Super Phil's Red Cape (Scene 3)

Super Phil's Red Cape

This is the last image of three scenes depicting Super Phil, the ground hog. This little project is for my portfolio submission to SCBWI's art grant, called Don Freeman Memorial Grant-in-Aid. It's due the end of this week. Wish me luck!

Illustration Friday: Red

Super Phil and His Robot

Okay, here is the second scene of three. Here, Super Phil, the ground hog, has just assembled his "Punxtahawney Robot" kit and it works! In this case red light means go!

Illustration Friday: 80s

Mary Queen of Scots

I'm currently reading Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles by Margaret George, which inspired me to illustrate an image of Queen Mary during the 1580s. She spent the last 18 years of her life imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth and was finally beheaded for treason in 1587.

Since I'm not that far into the book just yet, I did some research at wikipedia and found some interesting tidbits. Like the silver box, marked with 'F' where the incriminating casket letters were found. I added an inscription on the brick wall (to the right of the figure) that reads, "In my end is my beginning", a quote from Queen Mary. Her history is fascinating and makes for a good story.

Tea Party Invitations

Tea Party/Bridal Shower Invitation

The bride-to-be requested a tea party for her bridal shower party theme. The party is next month and the dress code is pearls, gloves, and big hats. Should be fun!

Bridal Shower Invitation: Inside

Illustration Friday: Buzz

It's Me.

I wanted to do a black and white collage to round out my portfolio...but that phone just wanted to stand out!

Christmas Portrait

La Familia

I was commissioned by a good friend to do a family portrait for a Christmas gift to his wife. I originally had some problems getting the children to look like children and not little adults. With the help of my Creative Cup critique friends, I got some pointers to youngen the youngsters:

1.) Big heads, narrow shoulders
2.) Eyes dropped down, make wider apart, and a bit smaller
3.) Big cheeks, big forehead, narrow chin!
4.) shorten the nose

I know it seems like a recipe for drawing an alien...but when you're done, it looks like a kid! I matted it, framed it, and now it's ready to go under their Christmas tree!

Illustration Friday: Help

Snowman and Bird

It's been quite awhile since I made an entry! I've been busy with a book cover project for The Berkley Publishing Group (Penguin Books), a commissioned family portrait collage, and the predictably hectic Christmas shopping and decorating.

I was in the mood to work on a Christmas image and had this snowman cut out and ready to go. The snowman is being quite helpful by holding up the bird's house. Stick arms never get tired. Snowman and Bird is a cut paper and digital collage.

Bird Detail

Snowman and Bird Version 2

I created this second version showing a more helpful snowman...using his scarf to hang the birdhouse. Industrious!

Illustration Friday: Clear

Gobbler with Cobbler
Turkey started to clear the table but found a piece of distraction.

I'm getting ready for the next holiday! Gobbler with Cobbler is a digital collage and will be my Thanksgiving image for cards this year. I don't usually do cards for this holiday...but since this image is done, why not?

I decided to make it fit Illustration Friday's theme, clear, this week. Clear has so many different meanings that clearing the table didn't seem like a far stretch for the Gobbler...

Graphic Artists Guild Postcard

Graphic Artists Guild postcard

My postcard was finally printed, mailed and delivered today. The image I chose is titled Waiting For Inspiration and is a paper and digital collage illustration. I created it as a self promotional piece.

As a featured artist on the Northern California GAG website, I was given the opportunity to use my artwork in a GAG sponsored mailing. The postcard was mailed to publishers, GAG members, and other industry professionals and was an awesome marketing effort. It markets my work as an illustrator and invites members and the industry community to monthly luncheons held at Lulu's restaurant in San Francisco.

I was an active volunteer on the GAG luncheon committee for a brief while. Just recently I have found a new position as the featured artist postcard coordinator. I worked with PsPrint, an online print service, and received excellent customer service and final product. I'm already looking forward to the next featured artist's postcard.

Illustration Friday: Smoke

In the Pink Dragon's Lair

I was going to make an intense looking Chinese dragon...but came across this cool pink paper and...voila! A floating pink dragon roasting marshmallows. I can never stay too serious! In the Pink Dragon's Lair is an all paper collage with digital effects. Charred marshmallow anyone?

