I think "beans" count as "seeds" in this case...

I haven't even attempted any sort of landscape or outdoor painting since college...and that was quite some time ago...
Here is a "speedpainting" of Cambria, a small coastal town here in California. It's one of my favorite places to go--it's quaint and relaxing. Actually, my parents are there this week...hmmm, nice of them to invite me!
Well, this is a first in what I hope to be a series, of sorts. I guess my aim is to loosen up on my paintings and to use bolder, more visible strokes. This is a beginning, but I definitely have a long way to go.

A few weeks ago, I entered a local SCBWI contest (the Los Angeles Chapter). It was a scholarship contest in which the winner would be able to attend either the New York or Los Angeles annual conference for free. I always try and enter the local SCBWI contests--it's usually good exposure and a fun way to network.

For this one, we had to illustrate a scene from Hansel and Gretel. I went for a sepia-toned color scheme in order to keep it a bit mysterious/scary. Now that I look back at it, I suppose there are a few things I would change, but overall I'm pretty pleased with it.


Well, I didn't win first place, but I did get an honorable mention. Its always nice to get some sort of recognition. I'm glad I entered!

I do have good news from one of my illustrator friends, Mac McCool. He won first place in the "picture book" contest category for his graphic novel manuscript at the L.A. SCBWI Writer's Day event! Yay Mr. McCool!

Don't exactly know what this is, except that it's another old one...Just trying to keep up with posting more often here.

Here's an old style I don't really do anymore. Me thinks the kid in the back isn't going to pass the test...

So, I had the fortunate experience of being able to attend a concert of a Rock Deity this past Monday evening. I feel kinda corny calling him that, but honestly, I've been to a few shows by a few "heavies" (Eric Clapton, Santana, among others) and this was definitely one of the best I've experienced. Period. Actually, lets just add to the title of Rock Deity, Poetic Deity.

On April 7th in Anaheim, my dad and I attended our first Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band show. It was my Christmas gift to him--I knew we'd both have a great time together--and we did.

I had always been a casual listener and fan by default: I've got quite a few fond memories of my dad playing "air drums" and screaming the lyrics of "Born to Run" on hot summer days (I promise dad, I won't go into embarrassing details such as the short corduroy shorts sans shirt, and the red bandanna you wore during these singing escapades...)

Anyhow, some of you may still have the impression of Mr. Springsteen as just an icon of the 80's, but let me assure you that after listening closely to his work as an adult the other night, I heard something completely new, fresh and relevant. The man is not only an incredible musician and performer, but an incredible writer. I think, in a way, he has actually sparked my imagination, something that an illustrator could definitely use from time to time. Since Monday, I've gone back through a lot of his catalogue and am excited to re-experience his work from a different viewpoint.

Not to mention, the dude has some serious stamina and charisma--a non-stop two and a half hour performance he gave us...I'm (practically) half his age and I felt tired for him. Definitely impressive. So if he comes to an arena near you, GO!

Okay, enough of my raving; it's 3am and I'm sleep deprived, hence the wordy entry. I better quit while I'm ahead, or else a 50 page expository essay on the man could very well be the result of this post...I've caught my second wind.

Check him out here if you'd like. This is not my video--unfortunately I wasn't that close...hopefully next time will be a different story. I've got some of his old and new stuff on my music player on the right too!

At the moment, I'm really enjoying surfing around the many animation industry blogs.  More specifically, the layout and environmental design artists.  Thankfully, many have blogs where they post their art.  I discovered Vincent Massy's blog recently and I'm really impressed by the way he creates these complete environments with so many layers: forground, middleground, background, etc...It's just really beautiful how the lights and shadows play such an important role in creating atmosphere.  As I look at his art, I wonder how much visual reference he has--is he looking at photographs?  I'm guessing most of the time the answer is "no".  I'm sure he's good enough to be able to relate these images without much reference.  If only I could have the technical savvy.  One day, I hope.

I've just updated my header for this ole' blog here.  You may need to refresh your browsers...

So, here it is--February already.  A new year, a fresh start.  I've got some major goals for my illustration career jotted down on my to-do list and I'm ready to go.  Already, I've got a few really cool projects in the works.  I'll share more about those later.

I've noticed a lot of people come here via a search on "illustration inspiration". So, in honor of them, here are some links to blogs I frequent...Make sure you peruse these when you've got some time, because you will most likely get sucked into a VORTEX OF BLOOOGGGSSSS....

There sure is some pretty amazing art out there. Go check it out.

More to come...

Craft:
Dantat
Flight
John Nevarez
Noah Klocek/Imageblock Blog
Alisa Haggard
I am Addam/Adam Ford
Blog o' the Barroness/Maryn Roos

Graphic novels are becoming a hot item in the world of children's publishing these days. If you have a chance, come and learn some more about this growing field at the Southern California SCBWI Graphic Novel Day on November 3. See you there!

Here is a piece from a new project that I'm beginning to work on. I'll be in full swing with it coming up in the next couple of weeks. Maybe later, I'll let you all know what its about. Until then, here is the title spread. I know there's a few things I need to tweak, but here it is in progress (about 90% complete).

Hope you like it!

well, i'm gearing up to attend the SCBWI annual summer conference. my portfolio is undergoing a major overhaul over the next month. I've decided I'm going to try to complete a "speed painting" a day to keep up my creative spirit. Here is a quick 15 minute painting...

Here's something way off of what my style usually looks like. I'm posting it because the overall color scheme seems to be green, though there are lots of blues in it too.

This is the only piece I've ever done in this style. I experimented a bit when I took an Art Center at Night illustration class. Maybe I'll experiment a bit more with this look.

Its been a while since I've posted...I've been super busy. When it rains, it pours as they say! Well, here's a little project I finished up recently--some invitations for a baby shower with matching envelopes.

I found a really great printer online that I've been using. They are super inexpensive and the quality and color is great! I've been experimenting with a sort of collage look: using fabric patterns for clothes, etc. I'm looking for some royalty-free books of fabric patterns to use in my illustrations. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I haven't had much of a chance to do anything new, so here's something old! It was for a poem (which goes in the lovely white space). There's a doggy in that there tree!

I think this guy thinks he's going to be able to defy gravity by taking off. Apparently, he doesn't know penguins don't fly...

Here's a quick painting:

Another old one:

It's been quite some time since I last posted here--and for good reason. We have a new addition to our family: a baby boy! So now, I'm a proud mama! Yay!
Since I haven't had much time to create any art, I'll post something old that I ran across today. But, I'll be getting back into the swing of things soon, so there will be some cool new stuff to check out here!

here's a quick little painting of a penguin and her baby. I was just fooling around with some photoshop brushes... Read the rest of this post

Well, after taking a long and unexpected hiatus from my blog...I'm back! Anyhow, here's the final painting for my "Whimsy Pig". I think I like it now. Click on the image to see a larger version.

The new season is upon us, though it hasn't been very "springy" in southern California yet. It's been pouring for the past couple of days now and I guess its nice for a while, but I'm ready for the sun again.
Here's something a bit different, for a side project I'm working on... Read the rest of this post

I've worked a bit more on my piggy here. I've worked out my color choices a bit more and changed the little birdy in his pocket from a ducklet (what do you call a baby duck?) to a "regular" bird.
I guess duckling would be the correct term for a baby duck...I knew that...Anyhow, the duckling has changed to a little blue bird.
It's a little closer to being finished, but not quite there yet. I still have to fix the umbrella handle and figure out what to do with the orange background. Hopefully, I can finish this one off tomorrow... Read the rest of this post