Life is changing...

Life is changing and so is my studio. I'm back in the basement (with I hope more improvements to come, like paint on the ugly faux wood-panel walls and rearranging of paintings and boards). Things are a bit squishier now, as the room doubles as my spare room. Still, I'm happy down here because it's really nice and cool.

It's just occurred to me that I don't think I've made the official announcement that I'm expecting my second child this November (hence the reason for the studio move from the sunny little space upstairs). I'm over the half-way point in my pregnancy which means I'm in the glorious 2nd trimester, where my nausea only comes and goes when I'm really hungry or tired and my bump isn't big enough to get me stuck in-between narrow doorways. I hope to one day pursue the noble art of doula work, on top of my illustration work, when my kids have grown up a little (a doula is someone who supports a woman during pregnancy and more importantly, labour). I'd also like to offer belly casting and of course, painting of said belly cast after it sets. I'm so fascinated by birth, pregnancy and general immediate post-partum that I feel this will eventually be a great thing for me. Just not now.

Pictured below is my current studio, with the "doodle-bugs" easel in the corner and a very cluttered work space. I think I may have to get rid of the inspiration board, it's a horrible mess... but I do like having pictures up that chance on a sometimes weekly basis while I work. So, who knows. The spare bed is right behind my computer, so if I really wanted, I suppose I could "draw"... or snooze a little until I find good ideas. ha ha! Leppard, my sweet mixed mutt, is finally brave enough to join me downstairs. The first few years we had her she wouldn't go down stairs even if there was a fully roasted chicken two steps down with her name on it. I suspect some sort of trauma involving stairs happened to her when before we adopted her.

Here is the doodle-bug, listening to the baby. He also took the time to drive little cars on the belly.

What I'm currently working on:

Princess artwork for a potential client via my lovely agent, Elaine at Cypress Fine Art Licensing. Hopefully this will eventually become a die-cut puzzle. More to come as I get feedback from Elaine, and I think I'd like to try something with a castle in the background too.

The Future (is here)

Amazing. I'm so glad my husband teaches 3D animation... this great attribute might come in handy later in my life (for things other than plain bragging rights of course).

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore iPad App Trailer from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

Beautiful escape

Holidays put into perspective how many amazing things are within driving distance of my home. On Canada Day (July 1), I walked amongst scorching hot hoo-doos then later sat silently in the shadow of the worlds largest dinosaur as fireworks crackled over it's head. We drove from Drumheller to Kananaskis where we climbed a mountain, ankles deep in snow and the roar of a glacial waterfall bouncing off the cliffs. There were morale mushrooms to fry and a surprise encounter with a geo-cache at Marl Lake where I left behind the only thing in my pocket - a red ruby sucker - in exchange for a lovely Caribbean 25cent coin. In Banff we rode a gondola in time for a snowstorm to allow me to break out my new baby-wearing coat and later took in the romance of my cousin's beautiful wedding.

I am glad to be home, but I miss the new adventure that hiking and new places provided. My pants have muddy knees and my ankles are speckled with mosquito bites but I suppose one has to return home at some point to weed the garden!

Puzzle designs

Recently finished two paintings for a puzzle company. Thought I'd share them with you.

So simple to do, can't wait to see the printed pieces.

June Free Colouring Page

Here's the June Colouring page. Download a larger version here. Each month I draw up a new colouring page. Feel free to ask to have this page added (for free) to your community newsletter, your school or library collection or have it delivered via email to your inbox each month. Simply email me to be added.

Have fun colouring! This page was inspired by my son, who loves helping me in the garden. He does not own a hat like that, but I think I need to get him one...

Dexter's Digger Dog

Finished the painting just in time! Dexter's second birthday party is tomorrow.
See the sketch here.

Eee & Bee photography

Twice in one week, who knew it was national "plug a friend" week? Yesterday, I plugged Alex, a bookbinder... today, my brother-in-law and his wife just put their website live - Eee & Bee Photography! I noticed, also, that because they are just starting up, for a limited time, all of their services are FREE! If you're in the Edmonton area, please contact them... engagement, event photography, maternity, new baby shoot, whatever, you name it. They're good, have wonderful personalities - just take a look at their website and let the work speak for itself. Good luck Liz & Brant!

Digger Dog

Next week my "doodlebug" turns 2! Last year, I painted him a train... and this year all he talks about are machines (particularly, "Diggers! Mommy, i love diggers"). He tells me he dreams about them, he screams in excitement from the backseat when he sees them on drives through the city and, yes, you guessed it, bedtime books are always machine related! So, naturally, I am going to paint a "Digger" for his birthday gift this year.

Alex McGuckin - book binder

A good friend of mine, Alex McGuckin, also from Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), recently launched his website. Alex is a professional bookbinder (yes, think traditional leather and embossing tools and elegant marbled paper so beautiful you just have to run your hands over it) and his studio is simple gorgeous! I wish there was a photo of it on his website - you'll just have to imagine the most incredible collection of tools and inspirational illustrations. He does period bindings, restoration, design bindings (example above), boxes and of course, you can commission him to create the book of your dreams...

May 2011 Colouring Page

Enjoy! Colour & share with your class, your kids, whatever! Email me scans/photos of finished artwork and I'll post them on my blog. On a side note, the Edmonton Public Library has picked up my colouring pages for their summer program called "Splash" which makes it the third place that the page will appear in print every month. Want to add your community newsletter to the list? Email me!

Check my "Colouring Pages" tab on my website for larger, more printable versions of the page.

Surtex Cards

Just got these in the mail from my agent, Elaine, at Cypress Fine Art Licensing. In love!!!
For those of you visiting the show - please stop by her booth and say hello for me - Booth # 527, show runs from May 15 - 17.

What is Surtex? Watch this video:

Illustration Friday - "Bottled"

Wow, it's been... years since I did an illustration friday sketch! Oh, the shame!

6th annual Doctors & Derrieres

Come join myself and several other Edmonton artists on April 15th (this Friday!) at Enterprise Square from 7 - 11pm as we auction off many fabulous nude pieces of art of local medical students. Every year the fun seems to double - there's wonderful live music, scrumptious food and the place gets packed with art enthusiasts sipping wine while bidding on art for a great charity. Go to doctorsandderrieres.blogspot.com for more information.

Copper Etching Class

I finished a copper etching class last week at SNAP. The traditional method of printmaking is very intense involving many steps and despite my resolve to create a nice, clean print, I managed to create something quite sloppy (the technicians call this foul-biting). I'm afraid I do not have the patience to take up etching on a more serious basis as I'm sure that only the rare and amazing god-like artists of my generation have the patience to do anything as dedicated as by-hand copper-etching style printmaking these days. A big shout-out to my instructor, Jill Ho-You, whose work is delicate, elegant and as near to perfection as this student can bare to look at.

Here's my attempt:
& The press:

April Colouring Page

Spring is in the air! It's been warm enough in Edmonton these last few days to go outdoors puddle splashing with my son, the "doodle-bug". All of this inspired this month's colouring page.

Get a printable version and download more colouring pages here.

Santa Series #3

Almost finished the four paintings for Surtex! Only a day away from scanning the fourth painting for my agent. Can't wait...

Santa Series #2

Here's painting number 2 for the Santa series going to SURTEX this year. Here's the link to the sketches for the series.

Had a great trip to my Grandparents & Aunt/Uncles homes in British Columbia last week. It was such a welcome relief to the craziness that has been my life this year.

6th annual Doctors & Derrieres

Currently work on my annual Doctors & Derrieres contribution... Here's the scoop on the event:

"Doctors and Derrieres is a unique fundraising event in its 6th year where medical students pose nude for talented local artists and sculptors. Art pieces in diverse mediums celebrating the human body are then donated by each artist to be auctioned off at the main event."

Here's the sketch, done from life. I was only able to attend one drawing session this year, sadly! I've never submitted a sketch of a man before, so cross your fingers that I can turn this into somthing great.

Oh, and as a side note - I've given up facebook for lent. Wish me luck!

Santa Series, painting #1

I've finally finished one of the santa paintings from my new series for my agent (she's taking them to Surtex in NY this year). Thoughts before I finish the other three (here's the link to the sketches for the series)?

March Free Colouring Page

Here's my March free colouring page. Print it, share it (with your school, library, etc), colour it. Please email me photos or scans of the finished coloured pieces, I'd love to post them on my blog! Printable copies are now available in the colouring page section of my website. Click here to print or view past creations.