The Pineapple Diary

Pufferfish Party: process

I don't normally work on final art digitally, but since getting a new tablet, I thought I'd start playing around with it. My daughter's first birthday is approaching, and it's the perfect time to try something new. Next time I play around I want to do it without the black outline - try to mimic my own gouache style instead.

This is the sketch - I don't usually create compositions this busy, but I thought I'd try something different on all levels.

This is a pic of the inked art - I used a copic multiliner. Thank you, Kathy Weller for recommending those beautiful pens!

This is a screenshot from the digital piece in progress - the colors were far more saturated and still mostly flat color fills.

21 Day Intermission, but here's my postcard

I'm taking a break from the 21 Day exercise to get ready for the NESCBWI conference. I'll have plenty of postcards to share if you bump into me! I'll be sending these out in the next week or two. If you hadn't guessed already, these guys are from my picture book dummy that I'll be showing at the conference. Good luck to everyone attending (and/or presenting - you know who you are!)

Sneak Peek: Dummy art, photographed

I just had to share a detail from a dummy painting I had photographed. This totally made my day. It is blowing my mind how beautiful and true to life this turned out. Special thanks to my husband and the photographer!

Aha!

After yesterday's rant on the PBJunkies blog, I combined good advice from friends (Thank you Laura Zarrin and Alicia Padron!) and stubborness and finished off my first dummy painting. Hooray!

I ditched the idea of doing the 'collage/assembly' bit digitally. My scanner and tablet stink, and it felt like I was climbing a mountain of slush (much like our NH weather this week!).

Will I change my mind again about this process? Maybe.

Am I REALLY done. Nope. Now I have to figure out how to photograph my work, ieee!

But is it progress? Yes. I think I'm on the right path. I like how things look. I'm moving forward. On to the next piece!

 

IF: Imperfect

 

Baby onion, without the crying!

Ok. Gratuitous baby pictures. But it's also my art! I blogged about my baby veggies a few times, and finally got around to putting them on one of my children's onesies. And fresh out of the bath too. Piper is so pleasant, the crying onion is more ironic than anything.

It's a cliche but true - I can't believe how fast she's growing! She'll be 8 weeks old tomorrow.

Resolution Revolution

In thinking of New Year's resolutions this year, the above idea came to mind. I call it "Resolution Revolution".

In years past I've been thoughtful, reflective, and goal oriented in considering my approach for the upcoming year.

This year, I'm just driving my wheels over all that and cruising forward. Goal-less. Aimless. Except perhaps, to have fun. To do what makes me happy.

Why the revolution? Here's the really short version. I'm due this May with my 2nd child. I'm over the moon to give Miles a little sister, but there have been some surprises and twists and it's taken me months to make sense of it. The week I found out I was expecting I was offered my first trade picture book job. Two weeks later, I turned the job down.

If I were a different artist, person, or mother I could have made it work. But I'm just me. And me couldn't find a way to make it work. Should I be thrilled that I was at least offered the job? Of course. But I've been mired in a creative depression, mixed with morning sickness, and scrambled together with a feeling of 'Now what?'.

After months of not sketching, not blogging, and just not caring, I finally got the urge to do something. I blogged on PBJ's about G. Brian Karas' book 'Clever Jack Takes the Cake' last week so I decided to use a similar technique (pencil and gouache on ribbed paper) to get my hand on a brush and finish something. Here's a detail:

I'm not sure what's next. But I thought it was about time I shared. And painted. Phew.

Pockets Magazine

Earlier this year I illustrated a story for Pockets Magazine. It's in the November issue, available now. I used a little Photoshop magic when I needed to make both spots have fall backgrounds AFTER I had already painted them. I actually like the Fall version better - gradients are such a challenge for me in gouache but can really add a punch.

One of my favorite things about this job was painting the board game. What a fun assignment it would be do design an actual board game. It's on my wish list, that's for sure!

Hi Kids!

A few weeks ago I spoke to a local 1st grade class. I was definitely nervous and a bit unprepared for that particular age. I have only given one talk before, and it was an older age range. I was also expecting 17 kids and was a little flustered that both classes were going to sit there - all 35 of them, plus the 4+ teachers. A big change of pace from my everyday routine as a stay-at-home-mom. Just look at that stunned expression on my face, ieee!

I adjusted my talk as I went, trying to simplify my process. I brought sketches, revisions, original paintings and the final product - the book. I think I could have left a few steps out and perhaps brought my painting supplies. The kids seemed most interested in HOW I made my work, and trying to include digital steps was a stumbling block I think. I read my book aloud, and while I read to my son constantly it was different to read to a group. They were really attentive, and asked interesting questions. It was a great learning experience and I hope to keep doing it. I'm not sure if or when I'd be ready to actually 'sell' myself for school visits, but it was rewarding to spend a little time sharing my work with young, open, minds.

I also made a coloring page for the kids at my husband's suggestion. Boy, was I glad I did. It really seemed like the right thing for that age, and it gave me a chance to do some b&w work, something I NEVER do.

Ain't no Pee-Wee like the one I got!

 

This is a very belated birthday gift to my husband, Kristian. He's been sporting a PW (it's a hairdo people!) for as long as I've know him. He's got a stash of Pee Wee toys that I hope he never gets rid of - in fact I can't wait until our boy is big enough to play (nicely) with Billy Baloney! And together we've watched the Pee Wee Christmas special many more than the 10 Christmas's we've been together. I thought I'd pick one of Pee Wee's more romantic moments to illustrate. I hope you LIKE it too!

We're super excited to go see the one and only Pee Wee Herman on Broadway next month - who else is going????