Just a very heartfelt THANKS...

to all of you who have so kindly come to this blog. It's been 3 months since I started posting and I must say that I am 1) encouraged, 2) humbled and 3) inspired (by all of the amazing artists, photographers, crafters, painters, illustrators out there). 

My decision to participate in Ilustration Friday each week came with a lot of  "lack of self-confidence" in my work and my abilities. Working alone as an illustrator without peers who can help guide or give you that extra "yep, that's looking better" can put you into a place of "it's not good enough, yet." And so, this is how I've felt about my work for so long...never ready for the world to see. 

So, this blog, and most importantly, feedback from all of you, has definitely given me the courage and confidence needed to get on with my quest. I am more determined now to persevere, practice, practice, practice, paint and paint more and try new things without worrying about the end result so much, and keep on going....you're all helping me to do this, so THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, sincerely. And I do hope that you'll keep popping in now and again - I will keep visiting all of you! : ) Happy creating, everyone!

Shirley

Idle - Illustration Friday

(click to enlarge, if you'd like :  )  thanks so much for stopping by! )

Visit Koo & Poppet!

Sarah's having a lovely give-away on one of her sweet bears. I hope you all visit her lovely blog and check out her contest. http://kooandpoppet.blogspot.com

Good luck everyone! And THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU so very much for all of your wonderful comments to date. You are all helping me in my quest (becoming a children's book illustrator)...I'm very happy that you have taken your time to stop by and comment...I truly appreciate it. 

All is beautiful in sunny California right now - hope everyone's having a wonderful summer so far!

Shirley

PS - Thank you all for also contributing to my poll at right - this is very helpful. I'll have more polls coming in the future. : )

"After the Tango" - Illustration Friday #12

(click to enlarge, if you'd like!)

Fields of Gold - something new for me...! Large scale watercolors..

(click to view a bit larger if you'd like)

This is a new one for me! I decided to try to paint my characters on a much larger scale than what I'm used to...and I had a great time. (Her face is about 1" tall by 1.25" wide), while the whole piece is about 10.5" x 12". First I did a wash, went into the backyard, rolled it around in the sunshine to dry, then came back in and decided to add some lettering. At first the letters were much too dark (up at the left)..so I let it dry, then went to town adding more color. Once I went over the lettering with the wet brush, it diluted the look and I think adds to the interest of the piece. Then I added more by flecking the piece with more solid ochre colored watercolor pigment..just for the heck of it, all the while keeping the little girl's body and face wet but without color. I enjoyed how some of the color got onto her dress...see her skirt on both sides.  The hard part for me is shadowing and coloring the face to give dimension..I shall keep trying, but I'm pretty happy with the vibrancy of this piece. What do you think?

Portfolio Suggestions - THE POLL over to the right of this post

In my quest to break into the children's book illustration world, I am a newbie, and so I am hoping for suggestions of what I should work on in creating a portfolio. 

I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for stopping by and commenting (as well as taking the poll). : )

Hollow - (keep scrollin' down..thanks!)

This is my first attempt at setting up a sequence visually. This one's expecially for all of the "GLASS-only" Coca-Cola drinkers out there. : ) Comments are SO appreciated! Have a great rest of the week!

"Shaky" - Illustration Friday #10

Who invented those bridges anyway? I have always been the one in the middle - trying to look cool while hanging on for dear life...and yet, the bridges were always not so far off of the ground.

Thanks for stopping by...and comments, comments, comments, are very much appreciated. : ) 

Fresh peaches for the summer weekend...

a few attempts at capturing the beauty of a lovely peach we have here...

have a great summer weekend everyone.

comments so far (from my lovely kids) are that one of these looks like an apple....and I so agree!

An award for me! : ) How very kind!!

Thank you Squirrelgirl!(http://squirrelgirlillustrates.blogspot.com/), for sending me this blog award....what a wonderful act of kindness you've shown. I hope that all who read here, check out her blog, as well as the others that I'd also like to pass this award on to...

sarah: http://kooandpoppet.blogspot.com/

omarto: http://omartuspaint.blogspot.com/

misskb: http://misskarabeth.blogspot.com/

trudette: http://trudette.blogspot.com/

edithswhite: http://edithswhite.blogspot.com/

zeldazap: http://zeldazapif.blogspot.com/

danette: http://foralllove.blogspot.com/

jessielilac: http://jessielilac.blogspot.com/

jenniferrsmithstudio: http://jrsmithstudio.blogspot.com/

sohini: http://inksplattereddreams.blogspot.com/

cata: http://www.catascraft.com/

callyjanestudio: http://callyjanestudio.blogspot.com/

alinachau: http://alinanimation.blogspot.com/

karen: http://karenkrings.blogspot.com/

ana: http://spoilthebroth.blogspot.com/

Now for the rules:

**Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. **Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have newly discovered. Remember to contact them to let them know they have been chosen.

have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!

Worn - Illustration Friday #9

A bit weary and worn, she kept hiking only to find the expanse below.

I thought of trying something a little different this week, since the word has me tapping my head for ideas...not sure if this works, but I had fun keeping to the small palette. 

I love comments, please let me hear 'em, good or bad!