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There were so many nights like this with my babies. Sinking into the night, but holding on just enough to get through.
One really rough night with my son, I blasted Bird and the Bee's Birthday on my headphones. I know the song is probably meant romantically, but it became my mommy anthem.
I originally sketched this with text from the lyrics: Hold On / Hold On. As a finish, I just wanted to leave it pure.
These little birds are the first things I draw when I sit down and think 'draw something'. Always. So they flew off to Texas for the Sketchbook Project's Tour Mail.
Followed by these underwater sillies. I totally forgot where I sent them. I rarely pick up a marker as a sketch tool, but it was fun - and no erasing! If you're close enough to the tour this year, go check it out!
Last Friday I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon at the Sketchbook Project tour stop in Portland, Maine. The exhibit was at Space Gallery, and they did a great job of making it a fun, welcoming, and very cool place to spend a few hours.
I went with Vita Mechachonis, so of course I checked her book out first. I love that she made a full-circle story with her theme of 'In 10 minutes'. The monkey and elephant characters are super-cute. I love how Vita splashed color throughout the book. Check her whole book out here.
My friend Jane Grant-Tentas' book was another example of storytelling. You can see more of her book on her amazing blog (Jane rarely misses an IF!)
James Cornell tweeted me about who to check out at the show. You did not disappoint, James. This book was captivating from start to finish. And well-drawn. And so unique. Don't miss it. See it HERE.
Fran Meneley's beautiful book was next to Vita's. On the Sketchbook tour, you get to check out the book next to the one you've selected as a bonus. Awesome, right?
Angel Szafranko's book had this gorgeous, fully painted cover. And her wolf was my favorite from the inside.
Julie Jurrjens' book was lovely. Her 'Hong Kong cigarette' portrait floored me.
You have to see Rosemary Hollings' dimensional sandwich book in person. Or digitized, here, if you can't make it to the tour. Beyond clever and fun.
Another one of my favorite books: Anne van den Berg
Bernadette Moke's take on 'Along the Line' was so beautifully rendered. And smart.
Such gorgeous brushwork from Iwona Suchanska-Himik
I totally lucked out by picking Miranda Pang's tour mail card. I did a few of my own. Maybe I'll share those another day. This is my longest post in ages. If you get the chance, definitely check out the show. And it's a lot more fun if you've done a book too. Go sign up for 2013 here.
p.s. I did my best to link back to the artists' Arthouse pages. Some people drew blanks. If you are one of them, leave a comment with any link to your art and I'll happily update.
Congratulations to all of you who have made it to the halfway point in the 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge. I know I'm proud of myself, so you should be too.
Some months were easier than others, and I wish I had the time to really polish each manuscript each month rather than just squeak out a first draft in most cases. But it's an accomplishment.
Last year at this time I had just one finished draft under my belt that I had been working on for the previous two years. This year I have 3 polished manuscripts, at least 2 other revised manuscripts and a handful of first drafts too. Then there's last year's idea pool from the PiBoIdMo challenge. I'm not sure I'll feel like a 'real' writer even when that first book gets published, but I no longer sit down to write feeling like a complete imposter.
If you're doing the challenge, congratulations. And keep on going. More stories are waiting.
