The Pineapple Diary

Working it out, keeping it a secret

I've finally broken past the mental block(s) about an idea for a picture book. I had the glimmer of an idea a few years ago (ouch, yes it's been that long!) and have struggled with character, concept, style, and story - mostly in my head since. All the while I felt like I couldn't move on to other story ideas but also couldn't get to a good place with this one.

I spent a lot of quiet night time thinking things over with my newborn, then finally picked up a lined notebook some time ago on a rare early Sunday morning outing by myself and just started writing, drawing, doodling - without boundaries or structure. A few minutes a day, or not for a week at a time. I would write lists of cool names. Doodle heads and faces. Word association. First sentences. All these things mashed together without worrying about where it was going.

And before I knew it I had my characters, I had the overall story, their names, the style. I have miles to go before it's ready to share, even with my peers, but it feels good to get over one hurdle. It's been my dream to write and illustrate but my perfectionist side usually sabotages things right out of the gate.

It's easy to get discouraged looking at all the amazing titles already out, beautiful portfolios, blogs full of progress and finished work. The little sketches above are just rejected starts. Rough and ugly. But it's the stuff you need to plow through to get to the other side, right? And the stuff we sometimes forget everyone goes through.

Flashback Friday

Monoprint, 1996

Sometimes I get so focused on my children's illustration work that I forget that I've been creating art for a much longer time frame in all different media. The above is a monoprint from a printmaking course in college. I have a love and affection for all types of printmaking and while I never mastered ANY, I always enjoyed the rituals and surprising outcomes. This piece is so different from my current work but I see a bit of me within. Bold and simple composition, an attempt at a stylization and simplification of form. I'd like to try and do more Flashback Fridays, I have so many odd pieces that are fun to share.

Where have you been in your path as an artist?

Reading...

Miles and I have this book in heavy rotation:

Lots of little windows for little hands to explore. Big foldout. Fun popup. He's really fascinated and I love finding the little sub-plots throughout. It's holding my attention really well considering we've read this at least 20 times in a week. And of course I'm a huge fan of Delphine Durand which doesn't hurt. *I just discovered this book is only available used, so maybe I shouldn't be so casual about Miles' tugging on windows, haha.

I just got Kathy Griffin's memoir today so I plan on diving into that when I find a free moment. Not sure when I'll have one of those since I'm spinning a few too many plates right now. All fun stuff, but why do opportunities present themselves in avalanches rather than trickles? Hmpph.

Birthday Monkeys from the Past

I was looking for an old illustration to share for today, and since my birthday is next week this seemed like a good choice.

My husband and I usually like to make cards for each other. This was a card for him a few years back. It's always fun to dig through old work and reflect, and get inspiration! Through all my evolutions of media and styles I can find value in certain ideas and layouts. I probably could rework this piece in gouache, but I'm trying to not get too distracted! Lately though I've been focusing on my book dummy. I've tried to work on it a little bit each day, just jotting down notes, ideas, and quick sketches. More to come soon!

Oh, and I was partly inspired to dig through my archives while reading all the great posts over at Illustration for Kids Blog. Fun reads, go check it out!

20 days later...

Wow, I'm terribly remiss in blogging. It's been 20 days since my last post. Tsk tsk! Here are some recent sketches. Nothing worthwhile. Just playing with a brush pen, etc. I liked the little onion-head girl so I played with her some more...

I have all these lofty goals floating around in my head, but if I can tether myself to the earth, perhaps I could just work on blogging twice a week? About whatever it is I'm up to, which changes daily really. I looked back at old blog posts yesterday and realize how much stronger my blog used to be when I was sharing a variety of things - events, shows, books, decorating, other illustrators, etc. I'm going to try to return to that. I'm guilty of beating myself up for not sketching/painting more, or failing at little goals (3 week challenge, hello?) so instead of dwelling in failure I'm just going to move forward. Isn't that what Mondays are for?

Oh, and my friend and critique group member Jen has started a great challenge that sounds about my speed these days - check it out.

Speaking up

That confident girl in the sketch was NOT me as a child! Let me first say I was the type of student who didn't willingly raise their hand until say, post-college. That's not to say I didn't know the answer or have an opinion, I've just always had a hard time speaking in public. As I got into my mid-twenties I felt more confident and had less issues raising hands, leading meetings at work, and overall being a thorn in people's sides if it meant getting a job done (right). However standing in front of a group of strangers and being the focus is NOT my idea of a good time.

Normally I'm very good about promoting any events related to my career, us illustrators need to toot our horn and spread the word. I made an exception by not promoting an illustrator panel I spoke at last night because I was quite nervous about this, my first time presenting work. I really regret not spreading the word because it all went rather well and I really enjoyed myself (after the fact!)

