"HANDMADE SHENANIGANS"

Kristy Biscuit, age 28, Victoria BC. Illustrator, writer and artist specializing in the Nonsense Arts for creative living and learning!

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Birthday Card for my Sistah, who's Birthday is TODAY!!!! oxox

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Day 66: Can We Say, Absorbed?

Woops, I got so hung up on my business assignment that I forgot to blog yesterday. Yep, it happens occasionally! I should have actually put this whole assignment on hold when I started my process into the SE program, but I didn't... I think I keep talking about doing that or revisiting my plan, but I haven't... so until I make a decision, day by day my dears, day by day!

I've been marketing researching and speaking with some great contacts. Asking questions is INVALUABLE! And I've been amazed at how "not scary" these industry professionals have been. Very willing to share tips and have a chat! It's quite inspiring... and I've got myself on the path to some very exciting work in the future too! Woot woot! And for now, my task is to relax and go to sleep!

Ta ta tadpoles!

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Day 64: Yet Another Massive Business Idea Revision

Alright, art's on hold for the week because... I got my next assignment for the self-employment program!!!! LOTS of work to do before Monday, and much before Friday actually, as in: people to call, numbers to crunch, details to think up, goals to decide on and steps to plan for etc...! So wish me great success this week as I create my "Business Concept." I got some great feedback on my idea, in terms of what need work and focus. So, I've been inspired, and have revised and concentrated my business idea. I'm QUITE ecstatic, I feel like I'm combined my passions- working with great orgs that have amazing, beneficial missions, AND getting to be creative about it all... and the best part? It's content for kids! Here's the description I came up with for now....

"ART OF NONSENSE Creative Learning for Kids- Illustration and Writing Services"

I work with good-cause organizations, non-profits, foundations, educational organizations, and socially responsible/progressive businesses, to turn their information or message into creative, fun, accessible print material for children. I achieve this through writing and illustrating the material as picture books, stories, pamphlets, or online content.

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Characters from my "fast painting" exercise. Kristy Durst 2013.

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Day 63: Went a little crazy with my texture and trying to make the picture less "pale" ... but it opens up a nice opportunity to try something I've been wanting to try: cut-out characters! Stay tuned...Kristy Biscuit (aka Kristina Durst) 2013.

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Day 62: Playing with watercolour techniques and textures...original art by Kristy Biscuit 2013 (aka Kristina Durst).

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Day 61: First day of shooting for the music video I'm working on with a friend. Shot pickups and scenery today- and Simon found a bee, which behaved quite nicely for a shot!

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Day 60: 1 Month To Go

With the self-employment program having discombobulated my initial plan (in the most positive way!), my goals have narrowed to having a complete a portfolio and a distinct style by the end of the 90 day project. That’s still pretty good, considering all the struggles I’ve been having health-wise. Feeling a little overwhelmed about not knowing where I’ll be living in a month’s time, amongst other huge question marks, this little rhyme came to mind:

  When your path grows bleak, let your inner creature speak!

If your soul grows weary, she can surely make it cheery.

Should your world seem grey, let your creature paint away-

Let her sparkle, let her shine, let her be herself, divine!

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Critters, work in progress, watercolour and pen, by Kristy Biscuit 2013 (aka Kristina Durst). I've added more background detail lines, and started colouring. I'm excited to get the characters done tomorrow!!! That's when it really comes to life! I'm thinking the mama will be purple-ish...and the baby maybe mauve...hrrrrm... The squirrelly will be red to bring some focus to him, since he IS part of the story here! ox 

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The Grunck, by Kristy Biscuit 2013 (aka Kristina Durst) I turned it black and white, much prefer it this way, the outlines look good on b&w. Another lesson learned ;)

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The Grunck, original by Kristy Biscuit 2013 (aka Kristina Durst). Hrmmm, should have done the outlines in brown...doh. My friend just gave me great advice: don't use black outlines on paintings, because paintings are 3D and black outlines are not! This goes to show why the outlines look good on my watercolour style, because those characters are flat. This guy, isn't, which is why it didn't work. Lesson learned!

