First 'Thank You' Batch

Bumble Bee and Lady Bug
Thank You cards

I forgot to share my earlier 'thank you' cards made in September. The cards were created for a bumble bee and ladybug themed party.

Illustration Friday: Memories

Kookaburra

I used to have this song on a 45 LP when I was a kid...it was one of my favorites.

It's hard to see, but the first two verses of the song (font in the image is Dandelion) are repeated in the background of the image adding to the texture.

Here are the lyrics:

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.
Merry, merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra! Laugh, Kookaburra!
Gay your life must be.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.
Eating all the gum drops he can see.
Stop, Kookaburra! Stop, Kookaburra!
Leave some there for me.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.
Chasing all the monkeys he can see.
Stop, Kookaburra! Stop, Kookaburra!
That's no monkey, that's me!

Kookaburra sits on a rusty nail.
Puts a boo-boo on his tail.
Cry, Kookaburra! Cry, Kookaburra!
Oh how life can be.

Bumble Bee and Ladybug Party Invitations

Bumble Bee

Ladybug

I created two spot illos, a bumble bee and ladybug, for a double themed birthday party invitation. The font I chose is called "Fontdinerdotcom."

Seven Deadly Sins (Lust)

Lust

I started the Seven Deadly Sins awhile ago and was stumped on what to do for greed...so I allowed myself to be distracted by other things and kind of forgot about finishing this project! After I read Inspire Me Thursdays theme last week of Polka Dots, I took what I started for Greed and changed it into a lusty, freckled monster octopus instead. It turned into Lust and is the 6th monster I've created to date. The elusive Greed is the only one left! Want to see the others? They're here:

See all of them here.
Envy
Gluttony
Sloth
Pride

NPR's 2009 Calendar IllustrationIllustration Friday: Enough

Listener from Outer Space

Hello! I'm surfacing briefly from house hunting to share my latest work assignment, an illustration for NPR's 2009 calendar, due tomorrow.

Here's the assignment:

"NPR has always represented audio excellence and great in-depth news reporting. Our reports not only foster intelligent discourse, they also often elicit imagery in the minds of our audience. We want you to put that on paper. Here is a choice of questions your art may answer:

* What does your personal NPR experience look like?

* How does NPR affect your life or your community?

* Six key verbs help characterize the NPR experience across today’s media platforms: Share, Connect, Think, Question, Explore, and Dream. How would you visualize these words?

* The work should include the NPR logo."

I thought it was also fitting for Illustration Friday's theme this week, enough. Even this alien can't get enough of the Earthlings' radio. Especially the NPR programming!

Calendar Project for NPR

NPR recently contacted me with an invitation to participate in their 2009 calendar. The production manager wrote, "Your illustrations in the Directory of Illustration were delightful, with their whimsy and textures." Nice to know that my page in the Directory is getting noticed and advertising is paying off...well, sort of...

NPR invited me to contribute an illustration. It's not a paying job, but it will promote my artwork to the 10-18,000 listeners that will receive the calendar. They will also send me 200 calendars of my own to distribute. My name, bio and contact information will be next to my artwork in the calendar. Advertising begets advertising!

Cookie Tin Project Completed

Cookie Tin Lid

Cookie Tin Side Detail
Dotted line is the crease where the lid will sit.

I finished the cookie tin project for Tormont Publishers back in March. A lot of back and forth, and in the end, we were all happy with the final outcome.

For now, no more projects. I need to focus on my impending move. I've already packed up my studio space...a difficult endeavor! I had a hard time saying goodbye to my stuff. Paper, scissors, Yes paste, Wacom tablet...I won't see it for several months! Oh well, I'll be back soon enough!

Ciao for now!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Photograph of Original Paper Image

Mom's birthday was last Monday and the polka dot wrapping paper she tore off her gift inspired this week's "primitive" paper collage. I cut the pieces, glued some together, layed them in position on black poster board, and snapped the picture. I uploaded the picture to Mom's computer, and using her mouse and Photoshop 6.0, I clumsily cleaned up the image and added the shadow and highlights.

Digitized Final Image

I added the cups and saucers in honor of Creative Cup's anniversary on May 3...the C-cuppers will be celebrating 1 year on Saturday!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Studio Friday: The View

The challenge: "Let's take a look at the view out of your studio, be it through your window, door or imagined window maybe?"

A View Inside

I decided to take the opposite approach and instead of looking to the outside from my studio, I chose to look into my studio from my bedroom! My bedroom has French doors to the porch where my studio is located. With the blinds open it offers a mysterious back lit ambience. Rather like an "I spy" scenario.

With that in mind, I decided a photo of the old fashioned glass door knob and key/key hole were in order to complete the noir feeling.

Door Knob and Key

Ceramic Plate with Lichtenstein Image

My studio images reminded me of this plate I painted for personal use back in 1999, a copy of Roy Lichtenstein's image called I Can See the Whole Room.

