Project 10 of 365

Woof

I made it to double digits! Yippee!

I still need to get a schedule together...it would be great if I could get up before the kids, work on my writing and artwork, then get on with the flow of the day. If only I were a morning person. If only...

Another quickie collage on recycled beer box divider cardboard. I looked up other three to five letter animal sounds for other ideas and came up with a list:

1.) Snake - hiss

2.) Bee - buzz

3.) Chicken - cluck

4.) Frog - croak

5.) Cow - moo

6.) Donkey - bray

7.) Baby chick - peep

8.) Crow - caw

9.) Fish - blub

10.) Coyote - howl

11.) Lion - growl

12.) Sheep - bleat

13.) Horse - neigh

14.) Rooster - crow

15.) Doves - coo

16.) Cricket - chirp

17.) Hummingbird - hum

18.) Goose - honk

19.) Person - talk

Other sounds that a relatively short and worth considering for this project: purr, bark, sing, ribbit, squeak, whinny, cackle, gobble.

Now, if I ever get stuck...I have a healthy list to ponder.

Recycled elements: cardboard, music sheets, magazine paper

Project 9 of 365

Tweet

Another quick collage on recycled cardboard. It's small, simple and fun!

Recycled elements: cardboard and scrap paper

Project 8 of 365

A Room of My Own

It's late so I chose art prompt number 5*, "Allow yourself to sit at your worktable for five minutes. Sometimes just getting to the table is the challenge, the rest is easy."

I combined this with a project from Melissa Sweet's Drawing Book for Kids. The book was a freebie from the SCBWI conference and has been sitting on my desk. I flipped through it and chose a project of creating quick sketches of objects in my room. Easy enough.

* Cloth Paper Scissors magazine (Jan/Feb 2012, page 80).

Project 7 of 365Illustration Friday: Faded

Bye Breezy

Bye Breezy - detail

LETTER

Great. It’s about time. It’s weird how over the past

two weeks life’s gotten much more exciting. I’m

still trying to figure out why John was kissing

my hand. Anyway it’s been raining here and I’m

getting mad because I want to sun bleach

my hair. After all, I am a Californian. So when are 

you coming back? To California of course. Well

I gotta run. Since it’s been so long you’ll have

to fill me in on your adventures. It’s been live.

Bye, Breezy

 Today, I used Project 6: Just Relaxing as my inspiration; the second part of Cloth Paper Scissors' (Jan/Feb 2012, page 80) art prompt number 23. "Create a doodle on a piece of paper and then use it to create a piece of art."

After reading about Breezy's adventures with hand kissing and hair coloring, her thoughts faded into the night.

Project 6 of 365

Just Resting

Just a quick sketch and some brainstorming while I watched a movie tonight. To get inspired, I reviewed the art prompts mentioned in the Cloth Paper Scissors magazine (Jan/Feb 2012, page 80). I was inspired by number 23, "Create a doodle on a piece of paper and then use it to create a piece of art."

Project 5 of 365

Happy Hour!

Doing an illustration a day is hard (insert whine)! Today, I ran around doing chores and running errands so I could get ready for ladies night. I knew I wouldn't be up for creating art when I returned from happy hour at the Parlor...so, after enjoying my Huckleberry Press cocktail, I doodled on my bar napkin. That's gotta count for something, right?

Quick Collages

Meow

I wanted a quick collage since I didn't meander down to my studio until 10:00 tonight. I had already created four other animals (bear, duck, pig, and owl) on recycled cardboard dividers from a case of beer.

Project 3 of 365

Birdhouse Sketches

I jumped right into collage mode, and spent some time creating a birdhouse face. I was trying to be quick and didn't wait long enough for my crackle paint layer to fully dry. My haste really showed...no matter how hard I tried to turn it into an interesting texture, it just looked bad.

So, I went back to the drawing board and put pencil to paper. Good thing I did because I still don't know where I want to go with this image. I've had this idea for awhile...a birdhouse luring a bird into it's mouth. I want it to appear innocent and charming...oh look! What a cute birdhouse. But the hole into the birdhouse is a mouth. Hmm. Is the bird going to make a home or is the bird going to be breakfast?

A question, and illo, for another day.

Project 2 of 365

Baby is Back.

