The Pineapple Diary

Day 14 of 21, Part Deux

Just a little more character silliness to start the day!

Day 13 of 21, Part Deux

Yes, I know whatever instrument this is supposed to be is completely wrong and un-researched. Chalk it up to lazy sketching. I've fallen quite hard off the 21 day wagon but I'm not deterred, I'll just be moving along at a slower pace. I've also been lax on visiting all the other 21 day'ers blogs. Typically I do a thorough browsing after my post, but if I don't post, I don't usually browse.

I also just made my first post over at the Picture Book Junkies blog. The talented PBJ ladies extended me an invitation to join the group last week and of course I said yes! Thank you ladies!!!

I'm finishing up a painting for a magazine cover today, which will be released in August. I'll be sure to post pictures when it's kosher. I also have a lot to do to prepare for a show at the Exeter Public Library at the end of the summer. It ties in nicely with the release of a book, so I'm wracking my brain thinking of a little program I can put together for the kids. If you live anywhere in the area, and you're also interested in showing your work there, send me an email: me AT ginapery DOT com. I'm sending along a list of artists to the librarian for future exhibits.

Brattleboro, VT

I'm so far behind on all sorts of blogging and sharing of news, but I'm starting with a trip I made out to visit a friend a few weeks ago in Brattleboro, VT.

I was lucky enough to visit during Gallery Walk, which occurs on the first friday of each month. I was amazed to see how many people, including tons of young families, were walking around town enjoying the experience. The galleries are far different than what I'm used to in the Portsmouth area, with a definite lean towards contemporary, humanistic, and nature based work. There were musicians in almost every gallery and several out on the streets - it's a really unique town and definitely a great place to visit, shop, eat, relax.

Another surprise for me was at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. The building is a renovated train station and has a lot of charming spaces. After seeing a number of great works by new and emerging artists we stopped into what looked like perhaps the old train ticket booth for a beautiful exhibit by Chris Van Allsburg. I've always appreciated his books but seeing the art in person was really amazing. The scale was quite a bit larger than you seen in print and I hadn't realized the variety of techniques he used (charcoal, pastel and colored pencil, scratchboard, etc). The show runs until August 3rd, check it out if you are anywhere near the area or out traveling this summer.

Oh, and of course I can't recommend a visit without a plug for my friend's place of employment - New England Center for Circus Arts. They offer classes, workshops, and professional track programs in circus arts. They also perform locally and regionally and their shows are quite amazing to see. For pictures of my friend Suzanne (in black/red then green) performing at her graduation from the professional track program last year, click here. She is now a teacher at the school.

Day 12 of 21, Part Deux

This is me in the afternoons lately, except I don't have a fish pillow.

Days 10 & 11 of 21, Part Deux

 I forgot to take a picture of the final version, but I drew this princess for my niece's 4th birthday party - as a 'Pin the Crown on the Princess' game for the kids. It was tough figuring in the height of the girls and the size of the crown so I ended up giving her a largish' noggin and cropping her off at the bottom. The game looked like a success and the party was very cute. There was even one little prince - he helped to find the 'true' princess by putting the glass slipper on all the girls. I ended up doing line-work with a sharpie on foamcore and lightly colored pencil-ing everything.
And for whatever reason, this was what I ended up sketching yesterday. I'm probably going to skip today's exercise since I'm a little overloaded with work, but perhaps I'll find time in the evening. It's quite hot here in NH so I'm staying indoors near the AC. I hope everyone else is staying cool too!

Day 9 of 21, Part Deux

Whhheeeeeee! I left the forest for outer space today. The lovely Vita has decided to join the 21 day exercise too - welcome! I'm debating about reducing the blogroll for the 21 day exercise to just those who are still doing it, including those doing it at a slower pace and those continuing past 21 days. Any objections???

Illustration Friday - Baby

Don't cry baby onion! From a licensing group I created last year - I've never really put any time into finding a home for all the baby fruits and veggies, maybe soon!

Day 8 of 21, Part Deux - Raccoons!

I realized the other week that I've never (as far as I can recall!) drawn raccoons before. I looked at some google images, then played with 'my style' of raccoon, arriving at the guy going up the stairs. Sort of a nod to Robert's earlier version of a sketch with raccoons in the attic. I'm excited to play with this character some more - now I just need to find a BIG friend for him for my story to see if it's really the right character... What other animals do raccoons 'hang' with anyway?

Day 7, Part Deux

So I may have alluded to the fact that I'm using this exercise to help me figure out the characters for a picture book. I can share this much - one is big, and one is little. I don't think they need to be the same breed or identical characters of different sizes but I'm heading down that path first for a bit. I can't say I'd really want to stick with cat/tiger-cat's for a whole picture-book, mostly because - I don't like cats! OK, I said it. I really don't like cats. I've met just a few nice ones in my day but generally, I'm much more of a dog person. I actually enjoy drawing them on occasion, but to have to really get involved with them is sort of unappealing to me. Which brings to mind what we should all consider as we work - Draw what you Love!

Days 4 - 6 of 21, Part Deux

I ended up doing some sketching over the weekend instead of on Thursday/Friday since work deadlines were more pressing. I'll have to think a bit more about PretzelHead as a character. I think he has mustard colored hair... Inspired by a big bag of delicious gluten-free pretzels sitting on my counter this morning. I wonder if rain is his kryptonite? No one likes a soggy pretzel!!!