Thanks to the encouragement, advice, and inspiration I have received from all of you, I think I’ve finally convinced myself that I am talented enough to pull off calling myself an artist and illustrator and I think I can actually do some real children’s illustration. I still have a ton to learn and I don’t actually feel ready, but I won’t be idle. I plan on taking some classes this fall and I’ll be attending the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators summer conference in L.A. I’ll be there August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (I have to work on the 4th). I’ll be posting here anything I learn so check back. Do any of you have any advice for me on what I should be doing there? And if any of you are going to be there, I’d love to meet you!
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I neglected to post this on my blog when I did it. It was for a “Meme Lisa” thing discussed on Drawn! The pool is still open if you want to add your own version of Mona Lisa - you’ll have excellent company there. Gouache painting. Click for bigger pic.
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Spaceman Bob finds love (sort of) in space! My best bud, Bob, is a computer admin but in past lives he was an engineer/mechanic on helicopters (Army), rocket engines, and the Space Shuttles! He’s also an amature astronomer. Click for bigger pic.
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BFF… best friends forever. If you look at all my drawings you can see that while they may seem to differ in style somewhat, there is an underlining style that makes every image my own. This one is more cartoony than some of my children’s illustration styled drawings but you can still see my style. And that’s a good thing. Sketched and inked by hand, colored in PhotoShop. Click for bigger pic.
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Foggy… foggy… too… early… for… brain… Who hasn’t felt like this little girl in the morning? Sketched and inked by hand, colored in PhotoShop. Click for bigger pic.
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Sour!!! Sometimes biting a lemon causes pain that hurts so good. I’m a little late for this Illustration Friday topic but I thought I’d do one anyway. Sketched and inked by hand, colored in PhotoShop. Click for bigger pic.
My friend, Froggie (she of the immense talent and humor), has awarded me an award. It’s a Brillante Weblog Premio Award!!! I can’t say what that means but it sure is swell. I also got this award from my friend Kstyles and my friend Eugenia Gina was going to give me one but I think she changed her mind when she saw I already have one. She loves me but doesn’t want me to get spoiled. :)
The rules of accepting are:
1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
Ah… so it’s a pyramid scheme! Yes! Soon I will be rich! I must choose my seven wisely…
So here they are:
1) Zari
2) Chicken Girl
3) Flora Chang
4) Holli Conger
5) Andi Butler
6) Gina Perry
7) Valerie Walsh
If you already have one of these then get rid of it because mine is better. And, um, if you want to give me another one… well… it’s okay. I just wanna be luved. [big puppy-dog eyes]
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Millicent waded in the stream just north of Camp Sprungaleeky. Among the usual rocks, guppies and crabs, something bright caught her eye… Sketched and inked by hand, then colored in Photoshop. Click for bigger pic.
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Emila Yusof is afraid of geese. When she was little a particularly mean goose would chase her. I had a similar experience with a very large rooster when I was little so I feel for her. So here’s Emila riding that bad ole goose. Fear (and goose) conquered! Huzzah! (click for larger image)
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“Arrrr! I be needin’ to ship off an’ tend to throat-cuttin’ an’ pillagin’! I can’t be attendin’ little Jasmine’s fairy princess party! Me mates be waitin’ for me!” No one seems to understand the important duties of a pirate, least of all his wife. Click for larger image.
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Beatrice hoards the flowers to keep others from enjoying them. Oh, no! She missed one! Sketched and inked by hand, then colored in Photoshop. Click for bigger pic.
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Am I ready to actually sell something? Well, I suppose I’m ready to try. First off, I got some prints made. This one is my “Blanket” painting. It’s a 10 by 6.5 inch giclee print on high-quality art paper. I’m selling them signed and numbered, limited to 50, for $40 US. I got the prints made at Imagekind and I was very happy with the results - crisp, high definition and perfect colors! I’ll be selling these through Etsy, along with some original artwork and crafts. Next, I got some stamps made with my “100% Precipitation” painting. This was just for fun, not for sale. I like them! I got them made at 
Zazzle, cheaper than others I’ve found but a 42 cent stamp still comes to 88 cents each with tax and shipping. To be used sparingly, yes. I also got some mini business cards and stickers from Moo. I’ll probably use the stickers (would anyone be interested in buying stickers with my images?). The cards will have multiple images of my artwork. And lastly, I’m in the process of making a book of my favorite work - 34 pages, full color, 6 by 9 inch perfect bound, printed through Lulu. I plan on using them as portfolios. Would anyone be interested in buying one? A mere $20, signed by yours truly?
Just added: I’m going to try out Cafe Press as well.
BTW: If anyone knows of a better service than the ones I listed above, please tell me about it in the comments section! Love you all!
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My daughter Jasmine had a “crossing the bridge” ceremony. Crossing from 2nd grade to 3rd. It was a good, quick ceremony preceded by some nice socializing with kids saying goodbye and parents planning play dates. This image I made to grace the front of the cards for her teachers. She looks so ready to learn, huh? Click for bigger pic.
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My daughter, Jasmine, turns 8 next week and she’s having a bowling birthday party. Her idea. This is the illustration for her invitations. Click for bigger pic.) |
