During Laurie Halse Anderson's keynote at the 2008 NESCBWI conference last weekend, she gave us a challenge. Think you don't have time? She does. At least 15 minutes. Pick a time of day and mark it in your dayplanner or calender. She mentioned that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Also, pick a buddy or two to help you stay focused and on track. I challenge all of you who read this to join me.
My time is 9:15am (post dog walk and dog training).
My mission (for now) is to experiment with techniques and materials. I've been feeling like my paintings are lacking a looseness and life that my drawings usually capture better in some ways. Here's today's work! I'm going to try and do my best to just post the unedited work, ugly as it may be!
So I'm still using gouache, but much lighter and on Bristol rather than Hot Press Arches. I'm happiest with the cat, which I actually did first.
If you decide to accept this challenge, send me a comment or email and I'll link you back in the next day's post!
I was going to use Laurie's '21 days to form a habit' and apply it to writing... but I am in need of some stylistic experimenting, myself. And looseness is also the issue. I am always too worried about making mistakes.
I see you have Holli Conger linked... her found object stuff rocks
Posted by: Andy | April 16, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Hi Gina,
I'm really quite fond of your wonderful dog, carefully licking his/her paw. they're all great. Keep it up!
priscilla
Posted by: priscillaalpaugh | April 16, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Hi Gina,
I'm really quite fond of your wonderful dog, carefully licking his/her paw. they're all great. Keep it up!
priscilla
Posted by: priscillaalpaugh | April 16, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I think these characters have a lot of life..and I know my drawings are most alive when I'm loose. Sometimes doodles are little masterpieces!
Posted by: Kelly Light | April 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM
How about collage!! Now there is a challenge! I wish I could take you on, but with kids sick and all and their activities its near impossible to do anything!
Posted by: ellen Crimi-Trent | April 16, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Hi Gina,
Great job summing up the SCBWI conference. I attempted a synopsis of the event on my blog but ended up with "It was fun". I have a gift with words.
Good luck with the challenge! I attempted a similar sketch experiment in January - fill a page a day for a month. It didn't turn into a habit but it was time well spent.
Posted by: Robert Squier | April 17, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Great dog! I found you. I sat next to you at SCBWI conference on Sun. I recognized the Nerd Bird. You have lots of great illustrations on this blog.
Posted by: Jill | April 19, 2008 at 06:07 PM
I just read this on Jannie's blog (on my way to yours...): Am I too late to join? I'd love to!
Posted by: crystal driedger | April 30, 2008 at 03:33 PM
hi Gina! I'm Gina too heheee..., count me in, I just finished the second illo, I love the idea! see ya!
Posted by: Eugenia Gina | May 05, 2008 at 06:26 AM
I have no excuses anymore... Thanks Gina! It's a terrific challenge. Woo Hoo..!
BTW, I heart your illos! :)
Posted by: pati @-;-- | May 10, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Hi, Gina! I know I'm late jumping on the bandwagon but I've decided to take the challenge. Thanks for all of this! xoxo!
my 21 day challenge:
http://mikerbaker.com/knack/?cat=14
Posted by: mike r baker | May 21, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Alright Baker talked me into it. Sign me up. I'm late I know.
Posted by: Jeff Brame | May 21, 2008 at 04:18 PM