Here we go again

Brave? My daughter trying out for cheerleader again this year. Yep, it's that time again. Remember this post from last year? I sure hope we have a better outcome this time around. I'll let you all know how it goes. Tryouts are next week.

IF - perspective

"You get a different perspective of the world, when you hang upside down."

I started this over the weekend for Illustration Friday, thinking I would do something quick, since I had other projects to work on, but of course, I spent way more time on it than I anticipated. I absolutely love how easily you can change colors in Illustrator, but it also causes me to change things a lot before I actually call something done. Originally her hair was black and the background was blue, etc. etc. I can spent hours messing around, because when you change one thing, it's a domino effect. You know what I'm talking about. Oh, yeah!

Like I said, I love it, though! And, I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out. If I could create fun things like this everyday and get paid for it, I'd be one happy gal. Maybe someday...

more pattern fun

Another patttern to show you. Making patterns is very satisfying, because they can be done in a relatively short period of time and you get to use fun colors and elements to make them. This one has a nice soft color palette - a bit more sophisticated then the last one I posted.

The problem I always have when making something like this, either digital or in my fine art work, is what to call them when I'm done. A name like 'purple leaf vines' is Ok, but then it's kind of boring and uninspired. Sometimes I name my fine art pieces after something that I am reminded of when I look at the piece. Like 'Nevada' or 'Good and Plenty'. Sometimes I use an emotion like 'Happiness' or I choose a color and add an adjective - like 'Very Cherry'.

But this little digi piece has no name. I'm stumped. Any great ideas, my blogging buddies? I'd love to hear from you!

IF - propagate

For Illustration Friday this week - I had to look this word up in the online dictionary. Propagate! Not a word I hear used much. I mean, I kind of, sort of, knew what it meant. Kuddos to IF, for challenging us creatively, and improving our vocabulary, too! Any-hooo, it means to multiply, breed or spread, so I thought with the spring-like weather we have been having here in the NW (sorry to rub it in, all you snow-bound Mid Westerners!) I would do a flower pattern.

I really enjoyed making this fun, colorful pattern. Could you see this on a journal or notebook cover? Yes, indeed! It would be sooooo yummy!

IF - adrift

For Illustration Friday this week - Cat and Dog, adrift in a canoe. Of course, Dog is doing all the paddling and Cat is taking it easy.

That's just the way it is, with cats and dogs. Ah, how I wish to be adrift in a canoe, with no cares in the world. Sigh. I often say, I wish I was a cat. Napping all day in the sun. What a life.

animal alphabet

Here are the first 2 images in an animal alphabet series I'm starting. I know, I know, it's been done before, over and over done before. But, what children's illustrator doesn't want to do a animal alphabet? I mean, it just goes with the job description. Am I right? When I get them done, they will be available for licensing.

IF - muddy

For Illustration Friday this week - Pigs are way cuter in illustrations then they are in real life, don't ya think? This one's a character from the book I've been working on. I don't want to show too much of what I've been doing, since I hope to find a publisher for it, but I think revealing just one character will be OK. I sure hope so. It's not a spread from the book, just the pig and the barn.

In today's world of blogging and portfolio websites, it's hard to know what's off limits. I've seen a few blogs where an illustrator shows the whole process of a book they are working on, from start to finish, so it must be OK with the publisher, or they wouldn't be doing it. I guess it just depends on the publisher. You know, the one I don't have yet.