Illustration Friday - Wheel

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{Graphite in Sketchbook, 2013}

I thought of a wagon for this week's prompt over at Illustration Friday. I thought tiny wheels would be funny juxtaposed with big fluffy kitties. I was going to leave it at just that and then I decided I wanted to know who was pulling the wagon. It kind of looks like this little girl has all she can handle! Free kitten anyone?

My 29th Birthday!

{Graphite on Illustration Board, 2012}

I like to document my birthday on my blog every year. It shows the passing of time and it's just nice to put it out there and acknowledge it for myself. I didn't have time to do a birthday themed illustration this year. I've been sick this past week as well as being 37 weeks pregnant. I was working on this mouse and tree illustration in the evenings this week though, and I thought I could share it. I meant to submit it to Illustration Friday for last week's theme of "Tree" but didn't finish in time. I still think it turned out nice and I really like some of the textures I managed to create with my pencil. It's about 6"x6" in size on a piece of scrap illustration board I had laying around. This mouse is having a peaceful day, just the kind of day I wish for on my birthday! I am planning on going to a hibachi dinner with friends tonight and maybe I'll even find a piece of cake somewhere along the way!

Beaverdale Farmer's Market

{Coloring Page, 2012}

This is a coloring page I did as a children's activity for our local farmer's market. My husband and I got involved in helping out and we've been doing several things to prepare for the start next week. If you are local, you can find out more information at BeaverdaleFarmFest.com!

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.

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 Wedding Gift

{Prisma Pencil on Stonehenge Paper, 2011}

My cousin is getting married and I decided to make a gift for her to commemorate the day. This is just the line drawing. Once I get it colored, I'll share the final illustration!

Illustration Friday - Perennial (Uncolored Version)

{Ink on Paper, 2011}

I did a drawing of flowering plants that are perennials here in Iowa. I have each of these plants in my own garden. Can you guess what plants they are? I will be posting a digitally colored version later this week, as well as identifying what plants they are. Aside from illustration, gardening is one my my most favorite activities and I especially like when illustration is inspired by gardening!

Rapunzel

{Prisma on Watercolor Paper, 2011}

I'm doing a little demo for a class tomorrow so I put together a drawing. The class is focusing on illustrating fairy tales so I kept with that idea and decided on Rapunzel. I had really long hair as a kid and always wore a long braid so I sort of identify with Rapunzel in that respect. If it turns out alright, I'll post the finished piece later.

Illustration Friday - Surrender

{Graphite in Sketchbook, 2011}

When I saw the word for Illustration Friday this week I immediately thought of doing a drawing of Jesus. Drawing this was a way of reminding myself that I can surrender my fears and worries to Christ instead of trying to take the world on all by myself. I'm also working on illustrating a story for a Catholic Publisher so iconography has been circulating in my mind lately. I loved drawing this!

A Novembird

{Sketchbook, 2010}

What is a Novembird, you ask? Its a darling little bird who decides to stick around the Midwest even though the leaves are dropping (and the temperature too!). Ok, just kidding, I made it up. I love November because my birthday is on the 16th and then not too long after Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season! A chilly welcome to November!

Old Fashioned Rotary Phone

{Watercolor, 2010}

I missed posting this to Illustration Friday's theme of "Old Fashioned" last week, but I thought I would still put it on my blog. I used black watercolor and prisma pencil in my Moleskine watercolor journal. When I was a kid, my neighbors still used a rotary phone and the phone in my own home had a long cord. I think I was in high school or junior high when we finally got a cordless home phone. Now, I don't even have a land line! With three cell phones in our household, my husband and I made the decision not to get one. When I think of a phone, I still think of rotary phones as a classic example. Kids today will probably fondly remember the iPhone as an antique someday. (which makes me laugh!)

Thank You Sketch

{Black Prisma, 2010}

This is a little illustration I did as a thank you to someone who has been helping me out all week at the Des Moines Art Center. (I teach there)I'll post the watercolor version tomorrow!

Reading Buddies

{Watercolor, 2010}

Two unlikely buddies reading together! I used a black prisma pencil, black watercolor and some white acrylic ink to finish this illustration. I've been trying to get my creative groove back since returning from Europe. I might sound whiny, but traveling is tiring!

Illustration Friday - Slither

{Prisma Pencil, 2010}

I managed to participate in Illustration Friday this week! It's just a line drawing, but a drawing nonetheless! I will paint this with gray scale watercolors as soon as I get a chance. I love working in grays because I can devote all of my focus to texture and value structure. Plus, there is just something about black and white!

SCBWI Bulletin

{Watercolor, 2010}

{Watercolor, 2010}

I am officially back from my trip to England and Ireland. I will be sharing some experiences in later posts! Until then, I am pleased and excited to share that I had seven illustrations included in the May/June issue of the SCBWI Bulletin. The above images are a few of the illustrations chosen to appear.

Cheerleaders

{Watercolor, 2010}

This is another piece for my black and white portfolio. I did some cheerleading very briefly in high school. My personality just didn't match up well with the sport. I am definitely a "behind-the-scenes" type of person. I would much rather watch than be watched!

Some Black and White Illustrations

{Watercolor, 2010}

{Watercolor, 2010}

{Watercolor, 2010}

I am working on filling out my black and white portfolio. I thought I would show a few recent illustrations that I created using black prismacolor pencil, black watercolor and white acrylic ink. Ideally, I would like to have around 20 small images similar to these that I can group together!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

{Watercolor and Pencil, 2010}

January has been full of anticipation! I have several projects in the works and am getting geared up for a very busy February. It seems that every year gets a little busier and feels a little more successful for me. I'm nowhere near where I want to be, but I feel like I am climbing towards a better career as an illustrator. I hope everyone else's 2010 is shaping up to be a success as well!

Cinco de Mayo Activity Sheet

{Activity /Coloring Sheet, 2009}

Click on the image and when it opens in a separate window, drag to the desk top or right click and copy to desk top. Hope everyone has a great Cinco de Mayo. I plan to have a margarita later tonight, once all my work is finished!