Hat Trick!

Ok, I went for it and did a third painting - a bird to round out the group.  The girls said it was their favorite one, but I'm not so sure about it.  I like it well enough, but I'm not sure it's my favorite of the three.

I think that's where I'll stop on this series at the moment.  Although, I guess there are a lot of animals I could potentially do, but this is enough.  I'm ready to do some drawing again maybe.  We'll see...

Another Painting...

What?  Two posts in two days?!  Gotta stock up before the school year officially starts again and my attention is focused elsewhere for a while.

One thing I like about working with the paint and a more simple style is that I can accomplish an illustration a lot quicker. I did this companion piece to the “Woof” dog last night (compare that to the few days that “Mail” took). Of course, I still spent a couple of hours on each of these little paintings (aprox. 5”x7”).  But, it's a nice mental break from the detailed work I also like to do.


I’m still debating whether or not to make this a triptych and complete the primary color triad that I have going - perhaps a bird with a yellow background. I'm happy with the two I have, but a third makes sense as well. Hmmmmmm…

Anyway, on a different note, I’ve been thinking about having some prints made to sell in an Etsy shop. Illustration is different from other forms of art that can more easily be displayed in people’s homes - it’s a bit more specific and, perhaps, more for collectors. However, I think that these paintings might be good choices as they could easily work in a child’s room.

Free Time At Last!

So, can you tell we’re on Christmas break? No school, no art classes (except for planning my next ones)…there’s actually a little time to think about illustration.

This one was inspired by a random doodle mixed in among dozens of doodles in an old sketchbook. I knew I wanted to do it with paint and I envisioned it in a very different, more painterly style than what I’ve been doing. My new gouache set provided the perfect opportunity to have a little fun with it (gouache is my new best paint friend). You can let me know what you think (please).

I had been thinking about my style recently, especially after my last post “Mail.” It was very much like the Spectator Ant I had done a couple years back, and I think I’ve managed to pinpoint some definite characteristics of my style - detailed, black line, watercolor wash. I like how that works for me. In fact, I think I’d like to try some different types of pen and play with different types of line. I’ve been doing these with Microns, but I’d like to try a pen with different nibs.

I’ve definitely decided that I’m NOT a color pencil person. While I like what some people are able to do with it, overall it’s not the best fit for me. I’ll only use it if the subject matter really demands it or for quick color studies.

All this thought about style brought me back to one of my earliest posts on this blog (has it really been almost 3 years?). I had read an article by Caldecott winner Paul O. Zelinsky where he said that the story dictated what style and medium was called for. And, you can see this in the variety of work that he has put out. I liked his philosophy as I tend to crave variety - I couldn’t imagine working the same way ALL the time. As much as I love how “Mail” turned out, I think I would get bored if I worked that way exclusively. But, on the other hand, I don’t want to constantly be “inventing,” either.

I guess I’m finding a happy medium by playing around with more than one style while ruling out others (for the most part). I like the style that’s emerging with the ink/watercolor and it shows consistency that, I think, would be helpful for future publishers to see. But, it’s refreshing (mentally, creatively, and - hopefully - professionally) to spend time with different approaches. I would think that versatility would also be a “plus” for publishers.  Am I wrong?

Illustration Friday: "Mail"





I'm not sure why mail service to Grandma's house is sooooooooo slow!

   I finally have some time off of homeschool, home business, and Christmas to put together a more involved illo!  I'm getting it in just under the wire - I thought I had plenty of time, but me and my compulsion for detail strikes again.  There are a few things I'd try differently, and just might for the portfolio.  I'd love to try and do something a little more simplified, but I wonder if I even can!



Spectator Ant

 But, it turns out that this is along the same vein as my "Spectator Ant" that I've done before.  From that one, I came away thinking that the grass was out of scale for the ant.  So, I made certain to make the grass taller than the snail here. 

I finally got a gouache set - which I've never had and wanted to try - LOVE it!  I think that might be my new favorite paint medium and can't wait to do more.

