curlyillustrator

IF: Resolutions

2011-01-01T22:57:00.001-08:00

New Year, New Art!

Better oral health leads to better overall health. >>>The Journal of Periodontology confirms that gingivitis and periodontal disease has harmful bacteria that can enter the blood stream and travel to other organs in the body, potentially causing harm to the heart. Healthy gums leads to a healthy heart so make your 2011 resolution to floss everyday!

Apps for Weightloss

2010-08-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

>> Read Related Article

I've been sitting on this idea for a while, so I just need to unload it. This project has made me return to brush pens. I really can't keep tracing over drawings trying to achieve the perfect line. Not only does it drive me cuckoo, but I think the picture become dead and lifeless.

Mischief Maker

2010-07-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

I volunteer with a local art center and they are planning a "Mischief Weekend" around Halloween for people to come in an fool around in the studio. This inspired me to create a "Mischief Maker" who would be (relatively) naughty in the studio. Taking memory cards out of cameras, painting mustaches on pictures, making a mess in the ceramics studio, disrupting film screenings, sharpening colored pencils really obnoxiously tiny. He makes me laugh, and I hope you too!

Praise!

2010-07-14T06:07:00.001-07:00

I was inspired by the all-women band at church last Sunday. Very colorful, and very good musicians!

IF: Satellite

2010-06-29T10:29:00.001-07:00

A "Satellite Parent" is the opposite of an overly-involved, micromanaging "Helicopter Parent." Satellite Parents are removed and uninvolved. A balance must be achieved.

>> Read Related Article <<

IF: Fearless

2010-06-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Fearless = Perseverance in the Face of Critics

Patterns, Textures and Shapes

2010-06-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

As you've probably noticed, lately I've been into photography for inspiration. I went on a trip out of town and found so many interesting patterns, textures and shapes I had to capture. Here are a few pictures that I took that I am considering printing, framing, potentially turning into something. Enjoy!

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(Please don't copy and paste. If you'd like any of these as desktop wallpaper, just ask)

Ripple

2010-06-17T20:32:00.001-07:00

"Ripple" was the Illustration Friday prompt of the week. While not really an illustration, it does tell a story.

This piece represents a textual dialogue between two people where words and thoughts can linger and grow and manifest into something into something all encompassing. The rewind at the end expresses remorse about the conversation and literally wishing to turn back the hands of time.

I read an ad that said, "It's easier to see eye to eye when you meet face to face." I agree. Discussions in text have repercussions, or ripples, that can spread into unintended waters.

Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Redux

2010-06-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Battle

2010-05-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

Hot Wasabi Horseradish Cheese Vs. Steak Knife

Who will win? Place your bets now.

The fight begins.

Hang in there, knife!

The fight is over! Cheese wins by a landslide.

VIDEO: Budget Cuts

2010-04-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

In response to the recession that public education is going through right now:

I was aiming for simple way to convey the stressful, claustrophobic feeling that happens when the student-to-teacher ratio becomes too large. Not only is it an ineffective way to teach, but it's unsafe.

Brunch: April 18th

2010-04-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

Long time no art! Hope everyone else has had a creative, inspiring couple of months. Now that my Seasonal Affective Disorder is wearing off, I am ready to work again. This was my yummy brunch this morning: Nettle Polenta in a Dill Hollandaise topped with a 60-minute egg. Which tastes smoother than a poached egg. And no, I did not cook this myself.

This tasted like heaven.

Snowflake Pattern

2009-12-28T11:13:00.001-08:00

More experimental printmaking as promised! I had fun carving and printing this snowflake pattern. I think I see more patterns in my future...

Block Printing!

2009-12-27T17:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is getting as inspired by the weather as I am. As a fan of patterns, texture and blocks of color, I'd like to learn more about how printmaking techniques can be incorporated in my art. I used Lizzy House's printmaking tutorial to create this. It was definitely fun to do non-digital work.
More experimental art to come. :)

Welcome to Motion Graphics

2009-11-03T18:30:00.001-08:00

My day job is introducing Adobe After Effects into our repertoire. I like that it is super compatible with Photoshop but motion graphics is very new to me; this is only my second piece. Here's something I worked on for a few days. I wanted it done before Halloween, but it couldn't happen. I'm still figuring out the Mask tool. If anyone has great tutorials, let me know. I'm already a fan of >>Layers<< mag.

