The elves in the studio have been quite busy! There few new paintings to share with you. Opportunity to purchase some of these will arise this Saturday at the Sherbrooke Community Hall (13008-122 Ave) for a Pre-Christmas Sale 11am-4pm (free admission). Email me if interested - these are all very small paintings at very reasonable prices (give the gift of an original piece of art this Christmas).
Brian the Lion
Marielle (Sketchy Women Series)
Giann
Teresa
The Tea Series
Had a lovely trip to Calgary, Alberta and left a little drawing to thank the host (my Uncle) on his kitchen whiteboard.
See the entire story here (as it progresses). Only 20 pages to go and then the cover...
What is the sketchbook project?
Our character tries on a new coat and finds herself emmersed in a brand new world. This time the dog has come with her and gets her into some big trouble with the native people there...
Any name suggestions for our main character? Kiri? Haidee? Mallory?
A new series for upcoming art show My Life in Colour (date TBA) at Arts Hab in Edmonton.
The series is about my newest portion of my life, hanging out and being in love with my son Dexter. (Paintings are 8x8" and all share a wonderful brilliant blue edging).
Here's the Free November Colouring Page. Feel free to download and print it, share it with your teacher for printing. Email me for a higher resolution image if you want to share it with your school (just please keep my contact information on the bottom).
When I founded my illustration studio in 2007 I contacted two different types of agents looking for a little help starting out on my own: agents specializing in juvenile material and licensing agents. I had great feedback (and a few rejections too) from agents on both sides and eager for the marketing assistance but afraid to take on too much, I signed with the childrens book agent.
A couple of months ago I started to get frustrated by the tidal wave of other children's book illustrators out there and the very pathetic trickle of work that was actually coming my way and started to feel my confidence waver and I started thumbing the wanted ads to see if becoming a Janitor paid decent wages. I started reminiscing about the days when I worked for a Canadian publisher as an illustrator of gift bags, wrapping paper and greeting cards and wondering if maybe I could get back into the licensing world. It was during those gloomy days when, Elaine Citron of Cypress Fine Art Licensing emailing asking how I was and if I was still interested in being represented by a licensing agent. I was blown away that she had remembered me from all those years ago and started working with her as soon as I could. I can't believe the difference, my work must be a more natural fit for licensing - I don't know why I spent all those years chasing the dream of illustrating a childrens book? Not that I've given that up, but I've decided to put my efforts and the little time I can afford to paint (while being a stay-at-home-mom) into something more lucrative and frankly, more rewarding. In the month before signing with her, Elaine has already managed to sell a Halloween image of mine to The Leanin Tree - a fabulous company that thrills me to even type the name of.
I hope you remember the sketches for this snowman series, but it's been pitched by Elaine and already there has been interest for gift bags (I've also worked up a border and typography for some of the bags). All of a sudden, things feel pretty good again. I guess the only thing left to do is draw Santa Claus.
Using a random number generator, Suzanne Del Rizzo (a Canadian illustrator, just like the last winner, Rachelle Anne Miller - what are the odds?!) won the $60 CSN gift card. Thank you so much to all you entered, became facebook fans and/or followers!
As the monster from "the other side" pulls her coat off she finds herself back in the bedroom (yes, she has escaped in the nick of time). What will happen if she tries on other coats from the chest?...
See the entire story here (as it progresses).
What is the sketchbook project?
Happy Birthday Mom!
(Also, there's only 3 days left before I make the CSN gift certificate draw. Enter here).
as a side note, I got sick with Strep Throat on Thursday and missed my first day teaching this year at MacEwan University. This has also led me to get behind on client work and my sketchbook project! Darn, hey?
• Our cold "spell" has turned into a balmy fall "spell" -
I've taken several trips to one of Edmonton's best off-leash parks with my dog & my son.
• My mom has a very significant birthday coming up...
Our story has taken a turn for the worse! Oh no... what is our heroine to do?
See the entire story here (as it progresses).
What is the sketchbook project?
This is the October colouring page for my community newsletter. It's FREE for parents and teachers to print, copy and share - just please email me for a higher resolution (otherwise it's going to look quite crummy when printed, don't be afraid to ask!).
It's been four and a half years since I left my job and opened my illustration studio. When I first started by blog, it seemed that the words I typed were going to sit in an empty room on the internet, all alone, forever. But, as I found friends and communities online, I gathered a wonderful group of readers & followers. To this day, they (YOU) have given me the motivation and support to continue living my dream.
This giveaway is a gift to you! One of my very lovely readers/facebook followers is going to receive a $60 gift certificate to CSN stores. It you don't know what you would spend your money on - I'll give you some ideas: there are hundreds of nightstands, kids toys, & shoes (take a look at the over 200 stores for yourself).
How to enter:
1) Leave a comment on my blog and answer this question:
What is your favorite children's book?
* If you don't have a blogger account please leave a way I can contact you.
2) Extra entry - become a fan of Crystal Driedger Illustration on facebook.
3) Another entry - become a follower of Crystal Driedger Illustration on blogger.
Contest Ends October 16th, 2010 @ 1:00pm MST. (US & Canadian participants only)
See the entire story here (as it progresses).
What is the sketchbook project?
New painting for My Life in Colour, a show at the Arts Hab coming this fall with illustrators Amanda Woodward, Davey Thompson and Roger Garcia. Date TBA. See progress sketch here.
See the entire story here (as it progresses).
What is the sketchbook project?
Just got home from the "No-Tie Gala" at the Kaleido Art Festival on 118th. Many pieces of art, many really good pieces that I just drooled over and wished I had spare change to buy them... I love the local art in Edmonton. So many hidden and wonderful gems.
Here are two snaps of my artwork
Artwork by Oksana Zhelisko, an artist I'd never heard of but whose work I fell in love with immediately!
Friend Amanda Woodward next to her three pieces. Love her work and her studio is currently hiring a designer too!
