Hobbies tend to get pushed to the side when we get busy. In my case, I’ve been starting my web design company and as such, haven’t made the time for painting, knitting or other creative activities that don’t involve my laptop computer.

Today is my birthday and my resolution is to start painting regularly again, even if it’s only an hour a week. Which means I have to clean out my studio. Ah, it’s always something!

Last night, while watching the Olympics, I created this avatar for myself in Photoshop using this tutorial on PSDTuts.com. Eric made me add the freckles! :)

The newest issue of Fido Friendly is on the newsstands and the ad I co-created with Elizabeth is on the back cover!

How exciting!

Here’s what the original ad copy looked like:

We were given less than two days to come up with a campaign and ad design. They are reportedly thrilled with our efforts and we will have more SPCA work coming our way.

I am working on our Christmas card for this year, and I decided to use an illustration I drew a few months back of the three of us. I wanted to add an embellishment to my drawing but after searching the web for a simple holly Photoshop brush and coming up empty, I just made my own. If you like it… feel free to help yourself.

To use this brush, simply download the file and place it into your Photoshop Brushes folder: Adobe > Adobe Photoshop > Presets > Brushes. Open Photoshop and select Edit > Preset Manager… and make sure Brushes is selected in the Preset Type window. Click the Load… button and select the abr file you wish to use, click Load. Now the brush will be available in your brushes palette. Enjoy!

Download HollyBrush.abr