Betsy VanDeusen Pin-Ups

Today was my birthday…

After celebrating a long 3-day “birthday weekend” with Gary and the Animals I went back to work today, and was surprised to receive the most amazing *red velvet with chocolate chips and cream cheese frosting* cupcakes from my coworker Miss Vanessa, as well as a batch of classic *vanilla cake with white frosting* cupcakes from a group of my art students. <3

After the kids had their fill I still had plenty to bring home… Gary and I enjoyed them immensely with our takeout sushi feast… (*mmmm Spicy Tuna Biscuit*)

sushi

Happy, well fed, and full of sugar I started to think about how things have changed in the past year… how my work has changed, and what has stayed the same…

My post from this day last year is eerily similar in color/theme to my post from last night, and I swear that I didn’t plan that or do it on purpose. Believe it or not.

February 27th 2012

I also started to think about the things that stood out to me about the past year… the milestones… and I jotted down a little list of some of the things that I did as a 29 year old woman… Here it is…

In the year before I turned 30:

*I completed a “daily creative project.” I kept up with an art practice each day for an entire year, which allowed me to “indulge myself” and make art that I wanted to make… for myself. It also gave me an excuse to explore ideas that I would normally let pass me by. I did this even though it was difficult. Sometimes VERY difficult.

*I worked full-time as a children’s art instructor. I taught drawing and painting to probably about 60 kids a week, year round.

*I started drawing Mermaids Eating Sushi… A series I am very pleased with, and happy to say that I plan to continue developing.

1st completed “Pinup Mermaid Eating Sushi” Crayon Drawing (study)

*I grew out my hair. Long and platinum baby!

*I modeled for an internationally loved clothing line @PinupGirlClothing www.PinupGirlClothing.com (Special thanks again to Laura Byrnes, Madelyn Kime, Micheline Pitt, and Chelsea Marie Childress)

teampinup: When the TV show Glee used our Hello Sailor Bettie swimsuits in a musical number, they created a little swim skirt and added it to the suit. This little coverup will be available next week at PinupGirlClothing.com. Photo by Madelyn Kime, featuring the gorgeous Betsey Van Deusen

*I Went to Disney (land) for the first time in my life… Seriously, and I lived close to Orlando, FL for years people…

at DIsney!

*I bought and wore my first animal-print anything.

*I dealt with the stress and surprise of having a tree fall -out of a clear blue sky- and TOTAL my van while I was at work…

What….. Um…. happened here?

…And we had the amazing good fortune of having an amazingly generous lawyer step up and help us out when we really needed it.

*I bought myself a hotplate and beeswax crayons, and the whole game changed for me…

Crayon Station- Power Girl by Betsy VanDeusen

Earth Girls Are Easy Crayon drawing DETAIL

*I visited with my family for a week long vacation, and got to spend time with my adorable 2 year old niece. “Eeebies!” <3

*I tried my best to be “there for” my amazingly talented, driven, creative boyfriend through the creation and release of his first book: Army of the Undeadstock… And oh yeah, I did some modeling too… (What’s that? You want to BUY yourself a copy? By all means, CLICK ON THIS LINK)

http://www.FreehandProfit.com

*We almost lost my beloved boycat Digby when his urinary tract became blocked and closed up, but we pulled together as a family, and seem to have pulled through healthier and stronger than ever. <3

Brothers.

*My boyfriend became my fiancé, when we got engaged on Valentines Day 2013! ❤

❤❤❤ Gary proposed, and I said yes ❤❤❤ Happy Valentines Day! (at the Japanese Gardens)

All in all, I have a lot to be grateful for, and am proud of what I accomplished in this last year. It was not an easy year, but I’m feeling real good and looking forward to what comes next…

To wrap up for tonight… A few favorites: