Jessica Chrysler's Sketchblog

Happy New Years!

2012-01-05T23:09:00.000-08:00

So I thought it would be cool to start the new year with a classic... the New Year's baby. I will be doing a painted version and will be posting it here soon. Hope everyone had fun during the holidays, and looking forward to a fresh start with the new year!

Master Sketching

2011-11-29T19:57:00.001-08:00

First secret assignment in skill building...

drawn from Brian Froud's World of Faerie

Sharpening Skills

2011-11-19T10:12:00.001-08:00

My computer has decided to take a dump, but within the chain of events these last couple of weeks I've decided to take on a new challenge. It will involve some time, lots of effort, and patience... something that we all must posses in order to improve our craft as artists. I'm going back to basics and will be studying artists that have inspired me since childhood.

To get started we need to sharpen our pencils! This video does a superb job of explaining the artist technique. Though you want to remember to have enough wood supporting the lead so it will be less likely to snap on you while drawing. You can use any very sharp blade, like an exacto or a paint chipper, but the technique is the same. Happy Drawing! :)

Angel of Sorrow

2011-09-11T13:08:00.001-07:00

Two weeks ago, a dear friend of the family passed away. He was a great spirit of joy and strength in the Westchester community. I had drawn this image to give to his family in remembrance of his faith and spirit that will be sorely missed. I initially had not intention of posting this, but then when it was brought to my attention that this day is the tenth anniversary of the attack on 9/11. The memory of that fateful day resonated within me, and I feel that it is only appropriate to post that memory for the collective consciousness of the internet to remember as well.

On September 11, 2001, I had woken up to the sound of an explosion. I quickly dismissed it as a dream and probably the resonance of sound from something undefined outside my bedroom window. It was earlier than usual when I woke up for school, but nothing else was unusual. Then as I walked into our living room, and my mom turned on the TV for her routine half-viewing of the morning news, I saw the fire and smoke. The twin towers were burning. The news anchors were quieter than usual, and we all realized what had happened. Fear shook me to the core, airplanes were involved in the strike against American capitalism. My mother and I lived underneath the flight pattern of LAX, and everyone was conjecturing that Los Angeles would be the next potential target. I did not want to go home from school that day, fearing even to take the bus to my father's house who also lived just a mile from the landing strips. The terrible loss of all the firefighters and other civil service men and women in the conflagration at the scene of terrorism also struck home. Many of my family members, friends and neighbors serve our great nation as civil servants at varying degrees. I couldn't imagine losing everyone I ever knew in one foul swoop of an angry hand.

We had a moment of silence and prayer that day at school with everyone gathered in the hallway - I went to a Catholic school, so prayer was never questioned and always encouraged. So in a way, the image above is my prayer today to those who are taken from us without a moment's notice. A reminder that even though they are no longer here with us in person, they will always be with us in spirit.

The Adventures of Zolie Zi

2011-07-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Check out the new book that I've done the coloring and cover design for! It's called "The Adventures of Zolie Zi: Bully Bullies" by Miss Sonya Bowser of Austin, Texas. It's a early middle grade novel set for teaching kids about the meanness of bullying and how to prevent it. Visit her website at ZolieZi.com to learn about the characters and to pre-order her book.

New Work on Website!

2011-05-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know now that I have posted my finished pieces for Luna Balloona on my website at jessicachrysler.com ! So stop by to check it out!

Luna Balloona goes to India!

2011-05-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

So, I'm sure some of you out there are wondering why I haven't posted in awhile, but I have some wonderful news! I've been hard at work illustrating some amazing stories for some awesome self-published writers. I'm only now able to post a few tidbits here to show and I will have more uploaded to my website very soon. :) Posted here I have the initial character sketch, storyboard thumbs, and the final cover for "Luna Balloona," a first in hopefully a series of sublime rhyme for children authored by Rebecca Altshuler. I will post more along with a link to her book's website as soon as that becomes available. Enjoy!

IF | Bottled

2011-04-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

Oh, Alice... I told you not to eat that...

Illustration Friday | Duet

2011-04-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

I always think of the sisters when I think of a duet. :)

This was done as a speed painting.

Illustration Friday | Warning

2011-03-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the gesture of cats... they always give you a clear warning. My goal for Illustration Fridays now are to complete the illustration as a quick sketch and not spend too much time. This one is the second idea I had, as the first one was quickly becoming overworked. Hope to make more IFs on time in the future with this goal in mind. :)

Characters Group Show Success!

2011-03-07T21:28:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share a "snapshot in the round" with everyone here. There was an extremely large turn-out for this event, and I was glad to be a part of it. Thank you Diana Levin for putting this together, and thank you Studio 5216 for the awesome space! :)

Characters! Group Show | Saturday Feb 26

2011-02-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

Here are two of the three pieces I'm selling in the show this Saturday at Studio 5216 on Hollywood Blvd. I'm going to be doing something I haven't done before here too. These are priced to sell as sketches, or works in progress, at the show. I plan on doing a digital painting for each incorporating the physical paintings I've posted here and have that available later as prints (obviously). Making the ones here that sell at the show that much more special in the long run. :) Hope to see you there!

Farmscape LLC | Urban Farming in Los Angeles

2011-02-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

I've recently done some illustration work for an awesome client located here in Los Angeles. They are on a mission to create productive backyards out of urban (and suburban) homes. Just say no to farming grass! Say hello to a productive mini-farm with your favorite fruits and veggies year-round. Here is a sampling of what I've produced for them. Enjoy!

Illustration Friday | Surrender

2011-02-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

Check mate...

Beastly Mood

2011-01-04T19:49:00.001-08:00

An ode to Beast. Feeling blue lately, thought this came out nice for a quick warm-up.

Garden Mural at Trinity Lutheran Pre-School

2010-09-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Heidi Born, had asked me to come out and help her with a mural project she's been working on over in the Manhattan Beach area. She had all but completed a total of 8 murals located within the wonderful Pre-School center; including three bathrooms and three spots on a brick wall on the opposite side of the play yard. It was great fun being able to paint "al fresco" and befriend some of the little future artists that rode their tricycles at recess. Our styles fit so well together too, which made the project relatively quick considering we had about 12 feet of wall to cover!
Check out Heidi's blog to see some of the other murals...

Close up of my favorite flower :)

Almost done! *whew*

Illustration Friday: Dessert

2010-09-06T12:42:00.001-07:00

Inspired by the bug problem at Joe's place.

WIP: Work In Progress

2010-07-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this painting most of the day today, and it's turning out so well I have to show it! Stay tuned for the finished piece! :D

For the finished piece visit my website at www.jessicachrysler.com

Landscape - Digital Study

2010-06-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

Decided to give digital another try with my lil tablet. I found myself actually enjoying it!

As White As Snow

2010-06-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ok Lovely ladies and gents... here is the painting hanging in the show as of last Thursday. A whirlwind experience as it was. We had lots of people stop by to chat and dine with us. If you are interested in seeing the work first hand please feel free to stop on by anytime until July 10.

Here are some pics of the show and the folks who came to the opening. Thanks to all who came!

Snow White - A Dark Tribute

2010-05-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

After being inspired to do a retelling of the whole original Grimm's Fairy Tale, I thought it would be great to do a more "adult" themed painting of the Snow White character. This was after of course a rousing vote amongst fellow illustrator's to do the show theme as "fairytale" inspired. What a treat. This is a sketch of the roughly 9"x18" oil painting I'm now in the middle of. I promise to post the finished piece, along with photos from the show!

"Springtime In Grimm's Garden"
Opening June 10th - 7-10pm
Liliya China Bistro, Downtown Los Angeles

Pao Hana! - well, almost

2009-12-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my favorite finished sketches from a storybook I've been illustrating. A couple are close crops so as not to give away the whole thing! Enjoy!

Snow White and Rose Red

2009-10-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

I'm in the midst of a retelling of this old Grimm's Fairytale, and thought I should share some of my character sketches of Snow White, Rose Red and the Bear. I need a good name for the Bear though, he's a prince under enchantment...

