Doctor's and Derrier's 2 has been taking up lots of my time lately (which isn't a bad thing whatsoever!). I've been doing interviews here and there with local design studios to let them know 1) I exhist, 2) I'd loooove to do local work on top of the work I've done internationally and 3) unless somehow this whole thing comes crashing down on my I'll never ever quit freelancing: AND no one can stop me any longer! (Whew)

The top pictures are part a series that I did for a contest which I just found out I didn't win (nor was I runner-up). Oh well! I would love to point other people in the direction of this contest because it has a phenominal prize pack! But know after all is said and done a contest is a contest and all work put into said entry might just end up as a little feature in a blog someday.

Go to http://www.regionalmapleleaf.com/benaward/default.htm to view info on the next contest available.

Doctors & Derrier's II (an update)
I have already attended two drawing sessions for this fundraiser and I'm completely hooked! I'm back out drawing with my peers (and old school & workmates to be precise) and am breaking out the conté, pastels, watercolours... and more. It's great fun. I'm getting some pieces I'm happy with and the last model/future doctor was amazing. She made the perfect poses, held completely still and was so very professional. I'm looking forward to tomorrows model.

Fellow Doctors & Derriers Artist, Gerry Rassmusen (artist of the popular Betty comics among other great achievements) talked with me after the session about the importance of quick "throw away" sketches. If you have in mind that the picture you are going to do is "the one" (a keeper) you'll probably end up being too nervous and self conscious to create something with fluidity, motion and emotion. I found that while I was doing the longer pose with our model, Kelly, I did not do a throw away sketch before going onto the final piece which inevitably meant that I was creating art that was horribly out of perspective. If I were to offer anyone some advice it would be to do a little test piece to get all the angles, general lighting and proportions correct. This will save many crumpling of papers after the model has sat so wonderfully still for 1/2 hour all the while wishing she could move her foot just a bit to ease the pain.

Once again I am astounded at the calibre of art and artists that are in Edmonton. Each time I think I've seen the best we have to offer someone new comes along and shocks the heck out of me. I wonder how many artists there are in the world? How many people are out there making a living drawing? I'm so glad all those little voices that whispered "oh doing art isn't a Real profession" were ignored during my upbringing. Oh, and I'm also thankful my parents were very supportive all these years (ra ra here here!)

I must blog about something I discovered a few weeks ago: Von Glitschka's blog, the Illustrative Designer (I have included his links below). He is also the creator of keyboard characters, those cool little critters that you can stick in the last row of your keys to give your desk that extra "Umphf" that is often needed (especially in those too clean style offices).

Von interviews "Illustrative Designers" Stefan Bucher, Tommy Kane, Paul Howalt, Bill Gardner and there is a special recent podcast in which Von is the subject of an interview. There is so much to learn and grab inspiration from during these podcasts that I quite honestly leap everytime there is a new one to listen to. It's great to know that these "illustration idols" are people who make mistakes, have struggled to get to where they are and still have confidence issues. They are certainly worth a listen, especially for those of you who work from home and have lots of time to listen while they create.

Von also coined the term, Illustrative Designer, to which many of us can relate to (perhaps not myself so much as friends, "miss dishy & designustrator). His interviews delve into the serious side of his subjects as well as the silly and human things that make us all great. On a personal note, Von's illustrations are clever and utilize textures in a way that I have only seen a few other people do before (amy!). I believe he has a book of textures coming out soon which I can't wait to get my hands on. It features brilliant illustrators and what they have created with the textures (great idea!).

I wish Von lots of luck with his podcast and many other ventures.


http://www.theillustrativedesigner.com/
http://www.vonster.com/main.html
http://www.keyboard-characters.com/

Easter weekend was exactly what I hoped for. I got to hang out with family, eat chocolate and draw. A large collection of my new sketches can be found on my flickr page (where I post most of my pictures). Feel free to browse them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/crystaldriedger/

This is an acrylic wash baby elephant which I completed today while waiting for a client to deliver a dvd of material to my house. I've decided to make a cataloge of images that will be available for sale to greeting card companies/etc as I plan on sending lots of self promotional material their way this year and thought "heck! Why not have some things to sell while I'm at it?"... plus illustrationcastle's blog gave me this tip! Heather Castle, writer of the illustrationcastle blog has a fabulous selection of tips, outright advice and samples to look at and learn from.

She's FABULOUS!