Yes, I've boarded the Black Friday/Cyber Monday train, and beginning Friday, November 27, 2009, in my Etsy Shop, I am offering my limited-edition Christmas Tree Ornaments at a discounted price.
In addition, all orders placed between now and December 15th, will include a FREE Holiday Card, as a special Thank you!
I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season!
Deborah
Etsy shop: http://debjeffrey.etsy.com/
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Inexpensive holiday gift idea...
I don't know about you, but I absolutely love to give and receive gifts of art.
In an attempt to help keep holiday gift giving costs low, I have just posted a number of greeting cards in my Etsy shop (http://debjeffrey.etsy.com/) ...
I know what you are thinking...cards, so what! BUT, did you know that my cards are the same quality Giclee fine art prints as my larger prints, and that they are printed with archival quality inks, on archival quality fine art paper designed to last 100-200 years, when stored and/or framed properly?
So, if you are looking for an inexpensive gift, please consider purchasing a card ($3.15 ea), or cards ($16.00 for six) and frame it/them in either a 4x6 or 5x7 frame and gift someone with a very nice piece of artwork at an economical price!
In an attempt to help keep holiday gift giving costs low, I have just posted a number of greeting cards in my Etsy shop (http://debjeffrey.etsy.com/) ...
I know what you are thinking...cards, so what! BUT, did you know that my cards are the same quality Giclee fine art prints as my larger prints, and that they are printed with archival quality inks, on archival quality fine art paper designed to last 100-200 years, when stored and/or framed properly?
So, if you are looking for an inexpensive gift, please consider purchasing a card ($3.15 ea), or cards ($16.00 for six) and frame it/them in either a 4x6 or 5x7 frame and gift someone with a very nice piece of artwork at an economical price!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time Tells All...
Or so they say = )
Two weeks ago I started the Zoe-Chronicles: A Dog Blog (http://zoe-chronicles.blogspot.com/). What I have learned is that people would much rather read about a dog than about art! My blog has been on-line for several months, and has hosted a-l-m-o-s-t 500 visitors. Zoe's blog has been on-line for 2 weeks and she has has had almost 300 visitors to her blog. And so, during this holiday season, rather than trying to update two blogs...and do the artwork and make the jewelry to support my art blog entries, I am going to focus on Zoe's blog for the remainder of the year.
I will still offer some art items for sale through my Etsy shop (http://debjeffrey.etsy.com/), so please feel free to stop by and see what is new. And if you would like to keep up with Zoe and her antics, please check in often, to see what our little girl is up to.
If you would like me to contact you once I start updating my blog again, after the first of the year, please email me at djPortraitArtist@aol.com and let me know. Until my next post -- be blessed!
Deborah
Two weeks ago I started the Zoe-Chronicles: A Dog Blog (http://zoe-chronicles.blogspot.com/). What I have learned is that people would much rather read about a dog than about art! My blog has been on-line for several months, and has hosted a-l-m-o-s-t 500 visitors. Zoe's blog has been on-line for 2 weeks and she has has had almost 300 visitors to her blog. And so, during this holiday season, rather than trying to update two blogs...and do the artwork and make the jewelry to support my art blog entries, I am going to focus on Zoe's blog for the remainder of the year.
I will still offer some art items for sale through my Etsy shop (http://debjeffrey.etsy.com/), so please feel free to stop by and see what is new. And if you would like to keep up with Zoe and her antics, please check in often, to see what our little girl is up to.
If you would like me to contact you once I start updating my blog again, after the first of the year, please email me at djPortraitArtist@aol.com and let me know. Until my next post -- be blessed!
Deborah
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Introducing the Zoe Chronicles -- A Dog Blog
What's on my Easel...
My easel is currently filled with whimsical, dog and animal art work.
Why, you ask? Well, it seems lately my husband and I have been hearing about dogs, horses, animals (and people) who are struggling and in need of assistance. My husband and I decided that through a collaborative effort, we could help support animal (and human) rescue. So, we've come up with a new "dog blog" featuring our dog Zoe. It is called, "Zoe-Chronicles" and in it, we will share stories about Zoe's life (from her perspective of course), provide training tips, links to animal related sites, and offer Zoe's PAW PRINT ART for sale -- with 30% of all sales profits being donated to animal (and human) rescue.