Directory of Illustration, No. 24 is Here!

Directory of Illustration, No. 24

Check Out Page 426!

Last week I received my copy of the Directory of Illustration, publication number 24. I bought a half spread advertisement spot; check out page 426. Included in DOI's advertisement package was 1500 copies of my page and space for 30 images on their website.

Studio Friday: Dots or Stripes?

The challenge: "The question of the hour...polka dots or stripes? Or both? Or neither?"

Little Houses on Islands

Little Houses on Islands - detail

I repeated the "little house" theme, but this time, instead of rolling hills, I decided to create rolling water. No stripes in this piece, but there is a polka dot house!

I used the small orange paper pieces that I mentioned in an earlier post as materials for this image.

Little Paper into Little Houses Illustration Friday: Grow

Little Houses

As I was creating this piece, I channeled the artist Charles Wysocki. We had a calendar of his art...I like his style with the miniature village life.

Inspire Me Thursday: ControlStudio Friday: Orange

IMT Challenge: "This week at Inspire Me Thursday, our theme is Control. Take this topic in whatever direction you wish, perhaps thinking about your creative process and what you control and what you don’t control..."

SF Challenge:"Since Halloween is fast approaching, and it's fall, let's focus on the color orange."

Small Orange Paper

Since my suggestion was used for Studio Friday's challenge this week, I thought I'd better KISS (Keep It Small, Stacia)...literally!

For my "orange" entry I found these small orange patterned papers. Each piece above is about 1 x 2". Small papers for a small image!

I decided that IMTs theme of "control" would relate to my tight time schedule with future creative projects. To participate in challenges will mean keeping projects small and easy.

Penguin Book Cover

Penguin Book Cover (Berkley Publishing)

Last November I was hired by Berkley Publishing to illustrate a book cover for their Prime Crime Mysteries series. It was published this month, October 2007. If you'd like to read about the story authored by Jeffrey Cohen...it's for sale on Amazon.

Final Version

This was my final version sent to them in January 2007. They made some modifications for their book cover (see above) with my approval. They also asked me to create a logo for their series. The two ticket stubs was their final choice.

Overall, it was a good experience working with Berkley Publishing!

Art at Atherton Library

Today, George and I installed my artwork at the Atherton Library in Atherton, CA. This is my sixth "show" with 16 images installed above the bookshelves. It will be showing for the next two months, until the end of October 2007.

Atherton Library

George Hanging Artwork

Art in the Library

Other places my art has been installed:
Sunnyvale Library with SCBWI art critique group in 2003
Saratoga Library March and April 2006
Main Street Coffee Roasting Company October 2006
Woodside Library March and April 2007
Sequoia Hospital June and July 2007

IMT Featured Artist

IMT's Featured Artist Article

I just found out through a comment on my latest post that I'm the featured artist this week at Inspire Me Thursday. Click here to see the entire article.

Illustration Friday: Visitor(s)

If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked a Cake

Another Day of the Dead, skeleton inspired image after the song by Georgia Gibb. It's paper and digital collage.

Lyrics for
"If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake"

SPOKEN: Come in! Well, well, well. Look who's here. I haven't seen you in many a year.

If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake, baked a cake, baked a cake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Howdya do, howdya do, howdya do?

Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band, grandest band in the land
Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band
And spread the welcome mat for you

Now, I don't know where you came from
'cause I don't know where you've been
But it really doesn't matter
Grab a chair and fill your platter
And dig, dig, dig right in

If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake, hired a band, goodness sake!
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Howdya do, howdya do, howdya do?

If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake, baked a cake, baked a cake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Howdya do, howdya do, howdya do?

Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a hall, great big hall, band and all
Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a hall
And spread the welcome mat for you

Now, I don't know where you came from
'cause I don't know where you've been
But it really doesn't matter
Grab a chair and fill your platter
And dig, dig, dig right in

If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake, hired a band, goodness sake!
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Howdya do, howdya do, howdya do?

Howdya do, howdya do, howdya do?
Howdya do, howdya do, howdya do?

Inspire Me Thursday: WatercolorStudio Friday: Favorite Item

Inspire Me Thursdays challenge: "This week let’s have some fun with watercolors. Experiment with watercolor paper, watercolor paints, watercolor pencils. Or, for the computer savvy, how about digital watercolor painting?"

Watercolor with Digital Effects

For IMT's challenge I painted a monochromatic watercolor and scanned it. Once digital I opened the image in Photoshop and added the watercolor filter to see the effects. I like the textures the filter created!

Studio Friday challenge: "Favorite item in your studio/craft space - why do you love it and how does it inspire you (art or journal and photo)?"

Watercolor Original

I decided to dedicate Studio Friday's challenge to my corner punch. Since I'm in the mood for fall, I created this Halloween card to show the corner punch in action.

The corner punch has been my best friend as of late since I've been in production mode with baby announcements. I rounded all the corners on 80 announcements and their components to give them a softer finished look. The baby announcement will be posted at a later date.

