Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Another year, another birthday, another walk...

It's my Mom's birthday today.  She has Alzheimer's Disease. Since this is my art blog, I try to keep it filled with just sketches and current projects that relate to "art".  Which actually is ridiculous because my whole life seems to be revolved around trying to make art. I have another blog documenting the care of my Mom in hopes of helping research and ultimately cure of Alzheimer's.  It's here.  So another year has gone by, so many changes have happened in her.  Last year the whole family visited and although still in her wheelchair, she could participate.  This year, she was just present, and the presents I did bring were really just for the girls because she is so unaware of anything, except hugs, she kinda likes those.
Happy Birthday Nana
So today, on her birthday I am starting the fundraising for this year's Alzheimer's Association Walk to END Alzheimer's.  Please click here to get to my donation page and support the care, research and awaremenss needed to eliminate this terrible disease.  THANK YOU!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Illustration Friday- INFLUENCE

So last week's topic was INFLUENCE.  It was such a timely word for me because I have definitely been under the influence of other writers and illustrators these days.  Just coming off of the SCBWI conference here in LA, I was overwhelmed by the talent, creativity and well just plain hard work it takes to make a great book.  That being said, I had a slight glimmer that I could do it.  I WANT to do it, I just need to do the dang work! The really cool thing is that some of the people that influence me  gave me actual encouragement.  I wrote to David Small, he wrote back....he stoked my fire.  Marla Frazee breathed air into my dreams, Denise Doyen looked me in the eye and told me I could get there. Today SCBWI  sent me a "certificate of merit" for my book What's Your Name Again.
So, I've taken everything and am pushing myself.  I signed up for Karl Gnass's figure drawing on Friday's, unplugged my computer during the day and got four solid hours of writing and drawing time.  (Thank you Antoinette Portis!)  I'm reading Stephen Frys The Ode Less Traveled.  Taking Ann Whitford Paul's rhythm and rhyming workshop and then....well this quote from Ogden Nash expresses my best of intentions moving forward. (have you noticed people saying that a lot lately?)

'For better or worse, I have followed the course, and the only course, that enabled me to set pencil to paper as a writer; that is, to proceed as if nothing you have to say has been said earlier and better is a paralyzing one, and the only thing to do is ignore it, and assume that you are living in the first day of the world." OGDEN NASH


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Natural Science Mural

My assistant


The Earth, from it's inner core all the way out to the thermosphere.

The Water Cycle!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Bridge to Books

Sunny at the Armory


We had a pretty cool day at the Armory Center for the ARts.  We went to the library yesterday to hand in Sunny's summer reading stuff, and Ms. Barbara the wonderful librarian there told us about Bridge to Books special event yesterday.  Bob Boyle, Dan Santat, James Burks and Kazu Kibuishi were heading up a graphic novel workshop for kids!  Adults, (me) got to listen and learn more about graphic novels for all ages.  Yeah, living in LA has it's benefits.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Big Bang Theory Mural


I'm back in the science lab.  Mrs. Belateche had some great ideas how to show complex subjects in a fun and "enlightening" way.
Light, Stars, Big Bang Theory, protons, neutrons and atoms, oh my!


Serendipity- I just took a drive up the the Mt. Wilson observatory where Hubble sat in this chair and developed the theory of our expanding universe.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

SCBWI Summer Conference 2011

Wow, so I was totally inspired by the work and artists and writers at the conference.  I have lots of work to do, but believe I can get there...  just keep drawing.  So instead of telling you about all of the amazing artists and writers like Judy Blume or David Small,  Denise Fleming, Kadir Nelson...click on the title and see for yourselves.  I'll be at my drawing table.

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Who am I?

Getting ready for the conference, and I am filled with excitement, anxiety and caffeine.  Trying to get my portfolio and 10 images that represent me, that make me stand out among hundreds of people that already stand out.  My cards from Moo are cute, but tiny, too tiny...  
my dummy books are not glued together and photoshop is NOT MY FRIEND!
Now here is some real conference advice from Ingrid

Wednesday, August 03, 2011