Technology's Imact on Social Interaction

2009-09-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Article: "High Tech Kids Lost in Face-to-Face Relationships"

It took me a little while to think about how I actually felt about this article. Then I realized that the direction of discussion was missing an important point. - It's not text messaging, social network websites, cell phones or computers that is impacting face-to-face relationships, but the fact that these devices are used as an excuse for already poor social habits. Ones which are formed in the day to day experiences one has at home. Yes, it's all in the family.

I happen to be a "child of the 90's" - early nineties, but still grew up with the notion of social interaction, over the internet, with people I have never met personally. Yet, I still prefer to have real time physical interaction with an individual than any number of technological communication. Even the fact that other adults (many of which far elder than I), use their iPhones and PDAs and Blackberries during meetings just goes to show that it is not a matter of "growing up with technology", but rather a much more elemental factor - a matter of ethics. One does not learn communication through technology, but through the interactions that one experiences as a child before learning to use said technologies.

It has been a growing, although not so foreign, trend for parents to be unavailable to their children on a face-to-face basis, due to work, schedule, or any number of things. Often times children are given a cell phone as a means of communicating with their parents, but then learn to use it for all of their communication needs. They then learn, from this example, to only use this extended form of communication as their primary method. Interestingly though, I have yet to see children who play sports or are involved in other social activities with other children to exhibit problems interacting socially on a face-to-face basis. Simply going to school is not the answer - the setting of the classroom does not specifically allow for social interaction.

As for the adults in this world that continue to bring their electronic devices to meetings that are then a distraction translates from a problem not so dissimilar from the aforementioned. This type of self-gratuitous distraction stems from the individual's work ethic. It is not a form of social retardation. These people are actually social butterflies and have not been able to control their need for communicating at all times with other people - most of whom they already know personally. The work ethic of an individual is always instilled at an early age and has as much to do with parenting as does the ability to communicate.

I do not think that "this is a phase" or that it is only a trend that will wane with a slackening of popularity. On the contrary, social networking sites are growing exponentially on a daily basis. The name of the site may change, but the need for people to connect on some level or another with other people will still be there - albeit a more remote type of connection. For those that have hundreds of people on their "friends" list that they have not met, I encourage them to reach out and actually meet some of them. I can proudly say that I have actually met personally, at least once, almost everyone on my list save for maybe 5-10 individuals. I know people who will not "friend" others whom they have not met personally. It really all boils down to a matter of choice. Internet interaction only becomes a crutch if an individual does not recognize or engage in any type of one-on-one social interaction.

Comic Con 2009

2009-07-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

It was a time to be had by all - in so many ways. If you are a professional illustrator, writer, designer, film maker - with a penchant for the world of comics/scifi/fantasy - then you MUST attend the International Comic Convention that is held in San Diego, CA once a year. I have yet to attend the SCBWI Conference (in less than two weeks), and I am sure that Comic Con is probably one of the best experiences for networking and absorbing information regarding the industry. There were tons of books to be had as well as seminars and panels from some of the most prominent figures in the industry. I was priviledged to have heard a living legend speak, a panel of Master artists of Disney share their sentiments on days gone by, and even got to shake the hand of one of my inspirations!

The news has already been out, but Archaia Comics has teamed up with Jim Henson Company to produce master works of graphic novels to be released within the next year. I had personally approached one of their directors before the panel on Friday afternoon and they had informed me that they were only currently working with artists already within the company. This sounded a little odd to me at first, but at the panel they let the cat out of the bag. None other than Brian Froud himself will be working on creating the upcoming series of "The Dark Crystal" and possibly "Labyrinth" as the artist. Tough for little guys like me, but also very cool since I am such a fan of his work! I can't wait to see it when it finally does come out!

There were several instructional panels/seminars that I attended. Some were truly informative, but some were solely there to sell their new product. Which is fine, but can be annoying when you are trying to ask questions and they retort with "well you don't have to worry about that if you buy {insert product here}." Another thing that I realized after going to several of these, is that if you already are a professional you probably won't learn too much from the instruction demos as say an amatuer. Nothing wrong with that of course, but it's nice to get that kind of self evaluation down in such a large setting of individuals.

Everything though, from the talks, to the exhibition hall was inspiring!! Absolutely a paradise for someone such as myself. There were thousands upon thousands of people there, but I felt that I had made a few connections - however fletting they may have been. Listening to Ray Bradbury on my last day there reconfirmed the growing feeling that I had the day before when I shook Ciruelo's hand. That I belong in this industry, that I am an artist, and that I am doing what I love. That there is nothing more important in life than being able to do what it is you love no matter how hard it might be to acheive some goals. Perservering through the difficulties and to master the skills before throwing them away to create anew.

Beauty and the Beast: Native American Style

2009-06-30T23:15:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of sketches I'm turning into watercolor illustrations. Will be part of my updated portfolio for the conferences this summer. A sort of preview for some of ya'll.

Watercolor Sketch

2009-05-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

This was done in the half light of a bar in Hollywood. Come see me in action on Thursday nights at the Falcon on Sunset Blvd. :) Won't be there this week, but I will be there next!

BUY ART NOW!

2009-05-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well... if you want really. I support all artists and I try to buy others' work when I can afford it. :) So, in my attempt at licensing, please feel free to drop by my page at Artist Rising and buy a print or two if you feel so inclined. I also have one original piece for sale (see below)... frame included! There are still other originals in the series I would sell, but I wanted to see if anyone would be interested in this one first.

http://www.artistrising.com/galleries/blakndrose

Twig-a-bet

2009-04-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Found this among my things... thought I should post it :) Hand drawn letters I used for Cody the Coyote and Jacobi's Wash.

2009 Frances Clarke Sayers Lecture - Brian Selznick

2009-04-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

I had attended the UCLA Alumni Foundation's lecture series dedicated to children's literature in memory of writer, educator and librarian Frances Clarke Sayers. The event opened with a presentation of the winning entries submitted by students in grades 4-12 in the state of California, for "Letters About Literature". The students presenting these very personal and well informed pieces about various works of literature were charming and intelligent. I had no idea that such a competition existed and least of all that their work would be shared with us - a delightful experience.

Brian Selznick, the author and illustrator of the 2008 Caldecott medal winning "The Invention of Hugo Cabret", gave a splendid presentation that captivated the entire audience. A demanding challenge as there were children as young as five and people as old as, well, lets just say a little up there. He managed to convey important tidbits of his own life experience and his working methodology into an entertaining story/presentation unto itself. It's no wonder that he has so many awards and acknowledgements as one of the best in the field. His love of the theater plays out in all of his work, and indeed even in his presence as he spoke with mighty gusto, like that of a ring master. I was honored to speak with him breifly afterwards and to have received some words of encouragement - such an emense personage might very well intimidate most people, but to me he was unfailingly charming. Even with those shiny silver shoes!

In any event, I strongly encourage the reading of his latest novel, as it is a ground breaking vision of what an illustrated novel can be. Right down to the colophon! He mentioned in his speech the importance of "looking", and I have to agree, if you see but do not look at the entirety of things (including his novel) you may miss the very details that make it such a beauty.

Character Sketches for Stephen's Story

2009-04-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

The story is geared toward the young adult and adult reader, with some strong play on the sensual nature of the characters within their culture as described by the writer. I was saving them for the author to see himself at our last schmooze, but he wasn't able to come, so now I'll make them public for the rest of the world to see. These are preliminary and I tried my best to get the character to show through the drawings. I need to work on integrating them into a story though. (Heth the antagonist and her lover Claudio, the protagonist)

Tokyo! and other happenings...

2009-03-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't posted in the last... well... three weeks or so, I need to give you all an update on the goings on that have kept me away from the posting!

Go See:
Watchmen
Tokyo!
The Present

Go Do:
Medieval Times (Buena Park)
Frankincense (City of Industry)
Billy Shire Fine Arts (Culver City)

Watchmen - opened last weekend and there has been some mixed reviews. Those that are not familiar with the graphic novel may want to peruse a library or Borders for this piece before watching the movie. I went in without any prior knowledge and I would give it a C+ ... lots of heady material and mortal superheroes, both of which I liked, but the film was too long and yet not long enough. Just a prime example that a great work in another medium does not always transition well into Hollywood productions.

