Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Project 36 of 365

Heart Floating Shelves
Painting Projects

Tools!

I bought some unfinished floating shelves off Craigslist for a mere $25 and eagerly set out to primer and paint. Today, the paint was dry so I decided it was high time to get these things installed. Come to find out there is a huge space between the wall and the shelf unit so hanging proved to be a challenge.

I was amazed at all the tools I had to drag up from the basement shop for this seemingly simple project. Why is it, that house projects never go as smoothly as you think? Some kind of Murphy's Law on that one, I'm sure.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Project 35 of 365

Squirrel Ahead
Painting Project

I'm behind on my list of projects, so I decided some of my house painting projects could suffice. I painted this birdhouse about a month ago and cut a stand for it for my front yard. Just the other day I noticed that a squirrel (or a rat...gulp!) had chewed the bottom of the house and even the corner of the post itself. Ahem, that is treated wood, you rodent! That can't be healthy.

Frowny face.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Revision Time


Robot and Mohawk
Project 33 and 34 of 365

My daughter came in while I was sketching a galloping horse. I was drawing circles and trying to get a feel for what the skeleton was doing. She said, "You're not very good at drawing robot horses, are you mommy? But you are good at drawing bunnies and kittens."

Then she proceeded to give me advice about either sticking with it until I get better or forgetting the whole thing. The way she said it was pure genius, of course.

I know I'm "nickel and diming" my sketches here...but I have been working on the revision portion of my childrens chapter book. Over the weekend, I went through all 11 chapters and feel like I have it buttoned up as tight as I can without outside input. I'm so looking forward to my crit group tomorrow to get some fresh eyes on my work.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Project 32 of 365

New Boots
Project 32

It was cloudy with no rain, so the girls and I took the opportunity to get creative. What brings on a sudden rain storm aside from washing your car? Sidewalk chalk!

It's a wash!

"Run little artists. Run!"

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Project 31 of 365


Flower Patch

Playing with digital colors. No textures this time. Fun just to dabble. Roger that.

Wee! A Writing Spree!

I'm behind on my 365 project because I've been deep in writing land. I have completed my children's chapter book, 11 chapters, and decided to forgive myself for my illustrating lapse.

Clip Clop Karate Chop
Project 28


I still think horses are hard to draw...all those extra limbs and hooves that have to be shaped just right. Still working it.
 
Three Floating Heads
Just a doodle - Project 29



Love the Bear
Project 30

While I was doodling a cartoon bear face, my daughter asked me, "What's the bear's name?" Everything needs a name! So I asked her what his name should be, and she said, "Love." There you have it. Love, the bear.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Project 27 of 365


You Complete Me.

On a skull and bones kick, so thought I would stick with it. A great Valentine, no?

Friday, June 15, 2012

Project 26 of 365


Afro Circus Polkadot

Took my kids to Madagascar 3 this afternoon, and they loved it! Naturally, there were requests for the Afro Circus Polkadot song, and I obliged. I downloaded the song by Cotton & Gin (a remix), and it's been playing on repeat all...day...long.

While I researched skulls--let's see, there's one for the Jolly Roger, one for hazardous materials...and...what?

Afro, afro, afro circus!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Project 25 of 365


Palomino

I just finished working on chapter 7 of my children's chapter book and will be starting on chapter 8. Three more chapters to write before editing!

Back to the art front...I need to start thinking about my horses in action. Upright horses would be funny.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Project 24 of 365

Standing Horse


Today, I worked feverishly on my children's chapter book. I completed chapter 6 and started chapter 7. I didn't want to quit, but alas, life interjected itself, and I had to step away. I think I'm really finding my groove. As I've gotten to know my characters more intimately, I'm now excited to write about them and tell their story. I'm over half way done!

Horses play a small part (minuscule, really) in the book I'm writing so maybe that's why I'm a little obsessed right now. I'm not doing a picture book...but I would like some pictures included. Maybe at chapter sections? If so, there would be around 12 or 13 pictures, plus the cover needed.

Tomorrow, I'll throw some color on this guy and see what happens.

Until then, g'night!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Project 23 of 365


Just a Bunny

I played around with just painting it digitally but, ultimately, I couldn't get away from adding texture. So it changed from solid digital color to a partial collage. It's a process.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Project 22 of 365


Bunny
Character Idea

I'm currently writing a children's chapter book, and the very first chapter written no longer fits. I am wondering if I can take this chapter and turn it into a stand alone picture book...There is a lot of dialogue, so it will take some work to make the illustrations compelling. While waiting for my daughters at their piano lessons today, I thought about the stuffed animal in my story...a lop eared bunny rabbit.

Saturday, June 09, 2012

Catching up on Projects!

Elephants
Projects 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Doesn't take too many days of being off schedule, for whatever the reasons, before the days slip on by. I suddenly found myself 4 creative projects behind on my 365 challenge. Decided to buckle down and sketch some elephants to get my mind back in the game.

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Project 16 of 365


Simply the Best
Thank you card


I need to send out a few thank you cards, so I took this opportunity to pilfer my studio and create a card that would also be a notch in my project belt. I used scrapbook paper, stamps, decorative tape, dimensional metallic paint (dots!) and recycled card stock.

Monday, June 04, 2012

A Weekend of Mini Collages

Neigh
Project 13 of 365

Buzz
Project 14 of 365

Caw
Project 15 of 365

I love making these minis. They are small and quick...and most important, not precious! This kind of freedom lets me play and explore without the stress of being a perfectionist. I see the mistakes and chalk them up to lessons learned. I see what's working and now have a reminder for the future.

Friday, June 01, 2012

Project 12 of 365


Horse
Shadowed with black and white


Horse Sketches

The top picture is shadowed with black and white, while Horse, Project 11 of 365, is shadowed with green and yellow (with minimal use of black and white). Nice to see the comparison. Project 11 is definitely warmer, but, IMHO, not necessarily better. Just different.

I worked on some more horse sketches today. I'd like to get a feel for facial expressions and anatomy so I can create a unique character. Not feeling it yet...