Illustration Friday - Forward

{Watercolor, 2012}

This little remote control car is happy to be moving forward! I had a remote control car when I was younger, and I thought it was pretty awesome to be able to drive something. I think that might be part of the allure for children. Very rarely do they get a chance to be in control and a remote control toy gives them all the power!

Valentine Animal Babies

{Watercolor, 2012}

{Watercolor, 2012}

I couldn't sleep-in this morning, even though it's Saturday. I got up, made some coffee, and decided to play with my watercolors. All the stores have Valentine's Day stuff out, so it makes sense that when I sat down to draw and paint, I decided to make everything pink, purple and red. Anyways, these two illustrations are what I came up with. I wish pink fawns with heart markings really existed. I also wish bears wore suspenders in the wild.

Giraffe Plush

{Sewing Project, 2012}

{Sewing Project, 2012}

{Sewing Project, 2012}

I made this giraffe for my friend's baby for Christmas (but only just gave it to her today. oops!) I really enjoy making my own patterns for toys and designing how their faces, limbs, and other add-ons will look. I used a giraffe patterned cotton for the body and felt for the details. I think it turned out pretty cute and I am definitely getting better at using my sewing machine! If you read this blog, I hope you don't mind because I love the satisfaction of creating things out of fabric with my own hands and it is fun to share the results with you!

Illustration Friday - Twirl

{Watercolor, 2012}

We didn't have baton twirlers in our high school when I was there, but I always thought it would be neat if there would have been. I remember looking through yearbooks in the library from the 1960's and 1970's and at one point there had been. The costumes looked so glamorous and the job of baton twirler appeared to require a lot of skill!

Bear Family

{Watercolor, 2012}

This is a watercolor illustration I did as a gift for some friends that will be having a baby boy very soon! I'm going to put his name on the bunting above them, but I'm posting it without because the name is a secret until he's born. I hope they like it!

New Business Cards

{Business Cards, 2012}

{Business Cards, 2012}

My new business cards arrived today. They are nice and glossy and I liked the idea of having a small teaser image to show what my style looks like. Sometimes it's easier to show someone how you paint rather than trying to explain it. Last time I ordered business cards I ordered 1000. This time I only ordered 500 because I enjoyed doing the mini painting so much! When I run out of these I will probably do another small painting and go with a similar layout.

Illustration Friday - Prepare

{Watercolor, 2012}

Shortly after Christmas I started to get seed catalogs in the mail. In the winter, it's always nice to prepare for the gardening season. I am itching to get my hands dirty again! I'll probably plant tomatoes, peas, lettuce and radishes like always. I am considering planting a few soy beans too so that we can enjoy some edamame at home! Oh, and maybe some eggplants, onions and potatoes too! I also love to add a few new flowers to my beds every year too! My husband built raised beds for us a few years ago and we made some PVC frames that can either hold netting (to keep deer and company out!) or plastic for cold frames. I'm definitely going to be prepared for spring either way!

Cat Plush Toy

{Wool, Cotton and Plastic Eyes, 2012}

{Wool, Cotton and Plastic Eyes, 2012}

I had a vintage 100% wool Lacoste sweater that my mom gave to me (probably from the late 70's) and it was a beautiful dark pink color but over the years some holes formed in the front. I couldn't get rid of it so it has been sitting around in my closet for years. I finally decided that I would felt it by washing it in hot water and tumble drying it. It made a really nice felt and I used part of it to make this little cat plush. I used the sweater for the back and the face. I used a pretty Amy Butler fabric for the front. It is so fun to make squishy little plush toys! I think I might make a bear for my mom out of some of the rest of the sweater. She collects bears and it would be neat to make it out of a familiar sweater. I also have plans to make a few other similar projects. The problem is, when I start sewing, I just don't want to stop! I love it! I have a healthy load of freelance right now too so I try to fit the sewing in when I can.

Illustration Friday - Grounded

{Graphite with Digital Color, 2012}

{Graphite in Sketchbook, 2012}

It seems a little morbid, but a grave seemed like the most extreme example of being grounded. I did a graphite drawing in my sketchbook and scanned it into Photoshop to color it digitally.

Small Painting

{Oil on Board, 2012}

I decided to do a mini painting of part of the drawing from my previous post. I liked the connection between the little girl and the cat. I changed the facial features of the little girl; something a little sweeter and less cartoon-like. This little painting, that measures about 3"x5.5", is going to be used for my new business card. I ordered them from Got Print (my first time using them) and I will share them when they arrive!

Illustration Friday - Highlight

{Graphite in Sketchbook, 2012}

"They were each the highlight of the other's day."

The love of my sweet kitties is one of the biggest highlights of my life. I adore their little furry bodies and their soft purrs. I even delight in their naughty behavior. (Shhh! don't tell them that!) I think a lot of people count on the unconditional love of their pets in such a conditional world! I am planning on trying to do illustration Friday a little more frequently this year. I would like to try and do it every week with a few exceptions of holiday times and vacations. ( I believe rest is important too!) Last year it didn't work out very well, as I was working on two children's books simultaneously! I would love to have to juggle such a workload again, but for now I don't have any long-term contracts. In the meantime, and in this wonderful new year I have made a short list of things that I would like to try to accomplish:

• Create my own dummy book for the Iowa SCBWI April conference
• Re-design my business cards
• Do at least 3 promotional mailers (4 would be ideal)
• Go on at least one sketch "field-trip" per month
• Participate in Illustration Friday more frequently
• Craft, Sew and Experiment More!

What are you planning for 2012? What are your goals? Dream big!

A Very Merry Christmas To You

{Watercolor and Colored Pencil, 2011}

I want to wish all of my blog friends a Merry Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and that you get to spend your break with family, friends, laughter and lots of love. I'll be back to blogging after the Christmas holiday. Best Wishes!

XOXO,
Candace

Chicken Licken for Competition

{Oil on Board, 2011}
*Click on image to view larger*

Chicken Licken excerpt by P.C. Asbjörnsen

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!”

I decided to try my hand at the SCBWI illustration challenge that was initiated by illustrator Tomie dePaola. Regardless of the results, I am really glad I participated because I think I ended up with a nice new portfolio piece. The above text is the excerpt that participants were given to inspire an image. Best of luck to all of my fellow participants! It will be fun to see who Tomie picks!

Critters!

{Sketchbook, 2011}

{Sketchbook, 2011}

Just a few sketches of some of the furry little visitors that I often see wandering around my yard. Of course, the deer around here don't usually wear scarves! (The squirrels certainly DO hoard acorns, though!) I think the squirrels and deer are really enjoying our mild December so far. They are much more active than they normally would be this time of year.

Holiday Bunting Workshop

{Crafted Project Example, "Noel", 2011}

{Crafted Project Example, "Merry", 2011}

{Crafted Project Example, "Winter Textures", 2011}

{Examples, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

I was asked to create a workshop as part of the Des Moines Art Center's Annual Art Noir Holiday Studio. My holiday bunting project was one of several that included glass blowing, an ugly mitten decorating contest, gift tags, and origami ornaments. Its always a fun event and this was my second year doing a project to teach. I met a lot of fun people and everyone seemed really excited to make their own bunting decoration to cheer up their home! I created three examples to give people a little inspiration and an idea of how the project would look when completed. From there, people got really creative and had really awesome ideas! It is always wonderful to be around creative folk and this event was no exception!