I think maybe  I like it? I think maybe it could go in the folio? I think therefore I am?

It’s strange having no dirty paint water to throw out at the end.
No brushes to clean either!

Anyhow, here they are, the two pieces together (It’s a very very short story!)…
(click to enlarge)

And separately…
(click to enlarge)

I like my paints, but it’s always nice to have another way of doing things up your sleeve.

Happy Friday!

Dear NC/NE Texas SCBWI illustrators,

Do not miss the April 20 SCBWI picture book workshop, BLENDING WORDS WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. We are lucky to host Priscilla Burris, a successful Southern California-based illustrator/author who has published many books for kids. She is also the illustrator coordinator for SCBWI.

As an added bonus, Priscilla will do portfolio critiques for the first eight who register and pay for the conference and a critique. There are still a few spots open, so send your registration form in by April 13 to reserve your spot.

In this full-day workshop, Priscilla will share her views on the publishing industry and what it takes to create a successful picture book. Targeted to illustrators and author/illustrators, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how to blend words with illustrations. There will be lots of hands-on work, so bring a sketch pad, pens and pencils as well as your favorite picture book.

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

WHERE: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1330 S, Fielder Road, Arlington, TX 76013

WORKSHOP COST: Admission is $45 for members, $60 for non-members.

PORTFOLIO CRITIQUE COST: Admission is $35 for members, $45 for non-members. Go to http://www.scbwi.org/Regional-Chapters.aspx?R=47&sec=News to download the registration form.

Please plan to join Priscilla and other SCBWI members for a casual Dutch treat dinner Friday night in Dallas and/or Saturday following the conference in Arlington. Times and locations are on the chapter website).

We look forward to seeing you. Watch the chapter website http://www.scbwi.org/Regional-Chapters.aspx?R=47 for the latest news and events.

Ok, I have to say, I’m in love with this illustration! I finished it a couple of days ago and I’ve been working on this character for a few weeks, and I’m just so happy with the results! Comparing it to other illustrations of mine I feel this so much better! So, yaay, progress!!

Yes folks, more tortured puns from a humble April fool.

I recently bought Will ‘The Great Snortle Hunt’, written by Claire Freedman and illustrated by Kate Hindley and now I have this huge illustration crush happening.

Ahhh Kate Hindley. Amazing.

Here’s her website

I’m also suffering pangs of illustrator envy too (again).
She really is quite something.

Anywho, the book is wonderfully illustrated but the story itself leaves me a little, I’m not sure, disappointed, maybe? (But I only bought it for the pictures anyway, to be honest!).

And now, heres a little something I did over the Easter break…just a little play with watercolour. Nothing fancy.

Happy post Easter!

The IF theme this week is “egg.”  This is a rough from a story about a bird who…well, you can guess.  That project “hatched” another idea that never went beyond a sketch in my journal, but I’m including it here (cleaned up a bit in Photoshop) just as a variation on a theme.

Quickly eggsecuted and puns intended!

Happy Happy, everyone!!!

I have been keeping very busy with things lately but I never forget important Birthdays! So I have someone’s birthday coming up very very soon and have decided to create some birthday fun in this illustration, inspired by animals – birds in this one specifically, yummy cakes and …spring – what else after this long, long winter? This one is also soon to become a Birthday card and to be printed digitally in some fine paper and will be found at my online shop that is currently under construction. Here is to Spring then and to a Happy Birthday and a great Easter/Bank Holiday weekend too. All work is copyright of Elli Chortara © 2013 All rights reserved.
]]> http://nerfi.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/hoppity-hoppity-hop/ Sat, 30 Mar 2013 02:44:39 +0000 Jackie http://nerfi.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/hoppity-hoppity-hop/

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone all around the world a wonderful Easter : )

“Siren”(mixed media/digital) 2013

This picture simply refused to upload before midnight, as I’m really having internet issues as of late. (Grr.)The prompt for this week was “swim”. I felt like a weirdo scrolling through pictures of bathtubs on google images, but I think it was worth it in the end. Prints available here.

Q: Is this an awesome painting or something that took me 5 minutes to do on my computer?

A: It took 5 minutes. I didn’t really do anything but it still looks cool.

Q: Does this count as art?

A: Maybe.  I bet you could at least make a pretty cool looking book this way.

The IF theme this week is “Swim.”

Hybrid Technica pen, watercolor, and a little colored pencil in a Strathmore art journal with 140lb. watercolor paper; background and cropping courtesy of Photoshop.  For my next project, I’m going to dive into one of my new Stillman & Birn sketchbooks.  I’ve got one each of the Alpha, Beta, Epsilon and Delta series, and am trying to find a Zeta.  The paper seems amazing — I can’t wait to see how it works out.

I know I haven’t been posting much of late. I am feeling guilty now. A month back I started another blog, a fashion blog called ‘Little Book of Fashion‘ which is taking a lot of my time. Now, that no ways means that I am out of touch with my illustrations. I love illustration as much as I love fashion

So here I am back to my illustrations. This is what I have been secretly working on. A cartoon character called Stella and her pet Fluffy and her simple life in this big world. A sneak peak of rough  sketches of Stella and Fluffy from my sketchbook.

Please let me know how do you like it

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

- Attributed to Cecil F. Alexander

For now, the church has lost me. Confirmed allegations of sexual abuse from a priest in my parish makes it impossible for me to attend. Fortunately, my bond with God is closer than ever. He is with me everywhere. I have claimed the outdoors as my cathedral. There’s no argument that it’s exquisite beauty has been fashioned by the Creator. Every bird, every tree has his signature on it. There is no dogma in nature and man never thinks of ways to improve it. The only thing to do under the great blue dome is to relax into its beauty.

Spring is a sign of renewal and rebirth. It’s the counterpart to the reawakening of humanity. I am comforted that the darkness in the church is being rooted out. I still have hope that one day it will again feel like home to me. Until then, the beauty found in my own backyard refreshes my soul.

www.sueshanahan.com

Text and images © Sue Shanahan. All rights reserved.

Having said that, I can’t actually 100% guarantee this will be the last one for a few days.

Although I sort of hope so, because I could do with a few nights off.

Unfortunately though, I’m at the mercy of Inspiration.

And Inspiration has been striking hard and fast lately!

(click to enlarge)

Love Potion – Acrylic paint, pen, photoshop

…and here it is!
All finished and polished and shiny and new.

(click to enlarge)

Rocket Man – Acrylic paint, pen, photoshop.