8.28.2009

Caution - Illustration Friday - Digital

I had to do it. I drew over my little sketch in Photoshop for this digital illustration. I didn't want to spend too much time on it. I should get on with the next topic. So here it is - pretty plain and simple, but having fun experimenting with different techniques.

8.27.2009

Caution - Illustration Friday


I did this very quick sketch today and thought I might do a more refined drawing when I realized, wow! it's Thursday already! So if I wanted to post it, I had to just throw some color on it and call it done. I prefer when illustrations do not need explanation, but I'm afraid this one might. Influenced by my experiences as a scout leader, I can say it's not usually necessary to tell young scouts that a fire is very hot. It is quite necessary to remind them frequently to watch where they are waving the long pointy stick that their marshmallow is on. Use caution when giving long skewers to small children. The quick drawing and loose watercolor does not bother me so much. I'm glad I threw something together. However, the drawing does not communicate that the girl on the right is being poked with a sharp skewer. (It just looks like a tangent.) I just realized a better way to draw that would be with her back arched, her hips moved forward and a surprised look on her face. When I showed the drawing to Maya, her reaction was, "I don't like angry people."

Ya know... something more like this... Yowza! If you didn't recognize it, the girl on the left is holding her graham cracker and chocolate bar. It is the juggling of the s'more ingredients that leads to the careless waving of sharp sticks.

8.22.2009

Catching Up


Don't know why I've been away from blogging for so long. Here's what I've been up to....

Everyone started back at school this week and it is strange to just be eating the first few tomatoes from the garden. More than a month late because of the cool weather. I'm wondering if I will have to learn how to make fried green tomatoes or if the weather will hold out long enough to ripen the plentiful supply that is still green on the vines.

I've finished Ellie's little playhouse, but I wasn't going to post until I sew the family and the bed. Her choice is black and white dogs for the family of critters. I was excited the morning I finished it that she stepped away from computer games and played with it for hours (with other miniatures she already had.)

We went to see "Harry Potter: The Exhibition" at The Museum of Science and Industry. Even though Ellie and I are not the enthusiasts that Maya and Darrin and I are, we enjoyed it very much. Of course there was no photography allowed inside the exhibit, but the Weasley's flying car was out by the very long line where we bought tickets.

We watched the Chicago Air Show from a 48th floor high-rise apartment. Very cool! I always thought I would live in the city for a couple years of my life. At this point, I guess that is not happening. I'm still thinking that once Maya and Ellie get older I may look for a job in the city. Don't know how long I could handle commuting after many years of convenience, but it could be interesting for a while.

When we got home from our very long day in the city, I opened up the mailbox to find my first acceptance letter from a juried art show. This piece, "Snow" will be hanging at the 66th Annual South Shore Arts Salon Show. It's about time I start putting together my resumé, as now I have more than 3 shows to add to my list of accomplishments.

My cousin Laura's comment from my first post about broccoli informed me that it is still edible after it flowers. We're having fun eating broccoli flowers. The flavor is still very good. I thought it would be bitter, but it's very mild. I'm thinking about making cream of broccoli soup because wouldn't these little flowers make a beautiful garnish on top?



8.04.2009

Happy Birthday Grace!

Don't peek if you haven't gotten your brown paper package in the mail yet. I was going to say "don't peek if it's your birthday," but that would include Barrack Obama and Auntie Rhonda. I see Rhonda got her package. And I'm sorry Barrack, but I didn't get you anything. I didn't know Obama had the same birthday as Grace and Rhonda until today! Happy Birthday to all of you!

Due to the size and the shape of the packages, Rhonda's only cost 5¢ more to send Priority rather than First Class. I had to do it, but I should have paid the extra to ship Gracie's as well? What was I thinking? I hope you enjoy it!

The first house I made (for Maddie) out of cardboard and craft paper, I thought, was too delicate to play with. But, I heard she does play with it. That makes me happy. So, here is my second attempt. I sewed fabric over cardboard and I think it can be handled by a 5 year old. Oops! I mean SIX YEAR OLD! I would actually be curious to see how well these will hold up. My next model will be stronger cardboard and a slightly modified design. I need to get working on that soon. Eleanor is patiently waiting. I had so much fun sewing this - I could become obsessed with cute little toy houses.