A master at work

Dan Don Santos was one of the awesome artist I got to see at Comic Con this weekend. His work always takes my breath away, and seeing some of it in person was incredible. This is a trailer from Massive Black for the upcoming DVD on painting book covers. You know what is on my wish list.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Part 2

I would like to get this image done in time for SCBWI, so I am working hard on it. You should notice that is has changed significantly from the sketch. I felt that the house behind her just wasn't working compositionally, or colorwise. So I re-worked the background, and put her into a forest.

The seven dwarfs are going to be challenging, but fun. I just hope I can get it done in time.

Change of plans

Well, my grand plans to start this, my first day of full time freelancing with a productive bang have utterly failed. I woke up this morning with a burning throat, and feeling like some one had been beating me up with a baseball bat. The sore throat started yesterday, but has come into full swing today. And all that walking around the Convention Center yesterday didn't help. So I have spent most of the day in bed watching a Stargate marathon while sucking down copious amounts of water (that seem to do little good except sending me to the bathroom every half hour).

I have drug myself out of bed to try to get a little work done this evening. And hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. I will post pictures from Comic con tomorrow!

Live! At Comic Con 2008

Here were are, geekin' out at Comic Con. What to do next.....

Deadlines are my friend

Over the last month and a half, I have learned a valuable lesson. Deadlines work.

I am a procrastinator by nature. If I don't have a solid deadline for something, it takes me forever to finish. If I have a long deadline, I still put it off until the last second. The last few weeks have been very busy for me. I have been working on several illustrations for a children's book, finishing some commissioned sculptures, while trying to get ready for the Doll and Teddy Expo, beginning a new picture book project, AND getting ready for the SCBWI LA conference (portfolio review, show, etc). About two weeks ago, I started to freak out. I couldn't see anyway that I was going to get everything done.

But here it is, and 90% of everything is done. The sculptures out the door, the illustrations completed, the picture book sketches done. My dolls for expo are 90% complete, and I suddenly I realize that I actually have 9 days to polish up my portfolio for SCBWI instead of a day or two as I feared.

The reason I was able to get everything done, is because I have some very serious deadlines, that were constantly on my mind. So, for the last seven weeks, I've been working my butt off, every evening, and on the weekends when I could. It was the fear of disappointing paying clients that put my procrastinating monster in her place. It was very tempting to watch marathons of CSI and Project Runaway in the evening... but those darn deadlines wouldn't let me.

I've also learned how important it is to set mini-deadlines. I might have several weeks to accomplish something, but if I tell my client that I will have this portion done by this day, and this by this day (and get paid at each point) that keeps me from putting things off until the last minute.
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Tomorrow is my last day of "work." Monday morning, I begin freelancing full time. I am very excited, and terrified. But I have faith that I can do it, and that God always provides.

IF: Enough

"It's so beautiful," whispered Molly. It was beautiful, thought Norton, but so small. There was not enough cake there to feed the whole family for a day, let alone for a week. Something would have to be done...and right away.

Time: 2.5 hours. Photoshop.

Illustration Friday is a weekly creative outlet/participatory art exhibit for illustrators and artists of all skill levels.

Upcoming Shows and Events

Comic Con International
San Diego, Ca July 25-27
I will be at Comic Con San Diego this year, though I will not have a table. I will be wandering around wide eyed (and probably have fairy wings), so if you will be around on Sunday, keep an eye out for me.

Doll and Teddy Expo
Washington DC Aug 9-10 Admin: $10
Stop by the OOAK Guild booth 58 to see several of my dolls in person. There will be a large collection of polymer clay artist selling their dolls, it is sure to be a fun time.

IF: Fog

Splish. Splash. The only sound that could be heard in the fog was the sound of his make-shift pole pushing his lily boat through the water. Like a beacon in the night, Mr. Firefly’s light guided Norton through the gray darkness. The fog was chilly and moist, and soon his coat was covered in tiny dew drops of water, that shook when he shivered.
“’Tis not much farther now!” shouted Mr. Firefly, “not much farther at all!”

Illustration Friday is a weekly creative outlet/participatory art exhibit for illustrators and artists of all skill levels. It was designed to challenge participants creatively. We believe that every person has a little creative bone in their body. Illustration Friday just gives a no-pressure, fun excuse to use it. No clients looking for a particular thing. No one judging the outcome of the work. It's a chance to experiment and explore and play with visual art. So welcome, novices and pros alike.

Joined childrensillustrators.com

Well, yesterday I finally got a portfolio on www.childrensillustrators.com. The cost for a portfolio is $200/year. I did a lot of research before I signed up. There are other professional illustration sites, (like www.theIspot.com) but they are more expensive. This one is geared specifically for children's illustrators, which is really where my heart is. I thought I would give it a try for a year. If I don't get any work through them, then I won't renew for next year. But here is hoping! If you have had any experience with the site, good or bad, leave a comment!