just pencil on paper

Illustration Friday---Popularity

2012-02-13T17:16:00.000-08:00

The popularity of the Valentine's Day cupcakes boosted her own popularity as well.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak Block Print

2012-02-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon in the printmaking studio at NHIA, finishing up the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak print. The last layer of ink is black, so now the bird really pops out. I had printed a red layer first and found it hard to cover that bright hue. I ended up with layers of red, gray, blue-green, green, and black. I'm happy with the results, and glad to finish it as a Valentine's Day gift for my husband. Originally it was supposed to be for Christmas.

For my next project in class, I'm learning how to make a lithograph. I knew it was a lengthy process to get the stone prepared, but I didn't realize how much a physical process it is. I spent most of the class leaning over the graining sink, graining the stone with various carborundum grits to get the surface level and free of scratches. At next week's class I'm hoping to get to the drawing stage where I'll use lithographic pencils with a high grease content to build up tones. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak Print

2012-02-07T13:18:00.000-08:00

I have been working on a new reduction block print of a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. These birds are one of the favorites that vist our feeder in the summer. I cut out the white areas on the bird first, and then printed a red layer. The second layer was a neutral gray to help cover the red. I 've printed one more layer of a greenish-gray so far. Today I cut away some of the background, and will print the leaves color next.

And the Winner is....Illustration Friday "suspense"

2012-02-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

"And the Winner is......"

Big day in New England---we are all in suspense about the outcome of the Super Bowl!!

Good-bye Sketchbook

2012-02-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

I mailed off my sketchbook on Monday for the 2012 Sketchbook Project. I finished up the cover this past weekend and sent it off to Brooklyn NY. I am looking forward to checking it out (literally, you get a library card) when the Sketchbook Project Tour visits New England.

Illustration Friday "forward"

2012-01-30T17:47:00.000-08:00

These fans are looking forward to the big game on Sunday!

Illustration Friday "Twirl"

2012-01-22T12:59:00.001-08:00

While she was supposed to be listening to the lesson, Alice would sometimes daydream and twirl her hair.

I preferred to doodle in my notebooks, and I still do.

Minumental Exhibition 2012

2012-01-21T07:20:00.000-08:00

These are the two images that I've entered in the New Hampshire Institute of Art's 10th Annual Minumental Exhibition. They look pretty big here, but they are actually only 2" x 2". Every piece in the show is this size. The 2-D pieces are in uniform large white mats (11" x 14"), and the 3-D work must fit a 2"x 2" x 2" limit. All the artwork is for sale with a maximum price set at $44.95. The show opens in the Amherst Street Gallery on January 25th, and sales begin at 12:30pm. These images were inspired by a series of photographs my husband took last winter in our yard. The media I used was Prismacolor colored pencils and watercolor. For more information about the show you can visit the website: www.nhia.edu

Gray Squirrel

Blue Jay

Illustration Friday "prepare"

2012-01-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

The chefs are working extra hard to prepare for the opening of their new restaurant.

Art Shows

2012-01-12T14:15:00.001-08:00

It's a little early for Valentine's Day but I wanted to mention that I will have some work in the "Love, Lust, and Desire" show at the McGowan Fine Art gallery in Concord, NH. The show runs from January 31--February 17 this year. All the pieces are no larger than 8 1/2" x 11", unframed and affordable. The link is http://www.mcgowanfineart.com/lovelustdesire.html
When I looked on their site, I was excited and pleased to see that one of my illustrations, "Yoga Mouse", had already been sold.

Illustration Friday "grounded"

2012-01-07T12:36:00.001-08:00

Due to the snowstorm, all flights have been grounded.

Hope everyone has had a pleasant first week of the New Year! We are still enjoying a snow-less winter so far. The temps have been relatively mild, and I was able to go out for a nice long walk early this morning with one of my friends. We decided we'd prefer the bare pavements, even if it meant no cross-country skiing or snowshoeing for a while. Weather conditions can change very quickly here in New England, so it probably won't be long before it looks more typical for January.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2012-01-02T07:07:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Mom! Enjoy!

