Thursday, March 1, 2012

March is here! Wow, how did that happen?!

Hello there! It's raining here today..we've desperately needed it..and it is a welcome sight. In between design and illustration work, I've been trying to work on some personal projects along the way. Each month, I contribute to my wonderful group blog, www.welovetoillustrate.com - and for this month, we decided to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, 2012. We each were able to choose our zodiac animal and another animal if time permitted. I chose the horse, as I was born in the year of the horse; and the rabbit..my eldest's zodiac animal..and one of my favorite animals to illustrate. In the previous post, you'll see my first take on the illustrations. I have always steered clear of illustrating horses as they are simply so majestic and to illustrate such a beautiful creature is very difficult for me. I sketched a LOT over the week or so, and finally took paint to paper one morning..and I was pleased with the outcome..it's not perfect, but it was what was in my head and I'm glad it resembles a horse! ; )  The rabbit image was great fun too - painting the background first, and then foreground/subject details was something I'd not done in a long while..and so this was something new and refreshing! And I love to handletter, so working on letterforms and script was also a ball.

Here is my contribution to our blog this month..I decided that for children, the bunny and horse needed to be more child-friendly and approachable..and hopefully with more character. I hope you enjoy these little guys!  They're also available at my little shop.

 I've been meaning to print some new mailers to send out..and the bunny made it to the front..I hope potential clients will like a bunny in their mail sometime soon. He's coming their way, either way! Let me know if you might want a copy- I can pop one in the post as well..just send me an email at shirley@shirleyngbenitez.com with all of your pertinent info. : )
2012 mailer

Wishing you all a wonderful March ahead. To health, peace and smiles! ~ Shirley

19 comments:

  1. Seriously adorable...both of them:)!

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  2. Oh Shirley these are joyful illustrations. They are a welcome sight for my tired eyes and aching heart. I especially love te rabbit. The horse is cute too. Can you do a dog? I was born in the year of the dog. I would like to see what you come up with. Love you. Tsup!

    I love your banner!!! Your calligraphy is beautiful.

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  3. Thank you Shirley. Love youuuuuuuuu!!! Tsup! Tsup!

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  4. I just LOVE LOVE your new header. Mine is still in the making! :) Anyway....precious, precious art, Shirley. Loving your bunny and SO love your horsey. :) Hugs to you.

    PS I'm on twitter now! Yippee!

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  5. Love both of them but that bunny is too cute! It'll be great for your mailers!

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  6. AWWW!!! These are ADORABLE! I love that you can be so adaptable in your styles. My younger daughter is a horse, and boy oh boy, those words describe her to a T! You guys should get together and do horsey things! :D

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  7. Love your mailer! That bunny is just too cute. I'm sure he will be well received.

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  8. Hehe well the horse has been "Shirlified!"
    Everything you do makes me smile.
    I think that if you could bottle it then the world would be a better happier cuter place :)!

    Rabbit, Horse... hmm let's think of a hard one seeing you did these so easily! How about a snail? :) :) :)

    But seriously, the rabbit is just a great choice for the mail out!

    see you !

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  9. Oh Shirley they are just so beautiful....that bunny would make such a cute stamp for Easter cards....;0) That's me with my card making hat on! Spring in on the way for sure and these have put a smile on my face today.
    Jane x

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  10. I may not be a client, but I want a Bunny! :-) Gracie would love it!!! So cute, as always. ~ G.

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  11. Shirley you never disappoint, ever. Your little creatures are always such a ray of sunshine! I LOVE them! :)

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  12. Totoro!!! Yiiiiiiii!!!!! I hope you and the girls enjoy it. And if you like that one, please rent Howl's Moving Castle. My favorite Ghibli Film! Have a splendid weekend!

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  13. So cute! I'll check out your group's blog too! And I love your new banner!

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  14. Shirley, these new illustrations have made me oooh and aahhh! The rabbit is gorgeous! I love him! The horse also turned out wonderfully! And I love the new banner! The letters on the tree trunks add such a special touch. Every time I visit your blog, I leave here with the biggest smile! Thank you! :)

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  15. Wonderful! I like both, but like the bunny best. Good use of the text on both too. Nice job!

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  16. That rabbit is so cute! Excellent choice for a mailer.

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  17. The rabbit is the perfect choice for the mailer, can it be send overseas?
    Now I'm gonna hop over to the other blog and check out all the new stuff.

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  18. What a sweetie pie rabbit Shirley. Loving your linework, just beautiful. Not that there's any surprises there. : )
    I haven't been around the blogging scene much in the last three months, so thought I'd drop in to see how you are. So many great new things to look at - is the goldilocks one a commission? Hope you are well and happy. xx

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  19. I love the bunny drawing! So cute and huggable!

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