Merry Christmas!

This is a drawing I did for my Christmas Cards this year. It's one of my first truly melded traditional/digital images. The drawing was fully rendered in black and white on tan Rives BFK paper. The drawing was then scanned and fully colored digitally. I was very happy with the finished piece. I had three patterns papers that I used in making the cards, so the pattern in the background of the illustration changed according the card it was placed on.

I will update with photos of an actual card shortly.

Enjoy!

Work In Progress: Pit Bull Book

This is a project I am currently developing with an author. We've changed the direction of the final art styl, but I did complete this piece in my colored pencil style and wanted to share with everyone. I will try update my blog with regular progress... without giving too much away! ;)

Illustration Friday: Vacant

In real life she doesn't look this old or sad - but after a long day when she's just exhausted, her eyes to tend to gaze over in a bit if a vacant stare.

Graphite, digitally colored.

Illustration Friday: STRINGS

Okay, I had this sketched on Friday morning but I was running around getting ready for a weekend trip and left before I could post it. When I arrived in the mountains I realized I was completely cut off from the technological world, so I couldn't post until I got back this afternoon. I really want to finish this, so I have to see if I can squeeze it in later this week. I've played many instruments in my day, but the cello was always my favorite and I felt it would be appropriate here being a member of the Strings family.
My weekend away was a nice working retreat with the New Mexico chapter of the SCBWI - gorgeous scenery and inspiring company in beautiful Jemez Springs, NM. My time there was too short.

Illustration Friday: SUGARY 1

At LAST! something sugary sweet for IF. I've been busy all summer, still am... but also determined to make time for some IF inspiration. This is a rough sketch for my concept, hoping to do a finished piece over the weekend. I hope. ;)

Award: CPSA NATIONAL

Not only was this piece accepted into the CPSA 16th Annual International Exhibition (my 4th time accepted), I was also received an Award for Outstanding Recognition. Cool!

Illustration Friday: BABY

Sweet Emily. I did this portrait last year for a couple of friends of mine. Until this, I hadn't even attempted a realistic portrait since college. I was fairly confident I would be successful, but I wasn't sure. I just remember working on it, thinking how nice it was to just draw - and really getting into it. I'm lucky enough to get a few jobs here and there that are like this and I am so thankful.

Oh, and here's to my 100th post! I am such a slacker, I should have reached this milestone years ago. ;)

Illustration Friday: WORRY

I quick concept sketch. Maybe I'll get some time to finish it up... soon or someday.

Illustration Friday: WRINKLES

Once again I've run out of time. I had some big deadlines this week that just didn't allow me to finish the idea I had, and still have, residing in my head. Hopefully I'll get some time eventually though - it's a really good one... in theory. ;) These are the random sketches I did while thinking about wrinkles last Friday, and the random sparks that started me thinking about the idea that's still bottled up.

Illustration Friday: PRIMITIVE

I am behind. I completed this sketch on Monday fully intending to finish the color effort within a day or two, but time has got away from me and it appears I will have no chance to work on it later today. I will post the final when I get to it, but in an effort to make the deadline for this theme I am posting the sketch.

I am obviously an admirer of horses. I've seen a few other IF posters that chose to take the same approach to this theme. My drawing is based on two primitive cave paintings, both from Dordogne, France. The first is sometimes referred to as the "Chinese horses" in the Lascaux Caves (dated around 17,000 B.C), the second is called "Spotted Horse Panel" from the Peche Merle Cave (c. 25,000 B.C). It's stunning to me that these similar very paintings were completed roughly 8,000 years apart. I just finished watching the HBO series, Rome. I am reminded that the hay day of the Roman empire is only 2000 years old - it's a blip in time comparatively.

Illustration Friday: FAIL (2)

Still behind, but catching up! I had this idea while sketching for all the IF themes I'm behind on. While the quote was easy and quick, I actually had plan and draw this. It was fun, I enjoy drawing type - although here I used a selection of fonts as reference/basis. In my sketches (below) you can see kind of how the initial idea developed and how one word leads to the next until you almost 'read' the picture of the whale. I also wanted each word to be spelled differently, but sound the same. I knew there was a third spelling option, but I needed the internet to be reminded of veil. Looking back, I like the proportions of the sketch better. In my head I saw text and icon small on the page, a pin-pint central focus. I never got past that. Now that I've finished the piece and look back at the sketch (which I didn't look at while creating the final layout) I can see it would be stronger filling up more of the layout.
I also thought of turning it into one of those mind-bender questions by changing some of the words - make it a "which one doesn't belong" kind of thing. If I used all words spelled "ale" (other than fail), the answer wouldn't be the image because it's spelled "whale". It would be like saying "failure" doesn't belong. Okay, I'm done thinking 'out loud' for now - on to PRIMITIVE!

Illustration Friday: FAIL (1)

Late again, but I assure anyone that actually follows this blog at all that I AM working on IF concepts, for present and past themes. I'm a bit out of practice at the moment, this is a messy submission. But it is one of my favorite quotes about failing. The learning is always in the failing. While working on this lettering piece, I was doodling some other ideas and I found one I really liked. I'll be working on that and "primitive" next... and try to fill in the gaps later. It's great to active again!

Award: CPSA D.C. 219

A couple weeks ago I submitted two pieces to my local CPSA chapter who were putting together a show of colored pencil works. I did not know they would be awarding anything but much to my surprise and delight, one of my pieces "Queen Quagga" was awarded First Prize. I would like to thank the chapter for organizing the event and Around the Corner Art Framing Gallery for hosting. It was lovely meeting so many members and visitors at the reception last week.

Award: Slush Monster! / Illustration Friday: HEAVY

Thanks to the many who voted for me in the Editorial Anonymous mascot competition! The piece I had submitted was just a rough sketch colored digitally. After being selected for the final mascot, EA asked me if I wanted to make any changes before he was placed in his new home on the blog. I accepted of course, and here is he is in all his final glory.

I'm also posting him for the Illustration Friday theme, he looks like he could be heavy. And he eats paper! Of course he's Heavy!!!

Thanks everyone!

Illustration Friday: THEORY

What happens to all those Christmas spirits? Isn't it Christmas somewhere all year long?
I intended to do a christmas card, but it got done a little later than I had planned, so I tried to make it more of a cross-over, Christmas - into new year card. How did I do?

RECENT WORK: Time Out New York

I've done quite a few small jobs for TONY. What follows is a sampling: some icons for the SEEK section on winter sports and dating activities and also a promotional campaign for their singles issue




.

Illustration Friday: CHOOSE

So much for turning over a new leaf... Freelance life is a lot more busy and hectic than I expected, I guess. I thought I'd have MORE time to blog and make artwork, but it seems I'm always running around, doing work, getting more work, checking up on clients, you name it! Not that I'm complaining, I love it. But I do miss this stuff - and I want to do more. I haven't been posting as I'd like. But I thought I'd post a few of the pieces I've done in the last few months, as a catch up of sorts.
This piece was done for a friend as a christmas gift. She loves her Hero (short for Herododus, father of history).

It's interesting the theme this week is CHOOSE and not CHOICE. Depending on interpretation the difference can be small or large. I'm choosing to post this, because it's what I have and it's been far too long. I know it's weak and there's NO concept whatsoever, but I gotta get back in the game some how! Encourage me folks - I needs to do NEW work!

-m.