Illustration Friday "Highlight"

2011-12-30T18:09:00.000-08:00

The highlight of her birding excursion was the sighting of a scarlet tanager!

I've been trying to organize my studio space over the past two days, so I can begin the new year with a clean desk and some semblance of order. This how it looks tonight! Happy New Year to all!

Illustration Friday "messenger"

2011-12-26T16:34:00.001-08:00

This messenger must be bringing an important message!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T17:41:00.001-08:00

Best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas!

Illustration Friday "sink"

2011-12-17T16:15:00.000-08:00

I thought this spread that I had sketched out for my Sketchbook Project story would make an appropriate image for the IF theme "sink". Today I added watercolor and colored pencil to get it to a more finished state. The paper in the sketchbook is pretty flimsy and not the best for wet media, so the book's pages are a bit wrinkled. I'm hoping they'll flatten out if I put a weight on the book when I'm all done.

Mt. View Print

2011-12-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

I always have good intentions for sending out Christmas cards, and I even started early on a wintery-themed print this year. I have finished printing it, but that's about it so far. I think it's easier to just post it for now, and to send out a wish for a white Christmas!

Illustration Friday "separated"

2011-12-10T17:07:00.000-08:00

I've been working on the final pages of my Sketchbook Project sketchbook. If you haven't heard of it, check out http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject2012 .

The theme I chose was "uncharted waters" and I've been drawing the tale of a mouse who receives a message that starts him out on a watery journey. I thought this illustration would be appropriate for this week's IF theme, "separated" as it depicts the the reunion of two who've been separated.

Happy Anniversary!

2011-12-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Illustration Friday "brigade"

2011-12-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

The finished version with watercolor and Prismacolor pencils.

"Elf Brigade" in Black and White

2011-12-04T13:11:00.001-08:00

This is Illustration Friday 's word of the week, "Brigade" in its black and white stage---I will try to get the colored version posted this evening. Ideally there should probably be more elves in the gift brigade, but maybe these are just the stragglers.

Illustration Friday "Round"

2011-11-25T18:28:00.001-08:00

It's important to roll a nice round ball for the snowman's head!

Illustration Friday---Vanity

2011-11-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

Added a little color to the sketch I posted yesterday.

Sketch for IF "vanity"

2011-11-20T18:26:00.001-08:00

Working on a sketch for the Illustration Friday theme of "vanity"---a vain cat on a vanity.

Illustration Friday "Silent"

2011-11-11T17:07:00.001-08:00

Illustration Friday "Stripes"

2011-11-06T18:14:00.001-08:00

Finishing up a busy weekend by posting this week's Illustration Friday image. I used black prismacolor pencil, vine charcoal, and Lunar Black watercolor on a smooth heavyweight paper.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

Glad to be finally posting my Illustration Friday drawing for this week's theme of "scary". It was pretty scary around my house for the last few days as we didn't have power or heat for over 24 hours, due to a record-breaking October snow storm. We had about 20" of wet heavy snow in my area. Fortunately our power came on late last night, although many people are still without electricity all up the East Coast. It's so odd to see fall foliage and this much snow on the ground at the same time! But we're expecting temperatures warming into the 50's this week, so much of it will be gone. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my unexpected day off from school!

Illustration Friday "fuel"

2011-10-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

Fuel up to start the day!

"Scattered" with watercolor

2011-10-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Added a little color to yesterday's black and white version of this week's Illustration Friday theme.

Illustration Friday "Scattered"

2011-10-16T18:21:00.001-07:00

After a very busy weekend, I only had time to complete the black and white image of my idea for IF "scatter". I'm planning on adding watercolor this week, and will post the colored version when it's done.

I had an enjoyable day on Saturday at the NH Art Educator's Fall Conference held at the NH Institute of Art. The keynote speaker spoke about art and how our brains are fully engaged during the creative process. I also had the chance to work on a dry point etching through out the day in one of the studios. Today entailed some volunteer time at my town's Pumpkin Festival. It felt like a true Fall day with temperatures in the high 50's/low 60's and a brisk wind. The leaves are close to peak color right now and very pretty!

Illustration Friday "Contraption"

2011-10-10T07:29:00.001-07:00

Can a simple contraption work to recapture her pet rabbit?

It has been a beautiful Columbus Day weekend here in New England! The temperatures have been summer-like, the sky blue, and the foliage lovely. I think it's our payback for enduring a rainy September. I'm happily off work today for the holiday, so got up early to finish my Illustration Friday piece, drink tea, and to watch PBS documentaries on my computer while drawing. I don't want to break my self-imposed 2 year streak of weekly Illustration Friday posts, so it's nice to have a long weekend to get things done.

Illustration Friday "Hibernate"

2011-10-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Mr. Bear is getting prepared for his long winter nap.

Ferocious

2011-09-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

I spent the day at the Portsmouth Open Market at Strawberry Banke, manning the booth/tent with Vita. This was our final Sunday of the season, and the nicest one for weather. It felt more like a summer afternoon than the first weekend of Fall. It was definitely better than our first Sunday in June when it rained most of the day, and the wind kept knocking over the art work. While hanging out at the booth today, I worked on this sketch for the Illustration Friday theme of "ferocious".

Illustration Friday "mesmerizing"

2011-09-18T18:21:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday "Boundaries"

2011-09-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday "Mysterious"

2011-09-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

"mysterious night noises"

Just a quick charcoal sketch for this week's IF theme. I'm back at work for the new school year, and as always it's a busy time. It has been a hot and humid Labor Day weekend here in New England, which is much better than dealing with last weekend's brush with Hurricane Irene. Looking forward to some cooler Fall days, but not the loss of the long daylight hours. It is always bittersweet to say good-bye to summer vacation!

Otter Point print

2011-09-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

I took a lot of pictures of the rocky coast on Mount Desert Island. when we visited Acadia National Park in August. I thought the colors of the rocks and ocean would make interesting block print images. This is a four-color print of a view at the end of the Otter Point trail. The trail begins at Sand Beach and takes you by Thunder Hole, and along the coast for several miles of easy hiking with spectacular views.

Illustration Friday "disguise"

2011-08-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

Our summer vacation's over,
we're sad the way it flies!
But don't we look too old for school,
while wearing this disguise?

Illustration Friday "influence"

2011-08-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

"Media Influence"

Illustration Friday "Swell"

2011-08-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

Time to find the biggest swell and ride it to the shore.

Portsmouth Open Market on Sunday

2011-08-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

Vita and I will be selling our art at the Portsmouth Open Market tomorrow, Aug 14th from 10am--4pm. Hoping for good weather and big crowds! See you there!

http://www.portsmouthopenmarket.com/

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-10T14:05:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Dad!

Illustration Friday "Imperfect"

2011-08-06T18:53:00.001-07:00

On recital day, no one cared a bit that the little dancers' routine was imperfect.

Illustration Friday "Obsession"

2011-07-31T17:43:00.000-07:00

Imagine the reaction when Mom and Dad give her concert tickets for her birthday!

Summer Studio

2011-07-26T08:24:00.001-07:00

Sadie enjoyed the sun, while I worked on the birdhouses print.

Illustration Friday "perennial"

2011-07-25T11:03:00.001-07:00

Maybe this would be the year she broke her habit of perennial tardiness.

Beach Rose watercolor version

2011-07-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

In my last post I showed the reduction print version of "Beach Roses". This one is made using the black final layer of the block, with the addition of watercolor. The colors are a bit brighter, which I like, but it loses some the details and depth of the original.

Beach Roses

2011-07-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is a new print I made recently to sell at the Portsmouth Open Market at Strawberry Banke. I ended up printing 6 layers---yellow, light green, pale pink, deep pink, dark green, and black. I am also doing another version of this print where I only print the black layer and paint the colors in with watercolor.

I hope some of you will be able to visit Vita and I at our booth this Sunday, July 24th. We'll be there from 10-4pm.

"Gesture drawing"

2011-07-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

This week's topic for Illustration Friday is "gesture", so I thought I'd go with the idea of a drawing class where students are warming up with gesture drawings of their model.

Illustration Friday "Stay"

2011-07-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

"Can't we stay longer!"
We headed off to the beach on an absolutely gorgeous day this past week. The water was about 60 degrees, so it was bearable for the occasional dip. I usually don't find myself full-out swimming until August when the ocean gets a little warmer. We stayed all day, and in spite of a few missed sunscreen spots, and an empty cooler, we weren't in any hurry to leave.

Illustration Friday "Remedy"

2011-07-03T12:38:00.001-07:00

" A remedy for loneliness"

Illustration Friday "midsummer night"

2011-06-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

This week's prompt for Illustration Friday made me think about one of my favorite childhood memories of summer. My family did alot of camping, and we always roasted marshmallows around the fire at night. When my own girls were younger, we traveled with our pop-up camper and continued the tradition.

Here's a picture of my dad, sister, and me sitting around our campfire at Rangely State Park in Maine in 1968.

Illustration Friday "Launch"

2011-06-18T17:48:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday "swept"

2011-06-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

Her job was to make sure the porch was swept every day.

Open Market in Portsmouth on Sunday

2011-06-11T07:35:00.001-07:00

I'll be at the Portsmouth Open Market tomorrow at Strawberry Banke. Vita Mechachonis and I are sharing a booth from 10--4pm, rain or shine (we're hoping for more shine than rain). If you're in the Portsmouth area, stop by!

Illustration Friday "Shadows"

2011-06-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Just a quick illustration for this week's prompt---shadows. The weather is warming up, and I imagine everyone would like to sit in the shade with a cold drink.

I've been very busy trying to get ready for my first Open Market day in Portsmouth that's coming up on Sunday the 12th. My friend Vita and I are sharing a booth and selling our wares at Strawberry Banke from 10--4. Hoping for great weather and lots of visitors!

Illustration Friday "asleep"

2011-05-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

Mr. Pig is enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend!

Illustration Friday "soaked"

2011-05-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

It's been rainy here for the last 7 days, so it was easy to be inspired by the word "soaked". The sun finally came out this morning, but we've had a few showers this afternoon.

I posted this illustration on my group blog, Smells like Crayons last week, but since it goes so well with the topic, I'll post it again here.

Illustration Friday "Safari"

2011-05-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

Bug Safari!

sketch for "geranium" print

2011-05-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

Working on an idea for a new reduction print. I've transferred the design to my easy-cut block and cut out the white areas. It's time to print the first layer of light blue-gray. Seems like a good project for a dreary weekend (weather-wise).

"Beginner"

2011-05-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of the Beginner class at the town pool.

Illustration Friday "lesson"

2011-04-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Today I am posting a couple images from my book "Alice and The Bird Lady". It told the story of my grandmother, who grew up on Block Island, and the lessons she learned from the island "bird lady", Miss Elizabeth Dickens. Miss Dickens used to visit my grandmother's one-room schoolhouse to teach the students all about birds. She would brings stuffed birds from her collection, as well as take the students out on field trips to observe the birds and their habitats.

Princess and the Pea

2011-04-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Royal Wedding, I thought I'd post an illustration I created to commemorate the musical, "Once Upon a Mattress" that was recently performed at my school. Students from the Art Department painted a giant wooden bed to look like it really had 19 soft mattresses on it. The show was a great success! Fortunately, Kate Middleton didn't have to be a "real" princess to marry her prince. I enjoyed watching all the pageantry, even if I did have to get up at 5 am this morning. I brewed a cup of English Breakfast tea and settled down with the cat to watch the perfectly orchestrated event. Cheers to the happy couple!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T18:50:00.001-07:00

This week's Illustration Friday's word is "bicycle" so I'm posting a bicycle riding Easter Bunny! His mode of transportation is also appropriate for "Earth Day". Hope everyone has a joyous weekend!

Illustration Friday "journey"

2011-04-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

Hope Bear has packed enough supplies for his journey!

