In the 1920's, Women Wore Socks and Heels to the Beach

Gearing up to change the process, so I'm playing with hot press paper and a lot of watercolor. Here is one old-fashioned pin-up sort of gal. Aaaahhh... a break from digi paint is so yummy.
She isn't done, but I thought you might like to meet her.

Talking Shop!

Here is a sample of a little nightgown pattern I did for Emily from The Sleepover Squad (first two in the series out next month!). Scanning fabric swatches and now creating patterned swatches is now such an integrated piece of my process, I wonder what I would have done even 15 years ago, if I was an illustrator. It has has me studying Patricia Polacco, just letting my eyes explore how she deals with patterns, sans-scan. Hmm...so much to learn. These two quieter weeks, especially, feel like a visual growing period.

And now the learning is especially consuming... I just found out a week ago, I've got my first picture book, I am so grateful for this chance and now I see how very much I have to learn and will be learning the next year and a half.

So I've started my homework for the book: studies on things like old-lady wrinkles, flower gardens and very importantly my process- HOW I'm going to make a book. Will I scan? Will I print and paint? So many questions. It publishes in 2010 (how space-age does that year sound?) I will be...27...an older and wiser artist...someone who understands what I do not yet. So so many mysteries still, about bookmaking. Sitting here with wide eyes, drinking everything in...

FREE DRAW in the marker bin!

Remember that time in art class in elementary school, where if you finished your papier-mache dragon early, you'd get scrap paper and free reign on the marker bin until class was done? This was a magical time to me, and I always wished it was a little longer. I think now, after a year or so of illustrating full-time, I've noticed free time is more daunting than enticing, though it is nothing at all to fear! This is something I am going to try to tackle today, schedule permitting. Re-learn FREE DRAW! Go crazy in the marker bin.

Recently, in working with art directors, and many a talented designer, I have come to approach critique in a new light. Healthy critique is so vital to digging out what you've already got, and polishing it up (even when the end result doesn't appear "polished" per say). When an artist is young (and at the beginning of the game, like me), it is easy to think pleasing the voices of others will hone style. I see now it's more about letting the challenges from art direction act as a catalyst for new invention in one's art. The prodding and pulling of the silly puddy in you that already exists. Get direction from the outside and let it sit a while...let loose and letting it grow AROUND what is being asked for rather than pushing it a bit and looking back for approval tentatively in baby steps. It's an exciting thing, in this field, to be allowed a chance for reinvention always.

Style is something that is like a growing and evolving little animal, and the artist needs to be careful to feed it good and honest things. It cannot be feared or stiff or impenetrable. I think free drawing like a little kid is one very honest way to see how far your silly puddy can stretch. Then it is a matter of taking what was learned in front of the marker bin and reintegrating, grafting on, restrengthening for the next project.

Above is a fast sketch from a few weeks ago. Her name just popped in when I wondered about it, and I chose to keep it. So this is "Bear". Yeah FREE DRAW! Ok, I'm off to play!

Sojourner Truth Signing

Hey friends! My book signing is taking place in back in my hometown this Saturday! For those of you who might be in the area, or who are planning on coming, here's the scoop:

March 24th @11am
The Alphabet Garden
132 Elm Street, Cheshire, CT 06410.
203.439.7766

I hear the weather should be warm! Let's cross the fingers. I will be saying a few words about what it was like to illustrate Sojourner and handing out some coloring book pages for the children attending. I am feeling very grateful for this opportunity...it was wonderful getting to work here as a bookseller now to be returning for a visit like this! Many many thanks to Karlene Rearick :) and the lovely Alphabet Garden.

Daring To Be Spring!

These little tulips are doing the best they can to affirm that yes, spring is on its way. My roomate graciously purchased this bit of spring for the kitchen table, despite our long and snowy crawl to the store to get them (and groceries). We laughed so hard when we put them there, while we jacked up the heat and put more socks on. March 21st is the official first day of spring! It's a hidden promise that can be counted on, despite the snow and no sun. Promises of this kind are secret and the best. They start as whispers.

Anne of Green Gables Final Art- READ Magazine

New finish for Anne of Green Gables play excerpt in READ magazine! This will be the cover image for the play within the magazine. During this process, I learned so much ABOUT my process: the melding of the digital application with the paint. It's such a thrill to be learning and growing in how I do what I do. I also had a fantastic and short vacation on google images researching Anne's home, Prince Edward Island. I could explain the process for creating Anne art, but it might not be as exciting to all of you. So I will let old friend Cinnamon wrap it up!

Cinnamon Photoshop Tip #1 : Paint like it's not a screen, but a window you are looking into.

Childhood Inspiration

I just purchased this Reading Rainbow endorsed gem of a book yesterday at the store I work at once a week. The store's called Curious George, and it's chock full of treasure (and also a bizarre assortment of gifts including light up eyeball tentacles as impulse items). I feel so lucky to be there for that little stint. Not only do I get to art chat and talk shop with the other crazy booker friends, I get to find and buy my childhood inspirations (or at least peruse them on lunch break). This book was one of the driving forces in my childhood to keep at it. I remember being in about 1st grade and being amazed by the colors, and the fact that the horses were referred to by the Sioux indians as the Sacred Dogs. I kinda never get over my love for drawing ponies and the plains indians.

Paul Goble's flat shapes and very well thought out page design makes this book quite a world to enter as a child (or grown up). I'd recommend it, but "you don't have to take my word for it!"
:)

Wellingtons and Kittycats

Right now, I'm in one of those peaceful Saturday evenings. The kind that decide to keep you in because there is much to be done in the quiet. So, here I am, at my desk, listening to Clive Carroll, a new British discovery- beautiful guitarist. So with Clive for company, I finish up a promotional picturebook/coloring book for a luxury condominium complex going up in the upper east side NYC sometime soon. Sounds caaaarrrazy and market-driven, but this project has been such fun and quite the opposite.

I was allowed a lot of freedom with the advertising client I worked with, they have been amazing. Freedom is so important, though I know much of it is forfeited when you are young and just getting your bearings (or learning how to grow some claws and fight for your vision). Luckily, I had no opposition this time to any kneesocks, bobbed haircuts, flowered Wellingtons or fun gesture.

This is a sample from the inside cover page (click on to enlarge!). Above the girls, there will be a spot for the child coloring to put his or her name.. "This Book Belongs To".. I really hope some little guy (or girl) will have some fun coloring while Mom and Dad sign papers to their new home.

Working, hoping, trying

A sketch of many for a manuscript with a secret publishing house. Not sure what will come of the decision over at the publishing house. I gave it my best. Here, the main character runs into her grandmother's arms.

Vacation ?

Hum dee dum...This is my "vacation" week. I scrambled to grab some days which I told myself would serve as a break. Still, it is QUITE chilly out...I'm talkin' -9 degree windchill here in Somerville, MA. Not a very warm vacation, but a good excuse to finally doodle on my own, and do some personal work that's been waiting in line behind jobs. I guess that's me up there scribbling in knee socks.

Very fun piece of information! Just secured a job today for Weekly Reader's teen lit magazine offshoot, called READ. The subject? Anne of Green Gables (yahoo! time to be 12 again :) Prince Edward Island, here I come! Ah, daydreams...I hope all of you are having a marvelous week.
<3

Cinnamon Lesson #2 : Sometimes one needs to flop about in the grass before setting to work. Eat a few thistles. Sniff the wind. Tunnel through alfalfa hay. Dig in the dirt. Enjoy oneself for a bit. No harm done in that.