Wednesday, February 28, 2007

tonight's sketches



After I put my son down for naps and bed I get to write and draw! I must admit that I'm always thinking about what I want to draw. Here's what I put together tonight. It's pretty cool to feel like I'm making progress. Things come from my pencil that I never could have done a year ago (unless I was copying it from a picture).

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

IF: Communication



I don't think of myself as a very good verbal communicator. It takes me a LOT longer (and with a lot more stumbles) to say what I think than it does to write it down. Maybe it's because I want to make sure that what's coming out is exactly how I feel. In addition to writing, I LOVE to communicate feelings through dance. Ballet was my passion for a long time (and I still love it, but I can't dance like I once did!). I loved the way I could express myself through movement.

The picture above was sparked by a memory from college. Every year at BYU, kids in the community choreograph their own dances (no adults help out) and then perform them for an audience. Going to that event was one of the most memorable performances I've ever seen. I felt like these kids were sharing things they felt that they may not have been able to express in any other way. My roommate was especially touched when a girl with Down's syndrome danced to "Don't Laugh at Me." My favorite, however, was when two girls lept across the floor again and again with such happy, joyful spirits. It was a moment where I felt that they were truly glorifying God for the gift of a wonderful life, for bodies that could dance and move and be!

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

a new look



Yesterday I decided to change the look on my welcome web page. Since this is the first (or only) view people may ever give me, I want it to be the best I have to offer. I chose this illustration hoping to convey a happy, kid-friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The bottom illustration is what I previously used. I obviously kept the same setting but decided to redesign my character (hopefully new and improved). Ever since buying great paper, I've been spoiled and I've wanted to redo so many illustrations.

By the way, I was excited to hear from another e-zine that they're considering me for an upcoming issue! Hooray! I'll let you know about further developments. In the meantime, I'll go back to my drawing board. (Actually, my little boy -- who is singing Mr. Ray's songs from Finding Nemo in his crib -- would probably appreciate some time with me before we're off to teach some piano students. Further art developments will have to be postponed until this evening!)

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Sail Away!

Happy Valentines!

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

GULP!



I got my first illustrating job for the upcoming children's e-zine, Stories for Children. I wrote an article for the e-zine and also get to illustrate it. Here's the illustration. You can read the article when the e-zine debuts this April. If you want to learn more about the e-zine, go to storiesforchildren.tripod.com.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Jack and Jill



This is the first night scene I think I've ever painted. I realized that many of my pictures show sunsets (I love sunset colors) and that I should try something new. It was fun! The only thing that wasn't fun is the fact that I really don't like to paint grass. Does anyone else out there feel that way too? I always want to show more detail than just a green wash, but everything I try just doesn't look good . . . and then I settle for a semi-green wash. To complicate matters, just about everything I've been painting has grass in it! I've looked at the way other illustrators do their grass, but I can't seem to find my own way that I'm happy with. Oh well. If I figure out the secret, I'll let you know!