print flashback

These wonky blocks are a print I just came across that I did years ago.  I am looking forward to carving into my little pile of soft cut blocks in the new year.  There hasn't been much of my own art going on around here lately.   The hustle and bustle is over in a flash, enjoy spending time with loved ones, happy holidays!

Love Bird

This is a new little print that I made recently using a soft-cut block and Akua ink. The chickadee/feeder part is made from a tiny little stamp I carved to place in the negative space of the heart shape. The branches were inspired by the ornamental cherry tree in our yard that has very gnarly branches and shriveled up fruit. Sometimes in the winter, flocks of cedar waxwings or wintering robins fly in to eat what's left of the fruit.

Fun New Wedding Suite

My newest wedding collection is available on Kleinfeld Paper, and is called Story Of Us. Its super fun and will tell the story of how the bride and groom met and fell in love. This was so much fun to design, I hope people love it as much as I do.... haha "I Do!".... sigh, bad wedding puns.

Winter time!

It's December 1st, its snowing this morning, and its time for our winter header. Maybe some hot apple cider is in the works for this afternoon....

Sketchbook Project update

Is anyone doing the Sketchbook Project this year? As you can see I'm way behind on mine. I still have about a month and a half before mailing it in, so there is hope---plus I'm a frugal Yankee---and I refuse to waste $25.

Sally

This is a painting I finished for a friend who always wore this little lady on her finger when she was young.  She called her Big Hole Sally because the other Sally didn't fit.

The Tire Swing

This is the black and white version of this week's Illustration Friday prompt. I posted the finished version on my blog, just pencil on paper.

 I hope everyone is enjoying the pleasant autumn weather this Veteran's Day!

Happy Election Day!

"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.”

~John Adams

Now, get out there and vote!!
(You can see the color version over on my blog.)

Kingfisher

Kingfisher - An Illustration By Jenn Ski from Jenn Ski on Vimeo.

Made a little video today, enjoy!

On the drawing board...

Sorry I'm late with my post.  We've had quite a busy few days. The refrigerator water dispenser broke underneath the floorboards; we had no idea, so our basement flooded.  It could have been worse, but it did require removing everything off the carpet, emptying out cardboard boxes, moving bookshelves, cleaning the carpet, emptying the guest bedroom etc.  Because of that my blog posting took a back seat.  However, I see the light .... there is a path to the scanner now!

There have been quite a few things on my drawing board:

• I'm working on my sketch for this year's Tomie DePaolo contest.  I'm really pleased with how it's turning out... which is pretty big because how often are we actually happy with our work, right?

• Working on a series of illustrations for my agent/portfolio (you can see them over on my blog).

• And lastly, in my never ending quest to conquer color ...  I laid down some paint first, and doodled second.  It was a fun.  Playing with the paint without the constraints of the illustration gives you the chance to be free with the color.  In this one, I played with wet on wet and let the color bleed.  I even tried out some paintbrushes that I don't normally use just for the fun of it.

In fact, I enjoyed the freedom so much,  think I may have to incorporate this freeform painting approach into a daily routine.

Sweet Square 1

I am taking the sweet square challenge inspired by Melissa Sweet.  I recently saw her speak at a one day workshop in Manchester and thought her process, studio, and even the materials she uses very fascinating.  I tend to do things in a non traditional way and love that someone I admire does too.  This was painting was made with gouache and colored pencil on 3"x3" Bristol.  Look for more 3"x3"s by me at the link to the right.

Picking Pumpkins

I posted this image on my blog last week for Illustration Friday's theme of the week---"water". While the weather has been very pleasant the past few days, it seems like we've had a lot of rain this month. It's hard to believe how fast the month is flying by, and how early the sun is setting.

The latest...

Here's a recent wedding invitation suite I designed for Kleinfeld Paper. You can find it here, along with many many others! Check it out!

On the drawing board...

One piece of chocolate cake + two children = TROUBLE

This is a black and white piece that I'll be submitting to the SCBWI Bulletin.  (You can see a color version on my blog.)

Great Blue Heron

Over the summer I worked on this Great Blue Heron print while taking a class at the NH Institute of Art. It's a 5-layer reduction block print on Rives light paper using Akua inks. It ended up being a very textured piece as I tried to depict its feathers and environment.

Last night, my daughter and I attended the Artists' Reception at the Hopkinton Historical Society's "Tomorrow's Masterpieces" Annual Art Show and Sale. I had a couple of framed prints in the show as well as a rack of matted prints. It was fun to mingle with the other artists and guests, and look at all the other work, which was very high quality. I was also very excited to sell some of my work, and to be able to talk about my process. The show will be open through early December, and is a fundraiser for the Historical Society. They have a FB page displaying some of the work in the show, if anyone wants to check it out:
Tomorrow's Masterpieces

Illustration Friday: crooked

It didn't matter to this little bird that the worm was crooked, he made a tasty meal.

Yoga Mouse

September is a busy time with school starting up again. I forget how hectic things can get when I'm working and trying to squeeze in time for my own artistic pursuits. Tonight is yoga class, so I'm heading over to the studio to de-stress and to remember just to "breathe".

Going mythical

I've been working on some woodland A-Z creature art, and I hit a wall when I got to the letter J. Jackalope came up in a conversation, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea. I mentioned it to my agent and she said go for it. Couldn't find anything for U either, unicorn it is!

What I've been working on...

I've completed my latest collection for licensing - a more sophisticated (than my usual work) floral collection called Meadow. I've had some interest in my not-so-kid-like artwork, and I'm finding its fun to be a little more grown-up these days..... until I start my next collection.....

Sneak peek: Oink-a-doodle-moo

Thanks to the lovely people at Moda I've got some great fabric lines in the works. Coming soon this September you can purchase my abstract fabric line called Mod-Century and a new group that's featured above called Oink-a-doodle-moo. The farm fabric will premier at the Quilt Market in Houston, TX this October, and will be available to purchase in March 2013.

Summer Projects

Just finishing up my latest block print, which is a view of the White Mountains from a friend's deck in Campton, NH. I never attempted clouds before in a print, so that was challenging. I cut away the white areas of the clouds first, then added 2 layers of grays. The blue sky and the other 3 values of blue came next. I finished off with a green layer for the forest. I may add more definition to the trees with a layer of a darker green.

The next print I'm going to work on is of a Great Blue Heron. I got inspired by the one that flew by me while I was out walking the other day. Herons frequently hang out around the river near my home, and once one even landed in our backyard. I love when they fly by with their long legs streaming out behind them. They remind me of a pterodactyl.

My sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project is still empty, but I've got an idea of the general theme. I guess that's a start! Wish summer vacation wasn't going by so fast!

Some inspiration

About a month or so ago, I was in Barnes & Nobles, looking at their magazines with my friend Gina, and I stumbled upon a new crafting magazine from the UK, called Mollie Makes. It is GORGEOUS. Inspiration on every page. I was so impressed, I bought a subscription, even though its crazy expensive. As a working artist, how could I say no? They also have a blog, which you can find here.

Happy 4th of July!

     Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

In my sketchbook

Here's a little sneak peak of what I've been working on.... a new baby animal collection for licensing. My fabric manufacturers are interested in a new baby group, something simple and basic, and we're both thinking mama and baby animals. Dogs, cats, turtle, bunny, duck.... am I missing anything? I threw around the idea of a farm theme, or jungle theme, but they asked for simple, so I've decided on basic animals, sort of pet friendly. Pinks, blues, and gender neutral.... I have ideas for coordinating prints - I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work!

Exciting News

Things have been very exciting in my world.   I have a new agent, Christine Tugeau.  Which I'm so happy about.  I have admired her stable of artists for so long, and have wished I could be part of that team.  It's surreal to think that now I AM!!  And within a few weeks of signing on.... I'm excited to say that I am working on my first book with Ideals Publishing.

I just finished the initial pencil sketches and sent them over for approval.  Fingers crossed that they'll be happy with them.  I'm not able to share much about the project.  But the book is due out in 2013.  YAY!!

