The Bike Ride

I got my piece done for the Bust of Steamboat auction, it's called The Bike Ride.

This is the first time I've used gouache for a whole painting. I'm still getting used to the differences between it and watercolor. It turned out really bright! Now I need to frame it. If you are in Steamboat next Friday, please stop by Library Hall from 5-8 for the preview of all of the pieces up for auction!

Illustration Friday: Crooked

I haven't posted anything for Illustration Friday in ages! But this week's topic is Crooked which made me think of the crooked buildings I created last year. I really had fun with them. I need to rework this dummy so I have reason to keep drawing them! Here are two versions I painted. The gray one is kind of what it looks like outside my house today.

Printing The Bike Ride

I'm finally printing again! Here are some pictures of the piece I'm making for the Bust of Steamboat auction. If you are in town, there will be a preview and reception at Library Hall on Friday, Oct 5th during First Friday Artwalk from 5-8.

In a few days I'll paint the print. I'm going to try using gouache for the first time ever. My friend Laura Wait gave me a whole set when I was at Penland. We'll see how it goes!

Three Great Events

I'm back in business with a new computer! It's a refurbished 27 inch iMac that's significantly bigger than our TV. I feel like a rock star!

About a week ago, our local library, arts council, and bookstore Off the Beaten Path put on a children's Book Feast here in Steamboat. It was really fun and well-attended, so maybe it will become a regular thing.

Friday night there were several events, but I was only able to go to Jarrett Krosoczka's talk via Skype. He answered (about a million) questions from the kids in attendance and then drew us this cool picture on his iPad of the Lunch Lady and her sidekick, Betty. 

I bought this neat book of Jarrett's character sketches. 

Saturday was a full day of kid's book authors and illustrators doing different presentations. One of the things I enjoyed checking on throughout the afternoon was a mural painting done by Craig Brown and a gang of rotating children. 

Here is Craig laying out the basic drawing.

And here is the painting madness.

Then last weekend I went to a Norman Rockwell exhibit in the nearby town of Craig at the Museum of Northwest Colorado. They had 323 of his Saturday Evening Post covers framed on the wall! Wow, what a talent. These covers were created over a 50 year period starting in 1916 when Rockwell was 22 years old. There was only one of his original paintings in the show, but also some neat photos of him working.

There were very serious "no photography" signs everywhere, so here's a photo I borrowed by Bridget Manly from the Steamboat Today newspaper. 

This is a chunky little book I bought with all of his magazine covers. I just wish the pictures were bigger.

And the third event hasn't happened yet, but this upcoming weekend is the Denver SCBWI Conference. I'm not feeling ready for it yet, but it will be here very soon, so I'd better get myself in gear! I get to go with two friends this year, Brooke Boynton Hughes and Barbara Gueldner. I'll let you know more about the conference soon!

Bust Update and Computer Problems

Here is the linoleum block for my Bust of Steamboat image right before I started carving it. I think it will be a fun print, even if it is a bit risqué!

I'm posting this quickly from my phone because my computer has died. I may not really be set up with a new one for a couple weeks so my blog posts may be sporadic in the meantime.

I'm considering holding out for a new 27 inch iMac. But they haven't announced the release date yet. Or I could get a laptop.... What is your favorite computer and why? I'm open to suggestions!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bust of Steamboat

I agreed to contribute art to our local fundraiser called the Bust of Steamboat that helps women with issues relating to breast cancer. The only requirement for the artwork is that is has to have a bra or breasts in it. This is obviously not my usual subject matter! However, I've managed to come up with this sketch and I think it will make a fun linocut.

Maybe I'm maturing as an artist.... you know, drawing naked ladies like the big-time artists.
hehehe. :)