Cherry blossom

Just another little watercolor study I’ve been playing around with. I’m experimenting with some techniques.
TT

Sirena

one ring to bind them…

loverly…betrothal ring designs for a couple of neat people I am fortunate enough to know.

Artrage experiment

Just my first cut at using the software Artrage to digitally “paint” one of my drawings. I kinda like it. It was hard adjusting to the radically different interface (I’m used to Photoshop…love CS3!) but hey, it had some features that I couldn’t get in the beloved CS3.
This was a drawing I did on the fly, from memory…thinking of Ellen Page as Juno….just a fun sketch to kill time.

So, there it is…and man, is it late at night, almost 1 a.m. and I’m wide awake scribbling on my little tablet in front of the tele (Food Network…what else is on?) So pathetic. I have to get to bed…peace out!

Originally uploaded by NewLeafCreativeWorks

IF Topic: Tales and Legends

Eliza Dolittle is a character that has always fascinated me. I read the play, Pygmalion (George Bernard Shaw) in middle school and it was years until I saw Audrey Hepburn (one of my favs) play Eliza in the musical, My Fair Lady. I love the undercurrent idea in the story of Pygmalion that happiness isn’t a byproduct of wealth or social status. Eliza ultimately chooses her own happiness, regardless of the desires of the people who try to mold her to their ideals.

Admittedly, I am also fascinated by the romantic vision of Edwardian England and I love a good love story!

Later, much!
TT

It’s been a while…

I’ve been temporarily removed from doing a lot of creative work (or work of any type) by a serious illness. No worries, though, I’m on my way to recovery and the needed rest has really recharged my creative batteries, no matter how much of a bummer the route to the rest was.I was hanging out around the house yesterday and I spotted these great cards that came from Aunt M for me, T and the kids, three of the same kind which gave me enough raw materials to make this little collage. I have been entertaining the idea of creating quilt patterns and this may be a beginning. It would be perfect for an appliqu√© quilt. Ironically, M and her sis, my M.I.L., Judi are both avid and awesome quilters. I may expand on this in sketches and patterns.

So it is good to be back at posting. I wish all of you the best in 2008. Stay tuned for more…

Little Match Girl and Goldilocks

I’m currently inspired to create illustrations based on all my favorite childhood fairy tales. These are a few of the ideas I’ve been toying with . I have more! Hansel and Gretel will be posted in a bit and there’s some sort of Indian Princess that I guess is a nod toward my love of Kipling.

Illustration Friday topic: Hats

Ok, so it’s not exactly a hat, it’s a hood but I thought this illustration of Little Red Riding Hood was appropriate for this weeks IF topic. Why not?

new ideas

I have been working on sketches for a story idea based loosely on my grandmother’s stories of her young days. She was born in 1913, so she grew up in some interesting times. I am still formulating the characterization and plot lines but I thought I’d post some of the character sketches I was working on. It’s easier for me to draw the characters in a story, first. Then I work on personality traits and unique qualities they might have. That’s very different from illustrating someone else’s story, as you are given the manuscript and have to draw the character to suit the authors description. Both paths are fun, but it’s always more fun for me to do my own stories.

pen and ink sketch

Inspired by like-minds…

My brain is teeming with all sorts of inspiration after attending the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference in Arlington, Virginia. I was treated to a wealth of information as well as a special luncheon for the speakers (Thanks E.B., you are the best!). I was thrilled to meet the Art Director and Editor for Albert Whitman and Co., — two delightful ladies with a deep devotion to their craft. The Art Director, a speaker at the illustrator’s break-out, gave an informative presentation, providing encouragement to those aspiring and those already a part of the “fufilling” profession of creating imagery for young people.

I also had the opportunity to meet, in person, Moira, my co-editor (who does most of the editing work) for the Highlighter, the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Newsletter. She’s not only a published author but also a lawyer (always a good friend to have just in case…)! I managed to buy the very last copy of her book, Alfie the Apostrophe and have it signed for my son. She was also a panelist of first time published authors and their editors.

I have lots of ideas in the cooker, now, just waiting to come out…stay tuned…

The illustration sketch above is pen and ink and is a preliminary for a story idea I am working on based on a tale from my grandmother’s childhood. It takes place in the great depression.¬†