Illustration Update and More

Well, I dragged myself into the studio this morning.  Too much sugar I suspect.  At any rate, here is the finished illustration of the reading girl.  I placed her in front of a cafe/book store. 
So, not the best photo.  Sorry about that.  I was in such a rush to get it framed and ready for the gallery that I forgot to take a picture before framing.  Again,  I think I may have had a bit too much sugar over the past few days.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

Hopefully, you can see it well enough.  I think it turned out pretty good.

Below is a picture of me and my grandson Phillip.  We got to babysit while his parents went to a movie the day after Christmas.

I think we are bonded for life.  At least I hope so!
Happy New Year everyone!

Fun with Scissors

Just sneaking in a little time with my paper and scissors before heading home to finish up my wrapping and maybe bake some cookies.

I wonder what this little lady is reading?  I hope to be doing a little reading myself in the coming days.

 This is a detail of the sketch I started out with.  You can see, it has changed a bit.

Now, I just need to figure out her surroundings.  Well, at least I know she enjoys a hot beverage.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope each and every one of you has a peaceful holiday filled with joy!

New Holiday Art

Just a quick post, to show you a few new things for the holidays.  I also updated my header!  I guess I'm ready for winter to show up. 
All of these lovely art items are available at Gallery Calapooia in Albany OR.  Plus a lot more!

 These are little handmade lapel pins to wear.  Some are drawings and some are cut paper.

This is a cut paper portrait of Santa.  Yes, I know it looks a lot like my husband Steve.  Kind of nice to have my own personal Santa.  Lucky me!
Now, I really need to wrap some gifts or bake some cookies.  Lots of things to do! 
But, mostly I need to count my blessings this holiday season.  I hope you all do the same.  Cheers!

Just Around the Corner!

Well, you know it's almost Christmas when I hall out the glitter!  I don't know why I do it?  I can't help myself!  I tried not to over do it.  So, it's just on the wreath Santa is marching off with.

Hope everyone is enjoying the season!  Now, go get your glitter!

My Entry

Well, it's been a long time since my last post.  Those of you who know me, know that my mother recently passed away.   My mother was a huge supporter of the arts and of me.  I was so lucky to get her for my Mom. 
So, in honor of you Mom, here is my entry in the Tomie dePaola contest.  Done in cut paper with a lino cut background.  I actually did this piece back in October.  Thank goodness I did this artwork early.  I don't think I could have pull it off in November. 

Here's to following your dreams!

There is a Fairy in the Garden!

One of my favorite things to draw are fairies.  My Mom used to send me outside to look for the fairies when I was little.  I was always sure I would spy one.   So, here is a piece with a little garden fairy flying by to check on the flowers, done in cut paper.

First the sketch.

Next, I did a watercolor background on watercolor paper, of coarse!  My new favorite skill is linocut. So, I made some leaves and stamped them in the background.  Then I start cutting up colored paper and gluing them down.

Here is my hand gluing a flower in place.  These flowers were kind of thick with layers so, I really had to hold them down for awhile.  Just a minute or two.

And the finished illustration!  Notice I changed her back wing.  They are both done with tracing paper now.  Looks better I think.

I hope she is happy in her little garden home.  I sure had fun making it for her.

Working on New Things

I went recently to an illustration retreat.  It was held at Silver Falls State Park. Very nice.  The retreat was put on by SCBWI Oregon/Washington groups.  So, a lot of people attended.  Forty eight illustrators to be exact and two instructors.  LeUyen Pham and Caldecott winning illustrator Eric Rohmann.  I was star struck to say the least.

I learned so much, my head can't hold all the information.  I had a great time.
Eric Rohmann had us play with some lino cut.  I had never done that before.  Didn't really know what I was doing.  But, have been playing with it since I got home.

Here is a wee angel I made.  I think I'll make some Christmas cards with her.