Tokyo! - screened this Tuesday, but opens at the Nuart on Friday. I would recommend this to any indie flick connoisseur and movie buff. A three part commentary on Japanese culture directed in part by Micheal Gondry - who was present at the screening and a jovial interviewee. It is sad, hilarious and offending all at the right moments and in a poignant fashion. C'est Gondry.

The Present - being a guest at the premiere of this documentary along with the new line of Nike sportswear, it was a real treat. The film itself was beautifully shot and directed by Thomas Campbell, whom I admire for using the old school film rolls for part of this film. It had great texture and hypnotizing musical scores to accompany the rolling and twisting ocean waves. If you're a surfer, this is the thing for you. If you don't know surfing or can't stand watching countless shots of surfers sliding across waves - don't bother, you might fall asleep.

___

Medieval Times - YOU HAVE TO DO THIS ONCE!! It was amazingly kitch, but a wonderful treat to those in love with Knights in shinning armor. You can't beat the aura of the renaissance with a five course meal you have to eat with your fingers.

Frankincense - Comics, collectables and more.... If you have been to and enjoyed ComicCon, Anime Expo, APE, or any geek/nerd fest you will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. I passed on through with a couple friends and I could possibly have spent many more hours than I had taking in the multitude of wares and books and games that were available to the public. It also has great potential for artists that may wish to license their work by setting up a booth there. I shall find out more soon!

Billy Shire Fine Arts - Fine Art gallery in Culver City, a great little place where I have seen many of my professors' work and some of my collegues' displayed. Bob Dob happened to have an opening there on Valentine's day, and oddly enough I have seen his work popping up everywhere - including the magazine they had at The Present openning. So if ever near gallery row in downtown Culver City, take a peak at the next wave of art to hit the streets.

Faerie of Hearts

2009-02-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

Just a little somethin...I think Karen or Mimi claimed this one??

Sketch at Schmoozette - Feb 10

2009-02-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a little something I did at our Schmoozette yesterday - rightly named since not as many people show for these as they do for the weekend specials! It means more intimate time with each other as artists and writers. Getting to know each other's work and habits, to create bonds both in friendship and professionally. No, we don't sing kumbaya.... we actually talk about the trends in our own writing and new ideas for approaching our craft.

Coraline! Coraline!

2009-02-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, Feb 6th, I had gone to see Coraline in 3D with my beaux. It was AMAZING! A few weeks ago I had seen a trailer bit on the Nucleus gallery's website and the animation was so seamless that I thought it was CG. But no! It is entirely done in stop-motion animation! Absolutely incredible. The artists and production team at Laika have been doing this kind of stuff for a long time and it was truly a treat to view such fine craftsmanship on the big screen. The script was adapted from a children's tale by Neil Gaiman, an incredible graphic novelist. And true to form the dialogue between the characters reflect the very essence of Gaiman's work - crisp and unashamidly candid. I highly recommend seeing this movie - but leave the kids at home. This is more of an "adult swim" quality and might scare the little ones. Then again, that's what they said about Nightmare Before Christmas.

The next day, Feb 7th, I got to visit with the character designers, environment/production artists and key-art designer from the production of Coraline. The gathering was held at the Nucleus gallery in downtown Alhambra, and boy was the place packed! People practically oozing out into the street. The artists showed concept art and storyboards and other beautiful works that all helped guide (or rather, was guided by) the film director. Amazing quality, and the look and feel was developed by none other than Dan Krall. Very Suess like and reminicent of the older Disney films, pre 1970. It was interesting the learn that the original story had had to be re-writen as production went along (several times), in order for filming to correlate with the overall theme and just to make sense in real time. Characters were invented, as well as designed after several relatives and friends of the director. (Guess we all do that - makes creation a little easier to follow a model.) They were careful enough though not to show too much for those that had not yet seen the film, but I was glad to be a part of such a special event.

Sketch for new Promo Card

2009-02-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

I thought it'd be kinda cute to do a V-day thing, since it is my b-day and all.