Together we can make a difference!
Today's Quote...
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What's on My Easel...
With the Tribute to Francis painting completed, I decided to try my hand at an animal portrait, of sorts. This drawing is from a photograph I took in the Cal Poly Canyon. The painting is being painted in Corel Painter XI, using the Artists/Impressionist brushes for the underpainting, and Pastel brushes to finalize. The painting will be called, "A Little Bit Country".
Step 1 - the drawing... 
Step 2 - underpainting (Artist/Impressionist brushes) and beginning detail on the cow...
Step 2 - underpainting (Artist/Impressionist brushes) and beginning detail on the cow...
Step 3 - work out the colors and detail using Pastel brushes...
From the Jewelry Box...
The jewelry box is filling up fast -- following are a few of the latest designs...
Cover to Cover...
Work on the book continues. The text is divided among the pages and I am working on rough draft sketches. I've been drawing the sketches into a sketchbook in random order and at this point they are just "gist" sketches. I now need to scan them and add them to the text pages to see how they look. Once I have a visual, I can see what sketches need to be "revised" to ensure that some images take up the whole page, some cover a spread of 2 pages, some have a margin around them, some are toned differently, etc. -- in other words, to ensure that they are not all the same. We want to make sure that each page is different and catches the reader by surprise.
Today's Quote...
"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art." ~ Oscar Wilde
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Tribute to Francis...painting completed!
What's on my Easel...
Let's start at the very beginning... I met Francis one year at my friend and mentor, Deb Festa's Open Studio Art Tour. Francis was out in Deb's courtyard, greeting everyone and making them feel welcome. I didn't know Francis well, but I know that he was a warm, generous man with a huge heart. Over time, I got to know him better, as Deb would share with me about her Dad. Francis was a very creative man -- he was a photographer, writer, gardener, and he loved making and improving upon things.
Francis is no longer with us on this earth, but his memory lives on today in a single flower -- an iris. Francis evidently had a love for irises, because he had a huge iris garden. After his death, his daughter Deb, dug up some of the irises from his home, and brough them to her home to plant. Deb in her typical generous way, shared some of the irises with my husband and I, and we planted a special iris garden in the front of our home. When the first iris bloomed, it was a beauty. It's funny how a simple flower can spark so much thought and emotion, but it did and I was prompted to paint a special tribute to Francis. I'm thankful for my friend Deb, for her open arms and open heart. I'm thankful for Deb's family -- they truly are an amazing family, and I'm thankful for Deb's Dad, Francis. I think of him and I feel lifted up. He lived fully, encouraged much and was so very warm and kind. This painting is my tribute to Francis...
It was painted on the computer using Corel Painter 11 and a Wacom tablet, following traditional painting methods. the painting started with a line drawing, followed by basic color choices for the finished painting...
Once I had the basic design and color choices made, I started on the background -- yellow, to allow a nice glow to the finished piece, followed by some random squiggles...
I then blended the squiggles, added more color, and blended again to make it look like undefined flowers and leaves in the background...
Then, I started sketching out and detailing the leaves...
With the background, leaves, yellow and purple irises painted, it was now time to tie it all together. I added some yellow to the purple iris, some purple to the yellow iris, color to the leaves where needed, and darkened the background just below the irises (to ground them).
Memorial paintings are quite an honor to paint, and it was certainly an honor to know Francis and paint this tribute to him.
From the Jewelry Box...
©2009 Deborah Jeffrey
Let's start at the very beginning... I met Francis one year at my friend and mentor, Deb Festa's Open Studio Art Tour. Francis was out in Deb's courtyard, greeting everyone and making them feel welcome. I didn't know Francis well, but I know that he was a warm, generous man with a huge heart. Over time, I got to know him better, as Deb would share with me about her Dad. Francis was a very creative man -- he was a photographer, writer, gardener, and he loved making and improving upon things.