I've also been working on getting some more samples sent to Christine for my portfolio.  I'll be up on her site as soon as I can get a few more portfolio quality color illustrations.

AND I've been working on an illustration for the girls' school.  The school mascot is a Hawk, so I created this image for use on the school's sweatshirts/t-shirts.  I'm so flattered that they actually wanted my art on the school gear.

Now, I must get back to drawing ... :)

Alice and the Bird Lady

It's been ten years this month since my book, Alice and the Bird Lady, was published. I thought I'd post one of my favorite illustrations from the story---Alice finds a meadowlark's nest.

From My Sketchbook

 Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the "right stuff" to turn our dreams into reality.          --James Womack

Busy busy!

I was a bad blogger and missed my date this past Monday, but my excuse might be ok - I was at Surtex in New York! And I caught up with fellow Smells Like Crayons member Jenn Ski! You can read about my experience and see more photos here....

Technique trials

I am still playing around with techniques for this board book I am working on.  I am now leaving white around the guoache and using india ink to create a loose outline.  I have posted another example on my blog, check it out.

For Our Baby's Room

I had an ultrasound last Thursday, and my husband and I found out we're having a boy!!!

Now I can get down to the nitty-gritty of turning our guest room into the baby's room. While I was cruising through internet for inspiration, I came across some artists who create dog portraits. I was particularly inspired by the fun pop art style of a few of them. Then I thought...why couldn't I do that for our baby's room? It would be totally cute to have a pop-art Dexter up on the wall. Now if I could only get him to sit still for a photo...

On the drawing board ...

Below are two black & white illustrations for the chapter book "Pie" by Sarah Weeks.     You can find a third over on my blog.  If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it.  (And you get a recipe at the beginning of each chapter.... mmmmm!)

Local Color

I've had the opportunity to recently get involved with a "pop up" gallery in town. The owner of a local storefront offered to let the "Main Street" program and local artists use his space until a permanent  tenant is found. We're having an opening celebration May 11 from 5---7pm. The gallery "Local Color" is right next to the bridge in Goffstown. We'll be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Stop by if you're in town!

From My Sketchbook

Unconditional Love

Finally, I got a chance to draw and post!

I am also working on a new technique...

This is my third try of a technique I learned about at the SCBWI conference.  It involves guoache, india ink, water, and patience.  For a look at my second attempt visit my blog by clicking on my name over in the right column.  It is good to be back with the SLC ladies!

What I'm working on...

I'm working a new (to me) printmaking technique for my latest project. It's called a jigsaw print. I've cut out different areas of a soft-cut block so that I can print two colors at the same time. I've put a few other images on my just pencil on paper blog, so head over there to see more. 

Beach Roses

What I'm working on....

I've been kicking around the idea of a robot collection for licensing, and am finally getting to do something about it.... here's a sneak peek....

Creative Check-in!

Hi All!  I've been on sabbatical from the SLC blog while I figure out this new baby and toddler thing.  I've had a few brief moments of free creativity between them and my freelance jobs.  Here is a piece I created last night for a friend's new baby girl.  Hop over to my blog to check out some detail shots!

On the drawing board ...

The past few weeks have been pretty crazy for me.  I've been trying to get a bunch of drawings together to send out as samples.  Between that and the end of the school year craziness, I feel like I haven't had much time to breathe.  But, samples are sent, end of school craziness is still upon me, but it feels more manageable, so I'm taking this opportunity to take a deep breath .... Ahhhhh.

Scratchboard squirrels skating

I finally finished this scratchboard illustration of skating squirrels. I used an 8" x 10" piece of inked clayboard, scratchboard tools, and an x-acto knife. I found the knife worked the best for fine lines. I really like the medium but it tends to be very time consuming.

What I've been working on...

As the reader's of our blog may be aware of, I am the art director for LookLoveSend, a personalized stationery and invitation company, and they also are one of my licensees. Here is one of my newest wedding collections, Love, and it comes in five different color ways. You can check it out online here. What do you think? Comments, questions, suggestions? To the brides-to-be out there - what are you looking for in your wedding stationery?