June Sobel presents at South Bay Schmooze

2009-02-03T17:33:00.000-08:00

The ever so humble and wonderful June Sobel was kind enough to grace us South Bay writers and illustrators with her presence at Bobaloca on saturday Jan 31st. She went over her experiences as a picture book author working with Harcourt and the various editors, agents and illustrators she's had the pleasure of working with. She also read to us, and a very excited young visitor, her books "Shiver Me Letters" and "The Goodnight Train." Both are exquisit picture books for the likes of preschool and little tots - oh so charming and cleverly written! She gives an added dimension to the regular rhyming of ABC stories by creating a journey with some imaginative characters. Something for all of us to aspire to for sure! ^_^ It was also great to see some of the galleys and rough copies that develop in the process of editing and working collaboratively with another illustrator. A real treat for those present and gave yours truly a much needed boost of confidence and some new ideas. Suzanne Gibson and I are now working collaboratively to bring some great events to the South Bay community of writers and illustrators. If you want to learn more about the SCBWI and the regular gatherings that we have, feel free to email me at blakndroseinfo@gmail.com or visit www.scbwi.org and join!

Suzanne, June Sobel and me

"Vanity of Vanities, All Is Vanity"

2009-01-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

An awesome article done by the Times recently, "Books Gone Wild: The Digital Age Reshapes Literature," features emerging trends in the publishing industry - ebooks and the vanity press (aka Print on Demand). Well, I suppose some of them aren't acutally "emerging" as they have been around for many years so far, and have only recently gained the spotlight as formidable competition for the established publishing houses and their product.

In terms of economy, I had not realized previously that all major publishing houses eat the costs of publication, transportation of product and other various (potentially fatal) flaws of an outdated production system. Regardless of the actual content, much of the books published do not sell on the open market unless the authors and/or illustrators have a previous following, usually from another field of interest. Hence the over abundance of series, super-sacchrine romance novels and other mass market books dripping off the shelves of every Barnes & Nobles and Borders. Whatever happened to good literature anyway?

To be honest, I might be considered a spoiled literaray since I had the experience of private education for many of my school years. The required reading usually consisted of Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, Orwell, Faulkner, and even some Chopin and Kingslover. Much of the new literature I can't seem to sink my teeth into as the common themes are usually mystery driven or uber-philosophical with no real conclusion. Alright, I do indulge in the sci-fi and fantasy, but I think that might have something more to do with the actual writing style than the content. What I can't understand are the writers who are some how able to write multiple novel length memiors. How is this at all possible without retelling some of the others? I wouldn't call them memiors then, more like non-fiction. Which in many cases have so many arguments over the very definition of such subjects that they invariably become catagorized as fiction. Then again, it doesn't so much matter the catagorization of subjects and genres when it comes down to the style of writing. If it doesn't maintain the reader's focus and attention, with some amount of entertainment involved with humor or otherwise, then it really shouldn't have much consideration as something worthy of a cleverly designed book jacket. Literature takes all those a step further with a development of an artful use of language in discription, form, plot or some other development of structure of the piece itself. These are so few and far between now adays, and it breaks my heart to think that the serial has taken over the general public's interest and thereby causing the art of writing to suffer under the pressures of public pressure to sell and so forth.

Sketches and the LA Art Show

2009-01-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

Greetings all, here are a couple of sketches of kids I found in a print ad some time ago. I don't have live models, so pics have to make due for studies here. Anywho, I went to the LA Art Show yesterday with a few friends at the LA Convention Center. Quite a treat really - viewed master paintings alongside current trends in the Fine Arts. Even some student work was present at the rear of the show, which was also nice to see. Well, nice to see that the entire artist's community of Los Angeles was represented, not so much in the content. (If you like modern sculpture, I'm sure it looked great.)

It was also amazing to see how diverse the artist community really is that have representation in galleries around the country. Yes, around the country. Even though it was the LA Arts Show, the FADA had sponsored the event - making more than the usual candidates available at the fair. I took some interest in a couple of small galleries that specialized in representing book illustrations and one that specialized in a western theme. That's right all you illustrators out there, you can too be represented at a gallery, you just have to do some research as to where your work fits! I must say there's nothing like standing inches away from a master painting worth more than half a million. Taking in the textures and the purity of colors that you never experience through reproduction. I suppose that's why art collection is still a very pleasurable and relatively popular pastime of the wealthy aneducated.

A Toast to 2009

2009-01-20T21:08:00.000-08:00

Get your blogger ready! Set! Write!