Francis is no longer with us on this earth, but his memory lives on today in a single flower -- an iris. Francis evidently had a love for irises, because he had a huge iris garden. After his death, his daughter Deb, dug up some of the irises from his home, and brough them to her home to plant. Deb in her typical generous way, shared some of the irises with my husband and I, and we planted a special iris garden in the front of our home. When the first iris bloomed, it was a beauty. It's funny how a simple flower can spark so much thought and emotion, but it did and I was prompted to paint a special tribute to Francis. I'm thankful for my friend Deb, for her open arms and open heart. I'm thankful for Deb's family -- they truly are an amazing family, and I'm thankful for Deb's Dad, Francis. I think of him and I feel lifted up. He lived fully, encouraged much and was so very warm and kind. This painting is my tribute to Francis...
It was painted on the computer using Corel Painter 11 and a Wacom tablet, following traditional painting methods. the painting started with a line drawing, followed by basic color choices for the finished painting...
Once I had the basic design and color choices made, I started on the background -- yellow, to allow a nice glow to the finished piece, followed by some random squiggles...
I then blended the squiggles, added more color, and blended again to make it look like undefined flowers and leaves in the background...
Then, I started sketching out and detailing the leaves...
The next step was to block in the yellow iris and start detailing it out...
With the yellow iris in, I then blocked in the purple iris and started adding details...
With the background, leaves, yellow and purple irises painted, it was now time to tie it all together. I added some yellow to the purple iris, some purple to the yellow iris, color to the leaves where needed, and darkened the background just below the irises (to ground them).
The completed painting follows:
Memorial paintings are quite an honor to paint, and it was certainly an honor to know Francis and paint this tribute to him.From the Jewelry Box...
I had fun making this pair of earrings for Samantha, in honor of her 30th Birthday. I needed something special to package her earrings and painted this earring card with watercolor paints on 140# Arches watercolor paper, outlined the painting with a black waterproof marker, then punched two holes to hang the earrings. Happy 30th Samantha!
©2009 Deborah JeffreyToday's Quote...
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." ~ Anne Dillard
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...
I know, I know, Thanksgiving hasn't even been celebrated and I'm already planning for Christmas!
My family draws names for our family gift exchange, and then we purchase or make something for the individuals whose names we have drawn. We all start out with great intentions of buying or making our gifts early, but year after year SOME of us end up in a mad rush. I am so thankful that last year I followed through and got things done early. I was so relaxed and as we gathered together, I was truly able to celebrate the REASON for the season. I like that peace and joy that I was able to experience, and fully intend to get things done early this year also.
What's on my Easel...
I'm amazed at how many people collect snowman "things," but that knowledge helped me focus on this year's offering of handpainted ornaments and Christmas cards. Each ornament is an original, hand signed, miniature painting. Each original painting is framed in a hanging ornament frame, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Following are some examples of the framed, miniature originals -- they will be added to my Etsy shop tonight, and more will be added throughout the holiday season.
Snowman Christmas Cards will also be offered individually and in sets...
From the Jewelry Box...
Today the jewelry box holds three new simple, but elegant earring sets. Each set is made with Sterling Silver ear wires and Sterling silver, glass, and Swarovski Crystal beads.
Cover to Cover...
The book printers have done an excellent job in providing all of the information we need to move forward. At this stage in the game, I am drawing rough sketches of each page. Once I have a few more done, they will be submitted to the author for comment/suggestions, etc. The rough sketches will then be refined a bit, and once we agree that they tell the story, they will be made into "formal" illustrations.
Today's Quote...
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers
My family draws names for our family gift exchange, and then we purchase or make something for the individuals whose names we have drawn. We all start out with great intentions of buying or making our gifts early, but year after year SOME of us end up in a mad rush. I am so thankful that last year I followed through and got things done early. I was so relaxed and as we gathered together, I was truly able to celebrate the REASON for the season. I like that peace and joy that I was able to experience, and fully intend to get things done early this year also.
What's on my Easel...
I'm amazed at how many people collect snowman "things," but that knowledge helped me focus on this year's offering of handpainted ornaments and Christmas cards. Each ornament is an original, hand signed, miniature painting. Each original painting is framed in a hanging ornament frame, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Following are some examples of the framed, miniature originals -- they will be added to my Etsy shop tonight, and more will be added throughout the holiday season.
Snowman Christmas Cards will also be offered individually and in sets...
From the Jewelry Box...
Today the jewelry box holds three new simple, but elegant earring sets. Each set is made with Sterling Silver ear wires and Sterling silver, glass, and Swarovski Crystal beads.
Cover to Cover...
The book printers have done an excellent job in providing all of the information we need to move forward. At this stage in the game, I am drawing rough sketches of each page. Once I have a few more done, they will be submitted to the author for comment/suggestions, etc. The rough sketches will then be refined a bit, and once we agree that they tell the story, they will be made into "formal" illustrations.
Today's Quote...
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thank you!
To those of you who participated in rating my entry for the Aaron Brothers "Show us Your America" contest, thank you! In the end, over 800 ratings were submitted for my painting, "A Day In Morro Bay", so I am absolutely thrilled, astounded, and humbled by your support.
In the end, I was not one of the 10 selected for the final vote. I have to confess, I was a bit disappointed, but I remain encouraged in the fact that there is so much more to life and my hope and prayer is that I purpose in my heart to live each day to the fullest.
Today's Quote...
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." ~ Frederick Keonig
In the end, I was not one of the 10 selected for the final vote. I have to confess, I was a bit disappointed, but I remain encouraged in the fact that there is so much more to life and my hope and prayer is that I purpose in my heart to live each day to the fullest.
Today's Quote...
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." ~ Frederick Keonig
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Show us Your America...
Hi All:
Today's posting is a little different. I haven't painted all week, but I DID enter the Aaron Brothers "show us your America" contest, and I could use your support. I entered the "Day in Morro Bay Painting" (aka the Morro Bay Collage).
If you would be so kind as to go to my entry at http://showusyouramerica.com/uploads/2068 and rate my painting, it will increase my chance of getting selected to be in the final voting group. The ratings are being accepted through the end of today and the voting will begin tomorrow.
As always, thank you for your support!
From the Jewelry Box...
Although I didn't paint this week, I did make a pair of earrings and a bracelet. They were intended to be made for my husbands niece's wedding, but I didn't complete them in time. The day turned out to be one challenge after another and I ended up attending the wedding without any jewelry at all! Oh well, here's to the simple life!
The earrings and bracelet made this week are silver and red stone (although I don't know what kind of stone).
Quote for Today...
"Nobody says you must laugh, but a sense of humor can help you overlook the unatractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the day." ~ Ann Landers
Today's posting is a little different. I haven't painted all week, but I DID enter the Aaron Brothers "show us your America" contest, and I could use your support. I entered the "Day in Morro Bay Painting" (aka the Morro Bay Collage).
If you would be so kind as to go to my entry at http://showusyouramerica.com/uploads/2068 and rate my painting, it will increase my chance of getting selected to be in the final voting group. The ratings are being accepted through the end of today and the voting will begin tomorrow.
As always, thank you for your support!
From the Jewelry Box...
Although I didn't paint this week, I did make a pair of earrings and a bracelet. They were intended to be made for my husbands niece's wedding, but I didn't complete them in time. The day turned out to be one challenge after another and I ended up attending the wedding without any jewelry at all! Oh well, here's to the simple life!
The earrings and bracelet made this week are silver and red stone (although I don't know what kind of stone).
Quote for Today...
"Nobody says you must laugh, but a sense of humor can help you overlook the unatractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the day." ~ Ann Landers
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A Reason to Celebrate...
Happy Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day!
Happy WHAT you may ask. Bonza Bottler Day is something we are celebrating today at work. I'd never heard of it before, but evidently it is celebrated once a month when the number of the month coincides with the number of the day (Jan 1 [1/1]; Feb 2 [2/2] etc). When the number of the year also coincides with the number of the day and month, it is called a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day. Bonza means "super," "great," or "fantastic." "Bottler" is slang for "something excellent," and "Bodacious" means "extraordinary, impressively great in size, or enormous." And since today is 09/09/09, we are celebrating a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day.
So, how does one celebrate a BBB? Well, today at work we are supposed to wear "something" on our head. You just knew I had to bring "art" into it, so I made a palette hat. I found a melamie plate and acrylic paint set at the dollar store, glued them together and modified a plastic cup for the hat part.
So here I am, prepared to celebrate a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day...
Happy WHAT you may ask. Bonza Bottler Day is something we are celebrating today at work. I'd never heard of it before, but evidently it is celebrated once a month when the number of the month coincides with the number of the day (Jan 1 [1/1]; Feb 2 [2/2] etc). When the number of the year also coincides with the number of the day and month, it is called a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day. Bonza means "super," "great," or "fantastic." "Bottler" is slang for "something excellent," and "Bodacious" means "extraordinary, impressively great in size, or enormous." And since today is 09/09/09, we are celebrating a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day.
So, how does one celebrate a BBB? Well, today at work we are supposed to wear "something" on our head. You just knew I had to bring "art" into it, so I made a palette hat. I found a melamie plate and acrylic paint set at the dollar store, glued them together and modified a plastic cup for the hat part.
So here I am, prepared to celebrate a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day...
Quote for the Day...
"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey!" ~ Barbara Hoffman
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
It's Tuesday -- Time for Another Update...
The U.S. celebrated Labor Day yesterday. I enjoyed the holiday and tried to labor as little as possible = )
Over the holiday weekend, I set up my new computer. Yes, I am one of "those" graphic designers who uses a PC and not a MAC. I purchased a Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop with a high-def. screen, extra memory and a beefier processing system. It is powerful, fast, and is managing my software programs (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; Corel Painter II, etc.) quite well. I enjoyed setting it up and my first painting session leads to...
What's on my Easel...
The Tribute to Francis painting is coming along. I now have all of the primary color in and will now start to refine and work towards completion. Deb Festa, you will have your painting before the month is over!
From the Jewelry Box...
My new toy (computer) took all of my free time, so there is nothing new in the jewelry box for today. My husband's niece, Kim, is getting married Saturday, so I'm certain I'll be creating something new to wear to her wedding!
Cover to Cover...
The book is progressing nicely. I met with the author yesterday and we are in the process of deciding on a printer, (there are a few more questions that need clarification before we can make the final decision). We have decided a few things, though: the page size will be 8-1/2" x 11", the format will be landscape (wide), and the illustrations will be drawn and painted on the computer on watercolor textured paper.
The next step is to contact the printers and obtain their layout specifications. Once I have that information we can finalize the overall content of each page and I can start laying out the book and roughing out the illustrations -- yea!
Quote for the day...
"What we learn to do, we learn by doing." ~ Aristotle
Over the holiday weekend, I set up my new computer. Yes, I am one of "those" graphic designers who uses a PC and not a MAC. I purchased a Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop with a high-def. screen, extra memory and a beefier processing system. It is powerful, fast, and is managing my software programs (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; Corel Painter II, etc.) quite well. I enjoyed setting it up and my first painting session leads to...
What's on my Easel...
The Tribute to Francis painting is coming along. I now have all of the primary color in and will now start to refine and work towards completion. Deb Festa, you will have your painting before the month is over!
From the Jewelry Box...
My new toy (computer) took all of my free time, so there is nothing new in the jewelry box for today. My husband's niece, Kim, is getting married Saturday, so I'm certain I'll be creating something new to wear to her wedding!
Cover to Cover...
The book is progressing nicely. I met with the author yesterday and we are in the process of deciding on a printer, (there are a few more questions that need clarification before we can make the final decision). We have decided a few things, though: the page size will be 8-1/2" x 11", the format will be landscape (wide), and the illustrations will be drawn and painted on the computer on watercolor textured paper.
The next step is to contact the printers and obtain their layout specifications. Once I have that information we can finalize the overall content of each page and I can start laying out the book and roughing out the illustrations -- yea!
Quote for the day...
"What we learn to do, we learn by doing." ~ Aristotle
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Joy is an Inside Job
I've come to a bit of a realization -- while I was in the gallery in Morro Bay, I painted things that I THOUGHT (hoped) would sell to the "tourists", however I lost somewhat of myself in that. What I love to paint are what I call "Portraits of Life -- of people, pets, places and favorite things" -- in other words, things that are important and special to me and those that commission my paintings.
What's on my Easel...
It is an absolute joy to work on the "Tribute to Francis" painting. As I paint I am able to focus on Francis' life and the impact that he had. I am thankful for the beauty that he graced us with -- for the irises that fill my front garden with beauty, and for the legacy of a family in which he can be proud.
