Illustration Friday - Chicken (Rooster/Chooster?)

"You cluckin' to me?"

A chicken with a little attitude maybe? Could have more, we'll see. This was an experiment, so maybe I'll do more with this character. Push it further. It's a bit more realistic than I like, although it looks rather roosterish. Perhaps it's a chooster. But, in the meantime.....

It was mostly a digital experiment. I've always thought that even if I started working digitally, I'd still always draw on paper. But, recently, someone suggested that I try Sketchbook Express. It's an Apple App. (Hah! If nothing else, it's fun to say!) The Apple App store icon appeared on my dock recently, so it was easy to find. This version is free, so why not give it a whirl?

I like it. Specifically, I like the pencil tool. (So far.) It's simple and intuitive and felt pretty natural - with a Wacom, of course. It's no substitute for Photoshop or Painter, but I like how direct it is for drawing. Of course, there are the advantages of being able to select areas, rotate them, move them, etc., all of which I did in this drawing. So, maybe I'll like drawing this way after all. I'm not making a commitment yet, but so far, so good. Another tool in the toolbox.

Illustration Friday - Prehistoric

Nathan loved reading about prehistoric stuff and sharing with his bedtime buddies.

Snowpeople

Snow! We haven't had any here this year - yet. But, it sure feels like it could happen any minute. Very cold here! Well, it is December. This is a section of a piece that I did years ago. I still like parts of it, but I'd like to do the whole of it over again. It's on the 'to do' list. Pretty long list this time of year. And for some reason, there's a big backlog right now. So much artwork I'd like to do! So many ideas, so little time. But that's a good thing, even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes. Sigh..... In the meantime, here's a little piece of my past. Happy winter!

NEW ART NEWS: NEWS!

I've just learned about an illustration site called Illustration Pages. IP is a wonderful resource that features the work of visual artists from around the world. I love seeing work that is new to me! There are interviews, articles and links to online stores, blogs, websites and Facebook Fan Pages. I learned about this site when they featured the the work of Juanita Martinez-Neal, a wonderful, imaginative, illustrator whose work you will not want to miss. You can follow Juanita on Facebook here. Visit her website here. And, you can follow Illustration Pages on Facebook here.

Illustration Friday - Spent

How I Spent My Time Last Week: Last week, the prompt for Illustration Friday was 'racing.' But, I spent the week working on some other artwork and didn't finish this piece in time to post. So, I spent last evening finishing 'racing' just in time to post.

Illustration Friday - Spooky

Something a little different for me! I didn't think I would be able to participate in IF this week. But, while I was in the waiting room for a doctor's appointment this morning I did the black and white drawing at the top of this post. I did it with a ball point pen on the back of a fairly small receipt that was in my purse. When I got home, I added a little color in Photoshop. I think I still like the black and white version best though. The inspiration for this drawing was my sweet little dog, Kappy. (So scary!) She won an award for her vampire costume at a fund raiser for a dog park last summer. That's my husband, Paul, who is also pretty sweet! I had this little vampire (Kappy) in mind when I did my spooky sketch at the doctor's office. As usual, I took some artistic license. Not my best work, that's for sure! But it was kind of fun and helped to pass the time. 

Illustration Friday - Transportation

Ooohh! I'm dying to get some color back on this blog! Too bad it won't happen in time to post on Illustration Friday this week. In the meantime, here's my sketch for 'Transportation.' When I've finished this piece in color, I'll post it. I'm having a big debate with myself about the sky. Add some clouds? No clouds just some interesting color? I'll have to see how it evolves.

One Lovely Surprise

I've been honored to receive this Lovely Blog Award from Michele, at The Mushroom Tender.  I love seeing what Michele comes up with each week for Illustration Friday. Her artwork is clever, fun and beautiful! Michele has a very fresh, lively style that I really admire. Every week brings a new visual surprise at The Mushroom Tender. And, because her posts are as clever as her artwork, Michele's blog is as much fun to read as it is to see. Thank you Michele!

I've promised to pass this award along. So, I've chosen some of the lovely blogs that I've "discovered" by participating in Illustration Friday. IF has been a great experience. Of course, there is the opportunity to see the work of other wonderful illustrators in the IF community. But, there is also the opportunity to leave and receive comments, to follow and be followed and to learn from all that is so generously shared. Thank you so much to everyone that has shared, everyone that has stopped by my blog to leave a comment, and everyone who has chosen to follow my blog! All is much appreciated!

Here is my list of lovely bloggers for you to enjoy:

• Katalin Koos, Art by Katalin
• Kathy Hare, Moongazing Hare
• Alison Edgson, Alison Edgson Illustration
• Alicia Padron, My Place Over the Hill
• Catherine, Fizzyjinks
• Woody Miller, Pachydern Express
• Ann Marie Divecchia, My Dog is a Pancake
• Caroline, Caroline's Studio
• Karen, Karen Krings
• Will Terry, Will Terry Illustration
• Sue Rundle - Hughes, Sue Rundle Hughes Illustration
• Maria Bogade, Maria Bogade

My list, and this post, would not be complete if I didn't give a special thanks to K.H. Whitaker who was the first to welcome me to Illustration Friday and who has continued to stop by my blog (and many others) to leave kind comments and words of encouragement! You can see her lovely work at A Puddle of Crumbs. Thank you K.H. Whitaker!

Illustration Friday - Beneath

Hope springs eternal. Hoover waits patiently in hopes that a tidbit will land beneath the table. I'm not sure if this is a work in progress or a pretty tight sketch. I may keep it black and white and work on it some more. Or, maybe do a version in color. I'm sure Hoover will wait patiently for whatever I decide.

