back to the drawing board

Sketches for Bowman Family Geneology

2008-12-22T20:01:00.001-08:00

Sketches for the Bowman Family Tree

2008-12-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

The above images are rough sketches to "get ideas flowing" (good ol' flo) for a family tree project for my grandma or "Nanny" (as we Crum kids like to call her). She will be 90 this year and she recently looked into her geneology and was able to find 15 generations all the way back to 1542 in a little town in Germany. Pretty cool - and I get to illustrate it!
Rough rough rough...to get the concepts and styling ideas started...

Oh My...

2008-12-21T06:16:00.000-08:00

Above: C. Adam (my nephew) - a sketch for the C. Adam's Bakery Logo (my sister's bakery in Milwaukee Wisconsin...sooooo delicious - if you have a chance, go there and eat the bakery there becuase it will be the best you have ever had, and I am not just saying that because she is my sister)!
I am organizing my studio right now as I apply for graduate study and start gearing up for more creativity, and I came across some projects I had forgotten about...

Above: cover illustration concept for a bread cookbook

Above: illustration for pet supplier annual report

Above: Sketches I found for a business card I worked on (we didn't move forward with these)...

This last year has been the most work- intensive year I have ever had. I had been given a great opportunity at work, but I though all of the working hours (sometimes 70 hours a week), I realized that I really really really would rather spend my time living my life and focusing on my family, life, travel adventures, and of course, my illustration. I am just so happy now to be able to finally come home and say..."oh yeah, I don't have to keep on working on "work" tonight!"...which frees up my brain for things I would like to pursue. Thank goodness!!

More to come...

hmmmmm...

2008-10-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

hmmm...my last post is very similar to my previous last post. Coincidence? I think not. That is the design world - no work, and then a shitload of it! I am not sure why it seems to be this way, but it just is this way. That's what I get for working for corporate America! weeeee! A great way to maintain your life - NOT! Ah well. I guess I shouldn't complain. I have a good job, and in this economy, I am pretty lucky I suppose.

More illustrations from other times...

I suck.

2008-10-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

Above are some more recent illustrations for product...

I know. I suck. It has been way (way way) too long. I was working 80 hours a week - this is no misprint - 80 hours a week on a website for the Hallmark Trends group. My partner designer and I are back to our regular jobs now and now Jon can see me again...One good thing is that I am illustrating for kids product now which makes me very excited!

Okay okay OKAY!!! Sooorry!

2008-07-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

Okay okay OKAY! I know I haven't been here in a while...I really have no excuse except that I have been working a lot. Work shmurk. Still, no excuse. After all the craziness for this last big deadline, Jon and I went camping last weekend with our friends Kelley and Chris. We meant to go canoing, but it stormed like crazy the night we camped and the river was way too full. Southern Missouri is really pretty though...can't wait to go again soon. As for my illustration stuff, right now I am working on an "Adventure's with Dad" father's day collection. Until that is done, here is some stuff from a looooong time ago from scenic painting with Amanda Kindregan at the Village Theater in Washington. And, more recently, the invite for the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter...it's in just a few weeks! SO, come on everybody come on - support the building of a new shelter for our animal friends!

Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter Invitation

2008-04-11T04:49:00.001-07:00

Come one come all! There will be a band and food and even exotic hawiian alcoholic beverages! Coming soon in July!

Also, don't forget to check out FOPAS at the PetExpo next weekend...

www.patrihaproductions.com/PetExpo/

White Cat

2008-04-08T19:25:00.001-07:00

gratitude

2008-04-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

a bluebird kind of day

2008-03-25T19:19:00.001-07:00

Bunn Bunn

2008-03-23T16:46:00.001-07:00

My Dad was a Drag Racer

2008-03-18T18:28:00.001-07:00

yeah man.

Elly & Elma

2008-03-17T20:38:00.001-07:00

More Fun with Pattern Part III

2008-03-16T18:02:00.001-07:00

Fun with Pattern Part 2

2008-03-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Meow and Ruff!

2008-03-11T19:20:00.001-07:00

Dabid and the State of my Brain Last Night

2008-03-10T18:10:00.001-07:00

Redwood Bears

2008-03-06T19:25:00.001-08:00

Jon and I were talking about our drive to Lake Tahoe a few years back and I remember seeing lots of these along the road at tourist stops as we drove through the redwoods in Northern CA. Ahhh...memories....

