Bath Time

I guess that's what I'll call this piece of cut paper art.  Working again on my cut paper portfolio.  This design has been in my sketchbook for awhile now.  So, I thought I should maybe make it into an illustration with cut paper.  It started out with a watercolor background, but it just was not strong enough and didn't have enough contrast.  I was trying to make the boy taking a bath and his boat the focal point.  I think it works.
Let me know what you think.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Still in Love

Well, I'm still in love with cut paper.  It's true, I admit it.  Here is a little study of flowers that I plan to frame and take to the gallery sometime soon.

There is even a wee bumble bee in the upper right corner.  Wings made with tracing paper!  Sometimes I'm so clever, I can't even believe it!

New Work

I've been working on my portfolio a little.  Here is a step by step  (sort of) of my latest piece of cut paper art.  I really need to thank the wonderful Joy Chu for introducing me to cut paper.  So, thank you Joy, you opened up a whole new world to me.

This is how I start out...with a sketch.  Just an idea, kind of loose, but the idea of it is there.

Then, I tape down a piece of watercolor paper and paint it a nice background color, this one is painted with acrylic paint.  I let it dry, then I can start cutting and gluing paper shapes to it.  (This looks kind of abstract.)  I found out that having the heaving weight of the watercolor paper feels more stable to me, that's why I use it.  Any heavy paper would work.

Next, I start cutting and gluing my main figure together.  You can see she is not that large.  Still need to cut out her other hand.

And here is what the final piece looks like.    I got all finished with the bookcase and kept placing the girl on top to see what it would look like.  Just didn't seem complete.  So, I put a picture of a old woman in the background and a plant in the forground.  I think it looks more like a library now.  

Well, that was fun!

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day.  Spend it with someone you love or at least someone you like a little;)

I have been married to the same person for almost 34 years, so I'm thinking, I might have a date.
Lucky me!

Feeling Happy

I have had a nice day.   Went up the freeway to meet up with my cousin Mary Elizabeth and took her name sake with me our Aunt Mary Ellen.  We had a nice lunch and a good visit.  The purpose of the meet up was for me to pick up an old family baby bassinet.  Mary Beth had it at her house and I need it.  My daughter is expecting a baby in May and I wanted to get it all spiffed up with new bedding for the new little mister that is showing up soon.
Anyway, mission accomplished.  Now, I need to get busy.

Hear is another cut paper card, available at Gallery Calapooia in Albany, OR.

Sunshine

I saw a little sunshine this morning as I was walking Lois.  It was really nice to see.  If you are not from Oregon or have never visited, lets just say...it rains a lot! It's cloudy and grey a good part of the year.  I am used to it.  But, I do enjoy those moments of sunshine so much.

Hope your day is filled with sunshine as well.

Finished !!!

I just finished the last illustration for The Quiet Bear.  What a labor of love.  Really.  Things started out great with this book, and then I got another book project that needed to be completed asap!  So, Gretchen Leary, who wrote The Quiet Bear, was kind enough to say it was okay to work on the other book and then come back to this project.   So, that's what I did.  The other book is called Detective Punybutmighty by Chari Partain. (it's suppose to be published this month)
So, as soon as I finished Detective Puny, I got back to work on The Quiet Bear.  Except....my Mom got sick.  Really sick, in the hospital on and off kind of sick.  So, the poor bear waited for me.  Slowly my Mom got better and I was able to get back to work.  I have been painting like crazy for weeks trying to finish this project for Gretchen.

Anyway,  it is finished.  I'm pretty proud of it.  Can not wait to see what it will look like as a book.

Now, I have a little project that I promised I would do for the Carousel Project here in Albany, OR.  After I finish that...another book!   Yes, it's true.  My cousin Robin has written a sweet, funny story and the best part is, we get to work together on a project.  Dream come true.

I will let everyone know when The Quiet Bear is published and ready to buy.  Stay tuned!

Here Kitty, Kitty

I have to say, I love a big yellow cat.  I don't live with a cat at the moment.  But, I use to live with a big guy named Roger.  A very lovable sort.  Anyway, in honor of Roger.  A new cut paper card featuring...Roger.

Bed Time

Here is another illustration from The Quiet Bear.  I worked hard to come up with an interesting perspective in this illustration.  I didn't want every page to look the same.  So, this was suppose to make you feel like, maybe you were peeking into her room and saw this little scene unfold.  I hope I was successful.

Only one more illustration, and I will be finished with my part of this book.  Then Gretchen gets to take it home.  Can't wait to see the finished product!

This illustration was made with 140 lb. watercolor paper and just plain old watercolor paint.  Oh, and I used brushes too:)

Another Illustration

I have not been able to reach the author of The Quiet Bear, lately.  So, I hope she looks at this blog once in a while.  Anyway,  here is another illustration for that book.  Looks like that bear is telling some stories.

Only 2 more illustrations and I'll be finished with this project.  It has been a labor of love, on my part.  Can't wait to see it finished!

Long Day

It has been a long day.  A good day, but long.  I've been painting on and off all day and now my eyes are tired.  I did stop work for awhile to go to a gallery board meeting this afternoon.  It didn't take that long.  I'm involved with a number of different things in my community.  Gallery Calapooia, The Albany Arts Commission, church stuff. ( I'm an Episcopalian if you're wondering) Not to mention the artist thing I do.   So, I keep busy.  Keeps my young....I hope.

So, I think I'll call it a day.   It's time for a nice cup of tea.

Art:  Cut paper, done with scrapbook paper and some old dictionary pages.  This is a 5x7 card, available at Gallery Calapooia in Albany Oregon.