Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Illustration Friday "Shelter"


The newest topic for Illustration Friday is "shelter." The image above is the one that I drew this week.
The one below is an older piece that I remembered for inspiration. I've seen my style of illustration change over the years. Critiques that I received from art editors at various SCBWI events, encouraged me to simplify my characters' expressions. Over the years of posting to this blog, I have accumulated hundreds of drawings that record the evolution of my work. I am always astounded by how many pieces I have, when I look through my files of art work. 


I recently bought the book, "the life-changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo, and loved her concept of keeping things that "spark joy"and getting rid of the other things that clutter up one's life and home. Getting rid of clothes and books is relatively easy, but I imagine artists everywhere are laughing when it comes to all the "stuff" we couldn't bear to part with, or need for our creative processes! As I am on my February break from school this week, I am continuing the process of "tidying" and organizing, and throwing out the useless items. It's very easy to get side-tracked while going through my studio spaces though, as I find myself lingering over pieces and stuff that forgot I even had!

Monday, February 22, 2016

The Heron Print, next stage...


I've been working on this print for a while, but I think I'll be finished this week. The image above is the stage that I'm at right now. I just printed the brown layer, and I am carving the block in preparation for the final one, which will be black. I'm using a "gomuban" plate which is softer than linoleum, but harder than easy-cut. I like the material because I can use a printing press, and get more consistent colors overall. The easy-cut doesn't work well with the press as it can get squished and distorted by the pressure.

On my winter break this week, so it's nice to have some flexible time to get a few projects completed!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

"Mystery of the Missing Socks"


My idea for this week's Illustration Friday prompt, "mystery"

These valentines are one's that were sent to my grandfather around 1911--1916. I have a large collection of old postcards that my great-grandmother must have saved from his early childhood. It's fun to read the messages on the back of each card, and try to figure out who had sent it.