Up Up and Away

I recently illustrated a good friend's baby girl's first birthday invitation.

The brief: 
Hot Air Balloon
Vintage colors
Creative freedom.

I sketched it out with pencil in my sketch book then moved onto the big illustration (9x12"). I could make it a little smaller and keep the illustration pretty high resolution (since she was using a digital printer called VistaPrint). Thinking about putting on my Etsy shop that I have been neglecting, and customize some orders for first birthdays. Maybe do a line of them.
The world is my oyster.

Giving artwork as presents is tricky

Giving art work as a gift is always a tricky road to go down. This couple I did this hand lettering for is pretty artsy though, so I figured this, plus some mula would be a nice little present. We couldn't attend this wedding due to going to a wedding in Atlanta.

This present was a fun one for me: my friend Mike has recently changed his name to his grandfather's (on his Mom's side) and then married his college sweetheart. We were excited by their union and they were excited by the new artwork and hung it up right away, which means they liked it, they really liked it.

©Melissa DiPeri

Skillshare class and Be Fancy

I am in a hand lettering class on Skillshare which has turned out to be a pretty fun little social experience. Lots of amazing artists, 1279 to be exact, collaborating on everyone's projects and pushing each other to higher design.  Check out how Skillshare works here.

Interested in getting in on this class: click here for Lettering syllabus

This is where my designs are now; going to bring them into the computer this weekend and decide which one is more suiting to a Kentucky derby invitation (which is the unicorn below).

This paper is a lifesaver, it is a free download at www.dottedpaper.com

Best of 2012 (in my opinion)

Well 2012 I think I have finally come out of my shell both professionally and personally. Professionally, I feel like I really fit into a roll at my company and am working to make that roll fit my personality more.  My illustrations have taken a life of their own and I appreciate the amount of support I have received from my hubby, friends, family and people via the social media art community.

Personally I have made some changes in my life that needed to be made, made new friends, enhanced my current relationships, and became disconnected from some friends. I have bonded more-so with my family and all around tried to be a good person. Things are looking up and I look forward to 2013.

©Melissa DiPeri

Character Letter a Day - V - Vulture

V is for Vulture. Vanessa the Vulture.