Enjoy!

Pancakes! Pancakes!

2009-11-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

>>Art House Co-op<<, an organization that I love, is having a >>30 second Film Festival<<. I've had a ton of ideas swimming around in my head about what to produce, but haven't had the time or willpower to put the pedal to the metal. Fast forward four weeks, and the deadline is approaching, so to get my creative juices flowing again, I made a stack of (very) mini pancakes. I liked how the pictures turned out, so I wanted to share them with you. Hopefully I get my act together and make a finished "film".

Pregnant Belly Painting

2009-09-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is ready to pop at any minute. We used Halloween face paint to paint her belly. They have a jungle theme in the baby's room so I made lions (although they resemble teddy bears more), and I wanted to play on the word "pride": proud to be a member of the family and a pack of lions is a pride. Think it turned out cute; she was pleased. My first pregnant friend. :)

Fall Mailer Sent Out

2009-09-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

My Studio. This is in our sunroom; we live on a corner lot. I love opening the windows when I work. I know it looks messy, but I do have a pretty organized process. First I start with a big piece of newsprint taped to the table and sketch and write all over it. The nice things about hashing out ideas on newsprint is that the material is cheap, and there is so much space to draw one thing, and draw something else if you don't like it. Then I print up some reference photos (or take them myself), hash out more ideas on the newsprint, before I redraw a more solid composition on smaller paper.

Here come my Micron pens! I trace and trace over my sketches until I like the line work.

I scan the line work in and color in Photoshop. Here are all the printed mailers with their red envelopes. Before I stuff the envelopes, I like to see them all together. I wanted a strict fall color palette: browns, reds, oranges and yellows.

A closeup on my squirrels.

Ta-Da! Hope those of you that received this in the mail enjoyed this tiny slice of fall. If you'd like to be on my mailing list, drop me an email and you'll receive all of my promotional goodies.

500 Colored Pencils Contest

2009-09-07T14:43:00.001-07:00

Entered a submission to >>Social Designer's 500 Colored Pencil contest<<. I'm always very interested in how other artists work, so I've included some sketches and an idea of my process below:

1. First, brainstorming: thinking and writing. I wrote all the pencil names I thought were interesting. This was actually several pages but I'm only posting one. The names were different and I really liked that.

2. Then, loose sketching. I really liked the name "Toast" for a colored pencil. I wish they had a "Butter" but they don't. I may come back and do something with toast...

3. Then, thinking. (no image here, lol) This is where I leave the computer or sketchbook to give my brain a break. Oftentimes when I leave and come back I notice problems that should be fixed. Lots of times I use this time to run ideas past my husband. He's not an artist, but I value "regular-people" opinions just as much. It has to make sense to the general public. My time away from drawing made me let go of my "Giraffe" and "Foliage" direction because there just wasn't enough room in the banner dimensions to do all that. I decided to definitely do the "Crocodile" and "Octopus" so I got online to collect reference photos for those animals.

4. Began sketching the final images with just a regular ballpoint pen.

6. Tracing over and over again until the composition and clean line is achieved. I traced with a Micron pen, but the final trace was in colored pencil so that I could get a textured line.

7. Scanned into Photoshop to color.

8. Final product:

9. Finally, I file every scrap of paper used in this process in a physical file folder. Anything with a doodle, sketch, or even written mark about this project is filed for future reference if I ever want to revisit an idea.

IF: Caution

2009-08-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

Be cautious of harsh chemical cleaners.
Use natural products, like lemon juice, as an eco-friendly alternative.

IF: Hollow

2009-07-16T12:32:00.001-07:00

The best way to fill a hollow boiled egg is to devil it up! I like this tangy version:

Boil three eggs.
Cut in half.
Scoop out the yolk.
Put in bowl.
Add two tablespoons of Miracle Whip.
Squeeze in the juice of a lemon.
Add dill to taste.
Mash.
Mash some more.
Spoon back into hollow egg whites.
Top with even more dill.
Enjoy!

Editorial: When is it time to leave the nest?

