Five Favorites

Just 5 things that I've been loving this week and I think you will also enjoy:

1.  Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off"
Need I say more?  I make up different versions of the song all day long (and imagine myself in a pink tutu, of course)

Man it's cold, man it's cold

oh-oh

Don't wanna run, out in the cold

oh-oh

I just might slip, I just might die

oh-oh

(...you get the idea)

2.  Kid Snippets.  Just watch a couple. 
so.stinkin.funny.

3.  One of my favorite illustrators, Pernille Oerum, just did an illustration series on her favorite dresses from the Golden Globes.  While some of our favorites differ, I loved this video that she created of her progress!

4.  Chapped lips have been defeated and banished forever, thanks to my new toy

5.  That beautiful, wonderful feeling of the "submit" button (full color coming soon... right after I hit submit on this project... and, yeah... that other one.)

More updates on my instagram

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

#OOTDsketch (48)

Throughout the week make a quick sketch of what I am wearing on that particular day, either as a warm-up or just to keep me loose if I don't have a lot of time to draw.  These drawings are then scanned and posted on my blog every Wednesday.  Again, nothing finished or professional, but something that I have fun with.  Hope you enjoy!

Next week's post will include some color!  I can (almost) promise.  It's been so crazy around here that I didn't get these images scanned until this morning as I was running around with a bagel in my mouth and my hair in a state of chaos (I'm usually a couple days ahead because I'm obsessed with being ahead of schedule).
Again, working on some big exciting things, but that's taking up all of my time (and the worst part is that I can't share it with you yet)!  However, you can stay up to speed on these developments through Instagram :)


Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Sketchbook: Young Ursula

I've been having a hard time adding color to my sketches lately.
Throughout Middle and High School I was largely self taught.  And while I did enjoy having opportunities to work with different media, I am still most comfortable with the pencil.  It's my happy place, my get away, my "brain palace" (if you caught that reference, give yourself a pat on the back #IamSherlocked).  I'll get back into color eventually—I always do—but for now I am really enjoying the raw quality of my sketches...

Anyway, this past holiday season was a great time for me to just enjoy drawing whatever popped into my head, and at some point between the many parties, travels and mass consumptions of food, I decided to draw a young version of The Little Mermaid's Ursula.  So, instead of a Mermaid for your Monday, I decided to include this "Octomaid". (???)
Yeah, let's go with "Octomaid".


All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

FabHER Friday: Learning New Things

Welcome to "FabHER Fridays"! A wonderful opportunity for the lovely ladies of the blogosphere to share a post and make some friends while gaining additional exposure for their blogs. This linkup is open to everyone—from fashion to art (like me!), health to lifestyle, fitness to beauty.  All are welcome!

The past few weeks have been a little bit crazy.  I've been busy with some great client work, but unfortunately I don't have a lot that I can share at this point.  Soon.  Cool things are coming soon :)
But for now, I hope that you enjoy this little "Flash Back Friday".  This was one of my first graphic design assignments.  This poster was designed specificity grocer called "Ambassador" that supplies cultural foods and spices from all over the world.
I wanted to incorporate different patterns and botanical elements into this piece, but I was still extremely green with the design programs (1st year on the "job") and struggled.  Now, when it see it, I am filled with a little bit of relief and handed a slice of humble pie.  I'm glad that I have greatly improved, but it's not a bad thing to remember how far I had to come!  I find this so encouraging as I take on new adventures!  Every mathematician began with addition and subtraction, and it's okay to start at the beginning too :)

An InLinkz Link-up

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

#OOTDsketch (47)

Throughout the week make a quick sketch of what I am wearing on that particular day, either as a warm-up or just to keep me loose if I don't have a lot of time to draw.  These drawings are then scanned and posted on my blog every Wednesday.  Again, nothing finished or professional, but something that I have fun with.  Hope you enjoy!

Left:: Celebrated our last (of 7) Christmases after Church.  It was a fun one, but I am a little glad that the party-craze is over.  Rebelled from a week of red and green and wore pink!  And I clashed in the family portrait next to my MIL and Grand-MIL who wore bright red.  Oh well ;)
Right:: Finally feeling better after a week of "immune-shut-down" and celebrated by visiting the family.  I am loving gray, white and pink combos lately and this just romanced me.  The only thing that would have made it better would be a skirt instead of pants.


Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here! 

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Free Download: January Desktop 2015

I'm a little late on the desktop this month, but it's finally here!  (Download here)
Nothing too fancy or exciting—For our family, the month of January is just so gentle and quiet and I want my workspace to reflect some of that.  As I type this, large white snowflakes descend past my window, the house is warm and cozy, I've got a cup of hot tea and I am in my fuzziest socks.  The energy is still there, but unlike November and December (holiday season), it's softer somehow.

For Todd and I, the new year begins at the end of August—our fresh start begins with the new school year, and so this time of year is just more of a resting period.  A time when the winter hibernation is still a blessing rather than an irritation when the frost never seems to stop.

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

FabHER Fridays

This week I am stuck on the couch :(
Thankfully it's only a cold and not the flu that is going around.  Nevertheless, I'm not as active as I would like to be and thus I'm a little behind on this month's calendar. But it should be up on Monday!

So I leave you with my Rudolph sketch from this week (we're totally twinning with the red-nose thang this week) and a linkup!

An InLinkz Link-up

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission