heights

I'd be afraid of heights too if I had to jump from icy cliffs. . .at least this penguin has some diving gear :).  This one's an oldy, but a goody. . I've been trying to be less digital in my present illustration work.

Also, I had the privilege of meeting a very talented 9 year old boy named Caine this weekend at the Exploratorium:

If you haven't heard his story, I highly recommend checking out the video below.  You'll find it inspirational, heartwarming, and hilarious.  If you'd like to contribute to Caine's scholarship fund, you can also check out his website here.

puzzled

You can have quite the puzzled experience, trying to figure out the inner workings of the heart. . but I definitely think it is well worth the effort :).

This week's Illustration Friday entry is a little late but I still like the concept.  Also, you can color in your own heart with the printout below!

Lastly, I'd love for you to all check out my very talented friend Claudia's rendition of Johnny Depp for the upcoming Tim Burton vampire movie.  It is definitely well worth the look!

vocal

Bunnies are like people. . .

. . .they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes!  

It's a bit of a stretch, but these bunnies show how important it is to be vocal about your differences.   I used to hide my differences (ex. my deep obsession with accordions), because I thought people would think I was weird.  But you know. . being weird/different is what makes you unique!

Ok, enough of the pep talk. . I hope you all have a bunnyful weekend and here's my holiday treat:

It's another coloring page!  Color these bunnies any which way you like. . .like I said, be different and be vocal about it ;).

return

Let us return to the root of all artwork. . cave paintings.  I had the privilege of seeing the caves of Lascaux and Rouffignac during our trip through France a few years back.  No photography was allowed so I sure was glad that I had brought my sketchbook.  I inked what I saw using a calligraphy pen and then replicated the cave colors digitally in Photoshop once I returned home.

Sorry this isn't a new piece, but it's a perfect introduction to a topic I've been wanting to discuss about illustration:  style.  One concept that is often emphasized in the conferences I've attended is that an illustrator wants to represent a consistent and unique art style in his/her portfolio.

This is a problem for me. . .because I like to work in a variety of styles:

inked & realistic

abstract & geometric

digital

loose & sketchy

inked & painterly

just painterly

The topic/project usually helps me choose which style to use on each illustration.  I've especially been focusing on the last two (inked & painterly + painterly) to bring more focus to my portfolio, but sometimes. . oh, sometimes. . I just want to explore.  I think I'm going to try that a bit for a few days ;).

How about you guys?  Do you have a distinctive style?  Do you have many?  What helps you choose which style to feature in your portfolio? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

shades

I've been blogging up a storm!  I just couldn't resist.  St. Patrick's Day + this week's Illustration Friday ("shades") = awesome accessory.

Oh, and it comes with a free coloring page:

I'll be MIA while I'm in Disney World so I hope this is enough to tide you over until I'm back :).  

Blogger Awards!

As mentioned before, my fellow writing friend Cynthia gave me a few Blogger award.  Woo hoo!

Because I'm finally getting over that nasty nasty flu, I can now share with you 7 interesting facts about myself.  Here goes:

1.  I have a very deep and very serious crush on Thomas Jefferson.  I refer to him as "TJ" and for awhile, I carried around a pen that would let you click through the Declaration of Independence.  If you'd like to get me an early birthday present, I have a few items from the Monticello Gift Collection on my Amazon wish list.  

2.  I used to draw on EVERYTHING.  I mean everything. . .my family's old home is still riddled with scribbles that can be found inside closet doors, under tables, on top of plates, behind furniture, etc.  My mother calls them "souvenirs" lol.

3. I once thought that I spoke to Yoko Ono on the phone as part of her art exhibit.  Turns out I was wrong, but it still makes a great story ;)

4.  I used to be a hard core World of Warcraft player.  When I stopped playing, I had a level 80 mage gnome and owned over 100 pets and over 100 mounts.  I was an officer in my guild called Tiny Tyrants, which had a strict height requirement (gnomes and dwarves only).  Don't believe me?  Here's our website and here's my avatar:

Her name was Frostbitten.  She was awesome.

5.  I play the ukulele.

6.  I like visiting weird museums. . these have included the PEZ museum in Burlingame, CA; the history of toys museum in London, and the museum about the world's biggest ball of string made by ONE man in Darwin, Minnesota.

7.  I'm turning 30 in about a week. . and I plan on doing so at the happiest place on earth: Disney World :D.

I guess it's time to tag a few people, but I sort of want it to be on a voluntary basis only. . .so if you enjoyed this blog entry and would like to share a few interesting facts about yourself as well, I also gift you with these blogger awards!

Just write a similar blog entry and link it in the comments section below so I know about it :).

yield

I have yielded to a killer flu that attacked my body last weekend.  The evidence:  piles of Kleenex, leftover mugs of tea, a list of cancelled plans, and vague memories of extremely bad television.  Here's hoping that waving the white flag (aka crumpled tissue), will help the recovery process along.

Good news: my fellow writer Cynthia just gave me my first blogger award :D  I have been tasked with revealing personal deep dark secrets to you all. . of which I have many.  I shall do so promptly when the flu no longer makes things foggy and oddly topsy-turvy.

Until then, let me know if there are any requests for the "type" of secrets I reveal. . .favorite reality TV shows?  most embarrassing moment?  teen girl crushes?  things I do when I know ABSOLUTELY no one's watching?

Guess you'll just have to wait until next week to find out.

*Update

Just looked at the award more closely. . apparently, I just need to share seven "interesting" facts about me. Well then. . that makes things a little less. . interesting.  Can you tell that being sick makes me talk funny?

*Second Update
 Oops!  Forgot to include a FREE coloring page for all other sick kiddos like me.  So if you're having a cold or flu or are just feeling blue, just color this and make those blues go away: