Friday, August 26, 2011

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: the word DISGUISE

This week's word to illustrate is DISGUISE. I just happen to have that topic already covered inside a picture book that I created a few years ago entitled, "Who's in the Room With Molly Muldoon?" ...... a Flip n Giggle™ book of colors & counting.
... FOUR rabbits in PURPLE disguise


Sunday, August 21, 2011

THE WRITING'S ON THE WALL ART

My big canvas had a brief home on the wall next to Laney's crib — but more work was left to do — the writing of the verse. Once I had my hands on it I zeroed in on details that I either wanted to change or add to the canvas. Although my daughter, Laney's mom, was getting impatient to have her picture back, she decided it was worth the wait... and we ended up agreeing, after I delicately painted the entire verse of Say, say my playmate in place, that it didn't do the painting justice — distracting and way too busy. So we settled on the main line along the top, and added a personal verse that she says to Laney every day: me and you, you and me — that makes us a we. Love it! All that's left to do is fill in a few of the apples with glue and red glitter. A touch of pizazz to make the painting pop for Laney-loo's wall.

Then it was off to the printer's, where a life size scan was done so that it can be sold in a variety of sizes as a Giclee. What a fantastic job they did!! A small proof was printed out on canvas from that scan and it looks identical to the original!! It's so exciting to find a partner whose work you can rely on! On the drive home I stopped at Aaron Bros. and bought another canvas. Stay tuned .... I'm on a "wall art" roll!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Is a Picture Really Worth 1,000 Words?

I just got turned on to illustrationfriday.com ... what fun!! The motive is for illustrators to create a picture from a word that's given by a member of that group every Friday. This week's word is "Imperfect".

The first thing that came to my mind is my weekly routine of cutting a bouquet of flowers from my garden to bring a little warmth to my kitchen counter. So pretty... so perfectly arranged in its vase, within viewing range of where I make my morning cup of coffee. I'm selective of the flowers that I pick.... brown spots are not allowed. If there's a hint of wilting it won't make the cut. They must be perfect.

Then, invariably, one morning I glance over to find a flower in the bunch that's given in to old age. Limp. Brown. Crinkled leaves. Defeated. . . imperfect. The cycle of life goes on.