#GTS2016

My submission for the Global Talent Search hosted by Lilla Rogers Studio has been a joy to create! . I went with a Metamorphosis theme for this assignment: to design a tea cup, saucer and napkin for a posh newly expanded tea and pastry cafe. I named the cafe "Chrysalis" and went with imagery of moths and fruit. I've been obsessed with the combination of peachy-salmon tones with dusty rose lately so I knew they would play a role and of course, light aqua blues and mossy greens are always popping into the picture ! I did my first honest to goodness repeat pattern in Photoshop with this project. The original idea was to put the pattern on the tea cup but I decided on putting it on the napkin only as well as a backdrop neutral for the overall presentation. 

The repeat pattern on the tea cup option

The repeat pattern on the tea cup option

I also tried it with a grey background...

I also tried it with a grey background...

I made the decision not to do a mock up of a teacup with the design on it. I really wanted to keep the composition simple and let the art come forward. I decided instead to do the teacup design on a template shape that would be used at the factory level to place it on the cup. 

I wanted to push the unexpected nature of using moths instead of butterflies. Moths are so varied and so many are just amazingly gorgeous. I borrowed nature books filled with photographs of moths and their various stages of life: chrysalis, caterpillar, egg, etc... from my dear friend Loree Burns who has a vast collection of such books including the ones she has written! If you have a young nature lover check out her books - they are terrific! . 

I liked the idea of using the Metamorphosis idea in conjunction with a place you might go to pause for a bit to gain sustenance  to continue your personal journey or perhaps spiritual unfolding. I came up with a tag line for the cafe: "Nurture your Metamorphosis" for the cafe. 

I truly felt more confident and joy-filled working on this assignment than I have in previous GTS attempts. I hope my emotion for this personal victory shines through in the result. Crossing my fingers and toes that Lilla and her staff sees something they'd like to see more of and will allow me the opportunity to try my hand at the next assignment. There are over 1,000 international artists in this GTS and she will have to narrow that group down to 50 ! Not an easy job I am sure. I will let you know ! In the mean time I still have work on the Gracie Brave book and having fun with the last few pages - so much going on in these last illustrations and I am loving that prospect as well! 

Here is my final presentation submission: 

Global Talent Search 2016 submission. Hosted by Lilla Rogers Studio 

Global Talent Search 2016 submission. Hosted by Lilla Rogers Studio 

consistency and change

I've been reworking a page spread for Gracie Brave. I wasn't satisfied with one of the recent submissions and asked the authors if it was ok if I went back in. I've also been looking critically at my ability to keep the characters consistent throughout all the illustrations I've completed so far. The beauty of this independent project is that I can really work at my craft in a way that benefits both my own growth as well as the author's vision. 

Here are the images of Hazel, Gracie's grandmother that I have incorporated into the book so far: 

I rejected this version of Hazel - I realized changing her clothes might be interesting but it effects consistency of the character and doesn't work. 

Here is the first version of the two page spread: 

This is the redo of this spread: 

I think this version has more energy. The text for this spread dictated that I include quite a bit of action so it was a challenge! Of course, there are still changes I want to make but I think that might be more an indication of my artist spirit than what is necessary. Working without an art director is like walking on a tight rope without a net sometimes. 

San Francisco treat!

The authors of 'Gracie Brave' have made some tweaks to the manuscript and we are off and rolling again! The down time was necessary for their process and for me, I think, helped massage my creative spirit a bit! I am now in the depths of researching imagery for the next several pages which take place in San Francisco, a place I have visited but not for a very long time. Thank goodness for Google Image ! I also went to several local libraries to look at ways in which artists have chosen to render this beautiful city. There are so many fun images to interpret - it's hard to chose which ones to include and which ones lend themselves best to the story line. 

thumbnail for two page spread: Gracie twirling in a park in San Francisco 

thumbnail for two page spread: Gracie twirling in a park in San Francisco 

study sketch of Gracie twirling 

study sketch of Gracie twirling 

I've been doing some tree studies to make the park environment magical - building to the climax in the story. 

I really got into this willow tree 

I really got into this willow tree 

The process of creating this project is pretty unconventional but I am learning so much and loving the collaboration ! 

I've started a second concept for my Owl character and he has a name now: Parker (in honor of my son who this character is inspired by) 

He will be holding a kite and be placed in the scene below...

