Thursday, May 31, 2012

A Diamond in the Rough


As a collage artist - anytime I find a fabulous piece of ephemera -
it's like finding four leaf clovers or seeing double rainbows.
The other day - in a box of old sheet music - I found a music book from 1925.
Originally  the pages were blank and the owner was to write music in it.
Half the book was written in - but the other half is all mine!


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Courage Lion Book

I submitted my preliminary sketches for the 2nd Courage Lion Book
about GRIEF & LOSS. I'm not allowed to post any of the illustrations, since they own them - but - this particular drawing was rejected - so I'd love to share it with you.

In this drawing, Duffy the Lion is sad and TJ the Giraffe is consoling him.
I wanted it to be poignant and comforting.
But - isn't it amazing what we don't see in our own work - the committee thought the tear in Duffy's eye looked like
 "nose drainage" from the giraffe !!!!
 I totally missed that!
LOL


Well, It looks like a tear to me. But it is weird how others view our work. I once submitted some Christmas designs for licensing. One had Father Christmas standing aside two young angels dressed in Victorian clothing and the Licensing agent rejected it because " people will think those are dead children".... WHAAA???!!TTT


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Lions Lions and more Lions

I'm finally finished the preliminary black & white sketches for the Courage Lion book - Duffy's Story. Days and days I've been drawing lions. Sad Lions, Mad Lions, Happy Lions. Father Lion, Sister Lion, Brother Lion. Lions on skateboards, scrapbooking, at school and at home. The whole story is about Duffy missing his Mom who had died.

A few of my illustrations were of Duffy's Mom - a reflection in the river, Her image in the tree leaves, old photos, and the last one I drew was of her - with wings - in the clouds.
Lion With Wings

Not something you would see everday. So isn't is ironic that when I took a break and went blog surfing - the first blog I visited -
Notes from the Rookery, http://daniellebarlowart.blogspot.com 
- was about a painting she had just finished of a winged lion.
 Isn't it ironic . . .

Friday, May 18, 2012

The next Courage Lion book . . .

I just had to do one more Ballpoint Pen drawing - I'm obsessed with them - and I have so many things I want to draw. But this will be the last for awhile. I'm getting ready to start the illustrations for the next Courage Lion book - Duffy's Story.


Check out their website
http://www.couragelion.org/
The first book I illustrated was about Duffy having courage when faced with life's challenges after he fell out of a tree and ended up in the hospital.
Lois Sysmanski is the author of the 1st book and also the 2nd book which is about grief and loss. She wrote a touching story about Duffy losing his Mom and his healing journey.

I've already started making the page breaks in the manuscript, and am now ready to start the storyboard. I wish I could share this with you, but the Courage Lion organization is hesitant to have me put the illustrations on the internet, they have had trouble with pirates stealing the images. Since I have given them complete rights to the artwork, I won't be able to show them here.

Hopefully I will find time to post something else here as I work on Duffy's book.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Weaving with the Ball Point pen . . .

I have the time, still icing the knee and elevating it - so I did one more weaving drawing. Now I will stop and think about this painting - is it about weaving or things that are connected - or is it about holding things together. I need to journal some ideas and find a direction.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Weaving with the ball point pen . . .

Another "weaving" drawing with the ball point pen. What else could I weave along with ribbon and thread?

I am navigating fairly well with the walker thanks to my no-nonsense physical therapist. But ice and elevation are my new best friends!

Monday, May 7, 2012

More Ball Point Pen . . .

The first few days home with my new knee have been rough, as many of you know. There is no sitting at the computer or the drawing table. There is only the life saving ICE machine and the elevated leg!

So sketching with the pen is easy and great! I'm still thinking about "weaving" and "all things woven" . . .

Thursday, May 3, 2012

A few weeks ago I saw a painting whose support seemed to be made of woven paper. The painting, which was abstract, was painted on this woven surface. I could not get close enough to see if it was woven paper or canvas strips or what. But it has intrigued me ever since.

In the fall I need to create a painting for a juried show and I always like to do something different, bold, unexpected, you know - eye catching. So - ever since I saw the woven painting, I have been thinking about this. I love all things woven, this little spark of an idea is just sitting quietly waiting to bloom!

So - while I was in the hospital, with nothing else to do at 4:30 am I got out my moleskin sketchbook and my ball point pens and drew a weaving. Any little dashes or unseemly pen marks were made when I dozed off, I just tried to incorporate them!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

I'm such a slacker . . .


Have NOT started my 100 paintings -
have NOT started my Art Journal -
but my road is paved with GOOD INTENTIONS! Seriously,
I have a good excuse - I had a knee replacement one week ago,
so my focus is a little foggy.
 As I sit in my recliner with my new friend ICE,
I am still drawing with the Ball Point Pens -
I will post them soon.

2022

   Merry Christmas