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 - Wheel

*Click image to view larger*

{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?

Happy Thanksgiving!

{Watercolor Sketchbook, 2012}

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you found yourself something delicious to eat! Ken and I made a turkey and the sides at our home this year. It's too close to my due date to travel, but we enjoyed each other's company. This is only our second time making Thanksgiving dinner at our own house alone. Usually, when my parents visit, my dad does an amazing job on the turkey! Our turkey still turned out pretty tasty this year too!

Illustration Friday - Zoom

{Watercolor Sketchbook, 2012}

We recently got another cat to accompany Amelia. (Since Oliver's passing in April) It took a few weeks, but Amelia and Roxie have become pretty good buddies. They like to take turns chasing each other and playing the dominant cat. They zoom all over the house and every now and then we hear a little crash! I did a quick drawing of them in my Moleskine watercolor sketchbook and then added their markings with marker and paint. 

Illustration Friday - Shy

{Verithin Pencil in Sketchbook, 2012}

I took a little break from my work today and hung out in a local coffee shop with my friend, Sara and decided to work on an entry for Illustration Friday this week. We both did some drawing and chatting and it was nice. I came up with a girl who would rather make friends with a little bird than her classmates. I think everyone feels shy at least once in awhile. 

November Visitors

 {Sketchbook, 2012}

{Sketchbook, 2012}

I love November. It's the month that holds my birthday, Thanksgiving, and the excitement that leads up to Christmas. I also love the scurrying of all the animals trying to get the last tasks done before they migrate on or go into hibernation. In fact, right now there is a vibrant bluebird in my birdbath! I always see bluebirds in the spring and fall because we aren't situated in their habitat, but in their migratory paths. These are a few sketches inspired by November. (I wish animals had to bundle up like we do. Wouldn't that be cute?) Oh well, I guess in my imagination they still can. 

What's New?

{Sketch, 2012}

It's been well over a month since my last post, which is pretty unusual for this blog. A lot has been going on in the past few months. First, I found out my husband and I are expecting in December. My first trimester was a bit tough on me and needless to say, I got through it but didn't accomplish much work. I'm feeling much better now, thanks! Second, I signed a contract to do another book with Pelican Publishing. More on that later, but here is a tiny sneak peek of one of the spreads so far. I'm still in the sketching phase, but I have a lot of work to do before December comes on the calendar! Hoping to keep the blogging up, but with so much work and so little time, posts will probably be a little sparse for the next few months. I don't want to turn this into a baby blog either, but I might post a few cute little projects I work on for baby and a few little updates here and there. Good to be back!

Small Drawings

{Marker and Colored Pencil ATC, 2012}

{Marker and Pen in Sketchbook, 2012}

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I am currently working on a personal project so I haven't had as much time as usual to do doodles, experiment, and just play in my studio. I did decide to play around last night while I was watching a movie and these are what I came up with. I drew the horse trading card as a surprise for someone and the chick drawing was done in my sketchbook. It must be all the peeps at the grocery store! (I also love all the promise of spring.)

Illustration Friday - Fluid

{Colored Pencil in Sketchbook, 2012}

On top of having freelance last week, I also had the flu. Last week was a bit miserable and this week I am still trying to get over it! I feel okay, but still not 100%. Thats probably why I came up with drinking for the word this week. When your sick everyone always says, "drink plenty of fluids!"

Skip!

{Colored Pencil in Sketchbook, 2012}

I've been super busy with freelance this past week. Yesterday I finished my project so I sat down and relaxed with my sketchbook and drew this sassy little girl!

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!

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.

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!

Sketch and Book Review

{Sketchbook, 2011}

I thought I would post the line drawing while I am still working on the digitally colored version. Halloween is just around the corner and I always look forward to carving pumpkins and watching the leaves turn. Of course, I always enjoy a festive cat too! On another note, my publisher sent me a link to THIS REVIEW of "The Twelve Days of Christmas -- In Texas, That Is". It happens to be a favorable review, which of course, makes me happy.

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 - Daily Life

{Ballpoint Pen in Sketchbook, 2011}

{Copic and Ballpoint Pen in Sketchbook, 2011}

I have a confession: I can't stop drawing my cats! Their bodies are so sweet and at times they look like little contortionists. I also did a two minute sketch of Ken last night. I have to make it quick, because if he discovers that I am drawing him, he'll purposely move or make faces at me. Thankfully, he was Facebooking, so I had more than ten seconds.

Busy Squirrel

{Graphite in Sketchbook, 2011}

The squirrels around here have been pretty busy the last few weeks. The acorns are falling off all the oak trees and the air is changing into that crispness that signifies fall. I love this time of year and I always look forward to all the sights, smells and festivities that it brings!

Illustration Friday - Mysterious

{Sketch with Digital Color, 2011}

{Sketchbook, 2011}

If a child shows you a picture they have drawn, don't ask, "What is it?" Instead, ask them to tell you about it. This piece of advice has come in handy as a kids art teacher. Especially when presented with the most mysterious of drawings! I drew this in my sketchbook and then colored it in Photoshop.