MOTHER, BABY and ANOTHER LITTLE GUY!

I have been thinking about a spot illustration for my business cards. OH, It's so difficult to create a 'brand' for yourself! To create that perfect image that captures your style...an image that is simple, yet makes a lasting impact and leaves people wanting to see more. 

Well, I don't know that this image really does it all, but people keep asking me for business cards, and I feel so unprofessional without one!  So I am just saying this one will have to do!

When I was painting the spot illustration, I had a strong urge to dabble (or doodle) with some paint and this little guy came out...Don't know where he came from, but he sure looks like he's ready for trouble!

Illustration Friday: CANNED

SKETCHBOOK

These are two sketches I worked on last week. I tweaked them in Photoshop to get a better composition and straighter lines... I may work them in color, but I'm not sure yet.

IF: ENOUGH

I almost didn't get a chance to post this one. This week has been very hectic with kids out of school and other family stuff!

 

I mentioned that I recently became and aunt and as a mother myself, those sleepless nights are all too fresh in my mind. Every one that is a parent can relate to the idea of never getting enough sleep when you have a newborn in the house.

I thought I would try to make this illustration look like a book cover. Any thoughts ???

I also just added my seasons illustrations over at ImageKind where you can purchase them as prints or cards, or on canvas.  This is my first time posting work on there. If anyone has any feedback about their experience with them, please share them here.

WINTER IN COLOR and one revision!

Here is the winter card. I changed it a bit from the original sketch because I wasn't completely happy with the pose of the little boy, I think this one is a little more dynamic. I also did a quick color study in Photoshop to work out the tonalities early on. I wanted the colors to be cool and wintery and not too gray or blue. 

color study in Photoshop

final in acrylics

I joined Monday Artday this past week and posted this little guy there. I received great feedback. One of the comments (which was one of my concerns) was that the little boy looked as if he was trying to burn the ants. I think I resolved the problem by changing the magnifying glass to a net. I think I like this much better, because it takes the boy from a passive role of watching, to an active role of catching bugs. 

I really like how these turned out. It was a good exercise to try to keep a common element (the tree) in all the pieces, but change the setting depending on the season. I also enjoyed using color to really show the difference of the seasons. My only concern is that the winter piece seems so different in color from the rest, but maybe that's okay.  Thanks for your feedback!

SUMMER IN COLOR

I have one season left to finish. I hope to post it in the next week or so. I am really enjoying these cards. 

I just became an aunt last week! so I will be busy with family this week and won't be posting as much.  Thanks for your input.

Illustration Friday: FOGGY!

Oops! I just submitted my URL over at the IF site and left out the beginning 'ht' of the address so the link doesn't work. I resubmitted it.  Sorry about the double post!

This is my post for 'Foggy'. I was going to put the words 'excuse me', then I thought the dinosaurs' face  and the birds' reaction were enough. 

I went to the local monthly meeting of the SCBWI and received wonderful feedback from all the writers (I was the only illustrator attending). One comment that resonated with me was about showing  work with different perspectives and also animals. This illustration tackles both. I am happy with the colors and overall composition. However, I think it needs some tweaking...

Comments and feedback as always very much welcomed!

My First Web Blog Award! - Thank you!

I have just been surprised with my first blog award by the incredibly talented Eric Barclay. His blog and his work are one of my favorites on my list.

I feel very honored. Thank you Eric!

The rules of accepting are as follows:-1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Now the difficult part, getting down to 7...

Kathleen Rietz , Alicia Padron , Juan Carlos Federico, Bella Sinclair , Tom Barret , Senta , Diana Evans

Illustration Friday: SOUR

 This illustration was inspired by my kids!

FALL IN COLOR

I completed this one today! I am pleased with the outcome. I am looking forward to finishing the last two seasons! 

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Meeting with illustrator Janeen Mason

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with illustrator and author Janeen Mason at her studio in Stuart Florida. She is the SCBWI illustrator coordinator for the Florida region and a member of the Arts Council among other things. The meeting was organized by fellow SCBWI member Sylvia Andrews who heads the local group in my area. We toured Janeen's studio, met her pets (me and her Great Dane in pic) and visited the Elliot Museum for a peak at her exhibit. At the end of the visit I purchased her book Ocean Commotion which Janeen kindly autographed with a special mesage to my children. The entire day was abolutely wonderful! Her artwork, her studio, her exhibit and books were very inspiring!

I encourage you to visit her exhibit if you are in Stuart, FL and take your kids, they would be amazed! If you are far from Stuart, check out any of her wonderful books next time you are at the bookstore!

SPRING IN COLOR

I finally had some time to go back and start the color version of seasons sketches. I also made a sketch for winter. I am pleased with the outcome. I am getting more comfortable with the illustration board, and the time I spent was reasonable, about 4 hours.

SPRING

Acrylics and illustration board

WINTER