Baby is Back. - Detail

GUEST CHECK

I love you so much baby

Even know you can be a bitch

I still love you

Cause I know who you really are

So please bring her back baby

We can have a great life together

But it's up to you

I love you baby

Have a merry x-mas

Love Austin

I found this note in the ditch by my mailbox a couple years ago and have been inspired by it since. I am intrigued by the use of "baby" and the multitude of emotions layered in this short note...pleading, love, insults,  ambivalence...all written on a restaurant guest check. What a story! Who is baby? Did she get this note and toss it in the ditch? Or was Austin too proud or embarrassed to give it to her?

Recycled elements: guest check "love" note, ticket stub, magazine paper, stationary, parking stubs and other memorabilia.

Project 1 of 365Illustration Friday: Sight

Lady Sunshine

Lady Sunshine - detail
"You will bring sunshine into someone's life."

I marched right downstairs to my studio to crank out the first piece for my personal 365 project. I grabbed the first thing that was on my desk and dove right in. A crown and a blank face with hair I'd assembled some time ago. Perfect starter material.

I didn't want to fuss or think too much and then stall out on my first piece. Like Melissa Sweet said in her session at the Western Washington SCBWI conference last April, "Nothing is precious." That is a great reminder to dive in and enjoy the process and toss that dread of ruining something right out the window.

So I did. Who cares if it's too busy or not the right color palette. Who cares if the lips don't look right or the nose if off kilter. I decided to have fun and go with my mood. I'm not sure why this regal lady is in an old barn wood frame...and I don't care. I had fun and put something on that blank piece of paper. Welcome, Lady Sunshine!

As for Illustration Friday's theme this week, sight...I figure you need light for sight...and Lady Sunshine is here bringing sunshine into someone's life. A nice start to a year long project.

Recycled elements: paper scraps, paper doily, music sheets, Christmas card, letter from mom.

365 Project

This morning, I was thinking about the Western Washington SCBWI conference that I attended last April. Melissa Sweet was a guest speaker and had mentioned in one of her sessions that she had taken on a 365-day project of illustrating the weather; her creative warm up for the day.
I liked the sound of that idea, whether as a warm up for my illustrating or writing. To just put something on that blank canvas, ANYTHING, everyday, would not only limber up my mind for bigger ideas or create seeds of inspiration, but it would also help to create a good habit. I could certainly use more of those.
I have a friend on Facebook who is a photographer and is part of the 365 Project. They tout "Document a year of your life by taking a photo a day." How about we follow Melissa Sweet's idea in combination with the 365 Project, and make art everyday? A simple sketch, paint to paper, words, a creative journal entry? Anything goes, everyday, for one year.
I found another creative website dedicated to this idea called, Make Something 365 & Get Unstuck by Noah Scalin. If you'd like to share your project, you can do so on his blog. For all you Creative Cuppers, who want to participate, share here! It's your project, your rules.
Guess I better get to my studio and start creating a good habit. I'll be back shortly with Project 1 of 365.

Cheers!

Super Phil and His Robot

Phil and His Robot
Super Phil Series

The conference is tomorrow and even though I didn't get to the 'A Backyard Circus' series...I got quite far and made great progress. I put my nose to the grindstone these past couple months and put a serious dent in updating my portfolio.
I finished the last piece today; the third image in my series called Super Phil. In this illustration, Super Phil abandons his rocket boots for something more reliable, a robot! And it works!
Now, I'm off to print my latest illustrations and labels, arrange my portfolio, gather all my paperwork, notebooks, business cards, and whatever else I need for the ensuing weekend.
Happy dance!

Super Phil Series...In the Works!

Red Cape
Super Phil Series

Rocket Boots
Super Phil Series

Still working it, right up to the deadline. I just finished updating two of my three illustrations for my Super Phil series. He's a groundhog that loves adventure and innovation. He wants to be a super hero, and starts off with a red cape and mask.

Then, he invents his own rocket boots in hopes of flying high enough to pick the cherries from the neighboring tree. By the time he's done fine tuning his rocket boots, there is only one cherry left and some serious competition.

The third image is my robot image and it's next in line. Mere days left before my portfolio is due to display at the SCBWI Western Washington Annual Conference.

Wish me luck!

Made My Bed

Made My Bed

Updated this image for my portfolio. The teddy bear makes a nice addition. Onward and upward! Still have a few working days left to get things done before the conference.

Grimm with a Twist...in Color!

One Kiss
The Hedgehog Prince - Vignette 2

How Shall I Kiss You?
The Hedgehog Prince - Vignette 3

I've been sitting at this computer none stop it seems...MY BACK! I have to get these done by tomorrow so I can enjoy my Easter weekend with my family. They need to be mailed out on Monday.

Two more to go...tomorrow I must prevail!

I have to go rest now...MY BACK!

Grimm with a Twist

Smack-a-roo!
The Hedgehog Prince - Vignette 4

Working away on my Master's Class assignment (SCBWI Western WA Annual Conference) of creating 5 vignettes depicting a popular Grimm's fairy tale, with a twist. I played off The Frog Prince with a hedgehog prince. Not so easy to kiss!

I've finished my second roughs and am now adding color to the finals. This is my first one done! Four more to go before I can mail off next week!

Another Oldie, But a Goodie

On Top of the Weather

I've always liked this image...even back when it was called Ticket to Ride. So out of this world, whimsical, yet so carefree. Although, it is a little ominous with the door ajar. This go around I turned off the lights. Someone's home, but they're not downstairs. Do they know the door is ajar as they ride on the breeze?

First Ballet

First Ballet

I have recently updated First Tango for my portolio and now have added this new piece, First Ballet.

Maybe I should do a third dance illustration. First Hoedown? Something country would be fun!

Postcard

I just finished side one of my post card for the upcoming conference. I am able to bring 200 to place beside my portfolio for the juried exhibit. I'd like to make the postcard double sided, but will work on a second image if time prevails. I still have lots of other projects to work on before the April deadline.

The original illustration was called "Clean Up at the Gulf" and was a donation piece for Ripple, an art for charity blog.

Project: Update Portfolio Before Conference!

Sunblock
Updated!

One has to learn to live with the rain if one lives in the Pacific Northwest! And if one has pale sensitive skin, one needs to stay out of the sunshine too. This image was made for my friend, who should wear SPF 150.

Jokes aside, I like the concept of this image and wanted to update the paper collage for my portfolio. I digitally fixed the face and hand and labeled it done.

Sunblock
Original - 2006

Updating Old Stuff

Black Bird Pie
Updated!

Black Bird Pie
Original - 2009

Getting ready for the SCBWI Western Washington conference coming up this April. I'm currently updating some images in my portfolio to show my latest and greatest in the juried exhibit.

I'm behind my own schedule, of course. I tried to be realistic, but since I've been traveling and have had guests over the past two weeks, I haven't been able to carve out creative time like I wanted.

Playing catch up!

Lost Monkey
Updated!

Lost Monkey
Original - 2009

Inspired by Cupcakes

Last week, a friend and I flew to San Francisco for a get-away. I consider her a connoisseur of cupcakes; she knows all the hot spots. We stopped by Sprinkles in the Stanford Shopping Mall while out shopping. Then, at a pivotal point of our SF "Walking Tour 2012", we took a break at Kara's Cupcakes and indulged in some chocolate therapy. While there, I picked up a couple brochure cards that had pictures of their cupcake creations. I thought my girls would love to cut out the pictures...then I thought, Heck, I'd like to cut out the pictures!

Once home, I wished I had grabbed more from the stack. But the two cards I collected will make about ten cards or so...depending on how many cupcakes I put on each one. Fun cards for all the upcoming birthdays on my calendar!

Happy Day Card

Happy Day Card
detail

Recycled: Kara's Cupcakes brochure

In Production Mode

Tower of Tens

I've got a lot to do to get ready for the 21st Annual Society of Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference in April. I thought I'd start with the easy stuff, in this case, printing and cutting 240 business cards.

A Tribute to Mr. Seahorse

My late grandfather was a crafty sort and made many of these resin seahorses in different sizes and colors. Unfortunately, I had given away all of mine over the years. When my grandmother passed away a couple years ago, I was eager to acquire the last seahorse he'd made. A very nostalgic piece and one I'm happy to share with my children.

