art of heart

Sketchbook Project 2012: Little Visitor

Sketchbook Project 2012: Ladders

Last year I attempted the glorious challenge that is PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month). But somehow, extracting 1 picture book idea a day for a whole month didn't quite happen. I'm grateful I tried. I still had a solid 10+ ideas that sprung from that pass. I was pregnant and feeling zapped physically, emotionally, and creatively.
I pushed those feelings aside and gave it another shot this year. I'm only on day 7 but I feel tremendously good about the challenge so far. What is shocking to me, is that I'm not spending much time at all on it, yet the ideas keep coming. I don't even attempt to keep a notebook handy for jotting down those fleeting ideas. I'm a stay-at-home-mom to nearly 3 year old boy and an almost 6 month old girl. I'm lucky if I manage to keep the house (and kids) from imploding on a daily basis, much less keep track of a notebook and pen that are also out of my son's scribbling reach.
Here's my reality. In staggering order, I put both kids down for an afternoon nap. I tiptoe away (usually returning umpteen times to get everyone really sleeping). I take care of any immediate needs and plunk myself down anywhere with a battered old notebook. I try not to 'internet' for more than a few minutes, just getting down to business. The toys on the floor will wait.
And then the magic happens. I've never had ideas just appear like this before. I'm grateful and trying not to question it too much. I think the memory of last year's creative funk has fortified me. I've fully accepted that my illustration career looks a lot different from my helm as Captain Mom. I'm sticking to my resolution of just doing what makes me happy. I'm tapping into my childhood more as my older son approaches the age my own memories begin. I'm not letting the lack of time for making books stop the ideas from them coming to the surface. This magic spell might wear off tomorrow, but who has time to worry about that?

Sketchbook Project 2012: pg5

This scanned terribly. I'm pretty happy with how it actually looks (IRL). More importantly (to me), I had fun making it. Light gouache wash, pencil, colored pencil and collaged painted paper.

Day 17 of 21, Part Deux

I'm not sure what mama bear is making, but I'm sure it will taste delicious!

Day 16 of 21, Part Deux

Sometimes inspiration is breakfast. Fresh, local strawberries are in season here. I was sort of thinking of a mix of Elvis (haven't you ever noticed some strawberries have a little cleft chin thing happening?) and Neil Diamond (Longfellow Serenade). My apologies if you now have that tune stuck in your head, it's been in mine all morning now! Not sure if the berry in the back is a backup singer or just chill-axing, as my husband calls it.

Day 15 of 21, Part Deux

Partly inspired by one of my favorite 'house' outfits - a black and white striped shirt and black sweatpants. I've been thinking a lot about how much I do enjoy 'styling' my characters, and laughed at how my own 'style' is so unglamorous. This was also partly meant to remind me, and all of you, to breathe. I know I've been stressed lately and maybe this little guy will chill me out!
Also, I want to welcome Nicole to the 21 day club! She just started, and I'm loving her first entry. If only I could eat donuts (yes, I know they make GF donuts but I've just never been tempted to try them and be disappointed!).

Day 14 of 21, Part Deux

Just a little more character silliness to start the day!

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June 11, 2008

Day 12 of 21, Part Deux

This is me in the afternoons lately, except I don't have a fish pillow.

Days 10 & 11 of 21, Part Deux

I forgot to take a picture of the final version, but I drew this princess for my niece's 4th birthday party - as a 'Pin the Crown on the Princess' game for the kids. It was tough figuring in the height of the girls and the size of the crown so I ended up giving her a largish' noggin and cropping her off at the bottom. The game looked like a success and the party was very cute. There was even one little prince - he helped to find the 'true' princess by putting the glass slipper on all the girls. I ended up doing line-work with a sharpie on foamcore and lightly colored pencil-ing everything.

And for whatever reason, this was what I ended up sketching yesterday. I'm probably going to skip today's exercise since I'm a little overloaded with work, but perhaps I'll find time in the evening. It's quite hot here in NH so I'm staying indoors near the AC. I hope everyone else is staying cool too!

Day 7, Part Deux

So I may have alluded to the fact that I'm using this exercise to help me figure out the characters for a picture book. I can share this much - one is big, and one is little. I don't think they need to be the same breed or identical characters of different sizes but I'm heading down that path first for a bit. I can't say I'd really want to stick with cat/tiger-cat's for a whole picture-book, mostly because - I don't like cats! OK, I said it. I really don't like cats. I've met just a few nice ones in my day but generally, I'm much more of a dog person. I actually enjoy drawing them on occasion, but to have to really get involved with them is sort of unappealing to me. Which brings to mind what we should all consider as we work - Draw what you Love!

21 Days - Just hanging around

Hey, at least it's not a cat! I was scratching my head about how hooded sweatshirt pockets work until I realized, 'Look down!' - I'm ALWAYS wearing a hooded sweatshirt. It's pretty much my adult uniform along with jeans or sweatpants.
I'm still fighting a lingering cold/virus but I'm trying to keep up the 'habit'. I might switch to another theme next week and I'm definitely going to keep taking weekends off unless I feel particularly inspired. Are any of you feeling like you need to switch themes for the exercise now that it's reaching the end?

Inchworms

Since my mom pointed out that my niece might be jealous of all the sketches of her brother, I tried to capture her adventures with an inchworm this weekend. Kids definitely have the advantage in finding bugs at their height (and younger, stronger eyes).

Batter up!

To bring my nephew up to date, here's a sketch from a recent photo of a little league game. I'm glad that he has good athletic skills - something I completely lack (does ping pong count?). I had a hard time capturing the look of intense focus on his face, it reads more like nervous here.