Illustration Friday - Old Fashioned

Agnes is a little old fashioned. And maybe a tad eccentric. I love her. Before I started doing Illustration Friday, I was doing something that I called After Hours Drawing. She started with a curved line on the page, one line led to another and next thing I knew...... Agnes! This week I combined the two - After Hours and Illustration Friday.  If you look to the left of my blog under labels, then click on After Hours Drawing, you can see all of my After Hours Drawings - so far. I should also add Agnes to the Characters page of my website. It's woefully in need of more participants.

Illustration Friday - Acrobat

This is Pierrot. I did a sketch of him awhile back. You can see my sketch below. He is an acrobat. Now he has a chance to perform for you.

Illustration Friday - Dessert

I did this illustration awhile ago. It was a sample for a lift the flap book by a very successful writer that I met at a conference. She was great! Her work was great! She asked if I might be willing to do a couple of samples for an unpublished manuscript to show to her editor. I said sure! Normally, I wouldn't do work on spec, but this was great fun. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I was very, very busy at that time with multiple deadlines. I loved doing a couple of pieces for her. I wish I could have done more. The manuscript was terrific!
I do like my newer work a bit better, but this was one of those weeks that I couldn't do a new piece. So, here is my illo called "Burp!"

Illustration Friday Twofer - #2 - Atmosphere and Immovable

Once again, I have 2 illos this week. The top one is for last week's prompt - Atmosphere. My caption would be: The atmosphere was spooky, but the shadow was only from a potted plant.

This week's prompt is Immovable. For that, here's an old illo of mine.

This illustration was about a little boy who wouldn't budge.

Illustration Friday Twofer - Caged and Star Gazing

This week's Illustration Friday prompt is Star Gazing. I have a picture that fits that. Kind of. I've posted it below. I really wanted to do last week's prompt which was Caged, but didn't have time to finish it then. So, here's my illo for Caged, above. I'm trying to achieve a few things in this piece - softer edges, a feeling of atmosphere and a strong sense of light.

The illustration that I am posting for Star Gazing (below) is one a did awhile back.
It was for a fundraiser for "Powered by Girl." You can read more about it here.

Illustration Friday - Giant

I am breaking my self imposed rule about always doing something new for IF. This is an old piece that has been on my website for a long time. But, maybe it's true that rules are meant to be broken - especially self imposed rules. I won't be able to produce new art for IF for a few weeks because of work and family obligations. So, at least I can participate with this 'not brand new' piece.

This is an illustration inspired by the manuscript of a close friend, Diane Mayr. You can learn about Diane and her books here. I highly recommend checking out her other blogs such as Random Noodling.
Ah well, this illustration may be old to me, but new to some of you.
And the other good thing --- for once, I'm not posting at (or even after) the last possible minute!

Illustration Friday - Paisley

What does this have to do with Paisley? Well, once again, I didn't want to illustrate the first thing that came to mind - the paisley pattern. This wasn't because I was going out of my way to be different. I just didn't particularly want to draw that pattern. So, I took a little cyber trip to see if anything else related to paisley sparked my imagination. It worked! It turns out there is a town of Paisley in Scotland. One thing led to another and I found myself looking at this site. When I saw the red light on that castle, that was it. Of course, I couldn't just copy the photo, so I made up my own glowing castle. But, is it a castle? A fortress? A shrine? Was it built to keep intruders out or to keep it's occupants in? For IF, I like trying to do illustrations that raise questions.

IF - Ripple

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is Ripple. This special theme is a collaboration with illustrator Kelly Light's Ripple blog. The project was created to raise funds for wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico.Every penny of the funds raised will go to The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center.
We were asked to consider doing a piece of artwork that is 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches. So, these are the dimensions of my piece. (The smallest I've ever done!) I've learned a lot recently about the importance of the wetlands of Louisiana that is a breeding ground for so many aquatic species and also serves as a barrier of protection from hurricanes. I'm stunned by the beauty of this unique and important area and fear for it's loss.
The piece is done with acrylic and colored pencil on 100% rag paper.
To learn more about the Ripple project and how to purchase artwork, please visit the Ripple blog.

Illustration Friday - Trail

When I started this theme, I wanted most to show ambivalence about which trail to follow. I didn't want to do a fork in the trail in the woods. So, I allowed myself some liberty and this is where my imagination led me.

Illustration Friday - Equipment

Coming in barely under the wire again for Illustration Friday. One of these weeks, maybe I'll be able to post something earlier. This will soon disappear into the archives on the Illustration Friday site. But, I'm enjoying building up some new work. The IF deadline is helpful.
The time to post was running out, but I think I'll work on this sky some more.

Tilbury House, Publishers - Powered by Girl Exhibit

Tilbury House, Powered by Girl Exhibit

Tilbury House, Publishers is sponsoring an exhibit of children's book art to benefit Powered by Girl. Tilbury House describes the project as "a campaign from Hardy Girls Healthy Women (www.hghw.org) designed to educate teen girls about the impact of media on their lives and empower them to use their creativity, wit, and individuality to make a difference." On May 24, in New York City, Tilbury House will host an evening to celebrate strong girls and diversity, with inspiring speakers, interactive art exhibits, music, and more. Sales of the artwork will benefit Powered by Girl. The exhibit will coincide with BookExpo America.
The challenge to illustrators: "Create a kid-sized work of art, as if you are illustrating a page for a children's book about your own life. A self portrait (of you now, or as a kid)? Sketch of your studio? Scene from a favorite memory?
So, here are the two pieces that I am submitting for this exhibit. Not self portraits, to be sure. I see these two pieces as more of an amalgam of the themes of the exhibit.