I'm back...for now. I'm not exactly sure how bloggers keep up with their blogs. Sure, I have deep thoughts now and then but somehow blogging about them escapes me for...well it looks like months on end. We've been busy little cartoonists here in the studio, drawing concepts for new products, more art for the next calendar and of course writing. Writing requires solitude and focus, drawing for me requires neither. Give me a couch, a tv and a glass of wine and I'll happily draw and come up with concepts all evening long. Funny, except for the glass of wine, that's pretty much how I spent my childhood.

We just returned from the Atlanta Gift Market and if you are reading all the bloggers who actually blog, you've probably heard that it was super positive and hopefully successful for everyone. We had a few exciting launches and I never get over the thrill of seeing my work out there in the world--only surpassed by the thrill of the royalty check that comes after. I will not bore you with pictures of me standing next to all the products but I'll share this one from the awesomely cute collection from Blossom Bucket. How cute is that? It's part of a group of 12 little angels we named "Heaven Help Me".

So now, with Surtex a mere 15 weeks away (as a friend happened to mention) I must go back to drawing and writing and all the follow-up from Atlanta. See ya!

Bucket List-check!

I checked an item off my Bucket List last night. I don't really have a Bucket List written down but whenever I hear of someplace cool or something awesome that someone has done, I always say, "ooh, I should put that on my Bucket List--which I don't have." The Thanksgiving weekend in Florida seems to be the kick-off to party season---which lasts until the Snowbirds leave in April---so a girl's gotta keep her exercise and diet in check so that the excess cocktails and many, many tiny foods do not add up to well, excess.

So on the 4th party we attended over the weekend (one was our own on Wednesday night, and I'm counting Thanksgiving, because, well--- have you met my friends?), we stopped by an open house at the home of two of my fave peeps. These guys are awesome---funny, smart, passionate and very generous. They are both hair stylists and Anton is a former opera singer and Barry, an incredible pianist. So between adorable finger food and a few holiday toasts, they would break into song---beautiful renditions of hymns, Christmas Carols with a few guest singers to round out the evening. Don't worry, I did not do a "Michelle Pfeiffer on the piano in the Fabulous Baker Boys"---that's still to be checked off the list.

So what was my Bucket List moment? That was when Anton invited all of us to sing Silent Night together. I know---so simple! But I've always wanted to be one of those people hanging around the piano in someone's home singing Christmas Carols! I've seen it in a million old movies and when I was growing up we always sang together at Christmastime around the tree (and trust me, there are no opera singers in our family!). So thanks, Barry and Anton for jump starting my Christmas season and kicking my inner Scrooge to the curb!

Ignorablog

Here's what I've been up to:

1) Jim and I went to Colorado to see a few clients and we stayed two extra days and hung out in Snowmass and Aspen. I now want to sell everything and move to Colorado. But I won't.

2) I spent an amzing weekend with 3 fabulous friends from college in a picturesque cottage on a picturesque lake. I love these people...they are the ones that "fill up my cup".

3) Working.

Here's what I've been thinking:

1) Now that we live in Florida full time, the seasons mean nothing any more. Every day is summer and when they mention fall, halloween, or hearty autumn casseroles on tv or in the paper, I can't really get my head around it. But I would not say no to the occasional casserole.

2) I have an awesome life.

3) We have some awesome things coming our way and I can't wait to share!

As a matter of fact, I'm not Kim Kardashian!

But I did have a beautiful wedding a few years ago. There were beautiful seasonal flowers, our dearest friends, incredible families, a cake that left a lot to be desired (another post) and a dress I loved. I didn't change into three different dresses like I heard Kim did, but I'm sure that's the only difference between our weddings.

My dress has been hanging in the guest room closet for almost eight years now and really...what do you do with it? Pass it on to another ancient bride? Sell it on consignment (or worse...having it rejected by the consignment shop)? And since I am only one of two women in history that was fatter at my wedding than I am now (Diana was the other one), it seemed unlikely that I would wear it again---even dyed some snappy color.

Then I heard about an event called "Love That Dress", a fundraiser for the Pace Center for Girls in Fort Myers, Florida. Donated dresses are sold to raise money for their programs to keep at-risk girls in school. I donated the dress (and the matching shoes of course) to the event and I feel great knowing that someone will be wearing the dress that meant so much to me. I hope the love I felt on that day "rubbed off" a little (but it's ok, I had it dry-cleaned!) on the next women who wears it. And Kim? Well, I hope she knows the joy of having an amazing husband who makes her feel beautiful every day--- whether in jeans or a fancy lace dress.

Penguins In Vegas...

...Another reason the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas is so darn fun!

A Study in Contrasts

Well, I'm back from yet another trade show...seems like that's all I blog about these days, but it is the "season" for trade shows. We wind up this round in Atlanta next month and then not another show until next January. (there will be business travel just not the show kind,---just the visit fun clients kind) We were in Las Vegas last week for Licensing Expo 2011. And if ever there are contrasts within a city, this is the one. Balancing on the beautiful (the Bellagio Botanical gardens) vs the tacky (the constant barrage of noise, information and smoke), the noise of the casinos vs the surprisingly quiet hotel room and the beautiful people vs the...not so much.

We had a great show, always fun to see "the people" after hiding out in the studio for the weeks between this trip and Surtex in May. I think we'll see some great stuff happen as a result of those efforts and of course the enthusiasm and pluck (I love that word) of my fabulous branding agents Lisa and Mickey Marks. They are the founders of Lisa Marks Associates, a branding agency with clients like Peeps (you know you love 'em!), Martin Guitars and other biggies---and me of course! They have resumes a mile long and apparently know everyone. Really... everyone! And they are super fun too.

The biggest contrast was after racing around getting ready for the show, living in the weird world of Las Vegas for a week and being "on" for 3 straight days (and nights) at the show, Jim and I took a drive for a day and hung out at Red Rock Canyon---I highly recommend this side trip if you ever find your way off the strip. Simply beautiful, awesome and blessedly quiet too. A nice transition, I must say!
Ronnie

What day is it?

Oh, well... let me just check my handy new My Friend Ronnie wall calendar! I can only check 2012 dates, but you get the idea! This is one of those products that I have always dreamed of having my artwork on and here it is! How cool...

Heaven Help Me!

I designed this cute little angel line with a company called Blossom Bucket---they do some of the cutest heartfelt products out there and I am proud to be a part of it. And they're really nice to work with too! See the line here. To paraphrase my fave Ina Garten...how cute is that?

Great Insights...

Did you listen to the Ask Paul Brent call last night? I did, and what a great way to spend an hour--while I worked on new collections of course! Tara Reed, an art licensing coach and artist hosts "ask" calls with prominent contributors to the art licensing market. For the past 3 years, she has had a Surtex wrap-up call with Paul. To those of us in this industry, Paul Brent is the gold standard of someone who's success is only overshadowed by his generosity and good humor. (loved his giggle when asked if the economy has affected art licensing!) He had lots to say about trends both in the market (a trend away from vector art, more florals) and within the show itself (more artists, shorter visits by fewer people---but quality attendees, baby, quality!).

With the changing economy and retail trends (such as they are) he really emphasized the importance of continually showing up with new work, new ideas and concepts. The man is a machine apparently, as he mentioned that he put out 40 new collections in the past year. Yeah...40, people!

I decided a while back that I had to step up my game as well....if you want to have longevity in this business, you can't wait around for inspiration to strike, you've gotta go get it, wrassle it to the ground and show up!

So, guess what I'm doing this weekend? Besides making potato salad and drinking a beer (or two) on the dock? You guessed it, I'm drawing pictueres!

Studio? I have a Studio?

Hello? Hello? It seems like ages since I've been in the studio. It's not like I haven't been working, mind you...it just seems like it's been forever since I actually drew an actual picture. My time has been taken up with getting ready for Surtex, going to Surtex and following up on Surtex. I'm not complaining as it's just a part of the world in which I work. It's kind of like Christmas, it comes every year whether you're ready or not!

And now for the pictures. The top one is my adorable friend and spectacular artist Cathy Heck. Cathy and I have known each other for years, art buddies from way back. We shared a booth with each other at Licensing Expo waaay back, before our hair was this color. Her new collection is absolutely adorable and I can't wait to hang with her in Las Vegas next month.

The next shot is with the lovely Connie Haley, another amazing artist with a wicked sense of humor---we were booth neighbors in Atlanta and let's just say if we had been in 4th grade the teacher would have separated us immediately! And people get us confused all the time!

I get to meet new delightful people too. I met the darling Monica Lee on a shuttle bus. It's a blast to meet people you only meet through their blogs, and she is as just as cute as her artwork. Every once in a while you meet an artist and you can't believe from their personality the kind of artwork they do. Really? That's you?! But not with Monica. Cute girl, cute art.

You'll notice that I am wearing the same thing in each photo, as I suddenly remembered after the show had closed that I meant to take a bunch of pictures! So even though these shots don't show it, booths were crashing down around us and the sound of forklifts was deafening. But we're all about illusions, right?

Talk to you soon, I've got pictures to draw!
Ronnie

Bring on the Shows!

Next Friday, we leave for New York for Surtex---a trade show for people like me where we exhibit our work and meet with manufacturers of all kinds of things. We have meetings set up with stationery, fabric, giftware and greeting card companies, plus we always meet new people along the way. It's an exciting show plus it's in New York! So in the next few days, I will be doing the following: printing out portfolio pages, organizing all the supplies, tools and stuff we need to actually hang the booth, figuring out my outfits (the most important part of this whole deal, right?), designing the handouts, begging for more appointments, losing 5 pounds (ok, that's not going to happen!) and trying to continue to speak in full sentences. I know I've done these shows for over 10 years, but they do tend to somehow sneak up on you. Here's a picture from last year---I'll post new ones after we return. See ya!

Wanna have your own My Friend Ronnie?

This fun collection just came out with one of my fave clients, Personal Creations. We developed a way that you can have your own My Friend Ronnie portrait printed on notecards, address labels, stationery and a really cute note cube. You can pick your skin tone, hair style, hair color (no matter what color it is this week!) plus they are personalized with your name (or all your friend's names, of course). Oh, and you can have glasses too---See? We thought of everything!

I'm heading off to New York in a few weeks to exhibit at Surtex, an awesome venue for designers to meet with manufacturers and industry folks. Jim and I have been going for ages and we love the excitement of the show and seeing all our peeps that we only see a few times a year. So, lots to do in the studio and of course there's the whole wardrobe selection process that is an ongoing challenge. I know, it's New York...just pack all black, right? See ya soon,
Ronnie

Happy Valentines Day! Now go eat some chocolate!

Five things I love about the Atlanta Gift Market

1) The Heavenly Bed at the Westin--not that I got to spend much time there since each morning our feet hit the floor at 7 am and our heads did not hit the pillow again (with a thud, I may add) until 11 pm or so.

2) Seeing all the cute products (some of which was even mine---like these plaques from the Real Women...Real Country collection by My Friend Ronnie at Blossom Bucket) in the sparkly shiny showrooms.

3) Seeing all my wonderful, creative, audacious, hilarious business-y friends. You know who you are, but here's a few names (in no particularly order so don't get mad at me): Susan, Barb, Mary, Elise, Connie, Alan, Bobbie, Greg, Joe, Guynna, Ketra, Kim, Marty, John, Renee, BJ, Carol, Ellen and Jane. If I forgot anyone I'm sorry and I'll write your very own blog at another time.

4) Cute outfits. Everybody looks so darn cute in Atlanta, those Southern Women really know their accessories and unlike New York they actually wear something brighter than black.

5) Cocktails in Showrooms---now what better way to get people to shop than to serve them wine, margaritas and cute food?

6) Oh, what the heck--here's one more...the deals! I really like the deals!

Creative Chicks Cafe Interview

I had a cool experience being interviewed by the lovely Kate Sullivan of www.creativechickscafe.com last week. Kate's website is emerging as a creative venue for artists and she is an incredible artist herself. She works in ceramics, stained glass, fabric and she paints too. She also hosts open workshops in her to-die-for studio! Enjoy the interview...more good stuff is on the way...

May I say thank you?

So the old year is almost over and the new year is hovering suspiciously close...and now is the time for all good bloggers to thank their loyal readership and those who love them. So thanks! I know I should be writing more often and sharing my deep deep thoughts about art and life and life in art and the art of life, but certainly you can get that somewhere else, right? Aren't you here to discover a clever turn of a phrase adorable cartoons and the inside scoop on all things Ronnie? I thought so! Put away the Christmas stuff, have a fabulous New Year's celebration (I recommend the black eyed peas for luck), and yes, thanks so much for being here!

