Fun Finds at the Thrift Store

     I'm such a sucker for thrift stores. And living in the San Fernando Valley there is an abundance of them. Much to the chagrin of my son, who'd rather be doing anything else.

Found this wonderful book yesterday at Goodwill. The Natural Way to Draw, "A working plan for art study" by Kimon Nicolaides.  Published by Houghton Mifflin1941.

       A mere $2.99 for an entire class on drawing by an instructor at the Art Students League in New York.   I love that it has pencil marks on it's cover.  I love that he includes very serious schedules for the student to follow. I love that it's called the Natural Way to Draw. So aptly named because his method for teaching asks the student to become so completely involved with observation, through all of their senses, that they will learn to draw from their own experience. Not through some magic formula they hope their teacher will convey to them.  Sounds like he had his ego in check.  Unfortunately, Mr. Nicolaides died before he saw it published.  Luckily. he had a first draft finished.   He must have been an excellent teacher.  I'm so glad his "class" lives on.

Sweet & Savory

     This weekend I enjoyed volunteering at SCBWI LA's Art Directors Day aka Illustrator's Day.
In the six weeks leading up to the event, I had been diligently getting my portfolio ready......eh  creating from scratch, for a critique.  I was very happy with my "finished" book, but was eager to hear what the Art Directors and Cliff Cramp, my reviewer, had to say about portfolios in general and mine specifically.  This year the faculty was going to pick six portfolio's to give a private review of. An enticing carrot for me.

 
     Over the last year I struggled to feel really good about my work as an illustrator. I took a break. Did lots of experimenting and found a way to create illustrations that feel lively and allow me to play while keeping a consistency of character.   The upcoming  Art Directors Day was a great deadline for me and I was happy to hear a lot of the talks were about what should be in a portfolio.

     I've always know the basics; kids, animals, character in a sequence, scenes with groups of kids, non fiction and black and white. But this time I heard a different message.  It got me thinking differently about the work I've included. And the promotional mailers I'll be sending out this year.

     Isabel Warren-Lynch, Executive Art Director at Random House, spoke about "tender moments" in children's book illustration. She stressed how important the subtlety of sweet scenes can convey much about friendship and character. She used E. E. Milne's, Pooh illustration and  the great Garth Williams as examples of illustrators who are masters of this.  Their work resonates with the viewer and we hold those illustrations in our hearts into adulthood, long after we've closed the book.

      My reviewer, Cliff Cramp,  http://www.cliffcramp.com/  teacher and speaker extraordinaire, gave me very good advice regarding color temperature and keeping the viewer's eye on the focal point of the illustration.   This subtle difference in my work could take an illustration from "Oh," to "WOW!"  He's so right. When we look at a great piece of art, we may not even recognize why it's amazing, but we'll keep staring at it, savoring it.

That is the work I'm striving to do. Illustration that is sweet and savory and will be remembered after the meal.....I mean after the cover is closed.

New Perspective

       After a few years with our lovely dog Bixby we had settled into a happy zone of, I know what to expect of you and you know what to expect of me. He was past his destructive phase, except for an occasional shoe. He couldn't be bothered running away if given the chance. And he slept most days away.
       Say hello to my fresh perspective, Frankie. Before we brought this new dog home, our house needed a good once over. I got down to a thirteen inch point of view, so as not to overlook any potential vet visits or escape routes.  A To Do list much longer than expected emerged.
     Looking at my home from a foot off the floor exposed a world of cracks, cleaning, and caulking that I would have blissfully stayed ignorant of, but now begged for correction. The house is grateful for this fresh look, even if I am not.
    I began to wonder if my illustration portfolio needed such an inspection. Getting a new perspective of my work, my be the answer to my ho hum feelings about promoting it.  After careful scrutiny, I've decided my portfolio needs a complete demo and remodel from paper to paint.  Not sure yet if I should be thanking this pint muse yet.
   
   

Bixby

Empty Spot

Today my crazy, obnoxious, much loved dog passed away.

Joy Ride

        Take a joy ride with your muse. Say, “Yes!”  Accept the invitation.  Give over complete control and no back seat driving. Let her take you to a new landscape, new diner, or new town. See it through the eyes of a stray dog or your grandmother.  You can say yes without guilt. It’s necessary for you and your art. Don’t wait until your blocked to finally pick up your head and look around for inspiration.  Make time each day, each week to enjoy this friendship with her. She’ll nourish your creativity helping you over little speed bumps before they become impassable mountain roads.  Once you’ve opened yourself up to her influence, you’ll know she’s not keeping you from working. Instead, she’s showing you that play is part of the work.   

         A little play-date with our muse can keep our inner child from being bored to frustration.  It might be a short detour into your backyard to pick some flowers to draw, writing and chanting silly mantras or making a list of five things to be grateful for. Or whether it’s a time spent at a messing around with a new medium or sketching dogs at the local shelter.   She’ll lead you right back to your easel inspired and eager to create.

Fear

Embrace your fear. Give it a big hug. Tell it you love it for making you what you are. Then leave it stunned in your wake.