...the moment I got fed up with Summer...

...I drew this.  And I wonder, if we all stood in this together and stirred the skies up a bit, would the sun finally shine on this little island? 

Two New Book Covers

I took part in and organized a group exhibition called ReDraw for Icelandic illustrators for DesignMarch 2018.  The illustrators each created a book cover of an already published book. This is my take on The Story of Dimmalimm, a story by Muggur written in 1921.

Then I got the chance to illustrate and design another book cover with the catchy title:  “The Woman who ate an Elephant and lost weight (still)” for Crymogea's new imprint, Folda.  

Kind of interesting now to see these two next to each other.  I obviously crave warm colors in my life after a looong winter ;)

The Christmas Spirit

Recently I was asked to do a Christmas illustration for Landsbankinn.  It was supposed to capture the spirit of Christmas, the quiet and loud moments just before six o'clock on Christmas Eve. When it comes to Christmas, it's all about being together I think.  All that pretty stuff is just a bonus.  I had a blast creating it, being in some serious Christmas mood myself.  Here's a sneak peek of the process, from sketch to finish.  Thank you for the collaboration J&L and Landsbankinn, this was so much fun!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

First sketch

Final drawing on illustration board

First layer of watercolor

Details:

...grandma arriving

...surprise guest with a gift, finding out who'll get the biggest gift under the tree... 

...lighting up candles, getting ready to have dinner, laughing at grandpa's sweater...

...singing carols, peeking out the window...

....helping brother with his tie, playing in the snow...

xoxoxo

2017 Christmas Stamps for the Iceland Post

I was very honoured to be trusted with creating the 2017 Christmas Stamps for the Iceland Post.  Early this year I forced myself into the christmas spirit and made these three illustrations that will finally see the light of day today, November 2nd!  I love christmas, so being in the Christmas mood in March wasn't all that difficult.  I got the help of the brilliant designer, Jónas Valtýsson at Studio Erla & Jónas to assist me in the design process.  Thank you Jónas!!!

I wanted to capture the joy, beauty and excitement of the season through children.  I feel like this time of the year is their moment, the magic of the holidays doesn't get any more sincere than through the eyes of children.  

I also wanted to portrait the holiday tradition of putting shoes on the window sill 13 days before Christmas.  In Iceland we have thirteen Yule Lads or Santa Clauses.  They arrive in town, one by one till December 24th.  Children put their shoes on the window sill and when they wake up in the morning, some little treat will have magically appeared in their shoe, that is, if they have behaved well.  On those nights, it can get quite difficult to fall asleep....

So, here they are, from 1st scan to finished stamps and sheets.  Now go write a Christmas card!

1st. scan

1st. scan

1st. scan

FDC Envelope and the Publication Stamp

Book-kids // Bookmark

I recently created this illustration for The Reykjavík Public Library.  It reminds me of Fall and that time of the year when you are so ready to cuddle up with a good book.

Imagination

This illustration started with the red mask and then I had no idea what to do next. Then one thing led to another and this world appeared from somewhere in my head and into my brush. 

Made with love, just for fun :)

Reykjavík's Literary Prize, two poodles, new work and San Francisco!

This past Wednesday on Iceland's official last day of Winter (yay!), I received Reykjavík’s Literary Prize for the Best Illustrated Book Published in 2015.  It’s an incredible honor, I’m humble and grateful for the acknowledgement my work received.  

I was pleasantly surprised to hear the book I illustrated ,,Ugla & Fóa og maðurinn sem fór í hundana” by Ólafur Haukur Símonarson was the one receiving the award this year.  It was nominated amongst four other beautiful books that deserved the title just as well.  Although I’m not much of a dog-person, I really enjoyed getting to know and illustrate the two poodles, Ugla & Fóa.  I did not contribute to the design of the book or the cover, and must admit I’m not a huge fan of how either turned out (but that’s another story).  But every project is something to learn from and I’m very grateful that the award committee spotted my two poodles :)

Seeing peoples reaction to your work, to that something you created with a simple pencil at your desk, from some idea in your head is so rewarding.  Sometimes you feel like your stuff is total rubbish, sometimes you feel like it’s actually quite good, sometimes you feel like you must be at least a little bit insane to have chosen this career.  But sometimes someone says “hey, you’re doing the right thing” and then it all comes together.  The knowing you are where you should be.  And I’m not just saying that awards make you feel like that.  It has everything to do with the support you get from the people around you and the feeling you get from creating the work.  

And when it all works out,…girl, it feels good.

Here are a few illustrations from Ugla & Fóa

They say dogs are your best friends, in sickness and in health

Walking the dogs

Walking the whale

A few different ways to get your nights sleep

                           

In other news - I have a bunch of stuff is on my drawing table!  Nothing to share quite yet but a few sketches from an upcoming book...

Oh, and I finally visited San Francisco again after almost six years away.  

It was a great visit.  It is the best city.

  But it always feels good to come back home ;)  

Happy Summer y'all!