They Draw and Cook Contest EntryIllustration Friday: Savour

Flip Flop's Savory Flapjacks

I heard about the They Draw and Cook Contest today and thought I would hurry and get something done before the 9 pm PST deadline. I gnawed over pumpkin soup ideas, hot chocolate recipes, crepes...then finally, my favorite, pancakes!

I started this image at around 2:00 pm when I put the girls down for a nap...and worked straight through until 8:55 pm PST. Thankfully, hubby was amenable to getting dinner for himself and the girls. I was in my groove.

My hand has a cramp and I'm getting a slight headache from slouching over my computer non-stop...but I think I'll survive. It was a good test of endurance.

This also works with Illustration Friday's theme this week, savour! Love it when that happens.

Western Washington Scrapbook Retreat

Tea Cozy
Jodie and Stacia

And the fun begins! Jodie drove up from Bend, Oregon to participate in the WWS Retreat. We left a day early to enjoy the town of Port Townsend, but, before we got too far down the road, we had a delicious breakfast at the Queen Mary Tea Room in Seattle.

Later that morning, while sitting in line to cross the Hood Canal Bridge, we noticed the car in front of us had a license plate cover that read, "Crazy for tea cozies." How apropos! My monkey brain loves seeing pattern connections.

Cropping Buddies
Shannon, Tonya, and Jodie

The retreat was a lot of fun. I was roped begrudgingly into volunteering for the Bumpy Basket Raffle, and although I didn't do much, I met some nice ladies and enjoyed myself in the process. Sometimes, I surprise myself. Next year I won't be so hesitant to participate.

Here are a few finished projects from the retreat:

Gingerbread Man
Christmas Cards 2010

Hello.
Floral Greeting Cards

Woot, Roar, and Quack
Artist Trading Cards

I'm a Finalist!

Deux Pois Bakery Confections
"All Buttoned Up" Contest entry

While perusing the Cloth Paper Scissors website, I came across the list of 24 finalists for the "All Buttoned Up" contest...and my name is on it! I should have gotten an email letting me know, but never did. Truly, a Black Friday surprise!

Card Swap

The Western Washington Scrapbookers Retreat is drawing near! A weekend of dedicated creative time...time away from kids, routine, and responsibilities. For me, the ball starts rolling with the introduction of the card swap.

Last year I used old music sheets for my "Just a Note" greeting cards. This year, I had bought an old atlas from a garage sale and was eager to use the maps for my inspiration.

A Single Daisy Can Be My Garden...
Final Count: 15 Cards

A Single Friend, My World
Front, Inside, and Back

The original quote for the card came from Leo Buscaglia, which read, "A single rose can be my garden...a single friend, my world." I took the liberty of making a flower change to suit my needs. Leo, please forgive me!

Scrapbooking Party

What happens after you get rid of the pool table that was taking up space in your basement? Well, if you're the crafty sort, you throw a party! I invited a couple of my scrapbooking friends over for a mini retreat as a warm up for the Western WA Scrapbooking Retreat this November.

Basement Setup
Yvonne, Ginger, and Sheryl

I'm not a scrapbooker, but I love paper, glue, and all those doo-dads that go with the biz. I opted to work on a project for the Cloth Paper Scissors contest called, "All Buttoned Up."

I had sewn some fabric confections, sprinkled with buttons and lace, as a gift for my toddlers back in February. I thought this would make a great contest entry for the use of buttons...and decided to polish up the project by working on the container.

Confections with Buttons
...and the bakery box

I used matte gel medium to adhere strips of paper, sponged on a coat of brown acrylic paint, adhered the "Deux Pois Bakery" logo with dye cut circles and gold paint dots. I repeated the pattern inside the box, by lining it with brown, pink, and cream polka dotted paper.

An Array of Treats

Singled Out

Cleanup at the GulfIllustration Friday: Ripple

Cleanup at the Gulf

I thought I'd offer a more hopeful illustration referencing the Gulf's oil spill crisis. Some critters are being saved...One can hope that with the extra waves Ripple is creating, that more will follow.

