I got this idea from looking at Design Sponge when I saw a tiny postcard painting by Justin Clayton. He had the noble idea to paint one small painting everyday (and they are quite beautiful ones I might add). I thought his idea was very inspiring and seemed like a great way to give myself an assignment as I work my way into illustrating and painting once again for myself and not just for my work assignments.
My original intention since the age of about 10 was to be an illustrator. My friends Kim, Jackie, Brad and Christi as well as my family could vouch for that...I want to get closer to that original intention. I think drawing for myself everyday might help. I graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts (what is that you ask? I studied modern art, sculpture, performance art and a little drawing) and from Seattle Central Community College with an AAS degree in Graphic Design. I thought becoming employable was the most important thing in my education, and it is important if you like that sort of thing, but I am realizing it is also important to do what you truly love. I am employed from my education - I am currently a graphic designer and product designer. But, I want to do more of my own stuff, because...well, I really
want to. I am starting to take drawing classes again "from the beginning" at the Kansas City Art Institute in hopes to develop my voice further.
I am inspired especially by Lisa Crum, Jon Katheiser, Amanda Kindregan, Kimberly Rottmayer, Illustration Mundo Podcasts and Illustration Friday. I see what they are doing and it makes me want to
be who I want to be. Thank you!
If you once thought you might want to grow up to be a "drawler" and you feel you want to get closer to that again (and you got far away from your own voice because of time or circumstances or you got scared or whatever), I would love to hear from you and go on this journey with you! (or at least just be in support of your journey along side you).
I am learning ActionScript right now on top of my regular load at work...my brain is fried...this is what comes out. That bottom one scares me, but I am just going with whatever comes out in my drawings each day. So, wow. That image was in my head somehow. Scary. My favorite is the penny on the foot. Have you ever had that happen?
This is an invite for the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter (where I work) Meowie Wowie Luau...it will be a howling good time in July. Can't wait!
A card for my 87 year old grandma "Nanny" who we went and saw this Christmas in Bucyrus Ohio. This is her dog Heidi, who my sister and I used to dress up in doll clothes when we were growing up. A very tolerant schnauzer who was well-loved by the Crum Grandkids.
I am really looking forward to summer already...and it is coming out in my doodles. From the top: getting ready for the first yearly leg appearance, fruit!, another special dog and a dip in the pool. I really can't wait.
I wasn't able to get onto my internet last night, so I am just now posting. I swear - my job gets in the way of all of this fun stuff I could be doing.
It has been redicuously freezing here and I have really been in the mood to draw something alive and with leaves...so I drew this bonsai that we have in our kitchen. It has realy grown quite a bit in the last year...almost not even a bonsai size anymore! I can't wait until I have the chance to sketch out in nature for real as it gets warmer. It is supposed to be 50 degrees this next Monday...
And, I couldn't resist - look at how cute this little man is!
This is a sketch for a painting of a dog named Georgie, who is waiting for an owner at the Heartland of America Animal Shelter. I am thinking it might be too dark and busy...I will wrestle with it more tomorrow. I think it also needs to be a smaller painting, showing her entire body, like my sketch in a previous post. I think it would be sweeter and more intimate that way.
And now for today's entry..it was for the latest Illustration Friday topic "Plain." Kansas is plain like Vanilla...and kind of like time standing still...and it is a plains state too! It is plain, so when you live here (now it has been 3.5 years for us) you learn to develop patience and you learn the importance of travel and staying connected to the rest of the world...
My sketch books are often quite doodley - who knows what might end up next to what...baby birds teeth...jello mold...smiley octopus....sniffing dog...and that tree looks like many of the trees here in Kansas. The trees look this way here because there are so many ice storms. So, during an ice storm, many limbs break off the trees and these limbs then grow back wierdly - the limbs become big stumps with spindly, bushy twigs growing out of the tops like spider legs.
Some friends and I went roller skating this weekend - yes roller skating...it has been about 20 years since I last did that. The place we went was perfect too - carpet covered round seating areas to put your skates on, colored florescent lights and mirror balls on the ceiling and there was "boogie bouncing" everywhere. I was mesmerized. It was the best time I've had in a while.