Illustration Friday: "Sneaky"

He thought he was so sneaky, but nothing gets by Mom!

Sorry if you recognize this from a couple years ago, but it just seems to fit the theme this week perfectly!  If you missed it before, I hope you enjoy it now.

I work in pencil so much, I'm longing to do some color work.  Just don't have the time to set up for painting at the moment.  Maybe during the Christmas break...

Fun with Linoleum

My new round of art classes is underway - a Christmas Keepsakes class and a Intro to Linoleum Block Printing. 


My sample print

 

The Christmas class is a lot of work because I'm doing three projects that I've never done before.  There's a certain degree of invention because I want to offer something that is unique and worthwhile (for parents who are paying for these classes).  Then, there's an element of adaptation because some of my original ideas are just too challenging for the younger members of the class (8 year olds).  I have to find a way to achieve a successful end that's "do-able" with those kids.  And, I've found that that challenge is something I enjoy - gives me something to obsess over, I guess.  And, I've got 2 girls who are all too happy to be my testers at home...



Guess you'll have to wait and see!



What are we doing here?



The block printing class is just fun.  I haven't done this in probably over ten years, and I forgot how much I enjoy it.  I had an uncarved linoleum block from way-back-when and used a sketchbook doodle to make a quick sample (the rocket shown above).

So far, in two classes, my 6 students (junior high and high school age) have practiced using the tools and pulling a print.  I know I'm enjoying it - sure hope they are, too.



Student practice



Another student practice





8 Weeks of Art Classes for Kids End...A New Door Is Open...

The two art classes that I have been teaching to homeschoolers over the past couple months ended today.  However, I'm newly inspired - I'm excited about all of the fun things I can share in doing more art classes and the potential it has as a way to help out the family.

Once the bookstore closed, I really had a hard time imagining what other job I could take in this area where I could work evenings (to avoid child care costs).  Food service?  Some retail store?  None of this sounded appealing at all to say the least!  Then, the idea for art classes (something I've done before and something that will allow me to utilize my strengths and interests) came up.  It would allow me to be home in the evenings with my family, too!

I've been looking into the possibility of having prints and cards made that I could sell on Etsy as well.  Right now, every little bit counts and it's worth a try.  The idea of possibly being able to bring in some income at this time doing something worthwhile that I actually enjoy is exciting.  We'll see how it all goes...

In the meantime, I decided to call my business "Doodlebird Studio" and I redrew one of my favorite drawings with a little more of a gesture to serve as the current "mascot."  I'll be updating my calendar of classes and posting the availability of prints (when that happens) at the following site:

http://doodlebirdstudio.blogspot.com/

Why is it so hard to let go?

My son's high school is having a banquet fundraiser next weekend and they're asking for items for their silent auction.  One of the things listed in the packet home was artwork from a local artist.  Well, we don't have much that we can contribute, but that's one thing I could do.  Besides, I have all of these drawings tucked away in my studio, so that would be perfect.

So, tonight I tried to choose one to donate - much harder than I thought.  I've narrowed it down, but I found it surprisingly difficult to entertain the idea of letting them go.  I don't have any prints, they're all originals, and they have been captured on film and posted here at one time or another.  There were even a few that I just said "no way - I'm not giving that one up!"  A lot of those had sentimental connections to my kids in their original inspiration.

But, isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing as an artist?  Shouldn't I be getting my work out there, get it seen?  It would be difficult to achieve anything professionally if I keep my work locked away in a drawer.  On the other hand, I'd hate to think that it could end up locked away in someone else's drawer...or turn up as the next white elephant gift at the office Christmas party.

Well, I guess it's time - for the first time - to take that leap and submit something.  Decisions...decisions...

Illustration Friday: "Beneath"

This drawing done over summer was a good fit for this week's theme.

Kitty's looking for her mouse.  Perhaps he should look beneath the bed.

Illustration Friday: "Dessert"

I can't believe that with everything going on in the past few weeks that I managed to eek out an IF illo!

 I can dream, can't I?