Then, I thought...hey why don't I do lino cut artwork for the background of some of my cut paper art?
Might be interesting.  It turns out it was interesting to me.  Yay!

Here is the beginning of a new piece.

And the finished work.  Lino cut for the background town and trees. I printed the town and colored it with colored pencil, then cut it out.  Cut paper for the boy on the bike and the street.  The background map is just that, a paper map.

 Thanks for visiting my blog.  Whoever you are.

Commissioned Artwork

Well, those of you who know me, know I almost never do commissioned artwork for people.  I have had way too many times when it didn't work out well for me.
I do lots of commissioned work for publishers and love that.  Probably because I have an art director telling me what they want and I know I'll get paid in the end.  Anyway, a very nice gentleman convinced me to do a piece of art for him.  Here it is.  I must admit, I enjoyed making this very much. 

It is for a very special girl.  A girl who has been through some very difficult times in her short life.
It is based on a dream she had recently.  A dream that convinced her that her life would get better and the good news is...it has.  I hope this artwork will always be a reminder to her of how strong she is and the care and love others have for her.  This work was commissioned by her CASA workers.
In case you are not familiar with CASA , it stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates.  In other words, regular folks in the community volunteer their time to help hurt and abused children.

Here is a close up of the jack rabbit in the background.  The snow covered hills in the background are pages from an old Bible.  My hope was that this young girl may find comfort someday in the words.
I used the 25 Psalm and a few others as well.

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

I am not a super religious person but I am spiritual.  I guess I would not have taken this project on if I wasn't.

 Thanks for checking in with me and my blog!

Fine Tuning

Here is a wee update on my ongoing portfolio.  I am trying to put together a cut paper portfolio, as I was advised to do about two years ago, when I attended the Advanced Illustration Workshop put on by the Highlights Foundation. 
My process has been slow because of the book projects that came along.  I'm happy for that!  But now, I'm really trying to put this cut paper collection together.  For those of you who don't have a portfolio.  Let me tell you, it's hard.  It is heart wrenching.  I go back and forth.  Taking things out and putting things in.  Gosh, I'm tired.
Anyway, here is the latest addition.  Idea came from a watercolor illustration I had done for my old portfolio.  But, I thought the idea was good so, I made it again, in cut paper. 

This shows a bit of the process.

Working on my sailor boy.  You can see I had another face made and decided to make him look more surprised.  Another hand is sitting off to the left as well, I was not happy with it.  This little guy is about 5 inches tall, as is.

Now, I did the big fish.  I cut out all those scales.  Seems like a lot of work. But it was kind of fun.
Those grey tweezer type things on the right, are just that, they make it easy to pick up the pieces of paper and place them with glue.

Finished product !  I think it's going in the portfolio. 

Book and Life Update

Well, I have some sad news.  Red Heart Books who is the publisher of Detective Punybutmighty, is closing.  They let us know last week.  I have been letting the news sink in.  So that means the two books I was working on will not happen.  At least not from Red Heart Books.
I was working on a wonderful story by my cousin Robin Morris called Tuti's Hair Cut.  I was so looking forward to that one.  It was going to be done in cut paper.  Also another Detective book was in the works.   Sending out a big thank you to Red Heart Books for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.

Oh well.  Onward I go.

Getting ready for a SCBWI Illustration Retreat at Silver Creek Falls in Oregon, coming up in October.  It should be lots of fun.  I always get a little nervous before going to something like this.  But, I guess it's good to push yourself.
Here are a couple new cut paper illustrations.  Not sure if they will go into the new portfolio or not.

I originally did this in watercolor.  So, I thought why not see what it looks like in cut paper.

This design was one of my greeting cards a long time ago.  Now, redone in cut paper.  I guess I'm recycling my ideas. 

Birthday Cards

Making a few new cut paper birthday cards to take to the gallery. 
I work this afternoon, so thought I would refresh my cards display.
Hope some folks come in today.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day !

New Book

Well, it took us a little while but, the second book that I was lucky enough to illustrate is now available at lulu.com

I used my Dad's old teddy bear as a model as well as a young lady that lives in my neighborhood. Thank you Lily!   This is a picture of Ted with the book "The Quiet Bear".   He seems to be happy with how it turned out.  What a relief.

I'm busy working on two books at once!  Yikes!

My Art Show

Well, my art show was a success!  Gallery Calapooia held a reception last Friday August 14th.  So many people showed up.  It was really very nice.

Here is one of the front windows at the gallery.

I sold several pieces of art and all of my cards!  So, I have been making a few more to take down to the gallery.
I came across some map type paper recently.  You might notice the use of my map paper in these new cards.

 Flowers.  I have to make flowers, they're just fun to make.

 Tea time.  Another favorite pastime of mine.

 I'm not a coffee drinker.  But, I just felt like making a little cup of coffee.

  And my favorite, little boy sailing.  Probably getting ready to throw a line in the water!

A Dress made of Flowers

Well, as you can see I like cutting up paper and gluing it together.  I like it a lot.  I was inspired to do this piece one day last week.  On my way to get a bit of lunch for myself, I saw a young girl on the street with her mother, I think.  Anyway, she was twirling and showing off a new dress.  At least that's what I thought as I drove past.   This is the sketch I did, very light, I hope you can see it.

After lunch I came back to my studio and made the sketch.  Then after I started working on this I realized I wanted her dress to be covered or made of flowers.  This is what I came up with.
I think it's kind of fun.

Illustration done on 140 lb. watercolor paper,  using acrylic paint for the background and various scrapes of paper.  I use Tombow liquid glue which drys clear and is acid free and archival.

August Flowers

Just a little something to brighten your day. 

 Another cut paper design.  Available at Gallery Calapooia in Albany, Oregon.

It's another whirlwind weekend for me. Tonight, my husband and I are invited over to our good friends home for cool drinks and lively conversation. Then, later in the evening our daughter and her family arrive for the weekend.  The best part is they will bring Phillip with them.  My sweet, wonderful grandson!  Who by the way loves me very much.  I can tell.
On Saturday morning (very early) my friend Julie and I head off to Salem for the last class of our block of the month.  I sincerely hope I will finish that quilt one day.  Fingers crossed.
Then next week my beloved cousin Robin is coming for a visit! She is coming all the way from South Carolina!   We have so much fun together, always have.  Wrapping up the week with a family reunion in Bend Oregon.  We all stay at my Aunt Patty's dog ranch.  (She raises Cairn Terriers.) 
With any luck I will post a few photos of the reunion.  We are a zany bunch.  Should be interesting!

The Quiet Bear is published!

 The sweet little book I have been telling you about for so long is finally available for purchase at the link shown below.  This was written by a lovely young woman named Gretchen Leary and illustrated by yours truly. Gretchen decided to self publish this piece.  So, I hope you can take a look.  I just ordered my copy!

It sells for $14.40 on www.lulu.com

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gretchen-leary/the-quiet-bear/paperback/product-22292672.html

August Art Show

I'm sorry I have been missing in action at my blog.  Like everyone else in the world, I have been having a busy summer.  Spending time with my little grandson, Phillip.  Going the quilt camp, and lately, working like mad on my upcoming art show at the gallery. (Gallery Calapooia, Albany OR)
The gallery has had a couple people leave the gallery, which leaves more space to fill.  Yiikes!!  That means me!  So, even though I have a lovely children's book I'm suppose to be working on, my publisher is quite nice about me working on other projects as well as their projects.  So....that is what I have been up too.  Painting, cutting paper and framing things to beat the band.  I'm almost finished.
I thought I would share a little study I did of Lois, my sweet and devoted dog friend.  She is a Pembrook Welsh Corgi.  The kind without a tail.  She has a pretty face.  I'm not sure this really captures how lovely she is.  But, I like it anyway.  I always have a picture of her in my art shows.  Don't know why I started doing that?   Anyway, here it is.