My only gripe I have for my Corner Punch Marvy is the button! I wish it had a soft grip instead of hard ridges...it's murder on your thumb if you cut too many corners at one time.

Illustration Friday: Moon

Destination Moon

I bought a few songs by Dinah Washington, one of them being Destination Moon. I love that song! It went along nicely with Illustration Friday's theme this week, moon. The celestial sky I created for my last image, My Roots, was reused for this one. This image is paper and digital collage.

Lyrics for Destination Moon

Come and take a trip in my rocket ship
We'll have a lovely afternoon
Kiss the world goodbye and away we fly
Destination moon

Travel fast as light 'til we're lost from sight
The earth is like a toy balloon
What a thrill you get ridin' on a jet
Destination moon

We'll go up up up up
Straight to the moon we two
High in the starry blue
I'll be out of this world with you

So away we steal in a spacemobile
A supersonic honeymoon
Leave your cares below, pull the switch, let's go!
Destination moon

There once was a time when the colorful thing to do
Was to call for a date on a bicycle built for two
But cars and trains and even planes
All have had their day
Now the time is due to call for you
In the modern atomic way

We'll go up up up up
Straight to the moon we two
High in the starry blue
I'll be out of this world with you

So away we steal in a spacemobile
A supersonic honeymoon
Leave your cares below, pull the switch, let's go!
Destination moon

Studio Friday: Favorite Resources Illustration Friday: Poem

The challenge: "What is the most favorite resource you use to seek encouragement, understanding, enlightenment, inspiration, strength, to gain further knowledge or fun? Is it a book or a magazine, a quote, a website, a photo, another artist?"

My Roots

I started this piece several weeks ago for Inspire Me Thursday's challenge for the word roots. I've been so busy lately with being the Treasurer for the Norcal GAG chapter, and with the Sequoia Hospital art installation sales that I've neglected my creative side.

I find inspiration in words, either through a clever phrase, lyrics, from a single word or a paragraph in a story. My inspiration for this image came from the phrase "pushing up daisies."

Poems
"Keep not your roses for my dead, cold brow
The way is lonely, let me feel them now."
- Arabella Smith, If I Should Die To-Night

"Do not stand on my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in the circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die."
- Anonymous

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Old time is still a-flying
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying."
- Robert Herrick

Final Week at Sequoia Hospital's Art Corridor

Has it been 2 months already? My art show at Sequoia Hospital's art corridor is coming to a close. If anyone is interested in purchasing an image off the wall, contact me sometime this week! This Sunday, July 29th at 10:00 a.m., I'll be taking down my art installation. It was installed on June 2nd and since then, I've had lots of positive feedback. A few more pieces that people showed an interest in were these:

Super Phil's Red Cape

Virgo: Nature's Meticulous Maid

Blue Heron Fishing

A Wedding Moment

Alioth's Star

New Client: Blueyes

Blueyes Logo and Business Card Design

I've taken a small break from my illustrations to work on client projects. I just finished the Blueyes design package for Mindy Harmeyer, a jewelry designer. Her design niche is "modern heirloom"; it's what you wish you found in your grandmother's box of baubles.

Mindy already had a firm idea for her business logo, so I gave it a good polishing, incorporated it into a business card design and also into two different sized product tags, one for necklaces and one for earrings. The two product tags fit nicely into a business card format, which can be cut apart as needed...and saves on printing!

Blueyes Product Tags in Buscard Layout

Baubles by Blueyes
The Stacia necklace with matching earrings

Baubles by Blueyes
The Stacia necklace in detail

Baubles by Blueyes
The Mimi necklace

Baubles by Blueyes
The Mimi Earrings

Mindy and I had an agreement to exchange some of her jewelry creations for my graphic design work. I usually don't do this type of thing, but I love jewelry and just had a sense when I met Mindy, that she had great talent. After I was done with the graphic portion, we met for lunch so I could shop through her collection. So many cute things it was hard to choose. The two necklace/earring sets above were my ultimate favorite that I absolutely adored. It was a real treat to know Mindy named the yellow crystal necklace after me!

If anyone would like to contact Mindy regarding her designs, let me know! I'd be happy to send you her way. Email me at stacia at espialdesign dot com.

Good luck with your upcoming trunk show, Blueyes! I already have my eyes on a bracelet...

Published in Artful Blogging Magazine

Artful Blogging Cover
Premier 2007, Volume 1, Issue 1

Studio Floor Plan
Page 104

A few months back I received an email request to publish my "Studio Floor Plan" image in Stampington's new magazine called Artful Blogging. This is their first issue published for August 2007 (I just got my complimentary issue a couple days ago).

I originally created "Studio Floor Plan" for a Studio Friday challenge to help me plan the layout for my studio space. Stampington used it in conjunction with their article on Studio Friday and it's creator, Tine Wiggens. Check out pages 104 - 107 if you get the chance to peruse their latest magazine.