There are a couple of issues I had with this image.  I really didn't like it as I was doing it, mainly because of the media.  I've officially decided that I don't like working with color pencil.  And that's funny because I LOVE working with graphite pencil.  And, I love a lot of things that other artists (like Kathy Hare) do with it.  But, I just don't think it's for me.  I prefer to do detailed line drawings in ink and follow through with the "quick gratification" of watercolor - felt like I was layering and layering forever with the colored pencil!

I gave my cheap scanner a try and (gasp) found that it isn't the best for uploading art...at least for colored pencil and all of it's texture.  I haven't tried other materials yet.  But, I got it for $10 from a school that was closing down and it will have its uses around the house.  I might return to photographing the art for a better picture.

Putting the "Fine" Back in Fine Art

Studied this period in college - LOVED IT!

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of planning, ordering supplies, phone calls, emails...but it looks I will have full classes, or near full, for the first installments of my art class series for kids.  I've putting A LOT of time and thought into it, in spite of the fact that the decision to go forward was only made a few weeks ago.  I hope people are as happy with the classes as I am.

"Twittering Machine" - Paul Klee

Just Lovely

I've been on a search for reasonably priced reproductions to add to the few I've saved over the years - not an easy task.  But, I think I've found some options.  In the process of all this, however, I found myself back in the midst of some college art school feelings and memories.  It seems so long ago...but then again, it doesn't.  I can still smell the linseed oil and turpentine in the studio classrooms. 

Anyway, that's when I was thoroughly drenched in the world of "fine art."  I started to think about how I used to be able to frequent galleries and museums around L.A. - I'm especially missing the museums - there's nothing like seeing good work in real life.  Books and prints can never seem to capture the whole impact of an artist's work.  It's just not the same.

Kandinsky

It's been fun browsing through all of the images available to view online (though not necessarily purchase or copy).  It's made me remember how much I enjoy looking at GOOD art.  For me, that mainly means representational work (not always, though - everything shown in this post are images I like). I do enjoy some abstract work, but it's hard for me to get excited about a giant gray square or drippy paint splatters, even when seeing them in real life.  I don't like having to read an explanation in order to get anything out of the piece.  But, that's just me - I like to see a story being told.  I guess that's why I've gravitated toward illustration. And, that can be done with surprisingly little information sometimes.

Morandi - Master of the "peaceful" still life

I'll be the first to say that I was never a very good artist in college (several reasons for that probably) - I'd like to say that I've improved over the years...in some areas, at least.  But there is soooooooooo much art out there that just isn't very good.  It seems that a lot of people are "successful" - mainly because they can talk a good game and "sell it" - skilled or not.  Excuse me, my disillusionment with the "fine art" world is showing.

Romare Bearden

Well, that was a long time ago.  Now, I'm enjoying my search for reproductions to use - I just can wait to share some of them with the kids.

Checking In With An End of Summer Update...

Wow!  Where has the summer gone?  I thought I was going to have a nice relaxing "time-off," but I guess there's no such thing when you have a toddler (a VERY mischievous one - can you tell?).

I've been spending time planning for the upcoming school year, as I only seem to be able to string together minutes and not the hours I need.  Then, to throw more into the mix, it looks like I will be offering art classes to homeschoolers in just a few weeks.  I decided to go for it since it looks like there will be no bookstore opening in place of the one that closed.  I need to do something to help bring in some $$$ for the family, and this seems like the best idea.  I'll be able to be home with the family at night.  However, it means I've double my planning needs right now - YIKES!

Some of my students from a previous "History in Art" Class

I hope to get an illo or two done before the school year begins in a couple weeks.

The Sun Reports For Work

I haven't had a lot of time or motivation for drawing these days.   I've been busy trying to do some things around the house and writing some online articles on various subjects.  But, luckily, I was able to combine the two passions when I did an article describing the process that I use for doing my "extreme doodles."

You can read the article and see this drawing unfold step-by-step at my Hubpages site by clicking HERE.

