Merry Christmas!

{Coloring Page, 2013}

Printable Christmas Coloring Page Instructions:

1. Click on above image.

2. Right Click on Image or drag to desktop

3. Print and Color!

Have a wonderful holiday season! I am excited to spend Christmas with my family and watch my son open presents this year! Nothing like viewing the holidays through the eyes of a child. 

Illustration Friday - Hibernate

{Ink in Sketchbook with Digital Color, 2011}

When I think of this week's Illustration Friday prompt, I think of bears huddling in a den or a cave. During winter, I often feel this way too! Its nice to keep cozy inside when the snow is flying. I drew this in in my sketchbook with an ink pen and then scanned it and painted under the drawing in Photoshop.

Art Imitates Craft

{Mixed Media Handmade Card with Tatting, 2011}

{Collage and Ink in Sketchbook, 2011}

I've been taking a tatting class at the Des Moines Art Center for the past few weeks. I'm finding that I like the patterns that lace-making inspires. The above image was our first real project with finished examples of tatting. They are little floral rings that I glued to a card. I also added some subtle acrylic details in white. The second image was partially inspired by tatting, but also all of the Indian designs I have been looking at. My dear friend is getting married and since she is Indian, her wedding will also be. Its such a colorful culture and I love looking at all the intricacies in the patterns of fabric, jewelry, paper products and just about everywhere else! The truth is, I usually don't notice how things inspire me until they are done. Then, when I see them side by side, it becomes apparent! I'll be sure to share some more tatting projects if I manage to finish some larger ones.

Sketchbook Pages

{Cats and Plants, Sketchbook, 2010}

{People at the Car Dealership, Items, Sketchbook, 2010}

{Home, Sketchbook, 2010}

{Home, Sketchbook, 2010}

{Creative Rambling Page, Sketchbook, 2010}

After spending a lot of each day working on a children's book project, I have found that it helps to clear my mind and settle down by drawing in my sketchbook. Its sort of like stretching after you complete a hard workout. These are a few of my pages from the last few weeks.

Illustration Friday - Paisley

{Pen and Markers in Sketchbook, 2010}
Click for a slightly larger view :)

The prompt for Illustration Friday this week is Paisley. I decided to do a free form drawing with little paisley birds hidden amid all the patterns. I used Copic markers and Le Pen drawing pens. This was a really fun sketchbook piece to do... I just relaxed while I let the drawing take me wherever it wanted! How many birds can you find?

Travel Journal: London

{Ink and Watercolor, 2010}

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I was traveling in England and Ireland between May 15-31. I brought a sketchbook with me, but between constantly driving from place to place and having a pretty full list of places to see, I was not able to sketch from life. Fortunately, I took about 2,000 pictures and had my eyes open to the flavor of what was around me. My mom (who was my travel partner) picked out a lot of unique places to go. Over the next few weeks, I will be doing sketches from my favorite places and possibly adding some found object elements like maps, ticket stubs, etc.

London was our first stop (we flew into Heathrow airport). I ADORE London. At first I wasn't sure I would like it, but by our third day I was definitely sad to leave. The sketches on this page were done with a micron pen and no This is my first entry in my Travel Journal. pre-sketched concept so that I could still keep a certain spontaneity to the drawings. I finished the page with some watercolor.

Marv and the Ultimate Question Answered

{Marv from Sin City Sketch, 2009}

{First Layer of Oil Paint, 2009}

{Mickey Rourke as Marv in Sin City}

My friend from college, Scott (aka Workhorse) has been on my case about fulfilling my promise to illustrate my interpretation of Marv from Sin City (easily my favorite character!) I'm not a die hard comic-bookie or anything, but I really loved the depth in the movie and Marv stands out as a complex character. In my drawing I made Marv's eyes a little sadder, 'cause this guy has been through some stuff! I'll probably make some adjustments as I continue working through the painting (which is relatively small at about 4"x4") I'll post the finished piece as soon as it gets done... and then I will promptly mail it to Mr. Workhorse.

Now, as I mentioned in the title of this post... The answer to the ultimate question.

Q: How do giraffes drink from a drinking glass?
A:

{Pen and Ink, 2009}

I know, I know... my sense of humor is hideous.

Scout

{Micron Pen, 2009}

I did this drawing of my parents' dog, Scout, who is a Boston Terrier. I love him so much! They got him as a puppy when I was a junior in college and still living at home. He wasn't much bigger than a guinea pig when we brought him home, but now he is full grown and just as sweet!

Summer Sketchbookin'

{Pencil in Sketchbook, 2009}

{Pencil and Pen in Sketchbook, 2009}

A few pages from my sketchbook. There were lots of kids running around, and they are always fun to try to sketch. (they move so darn fast!) Some of my other favorite things to draw when I'm in northern Michigan are sailboats and beaches. I did a lot of photography with traditional film while I was back home, so as soon as I get the film developed I will share some highlights (assuming any were properly exposed) I hope all had a wonderful 4th of July!

Just Sketch!

{Ink in Sketchbook, 2009}

This... is my living room. Please, please everyone... contain your excitement!{Ink in Sketchbook, 2009}

Some crap on my desk. I'm most excited about my new Diana F+ camera, which is a lomography camera. I'm currently shooting my first roll of film. If anything turns out, I will post some of the results. Go HERE to learn more about lomo photography.