Little Critters

2008-03-04T18:09:00.001-08:00

some little critters from my evening doodlings

me sick

2008-03-03T19:26:00.001-08:00

dancing bird
me sick

Clownin' 'Round

2008-03-03T18:56:00.001-08:00

are you afraid of clowns?

Experiment 1 - Green and Black

2008-03-02T14:20:00.001-08:00

Experimenting with pattern...

sorry to have been gone lately - I have been in bed with the flu :0{

Hallmarked

2008-02-28T18:40:00.001-08:00

Cute is inevitable after being totally immersed in it for years at a time.

Wormy Apple

2008-02-27T19:14:00.001-08:00

It is getting crazy again at work! I look at my drawings over the last 7 or so entries, and they are suckin'. I guess that is what happens when you are working 65 hours a week!! I want more time. I'll just keep at this drawing thing anyways...even if there are worms in my apple, it is still a good apple.

you've got perty lips

2008-02-25T19:54:00.001-08:00

Good Ole' Days

2008-02-24T19:51:00.001-08:00

I remember days in high school when my friend Jackie and I would take mascara and give ourselves mustaches...and my friend Kim and I getting a case of the "scribble dot disease"...

I see cuckoo clocks everywhere now and it reminds me of the one my grandma had. She had one with little dancing folks in dirndls and lederhosen. Above is one I sketched from a recent catalog...

Cleo Goes to Work

2008-02-22T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is what my dog Cleo does all day when I go to work.

More Drawlings

2008-02-20T20:31:00.001-08:00

I think if I want to draw, it helps to draw draw draw and then draw some more. Above is Jon's actual guitar that is resting in his recording studio in our basement. It is a Rickenbacker.

Just experimenting with texture, color and line above...

This is a tree in our back yard when I look out from my studio window.

Here are some sketches for a family portrait: The Katheiser Family Band - Cleo, Mava, Jim, Jon, Harlow and Ophelia and our friends The Mouse and The Bird (backup singers).

Phew!

2008-02-19T19:50:00.001-08:00

OK - I had to not take myself so seriously and just have a little fun. Teee hee!

Drawing Class Studies

2008-02-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

Here are a few drawings from class tonight. I was feeling a bit restless and frustrated...but I have a theory that frustration comes in waves and it is a part of learning, right?

Guitar Part I

2008-02-18T20:18:00.001-08:00

just sketching some design ideas for a painting for my husband who loves to play and record music in our basement...he's really good too.
Looking at this again - I think what it needs is more contrast between the brown and orange - there is not enough emphasis on the focal point - the guitar. Also, it needs something else - more movement, more texture...

The Theory of the T-Bone

2008-02-17T16:35:00.001-08:00

This is a painting for my brother who has a theory that eating T-Bones will make you big and strong.

Meowie Wowie Luau Coasters

2008-02-17T06:50:00.001-08:00

Coasters for the Meowie Wowie Luau in July...

yours truly

2008-02-16T19:54:00.001-08:00

Nature

2008-02-16T17:46:00.001-08:00

My drawing for the day...

Doodley Doo!

2008-02-15T20:29:00.001-08:00

Work is great and all, but I do love to doodle....I also like it that anyone can do it...

Work Work

2008-02-15T10:15:00.001-08:00

Just thought I would show some of my illustration from the last year in concepts for product...not all of them will be produced, as they were just shown as "concepts."

Rubber Ducky You're the One...

2008-02-14T18:04:00.001-08:00

I started drawing a river with "rocks" and it turned into a rubber ducky in his row boat...watch out rubber ducky!

Class Drawings with Model

2008-02-12T20:10:00.001-08:00

Here are a few drawings from class tonight. I was trying to be relaxed and not judge my work, but really "see" and not see objects, but a whole, interrelated series of planes and lines...hard to do. All of these objectives where from the teacher. I really like his format and teaching style. It is a challenge for me for sure!

Food Food Food

2008-02-12T04:01:00.001-08:00

Food is so hard to avoid...so might as well enjoy it! Winter seems to be even more about food. Another association I have with treats is my sister Lisa Crum who owns C. Adam's Bakery in Milwaukee, WI and has the most delicious treats around...I was thinking about her when I drew the baked goods. I will be going to see her this weekend to take photos for her new web site...