Engulfed

Engulfed

My attention was drawn to Kelly Light's blog, Ripple, today, which inspired me to create this image while my brain stewed over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Illustration Friday: Cocoon

Sweet Peas (again!)

Deja vu! I feel like I've seen this before! And I have. Originally, this piece was done for baby invitations back in 2007. However, it resurfaced recently when I was pulling together pieces for the Juried Art Portfolio Exhibit for the SCBWI conference. While I was touching up the image, I noticed the babies didn't have ears! Did I do this intentionally? I don't remember now, but it seemed like they each needed a pair.

In addition to the ears, I lengthened the sweet pea stem, added detail to the baby clothing, and made adjustments to facial features and shadows.

It's brand new again, and now, they can hear me when I say, "I love you."

SCBWI WWA was A-OK

Redmond, WA

I spent the previous 6 weeks gearing up for the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators Western Washington conference...Whew! That's a mouth full!

I pulled my portfolio together right up until the last moment and dashed off last Friday to enter it into the Juried Art Portfolio Exhibit and to register early. The fun started bright and early on Saturday morning at 7:30 am.

It was a full weekend, and each day I started fading around 3-4 pm. It was jam packed with keynote speakers, critiques, sessions on first pages, plotting, illustration career secrets, meeting agents, editors, published authors and more.

My favorites:
Peter Brown, Author/Illustrator
Mitali Perkins, Author
Laini Taylor, Author
Edward Necarsulmer, Agent
Elizabeth Law, Editor

I left feeling overwhelmed with information and faces but re-energized to stay in the game. My creative batteries have been recharged.

Work and Rework

Squirrels in the Forest 1

I received a very helpful critique the last time I posted this image and took it to heart. I appreciated and found wisdom in the comment. I made the change that was suggested, which was an additional animal in the background for more visual fodder. I also worked a little on the tree shadows and added some berries on the ground.

Squirrels in the Forest 2

Getting Ready!

I've signed up for the Western Washington SCBWI conference in April and need to get my portfolio ready for the jurried exhibit. I found a great resource to help me whittle away my current portfolio into something more streamlined and impressive.

Harold Underdown writes the following piece of advice for what to include in your portfolio:

Composition: interesting points of view, above, below, foreshortening, distortions, what is in the foreground and background. Consider what you do when you have your camera in hand, how you choose the contents, edges, and positioning of what enters the frame, how different lenses affect how much is included.

Lighting: Where is your light source? Dramatic lighting can often catch the eye... a candle lighting a dark room, the late afternoon sun casting huge shadows.

Color/Tone/Contrast: Are your colors (including black and white) muddy or clean and bright? Do you want crisp or soft edges? Would four colors or a monochromatic approach be most effective?

Subject Matter: What is (are) your subject(s) doing? Who are they? Do they have unusual expressions or clothing? Are they in an unusual predicament? Do they evoke an emotion? Are they up close or far away?

Continuity of Style: Do you sustain a consistent style in your samples/portfolio? Variety is the spice of life, but you need to demonstrate consistency within a style, and show 2 or 3 styles at most.

Continuity of Subject: Can you illustrate the same subject from different points of view, in different situations, showing different feelings?

Medium: When reviewing the work of a publisher, ask yourself, "Has this medium been used before?" The answer could be revealing -- perhaps they are open to unusual media, perhaps they are not. Experiment with using or combining different media.

I need to review my work and create new in the next 6 to 8 weeks. I have lots to do to get ready!

Illustration Friday: Wilderness

Squirrels in the Forest

I'm making another attempt to brush the dust off and get back into the world of the creative. My goals for this year are to improve my portfolio by demonstrating my abilities to illustrate the following:
1.) One pastoral scene.
2.) One urban scene.
3.) Three drawings of people (men, women, and children of all ages).
4.) One drawing of animals (either realistic or anthropomorphic).
5.) Three scenes showing either the same people or the same animals in action.
6.) One imaginative drawing.

