a "visual album," and it consists of 14 new songs with 17 videos shot in locations around the world.

Prior to its release, Knowles had been coy on when fans could expect her next offering. There was no advance publicity for the album, but instead it took the top banner spot on iTunes, and the headlines thereafter.

The album's considerable sales - combined with the fact that it was available only on iTunes - illustrate the sway Apple has grown to have over the music industry.

Earlier this year, new figures from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry showed that digital music downloads grew to $5.6 billion in 2012, giving the industry its first year-over-year revenue increase since 1999. Apple's iTunes Store accounted for a considerable amount of the overallstory telling in Illustration but practicing helps!

My newest submission to Illustration Friday! The theme this week is "Refrain"!

Cover for "Katy Has A Kitty".

Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite American artists! He was both an amazing portrait artist and illustrator! I remember with fondness visiting the Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. with my family when I was a kid. And through out all the art history classes I was required to take in art school, and when I studied Art Ed., and though I have many favorites, Norman Rockwell stands out as a incredible artist and storyteller whose work continues to inspire me!

The video below celebrates the life and work of Norman Rockwell. It's narrated by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who are both great story tellers as