January, May, August

A little update: I do believe I've found the printing company who'll lovingly craft these calendars for me. This is definitely something to dance about, which is what I've been doing all day, in my desk chair, Wacom pen in hand. This is a pretty big step forward. One step closer to getting this thing into my shop, and onto your walls.

Now, where were we? Allow me to show you the three months I finished over the weekend.

January:



May:



August:



Only March and December left to go. And they're very close.

Two more months

July and November are done! Sparkler smoke and marigolds and tomatoes! Pigeons and flying leaves and snowflakes!




Hopefully next week I can show you the remaining five months, plus the cover. I really love the cover.

Another calendar peek!

All right. I've submitted to decor8. If I get in, this is the post people'll be directed toward for more information.

So hello there! I'm Jen, and this is my calendar. Since it's my MFA thesis project and all, I don't quite have it finished and printed and ready for you to buy. But I will soon! I'm hoping to have it out by mid November. Before Thanksgiving, for sure.

The description: It is a 2010 calendar with big, pretty illustrations of city life. It's light and fun and full of flowers, pigeons, vegetables, and power lines, just like my favorite pretty city, San Francisco. I'm calling it "Downtown" (yup, like the song).

The stats: 12" x 20", full color offset printed, wire bound at the top, and plenty of space to write. Once the month is over, the grid can be cut off and the remaining art could be framed. I'm hoping the price will be in the $25 range.

If you'd like to be notified when le calendar is up for sale, you can add this blog to your reader, or just leave a comment with your email address. I'll be selling right over here, in my etsy shop.

How about more peeks, hmm?



(click to embiggen)

Please stay tuned!

Announcement! And Calendar sneak peek!

First up: I'm having my very own MFA show! Mark your calendars for March 4, 2010, at 688 Sutter Gallery in San Francisco. I'll be showing illustrations from my thesis project, plus a few additional goodies. There will also be a fun installation and even an animation to watch. I'm really excited!

I don't think I've even mentioned my thesis project here. It is a 2010 calendar with big, pretty illustrations of city life. It's light and fun and full of flowers, pigeons, vegetables, and power lines, just like my favorite pretty city, San Francisco. I'm calling it "Downtown" (yup, like the song). I'm nearly finished, so I thought it was time I gave the world a preview. My goal is to get this baby to the printer's and available for purchase by early November.

So, here are April and September, two months that are closest to being finished.



It'll be big, 12" x 20", because that's how I like my calendars. I've designed it with plenty of room to write, too, because even though we all use Google calendar and our smartphones by now, there is something really nice about writing an important date on The Calendar, and seeing it whenever you eat breakfast or talk on the phone. Don't you think?

I'm hoping to make it into Decor8's 2010 calendar roundup. Haven't submitted yet, but I'm close. Even if I don't make it in, this labor of love will be up in my etsy shop in time for gift giving season.

So there you go! Hooray! Now, back to work...

The Zinefest Experience

I had a total blast at Zinefest. I sold a ton of prints, made some great contacts, and bought or traded for some really amazing stuff from my fellow exhibitors, including Jonas Madden-Connor, Geoff Vasile, and Sarah Oleksyk!

Sadly, I was hardly able to make it around the hall to do all the snooping/shopping I wanted. But there's always next year. And I will definitely be back next year.

I am so fascinated with zine-makers. They inspire me so much.

Prints for sale at Zinefest

It's pretty much all Zinefest, all the time over here. My little kitchen table is covered in prints, cellophane bags, and various festive bits to make myself a banner. It's all very exciting.

Here's what I'm bringing!

Coffee Contraptions (8x10)


A Spork, a Fifth, and Some Weeds (8x10)


Employees of the Month (Cuddles, Sweetums, Precious, and Josh, 5x7)
There are 64 of these little buggers.


Crossed Lines (14.75 x 11.5)
Which you've seen before. Oh, the prints don't say ©jen oaks like you see here.

This is only my second time participating in anything ending in -fest or -show. I'm super excited. Bring me a coffee and say hi.

Finally, a site update

13 new pieces are finally up on my site. I also created new categories within Illustration: Surface, Children's, and Miscellaneous. My entire thesis is surface design, so expect that category to fill out considerably around December.

Included in the update is this poster I made in Silkscreen class back in April. It's not the real poster for this show, of course, but I love it anyway.