Frosty Travels

2008-02-11T03:16:00.000-08:00

It is crazy wandering out in 15 degree temps, but sometimes I feel it gives you a glimpse into another world of quiet beauty.

Critters

2008-02-10T08:08:00.001-08:00

Little critters - taking a ride, snuggling, smiling and helping. The bottom drawing is a Howling Red Fowler Monkey. He's singing! I am just experimenting right now.

Life with my Valentine

2008-02-08T20:35:00.001-08:00

Valentine #2.

A Little Valentine

2008-02-07T19:34:00.001-08:00

Just a little Valentine I cooked up...

Plastic Birds and Flowers

2008-02-06T20:03:00.001-08:00

Here is a sketch I drew of some plastic birds and a silk flower. I used a Pentel Ink Brush. I love these pens - so flowy...a great way to get some nice thicks and thins in line weight.

Beginning Drawing

2008-02-05T19:31:00.001-08:00

I started my beginning drawing course at KCAI tonight. I think I will really love it. It is amazing how fast time goes by when you are in "the zone." It is really storming out, though. We are getting an ice storm tonight, so driving home was a little scary - but I am so glad I went. This is one of the sketches from class. It is all a process of learning. Plus, it is just fun, so...ya know.

Happy!

2008-02-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

I just felt like drawing happy cute things today. The landscape in the middle is a snapshot of my real life. You have smiling trees in your neighborhood too, don't you?

Georgie in Progress Part II

2008-02-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

Further Progress on Georgie...still need to refine the lettering.

the next frontier...

2008-02-01T18:32:00.001-08:00

I was just thinking that maybe we can all go live out in space once we have used up all of our resources here. We seem to have made "consuming stuff" a past time. Will we know what to do once we have nothing left to consume? Will we just go look for the next new, shiney and different thing to conquer?

Tired Doodles

2008-01-31T21:09:00.001-08:00

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?

Meowie Wowie!

2008-01-30T19:24:00.001-08:00

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!

Heidi the Schnauzer

2008-01-29T18:39:00.001-08:00

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.

Dreams of Summer

2008-01-29T03:15:00.001-08:00

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 have been thinking about how much I love the outside places to and am looking forward to much more of that sort of thing soon.

Georgie in Progress

2008-01-28T17:48:00.001-08:00

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.
Here is the latest of my Georgie painting...still working on it...now, off to more drawing...

It's cold out there!

2008-01-25T17:56:00.001-08:00

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...

Jim the Cat!
And, I couldn't resist - look at how cute this little man is!

Study for Georgie

2008-01-24T19:54:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-01-23T19:22:00.001-08:00

Something that occurs to me more every day...

A Note to Me

2008-01-23T04:23:00.001-08:00

A note to me. More tommorow...

Adventures in Kansas

2008-01-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

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...

More entries and doodles....

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.

Like a trip back in time.

Until tomorrow...

More Sketches - Day 2

2008-01-20T19:25:00.001-08:00

So I tried a little flower pattern in black and white. I love all of patterning with one color and white out there right now (like kelly green with white, yellow with white, grey with white, black with white, etc), I guess I thought I doodle a little ditty of a pattern just to see what it would look like. Made me think it might be fun to get a sofa upholstered in canvas and doodle a pattern all over it.
The second drawing is of "Ann" - she is a puppy at the Heartland Humane Society. She seems very sweet. I am currently volunteering at a local no kill shelter, so I often have pets on the brain.

Our Pets

2008-01-20T19:17:00.000-08:00

I had to show our pets - Cleo, Harlow, Jim, Ophelia and Mava. This is another reason I often have pets on the brain. We have have so many pets because I work at a shelter...and you can see the danger there, I am sure. I love 'em!
Have a great evening...

Recent Sketchbook Entries

2008-01-19T23:20:00.000-08:00

These are just a few things from my sketchbook the last few weeks. I am trying to carry it with me everywhere to doodle or sketch my surroundings or just draw what is in my head at the moment. Until next time...

My Pact

2008-01-19T04:59:00.000-08:00

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).