Here is the updated sketch for a book I'm working on a book called 9 Degrees North: The ABCs of Northern Ghana (I got "c" for clothing). Revisions were made from the initial sketch to correct technical/cultural errors and to give the scene more education components in regards to Ghana clothing and how it is made. All there's left to do now is start painting. The book is entirely pro-bono and involves some seriously amazing illustrators... I'm excited to see what they come up with!
This was the original sketch:
I'm currently working on an book called 9 Degrees North: The ABCs of Northern Ghana. It's a charity Picture Book project by the Tools for Schools Africa Foundation, organized in part by illustrator friend Mike Boldt. Each illustrator involved in the project has been given a letter and it's corresponding word, mine being C for Clothing.
I was thrilled to see this quote on the site:
"This is just a note to thank the many artists who have joined this educational project. It is important for Ghanaian kids to have a resource to help them learn English by seeing both the familiar and the unknowns in their own part of the world. This is primarily a children’s picture book but at the same time will be a wonderful tool for teachers to use in the classroom as there will be an appendix at the back with information on each subject."
Here's my first sketch. Still thinking about ways to improve the sketch but I'll let the organizers have a peek too.
What is the sketchbook project?
See the entire story here (as it progresses). There are less than 10 pages left to go! The project is due on January 15, only one month to go. I have cut new covers for the book, as I've been very disappointed by the quality of the paper in the book and want to upgrade it.
Here are pages 28 - 32.
Hello to my Edmonton readers! I'd love to invite you all to the One of a Kind Christmas Show this Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm at the Centrepointe Community Church (59A Street and 159 Avenue). I've created some brand new original artwork that will work for almost anyone's budget! There are quite a few little art pieces (including some holiday themed ones) starting at $30 and topping off with a large painting selling for $1100. There will be bookmarks on hand for $3 (or two for $5) and Christmas Cards for $5 (or three for $12). All original art pieces are always ready to hang, so no extra framing required.
Here are some samples - little carved paintings on pine blocks.
Here's my entry for the very first Christmas Card Exchange...Can't wait to find out who I'm sending it to!
ps: I just noticed I actually forgot to paint the tools in his pocket! ha ha... guess I have to crack out the watercolors again. (hee hee)
Here's the Free December 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).
Opps, turns out I haven't kept up scanning the sketches! Well, there's a whole bunch to catch up on today!
See the entire story here (as it progresses - you've missed half of the story if you're just "tuning in" now).
What is the sketchbook project?
Anyone in the Edmonton area... stop by for a free visit on me!
The first advertisement featured this sketch:
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!