That will be my theme for this year, well, not completely. I do intend on bringing to you some insights into the children's market, as an illustrator, writer and designer. Having worked as a web designer for the last two years has given me a broader perspective of the tools our society uses in order to publish materials. People have a need to communicate and it will be satiated by whatever means possible. And I do mean, "whatever means". It's been a little rough this last year, especially for those freelancing, with the economy nearly seizing up in the wake of speculators and bankrupting financial institutions. Not an easy road ahead either by the looks of things. There is hope however, if we all stay calm and don't tighten our wallets too tightly, things will work out just fine.

For instance, larger coorporations and department stores have been collapsing left and right, but as I search the job boards there are still start up companies seeking out trained professionals for work. Also, with the inaguration of our new president, it seems as though the job market has actually doubled in the last few weeks judging by the list of postings to online job boards. If Obama's auora can make that kind of a change I'm all for it! Also, as a member of a children's writer's listserv I was getting some pretty disturbing news about publishers downsizing and not taking manuscripts. Then I realized these cuts were in the already bloated adult departments and, even better, I'm an illustrator and they take rather kindly to pretty postcards anyway. :) I made sure though, just in case, to purchase books for Christmas. You have to put your money where your mouth is - literally at times! That's how we all made it thorough the Great Depression. Just one thing at a time, and the hope that things could only get better from here on out.

Here's to a prosporous and eventful 2009!

Inspiration

2007-12-28T23:34:00.001-08:00

I was nearly in tears when I found this book. The first time I had seen the illustrations of this book I was eight years old and I was in absolute adoration. At the time I remember I did not have enough money to buy it at the bookfair that they had at my school at the time. I was heartbroken. Low and behold, on my quest to find materials for my presentation for thesis I came across this gem. I have always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast; it is such a classic fairytale that nearly all cultures in the world have an equivalent story. I had come across one by a Native American tribe, about a prideful hunter who tried to trick the Buffalo King into marrying his daughter for food then trying to steal her back.

Work from this last semester has been slim to show. I have some photos of my box, but I've been to busy and, well, lazy to put them on the computer to show. Right now I'm trying very hard to find a legend or folktale that I can adapt and be able to teach children how to respect the environment. All this and trying to set up a real professional website and draining my creativity at work for webtemplates, bah! It is paying off though - they have now bestowed upon me the title of Art Director - just wondering if it actually means anything. Funny how we always get stuck doing something we swore we'd never do in the first place. I only hope that I can continue trying to get published and one day live happily ever after.

2007-05-30T22:52:00.001-07:00

Here's the finished painting. Thinking about sending it in for the SILA competition.

Update

2007-05-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry to disappoint some of my viewers, but unfortunately I've had to learn a hard lesson at the beginning of this month. BACKUP ALL OF YOUR FILES...2 COPIES OF EVERYTHING! I dropped my harddrive on the concrete floor in the lab and that destroyed it...along with all my files, including the awesome movie poster I had created for Eragon.

I'm also currently trying to find an apartment so all my new works will be uploaded as soon as I get settled. Stay tuned!

Tehanu and Fire Woman

2007-04-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

The first is a concept based on natural attraction and the dragon is the finished composition for a painting I'm doing - it's a remake of the Tehanu book cover.

Photography

2007-04-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

A place full of memory and a study of texture.
The last is a portrait of my mom.

Fun Sketches

2007-04-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

2007-04-01T12:50:00.000-07:00

Digital Paintings

2007-03-31T17:21:00.000-07:00

These are just a couple of exercises I did in photoshop.

Think Hat

2007-03-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

This is my Think Hat for a bookcover illustration. The title being "Creativity for the Graphic Designer." I painted the helmet in oil and made it really glow in photoshop.

2007-03-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool" -Shakespeare
a digital rending in photoshop emulating an impressionist style-lots of brush strokes
...that and I still had my natural hair color...

Here is my first painting in this style for those of you just now discovering my haven. Thanks to the wonderful gentleman at the art/framing store for posing for me. ^_^

Portrait for Friend

2007-03-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

Here is something I had worked on over the break. The guy was really stoked about the painting when I finished.