Be a model. Artists' model.

To all full-figured women who think the are not beautiful, because they are not fashionably skinny. I encourage you to become an artists' models. For the classic academic drawing we actually prefer female models with some meat on their bones, with the body that is distinctively feminine, and with some fat at the exact places where it is supposed to be on a normal, healthy, not trendy, but universally and timelessly beautiful woman. Be an artists' model, get used to look at yourself through the eyes of people who are able to appreciate all sorts of beauty and all body types. Artists can show you an unique harmony that is you. No to mention that being naked in front of group of strangers is extremely liberating and works as the strongest self-steam booster ever.

Elephant upstairs

This is me. And another me. Because my husband can sleep through the war and volcano eruption, I struggle alone. Our neighbors have two three years old. And they go to sleep at whatever time they wish, happy children.

Welcome to Moscow, ID

If you think that hipsters live only in big cities think again. Here is your typical Moscow Coop dude. No, not that Moscow.

In the barn

My friends Kathy and Al brought me to Paradise Stables yesterday afternoon. Polo team keeps its horses their and the guys keep an eye on them while the kids are on Thanksgiving break. Now my sketchbook is covered with brown dust and my boots smell like a horse poo.

New Etsy shop is open for business

Aleutie is back on Etsy, this time fully digital. I am using Etsy's new instant download feature, witch removes all hustle dealing with mail for me and reduce the price for the customers.

How it works: after the checkout process, you'll be taken to a page with a link to instantly download the file you choose (no watermark on that file of course). You also will receive an email with your download link - so it won't go anyway. And even if something goes wrong you always can send me a message and I e-mail you your file right away.

I am going to add new items every day, monitoring the customer's interest. There are four sections in the store right now:

 "Cards and Invitations" holds files for - you guessed it - holiday cards and party invites. They are all .jpg files in high resolution, formatted to fit standard size cards that goes into standard size envelopes (5 by 7 or 5.5 square). Don't try to print it larger: you'll loose the sharpness

"Stickers and Labels" has files to print your own stickers that can go to canned preserves, notebooks etc. You ether print them on a regular paper and then glue onto whatever object you want to make extra special, or you can buy a special sticker paper and make real stickers on your home printer

"Digital illustrations" are mostly editorial illustrations designed to be used on Internet (and yes, now you can use my illustrations on your blog or web-site or social networking page). They are printable too, of course, and in very good resolution. You can make a poster with them, information brochures etc.

"Files for DIY prints" are big, high resolution .jpg illustrations that go on your wall. Download them, print and frame. I do believe that for many people now it will be easier and cheaper then paying for shipment, waiting for mail to arrive and worry if their print get all crumbled on the way. Let's see if I am right.

There is a long, but not too boring, Policy section that explained customer's licensing rights. I highly recommend reading it before downloading the files. In fact, you as a customer, have quite a lot of rights! You can make amazing things with my illustrations now. Just don't try to resell them and everything will be fine :)

Welcome to my new online shop, please don't hesitate to ask questions if anything need to be cleared. Hope it will be a success. Fingers crossed. Toes crossed. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Aleutie take two!

Is it that time of a year again?

Live Drawing

Every week, on Thursday, at 5 PM I am going to that big chilly dark room at Fine Arts. Drawing a live nude keeps you on your toes. First year students and professors are equal here. No artistic bs, no freedom of self-expression. For these two hours you have to be a realist. You just have to - no matter what is your artistic credo. Feels like home.