Retro Seahorse
Artist: The Late James J. White

The seahorse has found a new home in my "new" bathroom. I had fixed drywall, painted, and installed new hardware before the holidays. The scowling mermaid picture keeps Mr. Seahorse company, but I felt like one more tie-in would do the trick.

"Bidin' My Time"
Traditional Collage

I found a 5 x 7" white shadow box frame in my stash of junk and decided to use it for an underwater themed piece. Using my grandpa's creature as my inspiration, I created another orange seahorse. I added the text, "I keep busy bidin' my time. Something's bound to happen." It seemed rather fitting since the seahorse is just sitting in the box...waiting, waiting, waiting.

Maybe another poke at my muse?

Recycled: cardboard, paper, sandpaper, and seashells

I Wonder Why

I Wonder Why

These birds have been trying to speak to me for months. They began life in November while at the Western Washington Scrapbooking Retreat and have been sitting in wait while the right words percolated forth. I needed some "chatter" between the two of them since there was an obvious conversation (looking somewhat one sided) taking place. I couldn't hear that conversation for the life of me, but while feeling uninspired, the light bulb suddenly glimmered.

At first, I was wondering if the birds were lovers? Friends having a spat? One friend retelling an unpleasant story? None of these seemed to resonate. Finally, while perusing a book about old song lyrics (from my piano music stash) I found the words that made the most sense to me. An artist berating it's muse! Of course! I wonder why you make me wait!??!?!?

The lyrics offering inspiration were from the song Charmaine, by Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee, 1926.

Christmas Cards 2011

During the Western Washington Scrapbooking Retreat back in November, I made over thirty Christmas cards. I found a great deal on paper at Ben Franklin's Craft store. It was considered a Halloween theme and was on clearance. The black and gray paper worked well for a low key Christmas tree. I also wanted a simpler idea than last year's Gingerbread Man Christmas card. Cutting out over thirty gingerbread men by hand? A hand cramping good time.

Merry Christmas everyone! And bring on a happy and prosperous new year!

Believe Love Celebrate

Buzzing Bees

Buzzing Bees
Final

What a sentimental journey! I went through my stash of letters from my Grandma, who passed away almost 2 years ago now. It was an emotional process, deciding which letters to glue down and which ones I didn't want to lose. I added some of my daughter's artwork that was at hand, because she resembles my Grandma quite a bit. I decided at that point, this picture would be for her.

Base Collage
Letters from Grandma, Pictures from Daughter

My daughter is known as Lil' B, so bees were a natural. I love daisies and polka dots, so voila! A picture was born. It took me a lot of fussing with dot placement and what to do about the bees' wings...I thought tissue paper at first, but then it became a competition with the petals. After digging in my junk drawer, I found pieces of a Bodum coffee press that I had kept. So glad I did! The mesh was the perfect answer. The wings look like they are in motion and contrast just enough in color and texture to stand out, yet not stand out too much. Know what I mean?

Multimedia Art
Acrylic Paint, Charcoal, Tissue Paper, die cut paper...

A lot of heart and soul went into this image. I love it because it became what it wanted to be: buzzing bees.

Bee Details
Cardboard, music, wire mesh, and sewing pins

Recycled: cardboard, letters and envelopes from Grandma (1986-1988), pictures and stickers from preschool daughter, wire mesh from coffee pot filter, sewing pins, sheet music, greeting cards, and tissue paper.

The Birds

"Feeling left out."

I took the advice I received and dulled the white birdhouses so they didn't compete for attention with the birds. I also added some shimmering red berries to the tree and bush in the opposite corners, hoping to counter the strong diagonal line between the two birds.

I scanned the image in two passes and in Photoshop stuck them back together. I hope this helps show the true color palette.

Recycled: baby board book, letters and envelopes, paper doily,  sheet music, cardboard, magazine and newspaper

The Scowling Mermaid

"It meant so much."
Traditional Collage

I'm taking a break from digital work for a bit while I explore my traditional collage roots. I love getting my hands dirty and seeing actual textures, patterns, and layers working together. I was inspired by the artist Cindy Wunsch, who was featured in the latest Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. She uses memorabilia in her artwork and I have boxes of it that would love to see the light of day.