2009-07-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

>>When Fledglings Return to the Nest<< (or never leave), an article in the NYTimes. Bottom line: while there are no hard and fast rules and you should create a system that works for your family, the stay should not last too long or both the adult child and the parents may end up in sticky situations.

IF: Shaky

2009-07-08T22:55:00.000-07:00

With student loans no longer guaranteed, many students are on shaky ground. >>NPR story here<<

Recipe 001

2009-07-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

July is National Picnic Month! I have been craving potato salad. I really had a good time illustrating the >>cheesecake recipe<< so I decided to give it another whirl. I found a simple >>3-ingredient recipe<< online. Will definitely try it.

Hand Lettering 001

2009-06-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

My favorite letters here are T and H. And the color palette is milder than most of my work. Serene. Perhaps a child's birthday?

Any other artists here like to decorate and hand-letter cards to friends?

IF: Unfold

2009-06-24T15:22:00.000-07:00

The mystery unfolds...

This is my first attempt at a comic. There are things here I like and things here I don't like, but I just needed to stop working on this. Post it, perhaps return to it.

What do you guys do to get a fresh perspective on a piece when you're stuck?

Sketching: Colleagues

2009-06-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

Staff meeting today. I was daydreaming and drawing on post-its. I am practicing drawing older faces. The man is a lot older in real life than the drawing, but he knew I was staring at him so I had to rush that sketch.

Summer Mailer sent out

2009-05-19T21:27:00.001-07:00

I fixed the flaws: figured out how to print to size, tweaked highlights and shading, added more text to the back, and changed the back design. Also, I printed somewhere different and now she is less yellow and more brown. I chose to use sheer envelopes that would show off my little swimmer. Hopefully prospective employers like!

Next mailer to be sent in August/September.

Dancing Sketches

2009-05-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

I am working on a project that will include a multi-generational dance scene. I needed references, so I naturally headed to the internet.

My latest fad had been watching YouTube videos for reference. I needed videos of parents, grandparents and children dancing so when I found a good one, I watched the whole thing and then went back and paused every time I saw a scene that would show movement even when still. The chubby man is actually Carl from Family Matters. YouTube shows half-episodes of old TV shows! Sweet.

IF: Spiderkids on Parade

2009-05-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

With this class finally over I can contribute to prompt sites again, yay! I felt this could work for Illustration Friday, Monday ArtDay, and Art Jumble: Spidermen on parade! I've included how the piece progresses from first sketch to final. Suggestions for improvement are always welcome.

Final Class Project

2009-05-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

Promotional mailer inspired by a line in a poem. I learned from last project to print front to back. It turned out smaller than anticipated (3x5 instead of the intended 4x6). I plan on tweaking the colors some to make it look warmer and less brassy, and figure out how to print it to the correct size.

Any other suggestions?

Final Project Sketches

2009-04-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

This is the third and final project for my Children's Book Illustration class. We kind of have free reign to work on a poem or our own original piece. I plan on illustrating two lines of the poem and somehow turning it into a promotional mailer.

These sketches show practice with character development. During my last project (the blue book below) I really struggled with making the character look consistent on all the pages. Another student in my class is studying animation and suggested to draw the character over and over from different angles. My teacher also asked, 'If this character talked, how would they sound?' So I am trying to picture the age, interests, name, etc. of this girl to really get a feel for what she looks like and how she would act.

Any additional suggestions for character development?

CS4 Help!

2009-04-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

I just got Photoshop CS4 and am stumped at how to get it to recognize my all-in-one printer as a scanner. Every place I look in online help talks about this Windows Image Acquisition thing, yadda, yadda, yadda... too difficult for me. This was not a problem with the super old version of Photoshop that I was using. Any advice on how to fix this? I need to scan.

More Sketching

2009-04-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

I work part time at a boutique. Today was a slow, slow, slow day, and with the internet down, I decided that was a sign that I should be drawing. Without any paper, I cut up one of our brown paper gift bags, stapled it together and made my own sketchbook. I mostly drew scenes around the store: shoes for sale, display stands, and a bike outside. This exercise just reminded me that I should be drawing everyday, even if there isn't a big "final project" after all the drawing.

How often do you draw just for drawing's sake?

