sketching

I made a goal to do a bit more sketching this year, something that is actually much easier for me than it is to create something from my own imagination (although not as much fun). I can easily go on auto-pilot and think about or listen to something else while I do it. In this case, I was listening to a basketball game.

Brothers

I'm not sure if I'll actually put color on this (too many things I'd need to work out that I'm not wanting to do right now), but I love the story. My oldest son really likes playing with kids (as opposed to me) and is always trying to get my youngest to do something with him. After dancing together last Sunday, the youngest decided he was done and lugged his stool to the window to look at the snow. My oldest said, "OK, now we can look at the snow!" He went over to my youngest and tenderly put his hand on the small of his brother's back. My youngest wasn't so sure about the whole thing, but it certainly filled me up with warm joy!

Hello Again!

OK, so I know I haven't been around for a while, but I just realized that it's been since JULY since I last posted! Ahem.

Watercolor Wednesdays has already seen this illo, but some of you have not. I created this for a children's book I wrote many years ago that I hope to one day publish.

Speaking of books, I finished my very first for Brown Books (an "all-purpose" publishing house - they help people self-publish books). The way it worked was they asked me to submit a spec piece (like the one below) for an author to look at. The author liked my style and chose me to illustrate the story. It was nice to get paid (howbeit a bit meager), to add to my portfolio, and to compliment my resume. Once the book is published (March-ish?) I can share illo's.

My tendonitis has much improved, thanks to a nifty personal ultrasound machine I purchased. It is SOOO nice to be able to do things without being in pain (or, worse, feeling like I'm only making things worse)!

tendonitis

Sorry about the lack of posts. I've got tendonitis in both elbows that I'm trying to rest and heal from and everything aggravates it. Sigh.

I've done 2 illo's on spec recently. I didn't get the job for the one below but I'm waiting on the other. Because of tendonitis, I was relieved not to get the job. But I do like how the illo turned out.

Stories for Children - June

Here's my latest illo for Stories for Children. 

"sticky"

Here's my Watercolor Wednesday's contribution this week. The prompt was "sticky," and what could be more "sticky" than some roasted marshmallows on a stick?

Illustration Friday: Unfold

Saying goodbye to an old friend, however bittersweet, also leads to the unfolding of new adventures. What kind of future awaits this boy, his teacher, and (of course) the hamster? That unknown can be scary, but I always feel a bit of excitement in these situations. 

I created this for Watercolor Wednesdays wanting to use scrap paper and a quick sketch. I like how it turned out, but the colors didn't scan in as nicely as the original. Reds, for some reason, come out flaming hot while the more subtle colors tend to fade. Oh well. My favorite part of the illo is her skirt. And the hamster (although you can't see it very well). 

By the way, an editor from Brown Books emailed me a couple weeks ago after having found one of my portfolios on the web (coroflot). She likes my stuff and asked if I'd like to be a freelance illustrator for their company. I realize that she may never actually call with an assignment for me, but just the thought that an editor from an established publishing company likes my work gave me the boost I needed. I don't think I could ever quit illustrating (it's way too much fun), but it is easy to feel discouraged and to wonder if I really have what it takes.