Inktober Highlights

{Bear, Sketchbook, 2013}

{Rabbit, Sketchbook, 2013}

 

 {Briar Rose Awake, Sketchbook, 2013}

{Like Moths, Sketchbook, 2013}

 {Fall Harbinger, Sketchbook 2013}

 {Forest Floor, Sketchbook, 2013}

{Brave Merida, Sketchbook, 2013}

Don't let my blog absence fool you! I've been a busy lady the last few months. I finished my 4th picture book illustrations during the first week of October and have been working on personal projects off and on. I've also been using my daily sketchbook time (ie. drinking coffee, watching Sesame Street and trying to fend of my 10 month old pen stealer.) to participate in the #inktober fun on Instagram. I love seeing what everyone else is doing and it feels good to be a part of a huge community of people who are all over the world doing the same thing. The above sketches are some of my favorites from this month. I am also planing on participating in PiBoIdMo which is essentially one picture book idea a day for the month. You can read more about it at Tara Lazar's Blog. I hope to share some of my work from that during the month of November.

Illustration Friday - Bounce

{Sketch with Digital Color, 2012}

Its been a long time since I participated in an Illustration Friday challenge. Last week I finished my first round of sketches for my next children's book, and while I am waiting to hear back about revisions, I thought I would have fun sketching something bouncy. I know we are nowhere near Easter, but I still love a fuzzy bunny year-round! Hopefully he's bouncing over soft grass and not hard surfaces, because eggs usually don't bounce!

Illustration Friday - Scattered

{Oil on Board, 2011}

This is a small part of a larger illustration that I have been working on. I started it quite a while ago and am now chipping away at finishing it. I thought it worked well for scattered, since thats what animals tend to do when startled. I still have quite a bit of work to do, but I don't think it will be done by the time the week is up, so I figured I would post what I have.

Happy Easter!

{Watercolor, 2011}

Mixed Media Meanderings

{First Page, Magazine Clippings, Prayer Card and Ink, 2011}

{Organized Rabbits, Decorative Paper and Marker, 2011}

{Organized Seed Packet Information, Marker and Ink, 2011}

{Garden Plan, Colored Pencil and Ink, 2011}

I bought a mixed media journal the other day so that I could get out some of the junk thats been floating around in my head. My book projects are very calculated and predictable, which isn't a problem but sometimes I like to sit down and create without knowing where something will go. I also like to make lists, organize things and record ideas for later. This Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal is satisfying that need. I get in a little time before I start my work day and a little before bed. Its also nice to finish something in one day. Most of the things I have going on in my professional life take several days so the sense of finishing a page is really fulfilling. I'm also really excited to start thinking about gardening again!

The Sneakiest of Peeks

{Detail of Illustration for "The Twelve Days of Christmas - In Texas, That Is"}

{Detail of Illustration for "The Twelve Days of Christmas - In Texas, That Is"}

I thought I would show a few very small pieces from two illustrations for "The Twelve Days of Christmas - In Texas, That Is". Its due out in Fall of 2011 from Pelican Publishing. I am still painting like a madwoman, but my poor little blog has been suffering because of it! Hope you enjoy these!

Crafty Projects: Teacups and Scarves

{Teacup with Pilea Plant, 2011}

{Pilea Plant Care Guide, 2011}

{Teacups with Pilea Plant, 2011}

{Teacup with Pilea Plant, 2011}

I planted several Pilea plants in vintage teacups as Christmas presents for friends this year. Pilea plants have tiny leaves and are really easy to grow. I used a Martha Stewart craft punch to make the rabbit shapes and glued them onto toothpicks (added eyes and rosy cheeks with a marker too!). I made a little care guide to go with the plants, wrapped them up and sent them on their happy little way! The care guide was made using watercolor images that I Photoshopped together. Maybe you'll recognize the imagery from this post!

