there later this fall.

T H E Summer Post

 It's been such a full and exciting summer, that I've neglected my posting here a bit for very good reason. 

This summer I: 

Went on lots of walks and bike rides, took instax photos like crazy, worked on a few monster weaving projects, moved in with my boyfriend (!), went camping, hiked many large mountains including Mt St Helens, worked on a few large weaving projects, took a trip to Seattle, cooked delicious food, went home to Virginia for a week, rode lots of roller coasters, and started a new job.
Ready for fall!
(disclaimer: this came out as crazy text when it first posted, apparently blogger can not handle emoticon hearts without freaking out)

Portland Custom Illustration

I just finished up a custom family illustration for a wonderful family right here in Portland. I'm really pleased with how this one turned out and am reminded how much fun these are.

A New Job

Today is the end of my second week at my new job! I am happy to report that it's going great, much closer to home, and I get to ride my bike in once or twice a week. All great things! I'm looking forward to learning some new things.

(photo credit: Sophie Takes Pictures)

New illustration for Sir.tv! Jodie Wu

Oregon Humanities

I got the wonderful opportunity to do some work for Oregon Humanities Magazine recently. The hard copy arrived at my door this week and I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out in print. They're one of my favorite clients to work for! Thanks O.Hm!

The Hardest Thing Ever

This weekend Cam and I (along with 8 of our friends) hiked, and reached the summit of Mt St Helens! It was described by another as "the hardest thing I've ever done" which I think is an apt description. It was a grueling hike, and after a few melt downs (on my part), we made it to the top! It was incredible, and you can hear the lava boiling under the surface...extra eerie, but extra cool. I'm so proud of us for making it!

Patterns & Prints

A long while ago, I did a few sketchbooks full of pattern drafts for two textile commissions that unfortunately got killed before they were printed and sewn into garments. I went back into them this weekend and altered, colored and adapted those sketches into these 2 new complete patterns. Though it would have been amazing to see parts of these on the garments they were intended for, I'm still really pleased with the outcome.

Portraits for Sir.tv

{Bart Weetjens}

{Carlo Diy}

{Katrina Scotto di Carlo}

{Heather Hiles}

Over the last few months, I've been working with Sir.tv (Social Innovation Rockstars) to develop a series of portrait illustrations for their site. Above are the first four!

Betta Fish

I have a really awesome betta fish that I got as a present for my birthday last year, his name is Sid Fishous, I usually call him Sid Fish though. He's currently in his bowl on top of the highest piece of furniture keeping him safe from the kitties. Above is the newest pattern piece I've been working on. I'd love to turn this guy into an awesome textile repeat. 

I've also been updating works on my Society6 page as it's been a while since I've really posted too much new work. These are the latest iphone cases I've uploaded.

Hamilton Mountain

A few weeks ago I finally got some proper hiking boots and went with my boyfriend Cam and a few friends to test them out in Washington at Hamilton Mountain. It was kind of a burly hike, but had some incredible views on the way up. I forget sometimes how much beautiful scenery is so close to us in the Pacific Northwest. This is just one of many day hikes to come. We're all working our way up to be able to do Mt. St. Helens in August...baby steps.

Cat Nip

It's about time I shared a new illustration with all of you. Ladies with cats in a field of catnip!

This is up on Society6 as a print & an iphone case as well.

New Fabric Print

I did some fabric printing this week. This time with a carved block instead of screen print. It was so much fun. I printed a half  yard and made myself a big zipper pouch to keep my supplies that I keep hauling back and forth to the weaving studio. I had a little extra fabric so I made one more smaller pouch (above) that's listed in my etsy shop.

Mark Your Calendars

{flyer for the show, Artwork above by Brooke Weeber}

A few things are coming up fast. I'm the featured artist at a really awesome event in Salem, Art Fusion, Friday July 6th at the Bush Barn Art Center. I'll have a table of textiles, illustrations and mini books. The event sounds great, the Portland Cello Project will be there as well as a waffle cart! It's almost like they knew my favorite food is waffles....

I'm also part of a show the day before, July 5th, for First Thursday here in Portland at  Gigantic Gallery. I'll be there along with fellow illustrators Brooke Weeber, Meg Hunt, Maryanna Hoggatt, Susannah Kelly, Michelle Maule, Brenda Rose & Shannon Larson. Stop by if you can!

WAFA Collaboration

A while back I did a collaboration with WAFA on the A+B Zine. It was really fun, they sent out an envelope of collage materials and these are two of the handful of pieces I sent back.

Building & Making

It's been a very busy spring so far between work, illustration projects and some personal projects. Last week I finished up a weaving project at the studio, a gift for my main man. Since it's a bit of a trek to get to the studio I spent part of the weekend building my own warping board so I can do that part at home. It was pretty simple and I am just thrilled with the final product. I measured out the warp for my next project on it already. 

This weekend I have some fun things on the agenda, more weaving, a hike, and tending to my newly planted herb garden. Let it begin!

Podcasts

{work space}

I've been working on some really killer illustration commissions lately. They're coming along, I'm really excited about them! I've been listening to podcasts throughout, I'm obsessed with the Discovery Channel ones, Stuff you Should Know and Stuff Mom Never Told You. What podcasts are you listening to?

Kinfolk

{kinfolk magazine}

I recently bought issue 3 of Kinfolk which I was delighted to find on the shelf at my local coffee shop. It's breathtaking, the stories are touching, the photographs are beautiful, and the whole thing together just feels like such a special collaboration. I'm not through reading it yet, but am enjoying every time I sit down with it.

Lately

{new shoes}

Things have been busy lately. I bought some new shoes, fancy pink patent leather ones above, loving them! I've mostly been at work, but I've also been doing a good deal of weaving. I recently found a place in Portland where I have access to a loom, and I'm loving being back on one, it's been a few years and I'm a little out of practice. Some of the knowledge came right back, but I've definitely been very grateful for the assistance of the other women who rent looms in the studio as well. It feels like such a warm and welcoming community. I've been posting my progress pics on my Instagram (hellojackiebos) if you'd like to see. 

Recently on the internet: my at home studio is featured on the Boys With Banjos blog. I also did a screenprinting project a little while back for an awesome Portland couple who got married a few weeks ago. Their wedding is featured on the wedding blog Style Me Pretty, my contributions of screenprinted ties for the groom and groomsmen are here.

Rose Drawing & a New Setup

It's been a bit of a surreal week. My trusty Mac took a nosedive and died last weekend after 6.5 years together. I finally got my things together this weekend though and purchased a new one, it feels great but is not without a few roadblocks as well. My old scanner, circa 1999 is not compatible with the new OS, of course, so a new scanner was added to the list as well. After a few other software heartache fails, I got both the computer and scanner hooked up, and we're somewhat back to normal! This is the very first test scan on the new machine, and I've gotta say, it's pretty rad having a scanner that takes less than 5 minutes per page! It's going to take some getting used to but I think it's a good start to a new era.

Above is a rose drawing I did while I was hanging at home, sans technology, waiting for an appointment earlier in the week...not all bad.

Portland Saturday

{instax from a long walk // Portland's first sunny Saturday in a long while}