Caution

Sometimes caution ties my hands, other times I take the anxiety and play with it. (Hand modeling thanks to G.A.B)

My youngest decided to join me in the Illustration Friday fun this week. Here is Sylvie’s work. She taught herself to use  a free paint program that came with the family computer. Unbeknownst to me, she  was working away on her submission while I was here in my studio working on mine. Surprise Mom! I am looking forward to doing mother/daughter IF posts more often.

Big thanks to Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty for the inspiration!

IF: Wrapped

Its been a while since I’ve posted anything to Illustration Friday, so I thought I’d give the prompt “wrapped” a whirl.

Here is the preliminary sketch I did of myself wrapped in towels.  It doesn’t really look like me.

The nose is too short and the eyes are too big and the chin is just wrong. Self portraits are tough. One thing I learned is that if you put on a clay face mask before you start it helps you see the planes of your face. I think it changes the way you look just enough so that you can see yourself a little better. Below is a reference photo.

Ok,  yeah, I got a little carried away with the face mask…heh heh… next time I’ll use more colors and put flowers on my cheeks and make myself into a sugar skull.

For some wonderfully expressive portraits, check out my cousin Janet’s paintings. She really knows how to capture a likeness. You can find her work at the Bluebird Novelty Co.

IF: Resolve

One thing I have resolved is to make & share a daily sketch.  Most I’ll post on my sketchbook page ( –> ) and some  to Creative Every Day. And some will really stink and I won’t post them anywhere. How’s that for a New Year’s resolution?

Sketchy days of summer

On those days when it is too hot to even move, it is nice to settle in with a sketchbook and a tall glass of tea (maybe some added mint from the garden if you dare venture out for it).

…..and to dream about far away places.

Sketchbook Exchange Program

TAG

No, that’s not a meme. it stands for Towson Artists Group, a wonderful art collective that I draw with once a week. They are having their Second Annual Group Show and I am so pleased to be part of it!

I had a lot of fun doing the illustration for the postcard in my usual style. However, I had a really hard time deciding what pieces to put into the show. No art director to please?!? Yikes! I wanted to include only pieces that I had done from drawings I did with the group (although that wasn’t a requirement). This is one that I finally chose….

And here is one that I didn’t choose but wish I had. I wasn’t sure if it was finished….I’m still not sure if it is finished…hmmm.

The show is at Adornment Gallery (previously Gallery M.I.M.) in the Meadow Mill. It runs through July 12th. There is so much to see from this diverse group. Stop by if you are in the Baltimore area!

IF: Baby

One of my favorite models for my life drawing group was a pregnant woman. She was a great model and could sit verrrrry still. The baby, on the other hand, could not stay still. Everytime she kicked or moved, her mother would smile a tiny smile and that smile would then spread to everyone in the room. The baby girl was born about a month ago. I hope to meet her this weekend!

Sketchbook Month

In which we will complete a 100 page sketchbook during the merry month of May.

Work in progress

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a painting in oil. I’m not used to the drying time between layers and smudged things up a bit…..patience, patience.

Life drawing

For the past few months I have been attending weekly life drawing sessions with the Towson Artists Group. As an illustrator, I make art that fits within the parameters of “my style” to meet the needs of a specific client. When I work with kids (mine and others) I also tend to stylize and get crafty. It has been years since I have tried to simply and accurately draw what I see in front of me. At first I felt clumsy and self conscious, it was hard to get past the idea that I needed to be communicating a “concept”, but now I am completely hooked. It has been a blast of fresh air to be around adults who are painting and drawing for the sheer joy of it. The others in the group seem so comfortable and at ease with their work, but they take it seriously. The camaraderie has been fantastic.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my clients. Making art to fill a client’s needs is a completely different kind of challenge with its own rewards. And I have so much fun (and learn a ton of stuff!) working with kids. My once a week life drawing exercise is sort of like going to the gym. I am enjoying working a different part of my brain – hand relationship.