{Infinity Scarf, 2011}

{Infinity Scarf, 2011}

My other recent project, that I made last night, was an infinity scarf. If you have followed this blog for awhile, you know I dabble in sewing. I really like the satisfaction of making something useful with my own hands. Part of the reason I made this is due to my New Year's resolution. For the year of 2011 I vow to not buy any new clothing. I also started a new blog to chronicle my year of handmade, upcycling and coping with not shopping. (Many of my blog friends don't know this, but I LOVE shopping! This is going to be hard.) If you want to read more about my year without new clothes you can visit it at 7YearsBack. I'll be sharing more writing and projects for handmade living over there. Of course anything creative, such as this infinity scarf, will always have a mention on this blog. Though, probably with less explanation! In general, I like this blog to be less wordy and more image focused.

2011: The Year of the Rabbit

{Sketchbook with Digital Color, 2010}

Happy New Year from me to you! I hope 2011 is everything you could ever wish for and more. I am excited that this is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac because I always find myself being attracted to rabbits as a major motif for decorating my home. I also draw a lot of them, and started to draw this New Year's rabbit before I even knew it was the animal of the year! Anyways, its also time to get in gear and try to keep all those resolutions that were easy to make, but will be much harder to keep! I have several resolutions floating in my head; both personal and professional and I am going to try my hardest to be a good girl!

Illustration Friday - Subterranean

{Sketchbook w/ Digital Color, 2010}

There is nothing better than a little subterranean lovin'! I drew these carrots in my sketchbook and then scanned them into the computer and colored them in Photoshop. My favorite part of the illustration is the subplot unfolding in the background (or the above ground in this case!).

Stuffed Bunny

{Amelia with Stuffed Bunny, 2009}

{Stuffed Bunny Front, 2009}

{Stuffed Bunny, 2009}

{Stuffed Bunny from Side, 2009}

I made this as a Christmas gift for my cousin's baby. (The same cousin that I made the barrettes for in the previous post... she has 2 girls!). I made a template for a leaping rabbit out of paper and cut out the front and back. I embroidered a few details on the face and sewed the stuffed critter together. I finished it by embellishing it with a ribbon and button. I want to try to make a cute stuffed squirrel next!

"My Light Magazine" Illustrations

{Watercolor, 2009}

{Watercolor, 2009}

I finished the illustrations for the July 2009 issue of "My Light Magazine", which is a Catholic children's e-zine. You can see the sketches in the previous post! My husband bought me a new 3-in-1 printer, scanner copier, and I can't wait to see if my colors will turn out more true to life. I'm hoping this is my last post using my old estate sale scanner. While I know those of you looking at this on your home computers/laptops/blackberries/iphones (ect, ect, ect) have nothing to compare it to... after spending hours and hours on projects, I would appreciate the ability to show my work on my blog as it is intended to be seen! So... wish me luck as I ditch the old HP psc 750 and delve into working with the Canon Pixma MP620!

Sketches for "My Light Magazine"

{Sketch on Tracing Paper, 2009}

{Sketch on Tracing Paper, 2009}

These are sketches for the July issue of "My Light Magazine", which is a free online Catholic children's e-zine. I should have them done tomorrow, so I will post the finished illustrations! I had fun developing this spunky little rabbit character.

Illustration Friday - Intricate (in color)

{Watercolor with Digital Typography, 2009}

I finished the piece from the previous post. I wrote a silly little poem to go along with it too! Hope you enjoy and that it makes you "think Spring"! Now, I must finish adjusting the sketch composition for my promotional mailer so I can finally paint that too!

Illustration Friday - Intricate

{Prismacolor on Watercolor Paper, 2009}

These bunnies are painting eggs in preparation for Easter with the most intricate designs they can muster! As with the last few weeks, I a submitting the drawing without paint to Illustration Friday. Once I paint it I will resubmit again. I think the drawings are sort of fun on their own! I also like to see the comparison between a plain black and white drawing, and one with color.

Illustration Friday - Strings

Kite strings! (especially fun on a blustery day!)
Colored Pencil on toned paper, 2008.

New Painting! Sneak Peek

Here is a section of the new painting I have started. This is just part of the messy sketch, but I can't wait to get the painting done and post it! Psst! There is another character too! I'm doing it for Easter!

Well, I'm off to deliver a painting to City Hall! The Des Moines Assistant City Manager wanted the piece that was printed in the Annual Report! So of course, I sold it to him! He is giving me a tour of City Hall too!