Fixing Europe

"Fixing Europe"

Financial Post:May 22th 2010

Financial Post Investing Feature: As the Europe debt crisis rages on. Some reforms have been proposed similar to those that fixed the Asia crisis. However regardless of all that, the Europe situation has fallen and needs fixing.

I know I tweeted and put on my Facebook fanpage about the wallpaper I did. But for those who didn't see it here it is!

More great wallpaper's from different artists can be found here http://www.erikabrouwer.com/wallpaper/ thanks Erika! Also click here to see a Gif of my process! It kind of messes up in the end not sure why, but you get the idea.

Skyhigh

"The Rise in Real Estate"

Financial Post:May 8th 2010

Financial Post Investing Feature: Real Estate stocks have enjoyed a great run over the past year in high hopes for recovery. Although many see this trend as snuffed out. There is still many opportunities for upside as the U.S economy strengthens.

I'm having a lot of fun with using pencil as my line work. It tends to have a certain quality that pen line work just doesn't have. Sometimes you get that nice chalkiness in certain areas or some parts of the line would be lighter or darker than other parts.

It's really cool experimenting with it.

#3) Patience: The last and most important lesson that I have learned is that patience is key. Success does not happen over night. Many times during slow months I would wonder when will it all happen, when will I start living my dream. It connects back to the first lesson on never giving up. Thing's will happen eventually if you stick to it. Impatience leads to frustration and anger which ultimately is self destructive. It is good to be hungry and want things now, but always know there is no timeline for success.

I think one phrase that sums my lessons that I've learned is that.

"Dreams do come true, but not by themselves"

Thanks to everyone who read the lessons. I know they were long but it was nice to reflect back on the year and share some thoughts with you all. If theres anything someone has learned and would want to share it feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I'd love to hear everyones thoughts and feedback!

Forestry Reseeds

"Forestry Receeds"

Financial Post:May 8th 2010

Financial Post Investing Feature: After a horrendous 2009 for the forestry sector, the new year brings out hope and recovery. With new markets such as China; who have embraced wood housing, after earthquakes decimated concrete houses.

This was last weeks feature, stay tuned tomorrow for this weeks illustration plus the wrap up on the "3 Things I've Learned". It's been really hectic these 2 weeks but I'm finally settled and moved in Toronto!

In Print

Also check out 4to7club.com fellow illustrator Daniel Fishel started it and I am one of its contributers, check it out!

Tax Defense!

"Tax Defense"

Financial Post:May 1st 2010

Financial Post Investing Feature: With Tax season over, there are many ways to prepare for next tax season to outsmart the evil tax mans hand.

I've been having fun with the hybrid of traditional/digital approach to my illustrations. I think there is something always nice with line-work that's not quite too perfect.

I used some empty space to balance with the type!

Continued from last week, here is #2 of the three main things I've learned since I graduated last year!...

#2) Be Grateful: Another thing that I have been slowly learning is to be grateful. Be grateful for what? well be grateful for anything in your life that are a positive. Many times concentrating on the negative things and the "have not's" only brings us down. Focusing on what other people have rather than what we have only leads to a pessimistic attitude. "Never compare yourself with others" it's something we all heard in school, and I admit being guilty to listening to it yet not really taking it to heart. I learned the hard way after focusing way too much on what other people had, that all it lead me too was to lose faith in myself. It's always a constant battle for someone not to look up and compare . But focusing on bettering yourself is always a great way to live optimistically.