PROJECT PROGRESS: Ada Chewed Some Gum

My favorite part of my Job is when I am commissioned to illustrate a children's book.

 So when Thomas Knight approached me with his adorable book, 'Ada Chewed Some 

Gum' I was thrilled to par-take. This is just a snippet of what I have created for the

 book, to get everyone amped up for its release.

My Process is simple but it happens in a three stages. First I illustrate/sketch the 

characters and scene (sometimes together, sometimes separate). Than I ink the sketch 

over and scan the inked image. After its scanned, I touch up the inked lines and 

color it all in photoshop. It is a lengthy process but I have found this works best for me.

I can't wait to see it completed and formatted. How about you?

Ada Chewed Some Gum will be available soon here.

And don't forget about My Dad is My Hero Illustrated by me 

and written by Lauren Wade

Just a peek...

I have not been very good at posting my current projects this year. {sorry!}

But I have been dying to give you all a little peek at my latest book project. 

I have been working with Lauren Wade, the author, to bring her cute book 

about a boy and his police officer Dad to life. 

We are getting closer to print everyday! We expect this book to go be available by the end of April!

Can't Wait! Stay tuned!

Rosenworld Rocks my World

Loving this artwork from Rosenworld I love the line work and blocked out color... {xox}

So my books came alive last night

I have fallen for this fabulously cool Book Art

Talk about a cool book shelf?

Its the final draft revision game...

Final Revision Process

Its kind of like that picture game where you have to find the differences between two photos. 

Below are two illustrations { er, the same illustrations, with minor and major adjustments } 

Final Draft #1 and Final Draft #2. 

If you look closely you can see the changes and additions that were made after meeting with my fabulous client Ken Rochon. 

Look at the bottom right, we switched the French and Russian characters completely... added a little cheesy love, some accessories and adjusted some skin tone. 

It is kind of interesting to watch it all evolve..isn't it?

VS.

Trusty, you cutey you.

Its a world of make believe here and its all coming together before my very eyes... Story, character, triumph over bad weather and hay bails ( you'll see )... This is my favorite part of the illustration process, spirits are highest now because with ever dash of color I add more life pops out of the page. And the closer I get to a finished copy to hold in my hands. 

May I introduce,  Page #1 drum roooolll

Chasing fire flies in my dreams tonight

In Lou of the rain outside my window this morning, I thought I would leave you all with something a bit more reminiscent of summer... I remember catching fire flies and thinking they would survive in a jar like my hamster did in her cage... wouldn't it have been lovely to have a jar full of "lightning bugs" as your night light!? Oh summer, come back to us. 

Noma Bar = wow

I see brilliance here... these beautiful negative space illustrations by Noma Bar make me want to do more problem solving in my day to day drawings, how clever. Little red riding hood is my fav... so innocent sitting there at the tip of that evil wolf's snout, yikes. 

More on the New Book illustration

Its been a beautiful day outside... but I have been practicing good will power and have been chugging away on my commissions... Please enjoy another peek of one of the books I am currently illustrating. 

May I suggest...

I've had a lot of time to think lately... my mind gets to travel to all sorts of places while my hands are busy whipping up a sketch. And i found myself lost in a place called 'Happiness'.

For me, happiness is the place where, I am self assured. I usually find it in a time where I feel personally successful, productive and loved... If I could whip up a soup with such ingredients and serve it to every person I met, I have no doubt World Peace would be knocking at our door before 2010 came to an end.

Speaking of 2010, we are starting our journey into a new year. Actually, this is the first year that thats ever meant anything to me. Usually I just dread New Years Eve, because of the great expectation of making it "memorable"... and once I make it through midnight, I breath a sigh of relief and carry on with my days as if nothing was different... But for some reason, 2010... is a new beginning for me. Perhaps it is for you too... If its not, maybe it can be. My plan for the year is to find my "Happy" and keep it... What about you? May I suggest.... this New Year, you stun the World...

My Highlights from 2009

• This year I introduced myself to the Wacom pad, technology at its very best.
• Speaking of technology I also entered the world of "The Mega Phones" and got myself a blackberry. VG me!
• I began writing my book, something I was putting off for a very long time. I am now 159 pages into it... 2010 goal: Finish Book!
• I moved Three times (wow) is that even possible?
• Went fishing in the Ocean with Dave and his Family, and caught so many fish we had to throw in the towel
• Bahamas (definite highlight)
• 2009 brought me new friends in the creative industry, very grateful
• as well as, Trudy, my treadmill...*heart*
• I published my Illustrations
• I got a fish, who is still swimming happily in her beautiful bowl!
• Running 3 half marathons, and ambitiously signing up for a Metric marathon (which may have been canceled due to ice) but it still felt good to know I was up for the challenge.
• 2009 brought some great business connections
• We came very close to first place in the etchells class championship regatta, but graciously accepted second place.
• Wednesday night racing was a great part of 2009 summers
• so were the trips to Section 5's beach in Crownsville with Jazzberry and scrabble.
• As with every summer, 2009 was no different, a highlight was spending time with friends and family down at the shore house. And finally happening upon acres and acres of breaking fish!
• This year I am feeling pretty accomplished, I started my blog and entered the world of tweets, follow me... It could be fun! http://twitter.com/meant4amoment
• Meeting The Scary Guy, who was %100 inspiring.
• 2009 Christmas tree was exceptionally stunning.
• I definitely enjoyed our trip to block island (thanks Thom)
• My big screen monitor upgrade was an exciting highlight.
• Tony Lucca in concert, say no more!
• Caught a blowfish... the size of a golf ball, and its official: there is nothing cuter than a blowfish that small!
• Learned Bow on the Etchells and pretended to rock at it... verdict is still out on this one
• Created some really fun pieces of commissioned artwork
• Discovered coconut milk ice cream (you haven't lived until you try it!)
• Long summer days on the Seacraft, and Seachaser
• Wake-boarding
• Paige and Caleb's visits home.
• The discovery of gummy vitamins, so easy and delicious, no one should be without them!

This list is getting out of control, but I do plan on adding more items as 2009 draws to an end...
Thanks for a GREAT year!

Burt

My newest Illustration. Created for a client to gift as a Christmas present to her daughter-in-law who has an old horse named Burt...

I tried to capture the right kind of mixed expression in the horse... kind of to say "We've got this right?" and "Do you trust me?"

It was a really fun project to work on, Thanks for the business Meg! Happy Holidays!