Illustration Friday - Hollow

{Colored Pencil on Watercolor Paper, 2009}

I have time to do Illustration Friday this week! I will post the finished colored version tomorrow. I know its a little early for Halloween, but while I was home in Michigan, we drove past a pumpkin patch that had some burgeoning vines!

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!

Vacation Time!

{Tawas Bay, Michigan, 2005}

I'll be M.I.A. for about 9 days as I head out on vacation. Hope to have some sketches to show when I get back though! I hope everyone has a fantastic and safe Independence Day!

Children's Menu Illustration

{Oil on Board, 2009}

This is the basic background image for a children's menu commissioned by three hotels in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Amway Grand Plaza, Courtyard by Marriott, and JW Marriott) The design work will be added by Plenty Creative as well as a connect-the-dots illustration that I completed digitally. Art Direction by Gwen O'Brien.

"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.

"Worn" Sketch and Garden Updates!

{Sketch on Illustration Board, 2009}

I hope to have this sketch finished later this week so I can submit it for Illustration Friday's theme of "worn". (as in, the kitty is all worn out from playing!) Its a scrap of illustration board that is about 3 inches on each side. I want to do it in oil, since I am back to painting that way.

{Oliver, 2009}

I've mentioned my cat, Oliver, several times on my blog. Here is a picture of him from a few days ago. I know I have also written about his "loaf" pose. Its like kitty yoga! Gosh darn, I just think he is the cutest thing.

{Garden, 2009}

Some close-up shots from my garden! The thing I am most excited about is the tomato plant! Look at those little tomatoes growing up! (they are the little yellow pear tomatoes that are similar in size to cherry tomatoes.) The rest are some of the flowers that have been attracting several butterflies. (and bees! can you spot the bee?) This morning they even lured a male ruby-throated hummingbird. I was so excited to see him. They flit around so quickly that I always stop what I am doing and just stand still, hoping it'll stay as long as possible!

Illustration Friday - Drifting

{Watercolor in Sketchbook, 2009}

I wanted to participate in Illustration Friday this week, so I started my work day off with this little warm up in my Moleskine watercolor sketchbook. This little mouse is drifting away from the shore! He's got all of his belongings packed though, so I think he's waving goodbye and ready to find a new destination.
It has been SO hot in Iowa the past few days. I've been staying in doors during the day where there is air conditioning! That is probably a good thing though because I'm trying to get all my the projects on my art desk cleared before I head back to Michigan for the 4th of July holiday.

Sketchbook!

{Sketchbook, 2009}{Sketchbook, 2009}

These are some sketches I've done recently. The top one is a character I may want to develop further. I like the idea of a squirrel or chipmunk as a little cowpoke. I'm looking forward to sharing some finished illustration projects soon! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

A Barefoot Kind of Summer

{1. Nikon Coolpix, 2009}

Enjoying a beautiful Iowa June day.

{2. Nikon Coolpix, 2009}

My neighbor, Steve George.

{3.Nikon Coolpix, 2009}

The guys playing. The boy in orange is the son of the man in the white button down shirt.

{Nikon Coolpix, 2009}

Who can resist taking their shoes off when the grass is cool and green?

If I haven't mentioned it in the past, I live next door to an Iowa Blues Hall of Fame singer (Steve George). On Sunday, I headed out to Summerset Winery to hear him play along with some other Hall of Famers. Its such a romantic and inspiring venue. Kids run around in the grass while people sip wine and enjoy the music.

Illustration Friday - Craving

{Sketchbook, 2009}

I'm craving the slow innocence of summer and the juicy sun warmed raspberries that it offers. (is your mouth watering? Mine is!) It has been a few weeks (maybe more like a month) since I last participated in Illustration Friday. I just HAD to do it this week. I am so thankful to be busy with work, but I feel that I need to keep up on personal sketching and illustration. I did a pencil drawing in my new Moleskine sketchbook for this week's theme of "craving".

Donkey Sketches

{Sketchbook, 2009}

I'm at the beginning stages of a project right now, and a donkey plays an integral part. This is a collection of quick studies to familiarize myself with the animal. I just got a new sketchbook too! Its my first Moleskine sketchbook, and I have decided not to treat it too sacredly. Its just a practice book after all! It is nice having a sturdier sketchbook that I can throw in my purse and bring anywhere. I know there are a lot of fellow Moleskine lovers out there!

Portrait Commission

{Graphite on Bristol Paper, 2009}

I was asked to do a portrait of a friend's child as a wedding anniversary gift. I couldn't share it right away because I didn't want to ruin the surprise! However, since the recipient thanked me for it, I am going to go ahead and assume its safe to post! :)
On another note, if you follow me on Twitter at all, I mentioned that I was hoping for good news! So here is the story:
I made a poster to submit for my neighborhood fall festival (Beaverdale Fall Fest, as it is lovingly called). I submitted it to the Fall Fest Committee last night, and out of 8 entries, it made it to the final two. I have to wait until June 24 to find out if my poster will adorn doors and windows throughout my lovely Des Moines neighborhood. The festival is a pretty big deal around here, so I have my fingers crossed that my concept/illustration will be chosen! Once I find out, either way, I will share my whole poster concept in a post!

Sneak Peek

{Oil on Board, 2009}

This is just a segment of a new painting I am working on. It is close to being finished... probably by tomorrow! I am happy to be working in oils again. I was SO burnt out though, so I took a solid 6 month break to teach myself watercolors. The two mediums are obviously very different, and you build colors oppositely. I hope to have the entire painting posted about mid week.

Bloomin' Time

{Bloom Pillow, 2009}

Yesterday, after my parents had departed to head back to Michigan, I was really itching to make something. I was looking through some of my favorite craft books, and got inspired to make a mini pillow. I hand cut and sewed on the decorative flowers and the word "bloom". Then I grabbed my sewing machine and added some Amy Butler fabric to the back, and stuffed it. It matches the bedroom and adds a bit of a spring flair!

Click photo to view larger
{Snapshots from Memorial Day Weekend, 2009}

Here are some other pictures I shot this weekend. The dog is my parents' Boston Terrier (I named him Scout when they first got him ... I was still living at home.) Of course, there is a shot of Oliver. He was relaxing up in the attic while I was digging around for something. There are several pictures of some of the spring plants around the yard. The baseball was just laying in a mud puddle across the street in the park. I thought it was kind of cool. I'm sure its from one of the many games of fetch that seem to go on during all the nice weather with the neighborhood dogs! I hope everyone else out there had a magical long weekend too!