IF: Caution

CAUTION: bright colors and sickeningly sweet illustrations to follow.

(I've been playing with brighter colors and patterns with the turtles. I love it! Stay tuned for more fun drawings and maybe even....paintings!!!)

Starving Artists Craft Fair 2009

Thought I'd show you a little taste of what life is like if you're one of those crazy people that does craft fairs. My first two-day, all weekend fair was on the muggiest, hottest weekend! Thank goodness we were in the shade and it didn't rain! My mom and I enjoyed talking to each other, some visits from friends and watching all of the hot people heading to the beach! It's a lot of work to prepare for these things. Lots of stuff to bring, setup to work out, packing and unpacking the car. It must run through every vendor's mind whether it's worth it or not. For me, I love to see the expression on people's faces. I love to hear their feedback. I loved being outside amidst my art, coming up with more and more ideas while I was sitting there. It's hard to put yourself out there and let others critique you or walk past you. But the sense of pride and happiness you feel when someone loves what you do and decides to take a piece of it home is priceless.





Oh! I almost forgot. At the fair I had a drawing for a free illustration. The big winner is April G! Hooray for you, April! I'll get in touch with you soon to work out an illustration just for you!!! Thanks for coming by!

IF: Wrapped

Wrapped is the topic for this week. I immediately thought of this half finished illustration I started a while ago. What a perfect incentive for finishing it. This is my colored pencil version of my little rascal pets. Consider this the "before" picture of what might happen "after" I left a room of beautifully wrapped presents. I think you can guess what these two (with their mischievous little claws) would do next!

This is Prismacolor pencil on Strathmore Bristol Vellum (I think I like the smooth paper much better for pencil work though). I added some cut paper and ribbon for the gifts. I hope this will find it's way into a personal Christmas card or letter from us this year. As always I'd love to know what you think!

The Turtles go the Fair

Hiya! Just a quick note if you're in the area of Niantic, Connecticut. Elena's Easel (which is me and the Turtles and Jungle Babies) will be at the Starving Artists Craft Fair this Saturday and Sunday. We'll be on the lawn in front of the Rocky Neck Inn & Suites (Exit 72 from I-95) which is right near Rocky Neck State Park. Mom (aka: Sonata Soap) and I will be there from 10-4 both days. Hope to see you there!

Black and white beauties

I missed the topic of Modify this week. I think it was a good one. But I have been doing my share of modification. On this little baker turtle for instance. She looked like this at first...

But then I modified her a little! Isn't she cute!You can see her and these "Turtle Girls of Summer" made into stamps over at Stamping Bella's next month! Oh, the excitement of it all! I'll let you know when they're in the shop over there. I just couldn't wait to show them because they reflect my mood lately. I feel like cooking up new things and enjoying the summer sunshine! Happy August to you all!