It is the simple things...

in life that make me happy.

Like the cardinals that hop around on the branch of the tree which is outside the window behind my computer on the kitchen counter.

How many prepositions are in this sentence... or SAT question of the day...

Is this sentence error free.

You tell me.

Aw... what the heck.

Here I am in my studio. Notice the cracked walls, the sloped roof line

(gotta watch my head like Alice)

and the genuine amount of 'stuff' I use. And this is only one side of the studio.

But it is my haven and my own workspace, and I use every bit of it. Barb

Character Studies to Final

Here are some character studies I did for the main character in the assignment I did for last Sunday's Illustrator Day.

And here is the final I did for the AD. He wants a few more additions which I hope to do during the Holiday Week.

This was a great assignment and I loved doing it.

Enjoy!

I actually am conceiving of another story with him as the MC. Not Halloween though. And it is not really about a cowboy so much as it is what he wants to happen.

Update: Two thirds with first draft two weeks later. This one is coming together quickly because I figured what I wanted to say before I wrote it, came up with a universal "theme"

and got my characters fleshed out before I began. Then I thought of a few things as obstacles for the middle section. And I checked the market for similar stories. I think it is kinda sweet, heartfelt, beautiful and funny.

I hope to finish it soon and start dummying the vacation week after Christmas.

Another great illustrator day

It was indeed. Laurent's assignment critique/sessions were fabulous. One thing he said really resonated with me and that was to try and make everything a character. Something I love to do as that is part of world building, and creates, humor, drama and tension. He is awesome. Go into the dark... push yourself. I feel I do this well in my doll stories. But I can do even more with them.

And my portfolio critique went well. Marijka told me what she loved and what she didn't. She also said it was purely subjective, and another person could feel the exact opposite. And she spotted a few things the fix.

Her main comments were to watch the gutter and leave more room for text... even in samples. And since much of my work is bleed, to leave about a 1/4 inch of non-essential matter. Doh!

Our coordinator gave a great presentation on color/character and composition much of what I know already but was happy to have reiterated, and also one on networking/promotional material. I need to do more postcards. And a brochure.

Then we all got to parade ourselves and our illustrations in front of editors and agents. La!

Now for the thank you follow-ups and samples to send. And maybe a dummy.

And the nursery rhyme dummy to complete. I may just send a few samples with text to ADs to see if it has potential... on the ADs advice. She seemed to think that would be best.

Great day. Every illustrator should do these. They are very rewarding. And exhausting.

Also, I hope to put the final up here soon. I have a few things to add to it first on the AD's suggestion. And then a copy of it goes back to Laurent.

The Best Sketch yet!

Well, not necessarily but I am very pleased with the outcome.

This is a sketch I inked for an upcoming workshop taken from existing manuscript text (not my own). After the AD comments I will revise and go to town with collage, and it should take on a whole new life. The subjects are goblins, a cowboy and Halloween candy. I have a feeling the boy's arms may need more flaying, and that better sizing of the goblins on the right may be in order. We'll see if I am right. Or if it is something else entirely that I am not seeing.

(UPDATE: And, of course, none of the things I thought would need changing was touched upon. And four things (three of which are easy to fix, and one requiring an outfit rethink) were things I thought about initially but wondered if they would come up. This Art Director is awesome with insight, and catches little things that can make a big difference.) He's right.

The challenge to me here was making candy smells tangible. But I LOVE challenges. And hopefully I solved that problem. (Actually that will come in to play when I do the final... surprise...surprise). (He helped me with this one, too.)

Still want to work on the candy names. A few of them are not good enough... yet.

Anyway, it was a blast doing this, and expanding on the text. I did it over the weekend in about six hours (we ((the illustrators)) had a very short deadline... like a week). I was a bit nervous about coming up with anything decent in that amount of time... but the ink and ebony pencil fairies sighed on and kissed my forehead. Every artist needs Ink and Ebony Pencil Fairies.

You learn something new every day

or you knew something learned every day.

(I love the second-to-last one, especially.)

From a friend:

Paraprosdokian sentences are figures of speech that use an unexpected ending to a series or phrase.

Some examples would be...





I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike
>and asked for forgiveness.
>
>Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with
>experience.
>
>Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a
>garage makes you a car.
>
>The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.
>
>Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until
>you hear them speak.
>
>If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.
>
>We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.
>
>War does not determine who is right - only who is left.
>
>Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit
>salad.
>
>The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
>
>To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
>
>A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.
>
>Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train
>people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
>
>I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.
>
>I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
>
>Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check
>when you say the paint is wet?
>
>Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for
>Miss America ?
>
>A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
>
>You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive
>twice.
>
>Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.
>
>Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.
>
> Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.
>
>I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
>
>You're never too old to learn something stupid.
>
>To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
>
>Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people. Others have no imagination
>whatsoever.
>
>Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.


>

S'up!

I hung my art last night with a little help from my friends.

It took three hours.

It looks pretty darn good up there on them walls.

I am pleased. I am tired. I am elated.