This is a watercolor, done on 140 lb. watercolor paper.  5x7

It's Time to Quilt!

Well, it's that time of year again, when I go off to Sisters Oregon to take a quilting class.  I also do a good bit of relaxing by the pool and reading.  Very refreshing! 

I'm taking a class on Thursday.  I look a lot like this at the beginning of the class.

In my mind this is how the class should be.  They look like they're having a good time, and I can confirm, that a good time is had by all!  (I think I'm the one with the big white collar on her dress)

This is a real photo of the firemen in Sisters hanging quilts the morning of the show.  Be still my heart!  The quilts are stunning and so are those firemen!
See you in a week!  Then it's back to book illustration!

Starting a New Book

Well truthfully,  I've been working on this book for awhile now.  Lots of sketching.  Lots of character drawings.  Trying to figure out the layout of the book.  But, mostly trying to decide weather to illustrate in watercolor or in cut paper.  As you know, I have fallen in love with cut paper.  I just can't seem to leave those little scissors alone.  At any rate, this is a bit of a run down of how I go from sketch to final illustration.  I hope you enjoy.

Thumb nail sketch, very small.  I always love the first sketch the best.  It's so spontaneous!

A more finished sketch at the 100% page size.

Then I start building the parts of the illustration.
Tuti was first.

And the finished illustration.  I did a watercolor wash background and then started building from the background, right up to placing the scissors in the foreground.  I took a photo of the finished artwork instead of scanning.  I think it shows more depth.

Making Quilts with Paper

It's getting to be that time of year when all I can think about is quilts.  Yes, I quilt.  Not very well, but never the less, I do give it a try once in awhile.  In fact, every July I go to Sisters Oregon for a quilt class.  Sisters has a huge quilt show the second Saturday in July and the week before the show is Quilters Affair.  There are a variety of classes given everyday.  My friend Julie and I have signed up for one class.  That's really all I can do.  Some people take a class everyday!  There is no way I could do that.  I have a hard enough time keeping up with one class.
Anyway... 
So today, I made a couple paper quilts.  These are small and may get sold as cards at the gallery.  But for now.  I'm just enjoying making them, and dreaming of making a real quilt soon.

5x7 cut paper cards.

Paper Flowers

Just a couple more cut paper cards for the gallery.  The sunny weather should be here for good this coming weekend.  I'm looking forward to it.  All my flower pots are planted.  Now, to get the weeds out of my flowerbeds.  I hope I can make a little dent in my yard work, but who knows.  My grandson is coming for a visit...I can hardly wait!

 So, this is kind of a more graphic flower in cut paper. 

On this one, I even wove paper!  So, cleaver, I can hardly stand it.

Getting Back to Business

Well, I will admit I have really had my head in the clouds over this new grandson.  It's almost all I can think about.  But... I do have to get back to my artwork.  At least a little bit.

Here are a couple new cut paper cards I made for the gallery.  They are on display now.

Fairly simple designs, but lovely none the less.  Only $6.00 each at Gallery Calapooia.  Each is an original piece of art.  What a bargain!

Today, I opened the local newspaper to find a wonderful story with photo of me!  All about the book signing tomorrow night for Detective Punybutmighty and the case of the Drool Monster, by Cheri Partain.  Very nice story in the Albany Democrat-Herald, if I do say so myself.  Here is the photo they ran.

I wish I had combed my hair.  But, that's they way it goes.  You can see all the illustrations from the book scattered out in front of me. 

Okay, now back to thinking about my grandson, Phillip.  He really is wonderful!

Book Signing

It's really happening!  A real book signing and I get to sign a book that I illustrated!  So fun!
I hope if you are around that you'll stop by and see both Cheri Partain (the author) and I.
All the information is listed below.  See you soon!

Books also available on amazon.com