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Zuri helps little seahorses find their mates. The first hello is always the hardest.
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©Ginger Nielson 2009

Pretend: Ever wonder what it was like to be a goldfish.This is the picture I am currently working on. I posted most of the steps I took to where I was at on monday (I am still working out details).

Sorry I've been MIA. My plate suddenly got fuller than I expected. I still want to "play catch up" for the couple of weeks I missed.

I just sort of scribbled until this lovely lady showed up on the paper. What do you think?

My portfolio

©Kathleen Rietz
©Kathleen Rietz
Great News! 8"X10" prints are now available for "Sea Princess" and "Happy Halloween". All prints are signed and printed on 5 star archival quality matte paper with archival inks, shipped in a protective sleeve. For a limited time, they are available for $20 USD each. The price may likely increase as I decide on an online shop to sell them on in the future, but for now you may email me with inquiries and orders. More designs will be made available in the future, including my "Flower Girls" notecard series, and possibly some photos. Special requests will also be considred, so email me if you have any questions.

I'm terribly obsessed with mermaids and doodle them on a constant basis. I even completed a plywood painting of one for the art walk last year. Perhaps I'll do one each year until I have 12 and publish a calendar? I know this is quite a horrible photograph but this particular mermaid is on a canvas I'd never dream of scanning... it's just too big! I'll update you on this as I have time to work on it (which these days is less and less).

And alas... here is my favorite studio lamp - bought at a thrift store for $8!

* A side note for those who have been inquiring about this year's artwalk: I decided not to do it this year opting for a holiday with my family.

Let's discuss my fascination with hair and makeup, shall we? I love both and do neither. I can't figure hair out. I've been shaving my head for years and years; I have a very nicely shaped head with no visible scars, and I think I wear it well. Some nights I have dreams that I have long, luxurious hair, and I wake up a little sad. Today I wore just the hood of my sweatjacket and pretended it was hair for a couple of minutes; that was fun. Cosmetics are another interesting curiosity. Now don't get me wrong; I so enjoy being a girl! But at this point in my life, where do I go that I need to be all made up? I drop the boys off to school, I go to the grocery store, Blockbuster and the gym. Sparkle definitely basks in her girlishness. Next year, when I return to my career as a corporate mermaid, I might just mix things up a bit and pursue the kind of naturally glamorous look that Sparkle pulls off so easily; a little lipstick and maybe some loose pink curls...
http://www.littlebigtop.blogspot.com/

©Kathleen Rietz
Here is a spot illustration I painted to accompany the mermaid illustration (BELOW) which I painted yesterday. I have been working on trying to create portfolio pieces that tell a story. These illustrations were based on the Illustration Friday theme "Tales & Legends" from 2 weeks ago. You can see the preliminary sketch for the main illustration if you scroll down the page a bit.

©Kathleen Rietz
A new illustration inspired by the Illustration Friday prompt "Tales & Legends" (scroll down to see the preliminary sketch).

I'm just going with the flow. I've noticed a lot of mermaids for this one, so here's mine.

© Kathleen Rietz
I am working on this preliminary sketch this week for a new piece that I hope will make it into my portfolio. I am open to suggestions about what you think it "needs". It is in the very preliminary stages. I really want my illustrations to tell a story. Not just be pretty pictures.
Last Friday I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down at a local Starbuck's with children's book illustrator Kristi Valiant, who stopped through town on her way to see family. I had such a nice time with her, and I also learned so much from talking "shop" with her and leafing through our portfolios together. I am hoping that we will catch up with each other again in the not-too-distant future. It was so great to see such an established illustrator with over 20 books to her name! Bonus: she is a very nice person! Thanks Kristi!
Then on Sunday Kathy Weller and I talked on the phone until our ears pretty much turned into soft cauliflower. : ) I have always been such a BIG fan of Kathy's. Funny to find out she is also a big fan of my work. We seem to have similar personalities and I get the feeling we would be a dangerous pair if we lived anywhere within 50 miles of each other! You know you are a dangerous combo when you have talked so long that your phone's battery dies and you have to switch to your cell phone. heehee... Thanks Kathy! You crack me up.
I also want to thank Alicia Padron for our valuable email exchanges about illustration, promotion, and just plain "life".
I am realizing how blessed I am to have "met" so many terrific artists while blogging (some virtually and some in real life!). Rubbing elbows with you all is what makes my day, every day. I have learned so much from your comments about my work. I do not take for granted anyone who stops by to have a look. I always hope you like what you see and will that you return again and again.
O-O-O-Oh!!! By the way, I am going to try to put together a new blog showcasing my art students' work. I hope to work on it this weekend. Stay tuned. I will announce the blog once I have it up and running.

Sometimes, people are so passionate about a particular topic that theyll do something crazy " like, create a podcast. Elementary school teacher Bob Sprankle is one of those people. In the summer of 2005, he created the Bobby Bucket Show " a podcast about childrens books that introduced children to books thematically, taught comprehension and literary devices using guest characters, interviewed book creators and did on-location reporting in libraries and book stores. Mark speaks with teacher and podcaster Bob Sprankle about the Bobby Bucket Show, introducing books to children, getting hooked on reading no matter what the book, and using books to learn about the weightier issues of life. Books promoted: Holes by Lewis Sachar Any book by Patricia Polacco (our review of I Can Hear the Sun) During the interview, there is a one minute section about 11 minutes in to the show that has audible crackling in it. We apologize that we were not able to correct this short inconvenience. Participate in the conversation by leaving a comment on this interview, or send an email to [email protected]. Tags:Bob Sprankle, Bobby Bucket Show, childrens books, PodcastBob Sprankle, Bobby Bucket Show, childrens books, Podcast