Real Christmas

I may have mentioned a time or two that I have been designing products for a jillion years or so (and loving it, I tell you!) and people like me design Christmas all through the year. And when we are not designing for it, we're looking at it, thinking about and at least once a year we actually celebrate it! Or as Jim and I call it, "Real Christmas". Sometimes it's hard to drum up enthusiasm for decorating the house when really, I was working on Christmas during Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July and yes, Labor Day.

But sometime around this time of year, I actually get a soft spot in my other-wise cold cold heart for twinkly lights, fake snow (I am in Florida after all) and the smell of ginger and cinnamon wafting from somebody's (maybe even my) kitchen. And then something big happens. I hear it. Someone singing Oh, Holy Night. Like I heard last night. And then, I drag the decorations from the loft in the garage and bore Jim with all the stories of how we acquired each one and then I'm officially In The Christmas Spirit!

Maybe I'll draw a picture about it.

Thanksgiving...

I love Thanksgiving...what's not to love about mashed potatoes and gravy as the focal point of a meal? Oh, it's the turkey, you say? Ooops, my bad. I especially love cranberry sauce-- particularly the straight from the can jellied variety, with the can marks visible when you slither it out (onto a fancy plate of course---I'm not completely without style!). My sisters and I have all become foodies over the years but I think most of us still have canned cranberry sauce on our table (right next to the whole berry, orange,walnut, brandy concoction).

But mostly I like this holiday for all that it's not...no presents, no religious affiliation, no decorating unless you include a few pine cones and candles artfully arranged (or not) about the table. I love the kid art place cards and I will never forget my nephew Nick reciting a Thanksgiving poem he learned in 1st grade (and that boy is an attorney now!). It's simple family time, and so darn American. It makes me happy to live here and happy to be in this family.

And I am so. darn. grateful. I am healthy, strong, have work that I love and am married to an amazing guy who makes me laugh every day. I am completely jazzed for what's on the horizon and still wake up every day with the notion that "I get to draw today!".

Have a wonderful day---enjoy every morsel of turkey, pie, mashed potatoes...and life!

It's Christmas at Macy's!

I'm happy to say that the new My Friend Ronnie products have debuted at Macy's in the past few weeks! They are safely tucked away in the Christmas Departments of the store as the spinners have Christmas designs and everyday sentiments included. There are really cute mini plaques that are perfect as ornaments, package decorations or hung on a wine bottle. The larger size is a great little gift ---for a friend, sister or by golly, get one for yourself!

When you make your living designing products, it's a very s-l-o-o-o-w process getting your designs to market. We first showed these designs to Macy's in May of 2009! And through a long decision making process, design approvals and manufacturing cycle they have finally made it into the stores! I am thrilled with the quality of the plaques and had a great working relationship with our client, Enesco/Department 56. We are currently working on next year's designs so I am keeping my fingers crossed that everybody stays happy and these babies fly off the shelf!

Why I love TV.

I am a child of TV, I pretty much loved it all, and still do---but I am slightly more discriminating these days. I once interrupted my Halloween candy gathering to run home to watch The Monkees. Since it was also a time when you'd send your 4th grader out with her friends and 6th grade sister (to supervise), I went out again after the show was over. After all, they were giving out candy!

I had my fill of the Law and Order franchise a long time ago and I cannot sit through any of the CSI's. Those shows either gross me out, scare me or I get stuck on things like: "Why is the coroner wearing false eyelashes?" "And why does David Caruso speak in that odd, halting manner?" But in summer reruns I have discovered "Castle", a clever over the top show that has been compared to the good years of Moonlighting. It has snappy writing, compelling characters and plots that don't make me fear for the future of humanity. So what does this have to do with anything regarding art, cartooning, or licensing? Well, in a recent episode, Rick Castle's young daughter is conflicted about studying or going to the beach with her friends, and how can she ever resolve this when she grows up? And he said;

"Find work that feels like play."

It took me a few (dozen) years to find work that didn't feel like mind-numbing, soul sucking work but now that I've found work that feels like play I can never go back. OK, I could...but I really hope the bottom doesn't fall out of the cartoon market any time soon. Because frankly, I am no longer qualified for any other work---just ask my former employers!