Here is the t-shirt graphic I worked on recently. Although it turned out brilliantly and the customer loved it… it just wasn’t appropriate for them.
Archive for the 'illustration' Category
Down the Pipes
Published May 22, 2014 Graphic Design , illustration Leave a CommentTags: art, black and white drawing, concept, fine art, graphic design, Haiti, humor, pipes, plumbing, shirt, shirt graphic, sketch, sketch book, space, spout, toilet, water
Marco Polo, Found You Cole
Published April 11, 2014 illustration , journal , portrait 3 CommentsTags: art, Cole, color, concept, design, dog, drawing, drawings, figurative, fine art, hide, illustration, journal experience, light, marco, marco polo, painting, pastel, pastels, pencil, polo, portrait, sketch, sketch book, space
And here we go… As long as my customer loves this it is finished. I had a difficult time figuring out the right amount of detail, color (muted versus not), and how much to include of the sofa over all to not take away from Cole. He is just too beautiful, did not want to destroy the focal point with too much background. What do you think?
So Close, Background Yes or No?
Published March 8, 2014 Graphic Design , illustration , journal , portrait 7 CommentsTags: art, background, black and white drawing, characters, Cole, color, concept, design, dog, drawing, drawings, figurative, fine art, graphic, graphic design, illustration, journal experience, light, painting, pastel, pastels, pencil, photography, portrait, progress, sketch, sketch book, space
So close. Cole is almost finished. Thank goodness, I worry this one has taken longer than it should. Partly because of the detail and also because of my shortage of time with a new baby. Hopefully I can finish this weekend. Now for the big question, does it need some information of the background? If yes than I am thinking a dulled brown or gray to bring in the arm of the chair that would help place Cole. What do you think?
50 Shades of Black
Published February 17, 2014 experience , illustration , portrait 1 CommentTags: 50 Shades, art, characters, Cole, color, concept, design, dog, drawing, figurative, fine art, graphic, illustration, journal experience, painting, pastel, pastels, pencil, photography, portrait, progress, sketch, update
Finally my household is recovering from being ill. Nothing like having a small child that shares any and every bug with the whole family. The good news is I am finally getting back to work. The baby is slowly figuring out her own schedule… yeah for sleeping. Still not there but working towards it. Cole is beginning to pop with contrasts. Since I am starting to lay in the black. It always amazes me how many shades of black are in a black dog and this one is no exception. In fact he has some rather unique fur. Hoping I am bringing out those details (not the best photo). What do you think?
Don’t Give Me Those Puppy Dog Eyes.
Published January 4, 2014 experience , illustration , journal , portrait 2 CommentsTags: art, characters, Cole, color, concept, dog, drawing, eyes, figurative, fine art, graphic, illustration, journal experience, labrador, light, meaning, new, painting, pastel, pastels, pencil, portrait, progress, puppy, sharpei, sketch book
I love the expression on Cole’s face. He is just so sweet… reminds me of a lap dog or puppy, though he is really pretty big dog. I have started working in the shadows and highlights. Its a bit tricky to figure out some of the texture. Soon I should be able to start working in some of the background to give his position more context.
New Set Up in Search of Gold
Published January 2, 2014 experience , illustration , journal , portrait Leave a CommentTags: black, Cole, dog, drawing, gold, labrador, mix, new, painting, pastel, portrait, sharpei
This is my new project, a portrait of Cole. Just started of course so I am a bit anxious. I have a new table and set up. It took a while to get everything back into working order. Very excited to see how he turns out. I am looking forward to gold, the beauty at the finish. Hopefully this brings a smile to his mama’s face.
Houdini explained, Hello 2014
Published January 2, 2014 illustration , journal 2 CommentsTags: 2013, baby, colors, cowtown, fairy, fairy coats, houdini, jaime peterman, newborn, patterns, sew, sewing
Hello everyone its been a while I know. This last year, 2013, was an emotional roller coaster ride of really good and really bad.
We welcomed our new baby girl, Imogen. It has been quite the ride with a newborn. Trying to learn her schedule, she is so different from our first.
Sadly though we had to say good bye to a very dear friend, of whom I went to college with, Jaime Peterman. My heart has been thoroughly shattered. My friend taught me how to sew. We took on making our own fairy coats, one of my first projects. Being inspired by Katwise and Enlightened Platypus, very beautiful coats from recycled sweaters. Ours were done with Goodwill sweaters/coats and fleece. I should clarify that we did not follow any pattern and came up with our coats on our own. Jaime was an amazing color wizard. She had the most colorful sparkling spirit and I miss her so much.
Being in an emotional funk I took a break from creating and focused on being healthy, taking care of myself and my family. It was hard to want to create when I was just sad or overwhelmed with emotion. Luckily this pregnancy went so much better than the first. No high blood pressure and no pre-eclampsia, and she wasn’t full breech either. My swelling was normal not to the extreme either.
I hope that 2014 holds many wonderful surprises for me and my family.
IF – Glow, “Glowing Spirit”
Published December 28, 2012 experience , illustration , journal , portrait 5 CommentsTags: art, arts, beauty, characters, dog, drawing, fine art, graphic, illustration, Illustration Friday, journal experience, light, painting, pastel, pastels, pencil, portrait, progress, Rudie, sketch, sketch book, smile, space, style
I am always amazed when I come to the close of a portrait. The spirit or personality of a piece takes life and well to put it simply, glows. This is Rudie, and if my client agrees I do believe our journey together through shadows is over. What do you think?
Warm grey Canson Mi Tientes, Pastel Pencils…
IF – “Explore”-ing Shadows
Published December 13, 2012 illustration 1 CommentTags: art, characters, concept, design, dog, drawing, drawings, figurative, fine art, graphic, illustration, Illustration Friday, journal experience, light, painting, pastel, pastels, pencil, portrait, progress, Rudie, sketch, sketch book, space
Illustration Friday’s topic this week is explore. Right now I truly feel like that is what I am doing with this portrait, exploring. My reference photos are extremely dark and a lot of information seems to be missing on one side of the face. So yes, I am truly exploring and inferring information as I go. Its a challenge for sure, at times a bit of a struggle too. How do you think its going? When its challenging I tend to need some encouragement. Thank you.
First picture is update before started to day and second is where I had to finish.
A Fur Ball With Character
Published December 8, 2012 illustration , portrait Leave a CommentTags: art, dark gray, dog, dog smile, drawing, drawings, figurative, fine art, graphic, illustration, journal experience, painting, pastel, pastels, pencil, portrait, Rudie, sketch, sketch book, smile
Here is my latest portrait just started. Here is Rudie, a fur ball with character. This one is a bit tricky too, since I am missing alot of information on half the face. So I am doing some guess work based off of other reference pictures and inferring from the other more detailed side of the face. I love challenges, but some times I am a glutton for punishment. Wish me luck.

















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