The Merrimac Library in Merrimac, MA hosted myself and fellow illustrators Sean Bixby and Andy J Smith at a panel entitled 'Meet the Illustrators'. Sean and Andy are so talented - I enjoyed seeing their work and hearing their stories as much as the kids! The library is gorgeous, the staff so friendly, and everyone who came was attentive and so nice. I think the best part was talking to the kids afterwards. So fun to hear what they draw, what questions they have, what interests them. Boy, this is a feel good career, isn't it folks?

If you live in the area, be sure to check out Merrimac's summer programs. They have a lot going on and may just have a 'Meet the Illustrator's' event annually. Special thanks to my fellow artists, Tracy, and everyone who came last night!

Blog Neglect!

Hey all,

I've been unable to access my scanner and main machine for a week now, hence the lack of posts. I'll be back in business in the next few days. I'm having major blog-neglect guilt!!!

I took a nice break to go up to Maine with family last week and my husband is transitioning me over to his machine (and also setting us up with long-overdue backup drives). I've been a little twitchy just knowing I can't get to my machine. Anyone else have machine-withdrawals? I'm actually thinking about taking an internet vacation sometime. I have an iTouch so I'm able to at least 'surf' around the clock which is making me a little 'real world' dumb. I wonder if there is a way for us all to take a break together and see how it effects our creativity? Thoughts?

Daydreaming

Just a little detail from an activity reader I illustrated for EECI at the very beginning of 2009. I'm doing a little daydreaming myself today. I've been thinking about 'what's next' for me work-wise.

First, I need to spend some time getting a few picture-book ideas out of my head and onto paper. Second, even though I just mailed one out, I need to think about what to do for my next promo postcard. I've used assignments as postcard imagery for the last 3 rounds. This time I'd like to create something original and from the depths of my wacky thought files - the same place where Monster Tea Party came from. It's where I'd love to see my work go for the pie-in-the-sky goal of trade book work.

I'd also like to thank everyone for continuing to read and comment on my badly-neglected blog. I do most of my blog reading in the middle of the night on my iTouch while feeding Miles. Unfortunately, it's hard to juggle all that AND comment, so if I've been lax about commenting on your blogs, I apologize. I love keeping up with everyone's lovely work and interesting pursuits. Hopefully I'll be back to commenting more often soon! And hopefully I'll be posting more regularly here too.

Nesting, Final Drawing

Before I start painting, I thought I'd share my final drawing for my thank you cards.
AND... before I forget (again) - Thank you to Ellen Crimi-Trent for the adorable birdy ornament she sent me at Christmastime. Did you know I just adore little birds (you do now!). His winter home is on my desk.

AND... Alicia awarded me with this:

And tagged me to list 7 things I love. I'm picking food things because I'm simultaneous ravenous and full (being 39 weeks pregnant today)...and it's just that time of the day, isn't it?

1.Vosges Chocolates - ridiculously expensive, and once you have them you'll be ruined for all other chocolate. The Goji Bar is my favorite. Not the type of bar you just wolf down...
2.Teriyaki Chicken Wings - the one's my mom makes.
3.Bean Tacos at Loco Cocos in Kittery, Maine.
4.Maui Gold Pineapple - fresh! It tastes like a flower, coconuts and the best of my honeymoon all in one. Only available to you lucky West Coast'rs or online for special occassions (I got my hubby 2 for our 2nd anniversary this year).
5.Fried Clams - I had these for the first time in 6 years this summer, because I'm lucky enough to be driving distance from Woodman's in Essex, MA where they make them gluten-free. Divine!
6.Freshly brewed loose leaf teas. Preferably from Upton Tea Company. I've been depriving myself of caffeine for about a year now, and even though I know how to 'decaf' the loose leaf stuff, I'd just rather wait until baby is here to settle back into the soothing ritual of brewing a nice cuppa.
7.Peanut Butter. I'm so thankful that so far this salmonella nonsense has not touched my precious super crunchy Teddy peanut butter. I disliked the taste of it during my first trimester and that was so upsetting! Nothing beats peanut butter on toast, any time of day/night.

I'm guessing most have you already have done this one so I'm tagging/awarding the following excellent bloggers - pick whatever 7 things you love and spread the love...
Vita, Kelly, Ann Marie, and Ellen

Waiting for Baby

This picture was taken last weekend, with just a few weeks (I hope!) to go. The blanket behind me was crocheted by my mother for me when I was a baby and it's still in beautiful condition, just waiting for baby to arrive and get wrapped up! The nursery is all ready, the bags are packed, and even though there's a snowstorm outside I'd be happy to welcome baby boy ANY time now! I escaped swollen legs/ankles/feet, but my hands have been pretty swollen and miserable the past week or two, making sketching and painting more challenging.

I still have hopes to finish those baby shower thank you cards before he arrives, but I'm just going with the flow here and relaxing a bit in between running to the doctor, last minute errands, and doing some design work. I might try a different technique (digital, half ink, half digital?) just to make things easier on my hands and belly-at-drafting-table.

p.s. does anyone know WHAT is up with Typepad? My posts are stuck to underline mode, even when I 'unclick' or edit the html, it revert to underline. ugggh.