Illustration Friday "bottled"

2011-04-10T17:43:00.001-07:00

Her bottled up emotions spilled onto the pages of her diary. This one ended up as mainly a line drawing done with a black Prismacolor pencil on Canson cold press watercolor paper. May add some watercolor values later, but still keep it monochromatic.

Illustration Friday "Duet"

2011-04-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

I never had a pet bird to try this with, but sometimes I can get a cardinal to answer me back when I whistle their call. Enjoyed a long, early morning walk today, and it was so nice to hear all the birds singing their Spring songs!

Snow Day

2011-04-01T07:01:00.001-07:00

Experiencing an unexpected snow day here, with a forecast for 6+ inches of heavy wet snow. Wish it were all an April Fool's joke instead of reality. We had one beautiful day Wednesday, when the temperature reached the upper fifties, and I enjoyed a nice long walk with a friend in the afternoon. I'm posting a new block print that I finished last week of a local barn. I had taken the picture of the barn right after one of our big snow storms in January. Since everything is white again outside my window, I thought this print should make its debut.

Illustration Friday "Toy"

2011-03-26T18:51:00.001-07:00

Some toys run on imagination, not batteries.

PSU Clock Tower Print

2011-03-22T17:40:00.000-07:00

Finally finished a print that I've been working on for an art show. The theme is what "PSU means to you". I struggled with ideas for what would represent my alma mate, especially almost 30 years after graduation. I settled on the iconic clock tower and Fall. It was such a beautiful place to be during the foliage season, and so much fun to be back at school.

This reduction print is made from one "easy-cut" block and 5 layers of ink. The size is 6" x 6".

Illustration Friday "Cultivate"

2011-03-20T18:23:00.001-07:00

Cultivate the things that you want to grow in your life.

Illustration Friday "Stir"

2011-03-13T11:48:00.001-07:00

The whiff of a Spring breeze caused Black Bear to stir from his den.

Illustration Friday "Warning"

2011-03-05T18:15:00.001-08:00

Think Spring

2011-03-05T04:46:00.001-08:00

It was my turn to design the header for our group blog, . Check out the new Smells Like Crayons header, as well as recent posts from my illustrator friends.

Illustration Friday "Swarm"

2011-02-26T14:22:00.000-08:00

Nothing ruins Spring planting like a swarm of blackflies buzzing around one's head!

Although at this point, I'll take a few blackflies. We had 7" of heavy, wet snow yesterday, and the weather service is predicting 3-5 more for tonight into tomorrow morning.

Tufted Titmouse Print

2011-02-22T07:57:00.001-08:00

Just finished a print of a Tufted Titmouse. The size of the image is 4" x 4" and it is a 4-color reduction print (using only one block). I printed with Akua inks on Speedball blockprinting paper.

I haven't seen a titmouse today, but we did have a flock of Common Redpolls in the yard. This is the first time I've seen them this season. Also lots of goldfinches on the feeders, robins in the sumac, and a few Pine Siskens. At the moment, a trio of Mourning Doves are sitting in sun, while several more are actively foraging around them. It's a beautiful clear day, but the temperatures are still in the twenties. Glad to be inside drinking my hot tea, and enjoying the birds outside of my window. A quick walk to the post office earlier convinced me of that.

Illustration Friday "Layer"

2011-02-20T11:46:00.000-08:00

On cold winter nights, Mr. Mouse had to put layer upon layer of quilts on his bed.

We had a tiny taste of Spring here on Thursday and Friday--temps in the fifties, and lots of melting snowbanks. Sadly, it didn't last, as we've been back in the twenties all weekend with ferocious winds shaking the house and knocking branches out of the trees. Still there is a sense of hope as the hours of daylight are lengthening, and the month of March is quickly approaching. We'll still probably get some snowstorms, but the tight grip of Winter is loosening.

Illustration Friday "sweater"

2011-02-12T19:04:00.001-08:00

Time for a walk in a Valentine sweater.

Illustration Friday "Reverse"

2011-02-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

Mr. Mouse put his brand new sports car in reverse, and drove out of the dealer's lot.