Otherwise, I hope you enjoy my latest "doodle."

Illustration Friday: "Trail"

Lots going on this week and I didn't think I would be able to get anything done.  But, then I remembered I had this bear drawing from a couple years ago - PERFECT!

Apologies to those commenting in other languages...

I have been getting several comments sent to me in languages that I can't read.  Unfortunately, in the past I had gotten some that looked like they were in Chinese and it turned out they had offensive (sexual) content throughout.  Therefore, I do not approve comments that I cannot read.

If anyone can explain to me how I can post a translation, then I would be happy to do so.  Until then, I'm playing it safe and rejecting comments that are in other languages.  Sorry!

Blessings

Illustration Friday: "Equipment"

If you want to successfully steal the cheese, a mouse must have the right equipment.  Now, are there supposed to be extra parts?

Illustration Friday: "Fearless"

The Gingerbread Man was fearless…not necessarily smart.

This is kind of a 2-part post. I had playing around with this fox-like drawing when this theme came up. It immediately made me think of the gingerbread doodle in my sketchbook. However, I’m not really liking the fox and I don’t really have the time to redo them together at the moment.

The Gingerbread Man is kind of a special doodle for me. It was done on a train home from Oregon. It was my first attempt getting back into drawing several years. College had left me more frustrated and directionless, and I had done a lot of creative things, but I had set aside drawing and painting. So, this was my moment of saying “I’m just going to draw for FUN and let whatever happens happen.” It started me in a whole new direction and inspired me to consider illustration.

Digging Up the Past...In My Garage

Moving things around in the garage, I came across some old college-era drawings, paintings, and prints that I kept. It was funny to go back and look at these things that have rarely seen the light of day since the early 90’s.

It’s especially funny since I’m a completely different person now than I was then, and the imagery I gravitated towards oozed with my youth. With titles like “Angel of Suicide” …What? All that’s missing is my “Question Authority” bumper sticker.

I knew that I wanted to make some kind of statement, but I don’t think I ever knew what that statement was. I just knew what imagery fit the bill - or formula - for cutting edge, music saturated L.A./Long Beach California. But really, it’s very similar to a lot of other statements that you see even among today’s emerging young artists that I see online. And, we thought we were being so avant garde. I just knew that I DIDN’T want to “illustrate” as that was a bad word in the fine arts department. Oh, silly me.

What I do see that is worth anything is the interest in detail, linework, and texture that are a big part of my current work. I just think I took a pretty round-about way of getting here.

I remember that 3-D box face that I had on my wall, the mannequin head with the Mickey Mouse ears, the gas mask…I just can’t for the life of me figure out which apartment that was (I moved several times during my college years).

A Shout Out to Earth Day

Well, here's a little something in reference to Earth Day. It's nothing spectacular. What is spectacular is that I found a moment to do not one BUT TWO quick studies today. This one I squeaked out while waiting in the car with my sleeping baby while my other girls were in a fabric store with their girls group. The other is something I'm going to be using in my next Hubpages article.

Anyway, I'm trying to keep drawing - even if it's just a little bit.

Time sure goes by quickly these days! The end of the school year is closing in so we’re trying to keep on track, although spring fever is hitting us all pretty hard.

I have a confession to make…I have been cheating on this blog. That’s right. It all started so innocently. I was browsing the want ads in our local paper, and that’s when I saw it. It was an ad for an opportunity to write at home and - just maybe - earn a few dollars. Well, since I am currently unemployed and I enjoy writing, I guess I caved to the temptation.

So, I’ve been writing a few articles at HubPages to try to supplement the income…of course, it really takes time to build up any change. I’ll probably only make a dime in the end and won‘t see a cent for years…but it’s been fun.

In the course of my recent writing, I started browsing the works of a few still life artists that I like. One of them is 20^th Century artist Giorgio Morandi. I first encountered his work in college, but I don’t think I was as impressed then - it was my vibrant German Expressionism phase. Morandi’s work was completely opposite of my interests at the time, but I really appreciate it now.

Perhaps in my hectic and noisy life, his still lifes are a quiet and uncluttered refuge. I like the neutral tones of his paintings and the minimal details which are so contrary to my own style. The linework on his drawings adds life - a very nice balance to what would otherwise be considered bland compositions.

Another artist whose still life work I enjoy is Wayne Thiebault. Again, I am drawn to him for his difference from my own style. I always liked the thick application of paint and his colors (or maybe I'm just hungry). I’ve always wondered how painters who work so thick financed all of that paint (at least as a student)! In college, I always worked small and thin since I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to buy more paint when I needed it.

Well, I don't post other people's work that often. My plate is pretty full at the moment (and not with cake and ice cream). Summer's coming - things will change to some degree...although my toddler is getting clingy and busy busy busy!

Found the Colored Pencils

Easter Vaction and I finally dug through a couple boxes for my colored pencils.

These guys were a quick 2 minute doodle done a while back that I added some color to.

I doodled the picture on the left first and had no plans to do anything else. However, I do need to do some studies that show one particular character in different moods or actions. This isn't for the portfolio or anything, but it's good practice. I wanted to make sure I could recreate the same character from a different angle. I think I duplicated her shape and features well enough. But, I need to take a look at some other artists and see how they handle hair in this medium. I'm not a big fan of how I did it here.

Illustration Friday: "Dip"

I guess it's time to resurrect this from a few years back as I think it's a nice fit for the theme. After all, this is the week for resurrections :)

This was a drawing loosely based on my 2nd youngest daughter - while visiting the water slides at Lake Lopez, she put on every floatation device she could find (including a life jacket - not shown here). She was only in the "kiddy" pool and the life guards laughed - they certainly wouldn't need to rescue her.

Where did the last year go? Here's a Clue...

Well, it's been over a week since her actual birthday, but this picture was done right around then in the ol' sketchbook. Can't believe she's already 1 year old!!

She's very busy and quite the handful, but I'm seeing some opportunity to spend some time on developing that picture book idea previously mentioned. In the meantime, I don't see much opportunity to add much color to this blog - pencil and paper are just so simple and handy. Perhaps when I finish unpacking studio stuff over Easter Vacation, then maybe I can at least locate my colored pencils.

Until then, there'll be lots of baby and dog pictures in pencil.

More babies

You'll probably be seeing a lot of baby and dog sketches these days as I'm building that visual library for my children's book idea. Here are a couple I did quickly today. I think Lindy's legs are too short - there's that proportion thing again. But, I sensed that as I was doing it. Unfortunately, she was moving a bit as she slept, so I was rushing a bit. Still, I think I should take the time to capture the proportion first, details after that.

Anyway, I wanted to get some different angles, perspectives, and practice some details of the face and feet.

Post-Disney Doodles

Just trying to keep the momentum going with the drawing. I really wasn't able to do any drawing at Disneyland like I thought I might. But, I never really had the chance (even waiting with the baby for others to get off of rides). So, I took a bunch of pictures of interesting shapes and architecture to have fun with at a later date.

I did get a couple marks on a page once before being interrupted, so I just came home and doodled with them. Here's the result...fun stuff.

Illustration #5 - I Sorta Took A Shortcut

Ok, I'basically had 1 day to do this last drawing since we're leaving on a family trip tomorrow and my son's going to turn his project in before we leave. Soooooo, rather than redrawing the original sketchbook drawing, I just went over it in ink with very few adjustments. Therefore, I'm now noticing an issue with the position of his legs and foot - not quite right. But oh well...

Do I still have my pouch of ammunition and gunpowder? Yes, I do!

One thing that I'll take away from this little mini-commission is the importance of time management. I need to expect to do multiple drawings for a single illustration - in some cases, probably lots! But, this was fun - hope I get an "A."

Now, it's off to Disneyland. I plan to take the sketchbook as we'll have to take turns waiting with the baby for some of the rides - I'm guessing she won't make the height requirement for Space Mountain.