Not coincidentally, these are the same requirements when applying for the Don Freeman Grant sponsored by SCBWI. The application for the grant is due January/February time frame, so next year, I'll be ready to submit.

I would love a critique since this will be included in my portfolio. One pastoral scene checked off the list.

Inspire Me Thursday: Handmade Gifts

Craft Box - View 1

This is box number four that I've created using collage and decoupage techniques. Something to hold craft supplies, like crayons, for my toddlers, was my inspiration.

Craft Box - View 2

I adhered strips of newsprint and torn sheets of music with medium gel gloss, then sponged on a thin layer of blue acrylic paint. I adhered stickers and punch outs with another layer of medium gel gloss, giving the box a nice finish. I decorated with gold and blue paint dots...and voila! Finito!

In the Details

Western WA Scrapbook Retreat

My Group
Left: Lisa, Katherine (not shown)
Right: Ginger, and my table (front)

The WWS retreat took place at Fort Worden near Port Townsend, WA. A beautiful setting for three days of creative time. If one didn't find the place inspiring, then surely the car pool adventure or the ferry ride would do. It was a fabulous getaway coming, being, and going. Finally, some time for myself to just be, just create, or just engage with like minded souls. I will definitely return as there was something special about being with friends, meeting new people, and just plain having time!

Our Room
One of Many!

Last I heard there were 112 participants spread throughout the two story building taking up multiple working rooms. Accommodations were in old barracks with single or double bedrooms. These rooms were very basic and "institutional" looking...adding to the rustic allure. Shared bathrooms and having my friends just down the hall...well, it reminded me of college dorm living. Good times.

"Let it snow!"
Christmas Cards 2009

When I first arrived, I decided to work on my Christmas cards to get me in the groove. Something pre-planned where I could plug away and enjoy the surroundings. They were time intensive with little pieces to glue for 32 cards. But this time, I truly felt like it was more about the process and less about the final product. It was meditative.

Ginger's Memories...

Ginger's Memories

Not just an empty box, "Ginger's Memories" is quite full! I created this collage box to capture memories for Ginger's 40th birthday party, themed Back in Black. Guests brought items to include, such as matchbooks and coasters, a banana comb straight from the 80s, the Back in Black album by AC/DC, pictures, postcards from Ginger's many travels, and pertinent aging quotes.

A Collage Box

I tore a map of Rome and newspaper pages into strips and adhered with medium gel gloss. After it was dry, I sponge painted over the strips with brown and black acrylic paints, then decorated with stickers and die cut shapes. I sealed everything in place with another coat of medium gel gloss, giving it a smooth finish. I lined the box with maps from Prague and Budapest. I'm sure Travel Girl has a lot of memories to store so this box should get lots of use.

Happy Birthday, Ginger!

Card Swap

Just a note!
Made with music, Espial Design

I'm attending the Western Washington Scrapbook Retreat next weekend for 3 days of dedicated creative time. I'm not a scrapbooker intrinsically, although I do enjoy making my own greeting cards.

To get into the groove, I signed up for the event's card swap. My inspiration was my piano. I've never been very good and don't have an ear for music, but I enjoy plunking on the keys once in the while. I have TONS of sheet music from my Grandma, my Aunt Judy, and my mom. I went through it yesterday to see what could be deemed collage worthy and found some goodies to cut up for my project.

I made 14 cards in total.

Illustration Friday: Tango

First Tango

I'm listening to The Tango Lesson right now.

Illustration Friday: UnfoldInspire Me Thursday: Child Art

Monkey and Map

"You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run." ~ Kenny Rogers, The Gambler

I'm using this illustration for Inspire Me Thursday's theme this week, Child Art. Nothing in the piece was done by a child...but it is intended for a monkey toy box. Some how, my toddlers have acquired quite a few monkey plush toys. I've put them all into a shoebox and I call it the Monkey Box. It's in their closet and when they need a distraction, I tell them to go find their monkeys, which they are more than happy to dig out. Decorating the Monkey Box is on my list of "to dos" and this illustration is a start.

