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!

Beaverdale Books Signing

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

With Friends

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

With my husband, Ken

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

Signing books!

Last Saturday I got to hang out at Beaverdale Books and sign my two Christmas books during the annual Beaverdale Shop Hop. It was really cool to be able to do my first book signing in my own little neighborhood within Des Moines! I managed to sign a lot of books and it was great to see everyone! Thanks to all the friends that came out to support me! You guys made the night!

The Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour

{Mixed Media, 2011}

{The Sketchbook Project Promotional Logo, Find Out More HERE}

At the Des Moines Art Center, where I work, we are working on a collaborative sketchbook for the 2012 World Tour series. The top image is my contribution for our theme of "sandwich". I used a whole spread right smack dab in the middle of the book. I definitely broke the rule of putting important things in the gutter of the spread, but it's a sketchbook! There aren't supposed to be any rules! Let's just say, I would never do that if I was working on an actual book project! The art director would most definitely have to speak to me about it! Anyways, I decided to do an all-American waitress named Bea serving up the daily special. (basically all the stuff on one sandwich that has an expiration date of tomorrow!) I used stamps, coloreds pencil, marker and acrylic paint. I am so glad I got to participate in the sketchbook project even if it's only in the smallest way! I think it is such a cool concept, I just couldn't commit to doing a full book on my own with my schedule right now. Click the link under the second picture if you want to find out more about this awesome project!