Tomie de Paola 2013 Illustrator's Contest

 {Acrylic and Digital, 2013}

This is my entry for the 2013 Tomie de Paola illustration contest. The prompt this year was a simple poem that was fairly difficult to illustrate. The text is from a poetry book that was written by Lin Oliver and illustrated by Tomie de Paola. It read, "A sneeze is a breeze in your nose." The target age is for babies age 2 and under. I wanted to create something that was dreamy and imaginative but also clearly illustrate a sneeze and a breeze. You can read the whole prompt HERE. The prize is a trip to the winter SCBWI conference in New York City and a special lunch with Tomie de Paola himself!

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!

Figure Painting Study

{Acrylic on Canvas, 2010}

My most recent study of the figure. I painted the model from two different places in the room. I like the negative spaces that the two figures create together. I am also really enjoying using acrylics when I paint from life because they dry fast and I can stay loose as I try to record as much information as possible in the allotted studio time.

Illustration Friday - Spent

{Acrylic on Canvas, 2010}

{Detail, Acrylic on Canvas, 2010}

Today I finished this piece in the figure painting class I am taking at the Des Moines Art Center. I thought it was perfect for the topic of "Spent" because the twist of the body and the hand laying lifelessly in the foreground give the feeling of tiredness and spent energy. I know this isn't my usual Illustration Friday fodder, but in this instance it will do just perfectly!