Happy Friday

Written by AnnaDenise on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 10:05

Extensive studies have proven that this really is the only right way to ever consume raspberries. So glad we cleared that one up.

Follow me on Instagram, yall.

Illustration Crush: Marloes de Vries

Written by AnnaDenise on Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 15:26

I love coming across people who do something similar to what I do, but a million times better. Fortunately for me, there are a lot of these people out there and I keep an ever growing list of people that I totally have a huge illustration crush on. Most recently I've added Dutch illustrator Marloes de Vries to that list.

I absolutely adore her daily illustrations - they're so cheerful, funny, and authentic. I think you'd all like them. So go check out Marloes' blog. It's hilarious and so pretty (and SO recognizable in most cases).

You're welcome.

Perfect

Written by AnnaDenise on Tuesday, May 07, 2013 at 21:50

Larger version here

Home II

Written by AnnaDenise on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 08:26

I am not a big believer in faith, or destiny. And by that I mean I don't believe in it at all. I don't think there's a bigger plan, or even that some things are meant to be. Coincidences are, in fact, most likely, just that.

Nevertheless, some things sometimes just turn out too darn perfect. And by that I mean just right. And, coincidentally, lately things in my life have been going just right a lot. Very right, in fact, most of the time.

An example (not random, nor the most important): When I decided to move back to The Netherlands earlier this year, Kim Welling, an Etsy seller whose work I've been a fan of for so many years (see her shop here) reached out to say she'd be interested in subletting her apartment in the center of my native town of Utrecht. I dropped by for tea, gaped at the place, we shook hands, and the deal was pretty much done.

Two weeks later, we both signed on the line that was dotted - and I moved in. And, well, for lack of a better word - it's just been awesome. Kim (who has an amazing blog filled with her superb illustrations, great tips for creative entrepreneurs, and gorgeous photos, so go read!) has a wonderful sense of style and it's just been a perfect fit. It has felt like home to me from the second we dumped those 30-some boxes (ugh! how did that happen! why do I own so much shit?) in the middle of that superbly yellow-wallpapered living room. It's been the perfect place to unwind, read, listen to music, love, and chill in between travels and work.

I have so many things to be grateful for, and this place is one of them for sure. Thank you, Kim!

03112013

Written by AnnaDenise on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 22:58

Home

Written by AnnaDenise on Saturday, March 09, 2013 at 16:50

It's been a weird, tumultuous, couple of months.

Ash and I decided to break up, after almost a decade. Which, needless to say, has been the most heartbreaking thing to ever happen to both of us, even though I am completely convinced this is the right decision.

At the same time, it has also been a very exciting time filled with new things, thoughts, people, places, and plans.

So bear with me during this period of flux, levitating between countries, homes, and moods. Although the private pages of my sketchbook will most likely never see the light of the scanner, believe me when I say that drawing has been a great source of sanity and joy and I am sure to return to this blog soon (meanwhile follow me on Instagram for my superfabulous updates on biking through the rain in Holland!).

Stay awesome, everyone. And remember: Bring a sketchbook with you, where- and whenever you try to pick up broken and fresh pieces of home.

The Ass of Winter

Written by AnnaDenise on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 22:12

See, January always does this to me. Somehow my brain won't understand that winter is not over after new years. Not only is it not over, it's merely the beginning of the dreaded circus of frost bitten toes, red noses, layers and layers of ugly clothes (the horror!), boots, and cracked skin. Jippee-fricking-doodle.

My mother told me that when I was born, it was 30ºc outside. Which is freaky, for March. Good thing, too, because I am pretty sure that if it were just a little less hot, I would have just stayed inside. Also, it was my grandmother's birthday that day, so at least I knew there was a party getting started somewhere around nah. 40+ people, booze, and cake. Now THAT's what I call a welcoming committee.

Anyhizzle. I stayed in today, only dragged my sorry ass outside to get said behind into the hot room (yah, it's no coincidence I like Bikram yoga. 40ºc suits me just fine, thankyouverymuch).

And that's all. I worked. That was fun.
How about you?

Real Rockstars Make Cards on Friday Night

Written by AnnaDenise on Sunday, January 06, 2013 at 19:13

As some of you may have noticed, I revamped the blog last Friday night. Yeah, never let anyone tell you that the life of a part time illustrator isn't glamorous.

Inspired enough, I spent the hours between 2 and 4 AM drawing a bunch of postcards and within 24 hours the things were ordered, printed, shipped, and delivered to my doorstep by a particularly hairy DHL man. Yes!

So here they are, my new postcards! Order them quickly from my Etsy shop, as I got a good deal and I now have over a million of them sitting in (otherwise spotless?) studio space. For real. A million. :-|

2013

Written by AnnaDenise on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 13:52

What a year. It feels like after months and months (years?) of holding my breath, I was finally able to exhale and start breathing again. I am more excited about this new year to come than I have been in a long, long while. I have so many things to be grateful for and so many people to thank - I don't know where to start. It sounds (and feels!) like I just won an Oscar, haha.

Anyways. Thank you all for waiting out this little unintended blog hiatus. January will surely bring a new rhythm and new spaces for creating.

I wish you all a very creative, loving, and FUN 2013.

Absolute Beginner

Written by AnnaDenise on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 23:08

My life has gotten a complete makeover these past few weeks, months...how long has it been even? The dust has yet to settle down, but being a absolute beginner at something again is both totally terrifying and oh so thrilling.

So thrilling in fact that my trip to San Francisco last/this month seems far away already. I kept a journal, but haven't been able to upload any of the drawing yet. But I've been having fun with Instagram lately, so I can at least share those with you. It was awesome. Yes.