My current project is using letters that my grandmother wrote to me. I read them, I wept, I remembered her. It was an emotional process but a well of inspiration all the same. Seeing her script in the background will keep her memory close to my heart. Miss you, Myrtle!

Recycled: toner copied worksheet from high school memorabilia, magazine paper, greeting card text, and canvas covered cardboard from hard bound book.

Card Swap

Susan Neal's "Printed Cake" Birthday Card
Paper Crafts Magazine, Issue April/May 2007, Page 100

My Version
Happy Birthday Cake Card

The Western Washington Scrapbooking Retreat is right around the corner! My mind is pondering what to pack and bring while my hands are busy making 25 of these "Happy Birthday Cake" cards. Twenty of these are needed for the card swap during the retreat weekend. I thought while I was at it, I'd make a few extra for myself. Lots of birthdays coming up!

I was inspired by Susan Neal's "Printed Cake" card but made a few changes for myself. I used brown paper instead of black...thinking of chocolate. I added the "Happy Birthday" stamp to it since my text didn't specifically say it. I also scrapped the brad in favor of dimensional paint dots. Brads don't mail well and I love-love-love putting dots on my stuff. It's very therapeutic!

Here are the cards I've done for the past couple retreats:
A Single Daisy Can Be My Garden (2010)
Just a Note (2009)

2012 Tomie dePaola Award Challenge

SCBWI has another challenge coming up...an illustration depicting the text below is due December 15 by email.

So they went along and went along until they met Turkey Lurkey
“Good morning, Goosey Loosey, Ducky Daddles, Cocky Locky, Henny Penny,
and Chicken Licken,” said Turkey Lurkey, “where are you going?”
“Oh, Turkey Lurkey, the sky is falling and we are going to tell the King!”
“How do you know the sky is falling?” asked Turkey Lurkey.
“Ducky Daddles told me,” said Goosey Loosey.
“Cocky Locky told me,” said Ducky Daddles.
“Henny Penny told me,” said Cocky Locky.
“Chicken Licken told me,” said Henny Penny
“I saw it with my own eyes, I heard it with my own ears,
and a piece of it fell on my tail!” said Chicken Licken.
“Then I will go with you,” said Turkey Lurkey, “and we will tell the King!”
~ P.C. Asbjörnsen

For more information, check out the guidelines.

Craft Published in Cloth Paper Scissors!

Cloth Paper Scissors Cover
November/December 2011 Issue

I received a nice surprise in my mailbox today...a magazine sporting my work! Not just any old magazine, but Cloth Paper Scissors, a resource for collage, mixed media, and artistic discovery. This is the second time my art work has been selected as a finalist and printed in the Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.

I wasn't quite sure that my work would be chosen. When I initially checked the roster to see if my name was selected as a finalist for the "Home Sweet Home" challenge, it was not. Later, right before the due date to mail in the work, I received an email saying there had been a glitch and several names had not appeared on the list, mine being one of them.

I had entered two houses and it wasn't clear if they wanted both or just one. So I emailed the editor and she wrote back, "The yellow one." There wasn't a yellow one. There was one white house and one green house...so I mailed them both, thinking that there must be a mix up and they had emailed the wrong person all together.

But, a nice surprise for me today, to find the green house in print for the November/December 2011 issue.

"Home Sweet Home" Reader Challenge

Finalist!
Second row down, Column 4
Green House with Brown Roof

My first entry printed was my Deux Pois Bakery confections, a winner for the "All Buttoned Up" challenge back in March/April 2011.

Seven Deadly Sins (Greed)Illustration Friday: Ferocious

Greed

I had one more sin left to represent and found it to be the hardest by far, greed. I couldn't figure out what my monster should look like and what he should be greedy about. Money? Toys? Food was out since that is Gluttony's vice.

...And, it just so happens, he looks pretty ferocious, which fits the bill for Illustration Friday's theme this week. What luck!

Ice Cream Social Invitations

Here's the scoop...
Birthday Party Invitations

I dedicated some time over the past couple days making party invitations for an ice cream social. As seen above, the front says "Here's the scoop..." in Gelato Script by Schizotype Foundry.

I bought a set of blank greeting cards (package of 8) from Michael's dollar bins. Then I just collaged on the front covering the original picture and voila! Inexpensive cards with envelopes at the ready.