As a reminder, this is where we left off...
The painting is still in process. As I paint small sections, I see other sections that need additional attention -- like the yellow iris. Now that the purple iris is blocked in and partially painted, I see that the yellow iris is too light and doesn't have enough contrast to complement the purple iris.
I will continue working on this painting and provide you with an update next Tuesday.
From the Jewelry Box...
Since I started posting about jewelry making, I have received some requests to share my newly acquired wire wrapping skills. I have to confess, I am still pretty "green", but I love to see that "aha" moment as people learn new things, and am happy to share what I know...or what I think I know... with others. Robin was one who recently asked if I would teach her how to wire wrap. We set up a time and she came to my home, learned the basics of wire wrapping, and she made a lovely pair of reddish orange earrings. Robin is one of those creative sorts, so I can't wait to see what she will create!
I have always loved the ocean and am VERY thankful that we live on California's central coast. My latest necklace and earring design is based on the shells of the ocean and reflection of the sun on the water...
Cover to Cover...
When I started "making art," I learned that there was so much more to it than just standing in a museum or gallery and appreciating the work that someone else had created. There was the inspiration, the planning, the making the work itself. Then there are a multitude of background activities and processes involved in getting the artwork ready for presentation or sale. Well, just as I learned there is more to the artwork than just the finished product, I am learning that there is more to a book than just going to the bookstore, pulling one off of the shelf, reading it, and then setting it aside.
When asked to illustrate a children's book my mind immediately went into process mode and asked...How many illustrations? How many pages? Full color or select colors? Portrait (tall) or landscape (wide)? What is the page size? Will the illustrations go to the edge of page or will there be a margin?
Never having worked on a book before, these are questions the author and I began researching. We contacted publishers and book printers, and the information we received from them caused our heads to spin. Not really, but we realized that there is a lot involved in publishing a book.
At this point, we have determined the number of pages and the page size -- the other questions are yet to be answered. As we continue down the publishing road, I will continue to share what we learn along the way.
Until then, remember...
Quote of the day...
"Joy is not in things; it is in us." -- Richard Wagner
What's on my Easel...
It is an absolute joy to work on the "Tribute to Francis" painting. As I paint I am able to focus on Francis' life and the impact that he had. I am thankful for the beauty that he graced us with -- for the irises that fill my front garden with beauty, and for the legacy of a family in which he can be proud.
As a reminder, this is where we left off...
The painting is still in process. As I paint small sections, I see other sections that need additional attention -- like the yellow iris. Now that the purple iris is blocked in and partially painted, I see that the yellow iris is too light and doesn't have enough contrast to complement the purple iris.
I will continue working on this painting and provide you with an update next Tuesday.
From the Jewelry Box...
Since I started posting about jewelry making, I have received some requests to share my newly acquired wire wrapping skills. I have to confess, I am still pretty "green", but I love to see that "aha" moment as people learn new things, and am happy to share what I know...or what I think I know... with others. Robin was one who recently asked if I would teach her how to wire wrap. We set up a time and she came to my home, learned the basics of wire wrapping, and she made a lovely pair of reddish orange earrings. Robin is one of those creative sorts, so I can't wait to see what she will create!
I have always loved the ocean and am VERY thankful that we live on California's central coast. My latest necklace and earring design is based on the shells of the ocean and reflection of the sun on the water...
Cover to Cover...
When I started "making art," I learned that there was so much more to it than just standing in a museum or gallery and appreciating the work that someone else had created. There was the inspiration, the planning, the making the work itself. Then there are a multitude of background activities and processes involved in getting the artwork ready for presentation or sale. Well, just as I learned there is more to the artwork than just the finished product, I am learning that there is more to a book than just going to the bookstore, pulling one off of the shelf, reading it, and then setting it aside.
When asked to illustrate a children's book my mind immediately went into process mode and asked...How many illustrations? How many pages? Full color or select colors? Portrait (tall) or landscape (wide)? What is the page size? Will the illustrations go to the edge of page or will there be a margin?
Never having worked on a book before, these are questions the author and I began researching. We contacted publishers and book printers, and the information we received from them caused our heads to spin. Not really, but we realized that there is a lot involved in publishing a book.
