Haystack Dancing

Please Vote For Raj!

Raj the Bookstore Tiger is a finalist for the Cardoza Award!  It would be so Paw-some if you could drop by the site and vote for this brave little marmalade kitty!

Vote here!

Master Plan

Still designing some test spreads. Text is not final, it was mostly to fill in for design.

More Styles

One of the downfalls of having multiple styles--never sure which to go with!

Minimalist

I love white space, and a minimalistic feel. 

More Sophia

My main character WAS a chicken, but I love drawing pigs so much, I changed her to something a little more porcine.  Plus as a pig there are so many more opportunities for body language!

Hey, Hay Pig!

Another illustration drawn with the ink dropper.

Illustration Friday: Refresh

Make Way!

Illustration Friday: Refresh

After a refreshing nap, Sophia was up to her usual Night Owl ways.

Title Page Inked Sketch

Inked with a little bit of value study:

Title Page Sketch

Dah-ling!

Why No Comments?

Hi everyone, I just wanted to post a little note of explanation as to why comments have been removed from my blog.

I sometime do this when I'm making style decisions.  When you're experimenting and trying something new that you're unsure of, it's hard not to be swayed by people's opinions.  There is always a time and place for reader participation, but then there's a time for quiet and reflection.  Most artists hold a tiny need to entertain/impress and gain acceptance from their audience.  But if this over takes your decision making, then you are no longer drawing for yourself nor being true to yourself.  I don't want to fall into that trap.

With the advent of Facebook, forums, blogs etc, basic TRUE creative expression is in a bit of danger.  I've admittedly found myself subconsciously making artistic decisions based on number of "likes" or comments on my work, and that is not what I should be doing--nor what any artist should be doing for that matter.

Again, always be true to yourself...I can't say that enough.  Remember to give yourself room to create without the watchful and ever-present eye of internet friends, critics and readers.  It will make you a better artist, and therefor, in the long run, make your audience happier when that time comes to present your work to the public eye for a critique, a gallery show, or even a book.  For while, it should be just you and your work, and maybe a close friend or family member.  Don't lose that beautiful quiet, that moment when the world fades and it's just you, your paints, and your heart--don't lost it to the noise of the internet. 

More Thumbnail Sketches

This is the whole book sketched out in tiny frames, although I'll continue to change things around, try new compositions etc.

Illustration Friday: Secret

Color Test - Sophia

Took some time off for under-the-weatherness and now continuing work on my story idea.  I now have three manuscripts that my agent is interested in (yay!), but this one is my favorite.  It's a classic who-ate-who story (haha) and of course co-stars a very charming, cunning and HUNGRY FOX!

More Thumbnail Sketches

Thumbnail Sketches

This stage is where the book really starts to take shape. :)

The Evolution Continues

Character development is hard work, but so exciting!  Love watching a personality come to life.

Chicken Sketches

Hi everyone, I talked to my agent yesterday about the flower hat bear story, and it wasn't her favorite.  But she wants me to keep working on a chicken story I had written back when she first signed me.  It's really taking shape, and I think I'm close to having the final draft.

For right now I'm trying to figure out the main character's design and have decided to base her on the classic Hollywood actors such as Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn (oh, and the glasses are a Jackie Kennedy-ish style).  My agent also wants the story laid in thumbnail sketches to get a feeling for the pacing, which I'll post as well.  I'm so excited! :) 

A Little Digital Coloring

This will ultimately be in watercolor, but the digital is good for figuring out colors.

The Salesmole

Uh Oh

More Sketchbook Stuff

New Sketchbook!

Balloons and Puppies

Illustratin Friday: Sight II

Stage Fright

This is called the ostrich defense.  If you can't see it, it's not there.

Grumpy Flower Hat Bear

Kitty Hugs

Illustration Friday: Sight

Bear Hug

Sassafras

Sassafras is a little character I've been working on.  Her character design will probably evolve over the next few days.  Despite her love of tutus she does not dance.  She just likes the look of the tutu lol.

Thank You Card

No Use

I want a tutu for bad days, so I can sit like this on the floor.

Illustration Friday: Kernel

Miss Sophia, despite her piggy-ness, had a kernel of grace from deep within.  Oink!

Flower

The Little Magician

Bo

Raccoon in a Moonlit Field

Pig Owes Porcupine Money

"I'll return your money when the moon's no longer full," said Pig.

Lemon and Water

Original Art For Sale

Hi everyone!  I've opened my first Etsy shop :0)  This illustration is one of several original art pieces available: