Nursery Art

I have wanted to try my hand at Nursery Art for quite some time and with several new babies born to friends and family,  this year was to be the year for it.  This first one was made for one of my best friends who gave birth to her sixth daughter, yes I said six!  I wanted this to be very special, and what better way to welcome a new baby sister than a parade in her honor!

Parade for Rockie

Next up was for my nephews very first child, a very sweet little baby girl who has totally captured  this Great Auntie's heart!  Her parents posted pictures of her beautiful nursery on FB and I was able to gain my inspiration from classic pinks and whites and whimsical elephants.  This piece came together very quickly...don't you just love it when that happens.  My favorite part is the elephants pink toenails!

Olivia the Great

Numero three.....my sweet niece gave birth to another sweet angel who I absolutely adore,  a girl this time around and her nursery would rival the nursery of any "Royal."  I was totally inspired by the royal purple and canopied crib fit for any princess!  I just couldn't resist the take on the classic "Princess and the Pea."

Princess Ariah and the Pea

Well I do have one last one to finish but some things came up around the house that really needed to be taken care of but I hope to get it completed soon.  I will share that one with you as well,  so no worries! The best part of this next one is that the parents have no idea about it, so shhhhh!!    I think that has been the best part of this project is getting to surprise the families.

Also my book project got finished about a month ago and I simply can't wait to share some of my favorite illustrations from the book with you.  You need to wait just a little bit longer but I think it will be worth the wait!

Practice, Practice, Practice

"Duck, duck,.....Goose!"

I know that some of you are wondering why I would re-post this illustration from at least a year ago.  Well the answer is easy...I didn't.  

I am gearing up to start painting illustrations for a book that has been in the researching and sketching phase for quite sometime.  I thought since I haven't painted for a few months it might be time to shake out the cobwebs and also try out some new watercolor paper.  

I remember really loving the concept of this illustration but when it came time for the final painting I think it fell kind of flat for me, this happens sometimes....it's ok!  No need to take ourselves so serious!  

 I only reworked this sketch slightly, changing a few awkward and stiff areas and then started painting it out again.  You might notice that it is in the same color pallet as my two previous paintings.  Hey, so I was a little lazy  I mean the paint was already there.

You are probably wondering if I like it better the second time around and my answer is....yes, but only slightly!  Don't be surprised if you see this one again in the future.  Why not!  I mean musicians practice the same piece over and over again until it is just right!  

Practice,  practice,  practice! 

Call Me.......

Call Me....

Well I looked it up and push button dial phones were introduced in 1963.  My early childhood was in the mid to late 60's and we still had a rotary dial phone, very similar to this one.  When we would go to other peoples houses, and if they happen to have a push button phone I would think to myself, "Wow...they must me rich!"  I  remember at one point we even had a "party line."  I know it sounds like a fun time but it just means that we shared a phone line with a neighbor's house.

When my kids were just a few years younger than they are now they would ask me questions like,  " How old were you when you got your first cell phone?" and I would reply,  "I was in my 30's."  They gasp..."Why wouldn't your Mom and Dad let you get one when you were young?"  Hahaha.....because they didn't have one either, no one did!  

My children simply can't imagine a life without cell phones and internet.  I do remember life without it but I would be the first to admit how much I love my iphone and how I never go anywhere without it!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Critters

Collection of Critters

What would children's illustrations be without critters?  Well not nearly as "cute!" Here are some of my favorites over the past year and a half.  Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Little Blue

Little Blue

"Little Blue" is so very close to my heart!

I think in life we all bring our own unique influences and experiences to whatever we are doing.

In artwork,  these influences and experiences can be especially evident.

Take "Little Blue" for example,  now I believe that "red" is the standard color when it comes to little play wagons, but no, not for me, mine was a light blue Radio Flyer.   I don't even think I have ever seen another Radio Flyer Wagon in that color, have you?

 I can't bring myself to paint a little wagon any other color than blue...it just doesn't feel right.  LOL

My best guess is that my blue wagon was a Christmas gift from Santa in 1969.  Here we are on that very special day......

Clearly "Little Blue" was special to me because after completion of this illustration I realized that my wagon has been featured in not ONE, not TWO, and not even THREE, but rather FOUR of my illustrations.

If you have been following my blog for any amount of time I bet you can at least think of one them.

Here they are.....

........no "little red wagons" to be found.  

Work in Progress

Summer is over and Fall is here!  Kids are finally settled in school with busy schedules and the lazy days of summer are becoming just a fond memory.

Even though you have not been hearing from me here in the "blog-isphere," I promise you I have been keeping extremely busy.  My first and foremost priority has been working on a book filled with many, many short stories.  My authors have been emailing me new stories every few weeks and so my days are filled with researching and sketching these fun stories.  A little bit like I do for my blog sometimes but only better.....getting paid is always better!  LOL  I simply can't wait to share more of that project with you but that will come later.

I can share with you some other "work in progress."  I have decided to work on getting together an official website.  I am working on some spot illustrations specifically for this site.  Here is my work so far....

My daughter says the girl in the wagon looks like her.......not intentional, so I added some freckles and you know what......I think she is right!   Enjoy!

Harry & Gladys: Upstair Adventure - continued

Well last week I surprised you with yet another Harry & Gladys illustration and left you with a little "cliff hanger."  So here it is folks...this series has been a lot of fun and I hope everyone has enjoyed it.  I sure did and it was awesome to relive a lot of old memories that have been tucked away for quite some time.  For those of you wondering, the blonde cousin who has been in several of the H&G illustrations is also one of my BFF's, Dana.  Our friendship has truely spanned our lifetime.