Thursday, February 28, 2008

Illustration Friday: Multiple


Cookie Sampler

I baked cookies, I ate cookies, and I illustrated cookies for my cookie tin project with Tormont Publishers. Now, while I'm waiting to wrap things up with them, I've put all my illustrated cookies on a plate to finish tapping that well.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

More Research
Illustration Friday: Theory


Chocolate Chip Cookie
"In theory, these should taste great!"

I'm still working on the cookie tin illustration for Tormont Publishers. More textures are needed and the easiest way to get them, is to make them. So I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies last week...yum, they were delicious. Tonight, I made peanut butter cookies...fresh for photography.

I left one chocolate chip cookie "chip barren" for my photo shoot. I'm adding collage bits later for the chips in my illustration. All the other cookies were satisfyingly delicious! This better be the last of my research or I'm going to have to blow the dust off my South Beach Diet book!


Peanut Butter Goodness
Only a half batch for my girlish figure.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Last Studio Friday: Highlight(s)

The challenge: "If you had to pick one highlight of your work what would it be? You might also think about the highlight of your day when you have time to be in your studio, your creative space...? Over the past years has there been a very specific highlight for you?"


A Chocolate Solution

My current highlight is my illustration from March 2006 called, A Chocolate Solution as it is the reason Tormont Publishers recently contacted me. I'm working on illustrations for a cookie tin using A Chocolate Solution as the starting point. I'll be changing the chocolates to cookies for their project.

I think my favorite career highlight as an illustrator has to be my 60+ image exhibit at Sequoia Hospital's art corridor. I sold many pieces, donated a few to different charities, and received many compliments about my work.

Some Tasty Research
Studio Friday: The Heart of Your Studio


Cookies in the Making

Happy Valentines Day! Today I made heart shaped sugar cookies drizzled with a glaze for our St. Valentine's Day dessert. First and foremost though, this project was a tasty way to research my next graphic project, a cookie tin illustration for Tormont Publishers based in Montreal. I took close up snapshots of the cookies after they were baked to use as textures in my collage.


The Finished Product


The Studio Friday challenge: "Where or what is the heart of your studio/creative space?"

The heart of my studio is finding, creating, and photographing textures. Since I am a collage artist, textures are what put the lift in my shoes. I find a lot of inspiration in visually tactile materials.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Studio Friday: Pet Peeves

The challenge: "Dictionary.com defines a pet peeve as, "a particular and often continual annoyance; personal bugbear, something about which one frequently complains; a particular personal vexation." Could be fun to research pet peeves while in the studio! What's your pet peeve and why?"


Feed Dog, Presser Foot, and a Threaded Needle

Upon first view one might think my pet peeve is the dirt and grime on my presser foot and needle bar! But, alas, I didn't even notice THAT until after I uploaded the picture. Guess I need to clean and oil my machine...I can't even remember when I did that last. Sewing machine abuse!

Since I've been focusing on textiles these past few months, I thought I'd give the low down on my pet peeves while sewing. I have many, but will mention only a few.
1.) Threads and scraps HAVE to go in the garbage right away. I can't stand trash piles. It distracts me (see #7 here).

2.) Having to use my seam ripper. Sometimes I even amaze myself at the stupid mistakes I make since I've been sewing most of my life.

3.) For some reason I NEVER pull enough thread back after making a seam and cutting the thread. When I go back to make another seam, the thread take-up lever pulls the thread out of the needle. Just thinking about that annoys me!