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The Grunk, gouache on watercolour paper (In progress, still needs outlines and details). Was inspired by my friend Sophie (THANK YOU!!!) last night to try working in a "different" style...which is more like my style from way back when lol! Original work by Kristy Biscuit 2013 (aka. Kristina Durst)

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It may not look like much right now, but this may very well be the start of my "gouache on terraskin" career. I've used gouache/watercolour/acrylic on this paper before, but I think this is a whole different ballgame. Wish me luck! Kristy Biscuit (aka Kristina Durst)

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Day 56: Adaptable Gameplan!

I completed the first step towards the assessment for the SE program today- it really forced me to narrow down my focus (as you can see from the past few days’ entries!). I still feel there are many facets to my business, and if they get scaled back as I develop the business, it will be for the best. And it doesn’t mean that I can’t grow in the future! My 90 day project has been jiggled around quite a bit at this point, while I’m hoping to get into the 48 week program! I’m trying to decide what to do about this, and right now, I’m thinking that ploughing away with my portfolio and tracking that progress here, will be the best thing to do. It’s a GOOD thing I’m behind on the other stuff (ie. business cards, website etc.) because the SE program doesn’t want you to be that far ahead anyways! 

I’m visualizing how I will feel when I officially get in. How it will feel to be coached to follow my dreams. This is where I’m meant to go- and I will- must- get into it!!!

P.S. the description I finally submitted:

The mandate of Art of Nonsense is to empower, educate and entertain children through extraordinary creativity! As an illustrator and writer specializing in whimsical creatures and rhyming stories, I will offer freelance services, my own books and print products, kids workshops, and partnership opportunities for creating fun educational materials.

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Day 55: Funneling the Nutshell

And taking another friend's advice, I've furthered narrowed down my focus:

Through my business, Art of Nonsense, I will work as an illustrator and creative writer specializing in whimsical creatures and rhyming children’s content. I will sell my own books and print products, offer freelance services and create fun educational material through partnerships.

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Day 54: Business In a Nutshell

My portfolio progress has been delayed as I work on the first steps of the SE program. I’ve been working at focusing my idea and really narrowing it down to its true essence. Here’s the four-liner I’ve come up with:

Art of Nonsense is a home-based illustration, writing and art business with an emphasis on children’s creative living and learning. Specializing in whimsical creatures and rhyming stories with valuable themes, I offer freelance services, educational materials, books, workshops, hand-crafted toys, accessories, eco-friendly products, and more!

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Day 53: A Business Outline

Tonight I worked on my Business Outline, which gave me a better idea of what all I'm planning! Divided into two 'sections' which seems to work well in my head!

1) Home-based business as a freelance illustrator and writer;

-Specializing in fun, whacky creatures, rhyming stories and nonsense poetry

SELL: commissioned illustration, art and design, character design, prints, writing services, stories, customized poems, books

*MARKET to print and online sources: children’s picture book and other book publishers, magazines, greeting card companies, online content, comics, textiles, gift sets and gift wrap companies, t-shirt design companies etc), small businesses and organizations requiring design, logos, business cards etc. Work locally and remotely.

  2) Under the trade name "Art of Nonsense" (PROGRESS IN PHASES);

-I will provide fun and creative living and learning opportunities for children (age?)

-Full of imagination and whimsical creatures, my art emphasizes positive values, sustainable and healthy living, self-empowerment, and the importance of play. Educate. Empower. Entertain.

-Makes learning accessible. French and English?

SELL PRODUCTS: picture books, personalized content, educational materials, games, videos/animation and handmade products like puppets, toys, costume pieces, gifts, and eco-friendly household items.

*MARKET: online, in local stores, at markets and during special events. Local and remote opportunities.

SELL SERVICES: I will offer children’s art workshops, seek out opportunities to partner with organizations to apply for grants for special projects, and do contracts for organizations wishing to communicate information/educational content in creative ways.

*MARKET: Rec centres, schools/school board/curriculums, non-profits, business and organizations, government. Local and remote opportunities.