Circus from sketch to color

I've been working on a self promotion piece. Its actually for my page in Picturebook 09. I decided that a circus theme would be fun, but I didn't realize how little I knew of the circus. I tried to jog my memories for reference but the only thing I thought of was going to see some sideshow freaks. I'll save that for later.
Hey, I'm starting to sketch on the computer! I actually did a very rough sketch, scanned it in, re-sketch this in photoshop. (I know, a bit ridiculous, but I had to start somewhere.) Still a little rough, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel where sketching digitally is possible. Cintiq here I come.
The composition was still bothering me from the sketch, but I thought I would go ahead and start on the color, and move things around a bit to my liking. And this is the final!

Illustration Friday-Pet Peeves

Sorry folks, nothing cute over here this week. One of my biggest pet peeves is burping. I even wrote a comic about it, in hopes I would get over it. Its fun to draw burp bubbles though, heehee.

Easter Eggs

I spent my Easter weekend at the Mitsuwa Marketplace in New Jersey where I ate ramen and got a box of Re-ment toys. If you don't know what Re-ment goodies are, check out their website, and also the Re-Ment Addicts group on flickr. I'm always a sucker for miniature foods.

Makin' Envelopes

Some experimenting with the reprints I talked about in an earlier post. It was perfect to fold them into envelopes. A little glue on the side and a white label on the front.
Stuffed with my postcards, it was more sturdy.
I sent one to Tom (who sparked this idea) and he gave me some feedback on how the envelope held up through the postal system. A little bit worn on the corners but otherwise it was OK. A fun little experiment indeed!

Ikea bag

A quickie update here with more sewing- bag with zipper made with IKEA fabric. Pattern from Sew Everything Workshop. (a great book with a variety of patterns, I've also made the yoga/ lounge pants from it.)

More update soon...its been hard to keep up with various emails/trades/swaps... please forgive me, I haven't forgotten about you! I've been busy with various things.

I went the Parsons Illustration Alumni reunion at the Society of Illustrators last week. So happy to see old classmates and familar faces....my class was always a small, tight knit and friendly group. I also had to go meet with a client and my accountant... maybe dealing with my taxes had completely wiped me out.

Wall pocket

I finally got some time to do some sewing again. Here's a little wall pocket I made for my bulletin board. The little tab on the lower right was meant to hold a pen, but it was too small. It was nice to finally make up my own pattern though (and know how to execute it!)

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas as to what I should do with the reprints. I need to get creative, especially since I have about 200 of them! Tom Barrett had a great idea with turning them into envelopes, I just did a little test run and it looks like might work out! More soon. Thanks, Tom!

Picture Book Directory

Last week, I got my copy of Picture Book 2008, (a directory of children's illustrators.) Here's my link on their website.
Along with it were reprints of my page, so much so that I don't know what to do with it! My mistake is that I used this image as a mailer last year. Any fun ideas as to what to do with them? Maybe line my entire apartment wall?

Supermarket

This is my submission to Revista Colectiva, The Supermarket issue.
(Thanks, Juancho for the invitation!)

I'm happy with the way this turned out...doing these personal pieces frees me up. When I know I am not doing something specificly for the children's market, which have many restrictions in a way (especially in textbook publishing and in the US.), I can play a little more. Or maybe its just all in my head. My sketchbooks use to be filled with alot more wacky-ness. Now its just all stuff for work.

Anyways, thank you for everyone's comments regarding my last post on STYLE. I agree with Zime that concept and the voice of the illustrator is part of the style and is what I am usually drawn to. And Bravo to those of you who can work in many styles! Personally, I am ok with working in one style BUT it is constantly changing and evolving...which means experimenting and working out of your comfort zone.

Alrighty, let me get off my soap box for now. Until next time, folks.