At this point, we have determined the number of pages and the page size -- the other questions are yet to be answered. As we continue down the publishing road, I will continue to share what we learn along the way.
Until then, remember...
Quote of the day...
"Joy is not in things; it is in us." -- Richard Wagner
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Cover to Cover
Happy Tuesday to you! I am very excited about today’s posting because I get to tell you about a project that has been on the backburner for a little while now, but it is now something I can share…to a degree. I will be illustrating and formatting a children’s book!
The author is local and this is her first book. The book will be a self-published, 32-page, hardcover, children’s picture book.
Since this is the first book that the author has published, we have been learning about publishing together. Because this is a totally new endeavor for me, I thought I would share the research and process involved in illustrating, laying-out, and publishing a children’s picture book… Starting with my next posting = )
At this time, I would like to thank the individuals who have offered great advice on how to approach this project. Deb Festa, for introducing me to the author of the manuscript, Fay Sirkis, for teaching me how to paint digitally, and for sharing your layout, design and illustration experience; Susan Harrison-Tustain, for teaching me how to paint watercolor portraits and for the advice about how to approach the project and publishing; Karen Sperling, for your advice about self-publishing; Stephanie Roth Sisson, for your advice about illustrating books and publishers; David, Mom and Dad, for your unconditional love and support – THANK YOU!
And now, What’s on my easel…
I have completed the dog portrait. I mentioned before that it ended up being a digital portrait, but I printed it out onto Arches 100% cotton rag watercolor paper and added watercolor paint to it. It is the first time I have attempted this, and I must say, I like it! It added that special touch that makes this a one of a kind portrait!
The Tribute to Francis painting is coming right along. The yellow flower is there, but still needs refinement and finishing touches – these will be done AFTER the purple flower is completed. The purple Iris is started and here are a couple of photos showing the progression…
From the Jewelry Box…
In my last post I mentioned a necklace idea that was inhabiting my brain. Well I must confess, the picture in my brain is not at all how the necklace turned out. I don’t have a photo of it (in it’s current state), but suffice it to say that it WILL be remade!
So as not to leave you wondering if I accomplished anything in the jewelry-making area, I did throw together a pair of black and white earrings to go with another black and white outfit.
I’m not thrilled with the design, but as Thomas Edison once said…
Quote of the day…
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." ~Thomas Edison
The author is local and this is her first book. The book will be a self-published, 32-page, hardcover, children’s picture book.
Since this is the first book that the author has published, we have been learning about publishing together. Because this is a totally new endeavor for me, I thought I would share the research and process involved in illustrating, laying-out, and publishing a children’s picture book… Starting with my next posting = )
At this time, I would like to thank the individuals who have offered great advice on how to approach this project. Deb Festa, for introducing me to the author of the manuscript, Fay Sirkis, for teaching me how to paint digitally, and for sharing your layout, design and illustration experience; Susan Harrison-Tustain, for teaching me how to paint watercolor portraits and for the advice about how to approach the project and publishing; Karen Sperling, for your advice about self-publishing; Stephanie Roth Sisson, for your advice about illustrating books and publishers; David, Mom and Dad, for your unconditional love and support – THANK YOU!
And now, What’s on my easel…
I have completed the dog portrait. I mentioned before that it ended up being a digital portrait, but I printed it out onto Arches 100% cotton rag watercolor paper and added watercolor paint to it. It is the first time I have attempted this, and I must say, I like it! It added that special touch that makes this a one of a kind portrait!
The Tribute to Francis painting is coming right along. The yellow flower is there, but still needs refinement and finishing touches – these will be done AFTER the purple flower is completed. The purple Iris is started and here are a couple of photos showing the progression…
From the Jewelry Box…
In my last post I mentioned a necklace idea that was inhabiting my brain. Well I must confess, the picture in my brain is not at all how the necklace turned out. I don’t have a photo of it (in it’s current state), but suffice it to say that it WILL be remade!
So as not to leave you wondering if I accomplished anything in the jewelry-making area, I did throw together a pair of black and white earrings to go with another black and white outfit.
I’m not thrilled with the design, but as Thomas Edison once said…
Quote of the day…
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." ~Thomas Edison
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