He will be holding a kite and be placed in the scene below...

background for Parker Owl on bike 

background for Parker Owl on bike 

The Gracie Brave project is gaining momentum as well! We have been brainstorming about the final 1/3 of the book. It's been such an interesting process for me as I am integral in the problem solving not only for the illustrations but also the budget considerations and flow of the story in general. Normally I would be told, "do this illustration", period. I feel much more integrated into the production of this project and it's been a great experience! 

pigeon studies

pigeon studies

 

This is how I present the thumbnails and corresponding texts to the authors to help them see my vision: 

 

Tweaking

So, if you remember my post from last week, I am crafting a character loosely based on my son, Parker. This character is a crafty, out-of-the-box thinker who loves to learn all kinds of things. He gets so excited about the current thing he is interested in that everything else he's "supposed" to be doing gets ignored. I have been sketching and tweaking and even trying new materials to get just the right look for this guy. Here is where I started: 

The concept started with loose sketches that I did while listening to my son and his friends perform at an open mic night at his school. 

The concept started with loose sketches that I did while listening to my son and his friends perform at an open mic night at his school. 

I drew up four options in color; some looser than others. I tried painting directly on vellum, an idea I heard from Jake Parker on the Stories Unbound podcast. It gives a smoother result and a cleaner "cut" on Photoshop. 

I drew up four options in color; some looser than others. I tried painting directly on vellum, an idea I heard from Jake Parker on the Stories Unbound podcast. It gives a smoother result and a cleaner "cut" on Photoshop. 

My challenge at this point was to gather the aspects I liked from the above versions while maintaining a grounded, confident style. I've been thinking a lot lately about maintaining a "grounded" nature to my work. What do I mean by this? When I look at some illustrators or commercial artists who I admire; it's the confidence that shines through in their work that I strive to maintain in my own work, much more than the work itself. When I look back through my sketchbooks or pieces I have hanging in my studio, I can tell when I was in the moment with the attempts or when I was rushing for a particular job or if I was just not feeling it that day. It doesn't matter if I'm looking at work from today in a doodle I did while waiting on the phone or if I did it years ago: I can tell when I wasn't in the moment. My goal is to get more and more consistent with that grounded nature. Maybe every artist strives for this forever? 

This version was edited a bit - I made the paper airplane in his hand larger. I also made the propeller (made out of rulers) more prevalent in the composition. But, I still felt something was off. 

This version was edited a bit - I made the paper airplane in his hand larger. I also made the propeller (made out of rulers) more prevalent in the composition. But, I still felt something was off. 

On this latest version, I enlarged the eyes a bit to encourage a deeper connection to the character. I would welcome any feedback on how to make this image more powerful before I move on to another scenario for this guy who is still nameless. 

On this latest version, I enlarged the eyes a bit to encourage a deeper connection to the character. I would welcome any feedback on how to make this image more powerful before I move on to another scenario for this guy who is still nameless. 

Owlie Owlie Open Eyes!

I was honored this past weekend to be presented with a first place award for Creativity by the Princeton (MA) Arts Society 25th Anniversary Art Exhibit juror, Barry Van Dusen for my "Arapawa Goat" piece.

"A painting from another planet! Organic forms that re both familiar ad strange at the same time; soft harmonious palette; unexpected use of materials with needlepoint and quilted elements at the core." - Barry Van Dusen, Exhibit Juror and artist/illustrator 

"Arapawa Goat" 24" square  Acrylic, gouache, ink, graphite, tissue paper and hand embroidery on tissue paper. Available 

detail shot of the hand embroidery 

I've begun a new project that I am excited about. I am developing a new character I am referring to as "Owlie Owlie Open Eyes" because it reminds me of the game I used to play with my children when they were small. We would press our foreheads together and close our eyes. We would say, "Owlie owlie open eyes!" and ope our eyes. I miss those giggles and those curly-topped little people. This game doesn't go over so well with teenagers and newly crowned adults. 

I am basing him on my 17 year old smarty pants, out-of-the-box son. I am really looking forward to watching this character come to life! 

I am basing him on my 17 year old smarty pants, out-of-the-box son. I am really looking forward to watching this character come to life! 

Octopus - ready for delivery

I am photographing and sealing the Octopus piece today to get it ready for delivery early next week. I will be offering this piece as a print very soon! 

If you are local to Princeton, MA, I will be showing two of my pieces from my Beasts II series in the Princeton Arts Society Art Show and Sale this weekend at the Princeton Center Building. Stop by and enjoy art from local artists. 

Octopus

This week has afforded me time to get closer to the finish line with the large octopus commission I have been assigned. It's been a great break from the smaller, more detailed and concept-driven work of the Gracie Brave children's book illustrations of the last few months. 

I will put the final touches and details on in the next week and schedule delivery ! 

First layers: acrylic, colored pencil and vintage papers.

Second layer: gel medium, tissue paper and a layer of gel medium for pastels.

Third and final layers: gouache, ink, watercolor, colored pencil, pastel pencil, oil stick.