"Can I Have a Pet?" Dummy Book

2009-04-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

This was assignment #2 from my Children's Book Illustration class, an 8-page dummy of an emergent reader. This was turned in, but professor gave me a list of improvements to make, so my next post will show changes. I wanted to do a bird theme because I think birds are fun to draw (although I despise them in real life: Too loud. Move too fast. Sharp beaks.). I also went with a limited palette because I thought the brown and blue would be complimentary, but also those two colors could represent so many different items. Blue could be water, sky, feathers or clothes, and brown could be skin, hair, feathers, beaks or bark.

Construction was difficult. Measuring, cutting, pasting and stapling together accurately was hardly a smooth process. When I make the changes I do plan on printing on both sides of the paper so that I am only dealing with 2 sheets instead of 4.

Does anyone have any additional good advice for constructing dummy books?

People Study

2009-03-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

I recently went on vacation and gave myself some homework: Sketch my surroundings. Sounds simple, but I generally do not keep a sketchbook on me. I tried to draw people without them catching that I was staring at them. They were constantly moving (of course) so I had to sketch quick. Also, I tend to avoid drawing men, so I tried to draw as many men as I could. This is a compilation of a few pages in the sketchbook.

How do you sketch incognito?

Character Study

2009-02-22T10:41:00.000-08:00

Recreating a fairytale for my Children's Book Illustration class. Main character is a flamingo.

IF - "Time"

2009-02-12T21:56:00.000-08:00

Below are some pages of my contribution to "The Sketchbook Project," a traveling show. Disciplined to finish, I sat down in my studio and give this piece the time it needed to be done.

My book is called "Hair: a study of braids, buns, and barrettes." Artist statement: "Hair has always fascinated me. Few children's books validate the complexity and beauty of African-American hair. This sketchbook captures the diverse shapes, patterns and colors found in black hair. This also celebrates the mothers, grandmothers, aunties, cousins, and sisters who lovingly care for these model's manes." Tour locations found here.

Poster Submission

2009-01-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

Poster submission for Sara Bareilles Gravity Tour poster contest.

Holiday Treats!

2008-12-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

Time Out Chair

2008-12-24T07:44:00.000-08:00

Boots Aplenty, Boots Galore!

2008-12-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

Snow Monster

2008-12-20T10:20:00.000-08:00

type

2008-12-08T17:20:00.001-08:00

This was Judy Garland's character. I picked this deep green because she was a strong willed character. The E and the S are my favorite letters here.

more type!

2008-12-07T13:03:00.001-08:00

More hand lettering. This was one of the little sisters in "Meet Me in St. Louis."
I chose these colors because she was spunky and young. I wanted it to look lively and pretty. The A and the N are my favorite letters here.

Type

2008-12-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

I just read (skimmed) the book Hand Job by Mike Perry, a new favorite artist. It's all about respecting your initial instinct to do things by hand. All of my work is by hand and I color it in Photoshop, but I never really play with type. On Saturday I was watching the musical "Meet Me in St. Louis," with a sketchbook in lap, and I was just inspired by the dresses and hairstyles and spunky family dynamics, that I just started writing all the names and funny sayings that came up. I'll be posting some hand lettered pieces here. (the M, T's, L and capital S are my favorites here)

IF - "Balloon"

2008-11-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

Clowns + Balloon animals = Scary!

"Thanks, but No Thanks"

2008-11-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

Submission for the
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators contest.

IF - "Pretend"

2008-11-18T20:58:00.000-08:00

Double duty: "Dinosaur" for Art Jumble and "Pretend" for Illustration Friday.

IMT - "Coffee Break"

2008-11-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

Article: Warm coffee=Warm heart?

100th post! IF-"Wise"

2008-11-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

Work smarter, not harder.

IF - "Late"

2008-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

When little ones are up too late, noisy tears ensue.

IF- "Strings"

2008-10-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

The one caveat of joining a book club is, of course, one must read the book.

IF- "Sugary"

2008-10-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

IF- "Island"

2008-09-16T20:31:00.001-07:00

Perhaps the safest place to store your money...

Dear Baby...

2008-09-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

Writing love letters to your child gives them the gift of memories.

IF- "Memories"

2008-09-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

Memories of Katrina prompted a more organized evacuation.