Illustration Friday: Ghost

Ghost Soup

This is the third Halloween card that I've done this month! Dingbat was my first as an entry for Penelope's Black & Orange contest. Then Mumpkin was the second to create a "series". Now, Illustration Friday's word this week, ghost, gave me an excuse to do one more! I think I may be done.

"Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble."
-Shakespeare's Macbeth, 1605

Horror in the Pumpkin Patch

Mumpkin

I've created another Halloween image to go with Dingbat. Since Illustration Friday's theme this week is ghost, I may do one more! Brace yourself!

Art at Main Street Coffee Roasting Company

Currently, my artwork is being shown at the Main Street Coffee Roasting Company on Elm Street in Redwood City. This is my third "show" with 26 images installed. It will be showing for the month of October 2006. Here is what the space looks like:

Inside the coffee shop

Entrance to back

My art on top and hanging below shelf

By back door

Illustration Friday: Smitten

Mr. Super-Great

This is a digital collage added to my Circus Freaks series. Check out the first one, Tape Ball Man, which was an entry for Illustration Friday's word, sticky. The text for Mr. Super-Great reads:

S is for Strongman.
He can bend spoons.
He looks in the mirror...
smiles and swoons.

He eats his protein...
watches his weight.
He’s known as Mister
Super-Great!

Halloween is L-u-r-k-i-n-g

Dingbat

This is my entry for Penelope's Black & Orange Creative Halloween Contest and Collaborative Gallery 2006. How exciting! I might also use this image in personal greeting cards... On the inside it might read "Hi, Dingbat." or "Bleh!" I dunno...suggestions?

Illustration Friday: Trouble

Hell in a Hand Basket
click image for a larger view

I think a hand basket is the fastest way to transport oneself to Hades after a deed done bad. I chose a bunny for the basket ride because a fuzzy white bunny seems so innocent, just like a newborn kitten. Going to hell seems like a strong punishment for unwittingly stealing carrots! Must be a seasonal influence...Halloween is lurking.

Illustration Friday: Quiet

Blue Heron Fishing: Digital

Shhhh....keep quiet in the shallows.

This started off as an all-paper collage glued into place and then scanned (see image below). Once digital, I made some color and contrast adjustments and added shadows and highlights.

Blue Heron Fishing: Paper Collage

Illustration Friday: Change

Bird's eye View (version 2)

I was unsatisfied with my original Bird's Eye View post (see below) for Illustration Friday and made a few modifications to improve the composition and story. I moved the top blue bird down out of the cloud, darkened the storm clouds a bit, and changed the direction sign so the words "warmer" and "cooler" could be read more easily.

Bird's Eye View

The latest National Geographic came in the mail the other day with a fold out map of the United States. The map was my inspiration for Illustration Friday's word this week, change. I decided to combine a change of direction with the weather change. Days are cooling a bit and lots of leaves have fallen just this past weekend. I'm sure the birds will be migrating south soon since this Saturday is the first day of autumn.

Bird's Eye View is all paper collage (map included!) on a painted background with digital shadows and highlights added in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday: Farm

Woolgathering
Click on the image for a bigger view!

Whew! Just got this one done under the wire for Illustration Friday's word this week, Farm. My idea came from the word woolgathering. I stumbled across this expression in a book I was reading and thought it rather funny! I had never heard that word used before!

Dictionary.com shows the meaning of woolgathering as "1.)indulgence in idle fancies and in daydreaming; absentmindedness, and 2.) gathering of the tufts of wool shed by sheep and caught on bushes." Now you know.

Woolgathering is paper collaged onto a painted background. I added a few paint details, then digitally photographed and added shadow and light details in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday: Play

Cat's Cradle

I created a diorama of sorts using a shadow box picture frame. I hand painted the kitties, made a star stamp to create the night sky, and cut and glued paper. To give a dimensional look, I used cardboard spacers in between the elements for a natural drop shadow. I also glued parts of the tree and shrub on different planes to give a feeling of depth. When it was all done, I digitally added shadows and high lights!

Want to know more about cat's cradle string games? I did a little research and found these websites: Answers.com, World Wide Webs, and From the Pool to the Cradle. Enjoy!