Illustration Friday: Fleeting

April's Picnic

"Fleeting: passing swiftly; vanishing quickly; transient; transitory"

Bird takes a fleeting glance at the picnic below him. He espies two of his friends dining on watermelon seeds and wonders if he has room for one more.

This image was inspired by my friend, April, who wrote, "I love animals and hope to have a garden in heaven were animals talk to me".

Happy Birthday, Razzle Dazzle!

Illustration Friday: SubtractInspire Me Thursday: I am...

Free Bee
I just gotta be me!

I was inspired by the bowling pins I recently crafted and thought I would exercise my brain with a quick image. I illustrated the bee and the ladybug and then let them take over as they started telling their own story. I like letting go to see where things end up. An enjoyable journey today with the Free Bee.

Idle Hands

Bowling Pins
Monkey, Bumble Bee, Cat

Bowling Pins
Bird, Ladybug, Bunny Rabbit

I needed a project to do while spending time at my parent's house. I have so many fabric remnants and odd buttons that I thought of making bowling pins for my girls. I brought with me the easy pattern I created, some notions for antennas, eyes, and noses and sewed like the wind! I used navy beans for the base and stuffed the critters with recycled pillow stuffing and fleece. I made a bumble bee, ladybug, monkey, cat, bird and a bunny rabbit.

All Together Now

Sewing ConfectionsInspire Me Thursday: Lace

Sewn Confections, Batch 2

Fresh from the oven, my last batch of sweets sewn for the Deux Pois Bakery. When my girls are old enough to play in their make believe bakery (and stop putting things in their mouths) I will share my box of treats. Right now the buttons are a choking hazard even though they look delicious!

My Petit Four Sec Chocolate Cake with Confectioners Sugar has a sprinkling of lace, which lends itself nicely to this week's theme for Inspire Me Thursday.

Sewing ConfectionsInspire Me Thursday: Fold

Deux Pois Bakery Logo
Translated: Two Peas Bakery

I saw some crafted cupcakes and confections online made from felt or felted wool and topped with ribbons, buttons, and beads. They were really cute so I thought I'd try my hand at creating my own plush desserts. I have loads of fabric pieces, jars of old buttons, and ribbon remnants of all sorts. To use up these collections of scraps, I machine sewed all my confections using mostly cotton quilting fabric. I created my own patterns and looks to stock my new "bakery", Deux Pois Bakery.

The first batch of sewn confections is for a friend's daughter. She'll be turning two and getting a tea and kitchen set as gifts. The second batch, not shown here, is one I'm currently working on for my two girls. I have two more cakes to sew to complete the second set. Fun was had by moi!

Sewn Confections, Batch 1

Don't they look scrumptious? If only they'd taste like they look...yummy!

Textures in the Slough

Moss and Lichen Spore Capsules

I went for a nature walk today in the Mercer Slough. I took lots of great shots, these three being my favorite. Maybe I could use the "Swamp Gunk" image in my last monster image for the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed. I'll have to think on that one.

Lichen

Swamp Gunk

Inspire Me Thursday's theme this week is Breakfast. I'm not sure that "Swamp Gunk" is giving me the proper inspiration! Yuck!

Production Mode

The Production Line

Up Close and Personal

I was in need of some 'thank you' cards and went into production mode. I have a play pen set up in my studio with toys and pillows to keep the little ones occupied while I try to be creative. They both like to get into everything BUT their toys and pillows. Big sigh. I like having them with me but I don't get much accomplished.

I kept the cards simple so that I could work on them quickly and have a finished product under my belt. I used scrapbook paper, stamps and ink, a flower punch, acrylic paint and Yes paste. Done and done!

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!