Culture Clash

2008-08-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

Adjusting to a new work environment is the greatest challenge.

IMT- "Shrink"

2008-08-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

Starbucks is shrinking considerably...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/business/worldbusiness/30sbux.html?scp=2&sq=starbucks&st=cse

IF- "Poof!"

2008-08-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Where'd my ice cream go?

IF- (never) "enough"

2008-07-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

IF-"Sour"

2008-07-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

New rectangular milk jugs leave some feeling sour.

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=122653

IF-"Fierce"

2008-07-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.christianvsiriano.com/index.html

IF- "Hoard"

2008-06-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

Side effect of a "gas tax" holiday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/us/06gas.html?sq=hoarding%20gas%26st=nyt%26scp=1%26pagewanted=print

Calling an End to Homelessness

2008-06-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

I'm working with the organization http://www.standupforkids.org/ to create some campaign illustrations for their cell phone drive. Donating your cell phone will fund their opening sites in new cities, creating education programs for kids to complete their GED, and purchasing new phones for kids who are looking for employment. I'm posting some ideas. Feedback is appreciated.

Outsider

2008-06-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

Unable to shake his rigid disposition,

the lamppost learned to be content people watching.

Buyer Beware

2008-06-12T19:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/salmonellosis_gi.html#1

IF- "Forgotten"

2008-06-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

IF- "Baby" Burgers

2008-06-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

Slide on in then slide on out.

IF- "Worry"

2008-05-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

The financial strain of medical bills...

IF - "Wrinkles"

2008-04-30T20:34:00.000-07:00

Even tiny wrinkles in your relationship

can become increasingly annoying.

No matter how comfortable you make your partner, they always have a bone to pick

IF-"Primitive"

2008-04-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

This is SO much heavier than a Wii.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/health/nutrition/01exer.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=wii&st=nyt&oref=slogin

IF - "Fail"

2008-04-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

If at first you don't suceed, try, try again.

(This is not me; I fail at every attempt)

IMT - "Envelope"

2008-04-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

"From Mom, With Love"

2008-03-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

IF - "Leap"

2008-03-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Living Modestly to Save Immensely

2008-03-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

http://moneycentral.msn.com/community/message/thread.asp?board=YourMoney&threadid=397723&boardname=Hide&header=SearchOnly&footer=Show&linktarget=_parent&pagestyle=money1

IF - "100% Confused!"

2008-03-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday - "Soar"

2008-03-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1568827/20070904/kelly_r.jhtml

Illustration Friday - "Scale"

2008-03-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Large scale paintings can be intimidating, but the possibilities are exciting!

"Making Waves"

2008-03-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

Jamie would soon find that making waves had consequences.

"Fierce!"

2008-03-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

I screamed when he won. I love Christian!

http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway//index.php

Daily illo 027 - "Hillary"

2008-02-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

Watched the debate tonight. Her jewelry was fabulous.

Seeing Red

2008-02-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

Daily illo 026 - "Barack"

2008-02-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

IF - "Blanket, Again"

2008-02-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

"Howler Monkeys"

2008-02-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

Inspire Me Thursday - "Comfort Zone"

2008-02-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

IF - "Stitch"

2008-02-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

The evolution of laughter.

Daily illo 024 - "Surprise!"

2008-02-14T18:55:00.000-08:00

"Not the 'happy ending' you were expecting?"
http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-massage_22jan22,0,5350586.story

IMT: 2 "Dual Income No Kids"

2008-02-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

IF -"Blanket"

2008-02-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

Daily illo 028 - "Stacy & Clinton"

2008-02-01T11:31:00.000-08:00

Daily illo 025 - "But I used SPF 4..."

2008-01-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

IF - "Tales and Legends"

2008-01-26T21:17:00.000-08:00

"Costa Rica"

2008-01-24T16:05:00.000-08:00

IF- just "Plain" say what you mean!

2008-01-23T19:21:00.000-08:00

Beware the boss who can't be trusted.

Inspire Me Thursday - "New Year's Resolutions"

2008-01-07T20:15:00.000-08:00

The morning workout resolution that NO ONE ever keeps.

Monday ArtDay - "Woe unto Me"

2008-01-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

"Lazy"

2008-01-06T21:15:00.000-08:00