New blog header

2011-02-02T09:33:00.001-08:00

Another snow day and another day off from school---we're up to four now! Good opportunity to finish my new blog header for February and get it posted. Now to head outside and dig out my car again.

"Sam"

2011-01-29T14:22:00.001-08:00

I had fun making a four-color reduction print my friend Vita's dog, Sam. I used an easy cut printing block and Akua inks. I posted photos of the steps I followed to make the image on my illustration group's blog, Smells Like Crayons. There's a link on the right side of the page if you'd like to visit and learn more.

IF "Surrender"

2011-01-28T18:51:00.001-08:00

Surrender!

Illustration Friday "Dusty"

2011-01-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

You never know what you might find in a dusty old attic! My grandparents' attic was a lot like this one. When we eventually had to clean out their house, my most interesting find was a trunk which contained a very old porcelain doll's head with beautiful blond hair. I don't know what happened to the rest of the doll's body, but someone had saved the head.

For this illustration, I used black prismacolor pencil and a limited palette of burnt umber and ultramarine blue (and a tiny bit of alizarin crimson mixed in for the face).

Illustration Friday "chicken"

2011-01-15T18:33:00.001-08:00

"Don't be chicken!"

Snow day

2011-01-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

I'm home enjoying a snow day from school. This gray squirrel was out on the tray feeder trying to dig out some seeds from under a fresh pile of snow. We've received about 16" of snow so far and it's still coming down.
This drawing is only 2" x 2" in size and done in black prismacolor. I'm thinking of putting it into the 9th Annual Minumental Show at the NHIA. Every piece is 2" x 2" and all are priced at $44.99.

Illustration Friday "Deja-vu"

2011-01-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

When Felix saw the girl in the bakery window, he was flooded by a sense of deja-vu.

Illustration Friday "resolutions"

2011-01-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

Time to pull out the journal and make one's resolutions for 2011.

Happy Birthday MOM!

2010-12-31T13:51:00.001-08:00

My mom's 75th birthday is coming up on Sunday. Here's the little card that I made for her.

Illustration Friday "Winter"

2010-12-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for a big snowstorm here in New England---our first one of this winter. I will have to break out the XC skis myself next week and get out there and enjoy it.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T18:06:00.000-08:00

Three little snowmen bearing gifts---hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Illustration Friday "Mail"

2010-12-19T17:25:00.000-08:00

Peace on Earth!

Solarplate Print "Lap Cat"

2010-12-18T04:46:00.001-08:00

Just finished my 12 week printmaking class at NHIA with this Solarplate print of my cat, Sadie. She was sleeping on my lap the other day so I drew her from above. I transferred the sketch onto a piece of mylar, then transferred it onto the Solarplate. This image was printed on BFK paper using Akua waterbased intaglio ink.

It's funny, now that Sadie is getting older, she has become a lap cat. In her younger days she would never stay. I think her older bones must like the warmth, and since I'm always cold, I appreciate it too.

Illustration Friday "phenomenon"

2010-12-13T15:15:00.001-08:00

Everyone was sleeping, so they missed the phenomenon going on right outside the door.

Illustration Friday "prehistoric"

2010-12-05T16:09:00.001-08:00

An early artist!

Illustration Friday "savor"

2010-11-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

Take time to savor the sweet things in life!

Illustration Friday "Sneaky"

2010-11-21T15:44:00.000-08:00

A common sneaky activity in classrooms everywhere!

Illustration Friday "burning"

2010-11-14T13:17:00.001-08:00

Don't you hate when you leave your perfectly toasted marshmallow in the fire for too long and the next thing you know, it's burning!

Stonewall Reduction Print

2010-11-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

I've been having a great time taking a printmaking class this fall. Last weekend I had the opportunity to work in the studio Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon, while an "Open Studio" event was going on at the college. During this marathon session, I worked on a new four-color reduction print. The print is made using only one block that is carved away with each subsequent color. The darkest final layer pulls the image together.

Illustration Friday "Afterwards"

2010-11-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

The best part of Halloween was sorting through the goodies afterwards.

Illustration Friday "spent"

2010-10-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

Little chick was quite spent after his struggle with the eggshell.