Work in Progress

I’m still here! I’ve just got my head down, racing to the finish line, trying to finish up a few projects for the New England SCBWI Conference next weekend.

But here’s a peek at what I’m working on.

Illustration Friday: Fluid

Remember when I used to do Illustration Friday all the time? Yeah, me either. It was a long time ago. I thought I’d give it another whirl using it as a little drawing exercise each week. “I’ll just keep it loose and finish it in under an hour.”  Uh that did not happen this week.

I couldn’t resist the mermaid pull.  Which will probably be one of many in the IF pool this week, but it was new to me.  I hear mermaids are the new zombie/werewolf/vampire in the YA world. And I say bring it on.

I wanted to make her a bit fish-like, and other-worldly, while still keeping it for a middle grade audience age– as opposed to the sexy-siren mermaid version.  What do you think? Hmm maybe topless mermaids too scandalous for that age?

I’m still going to do a bit more with the lighting and a couple of other niggling things (eg I’m not loving the rough oval edge.) But there she is.

New work

Just popping in quick to show you my latest promo piece:

New Work: “Baby Food”

I did this little illustration for Baton Rouge Parents magazine. I love drawing fruit and veggies so much, it’s making me realize I should be working on a cookbook! hmmm…Hear that universe?

Video Monday: Work/Life 2 Home Movie

Take a look through the Work/Life 2 Illustration Directory.  Can you spot me?

(I got super lucky and am sandwiched between two of my favorite illustrators ever:  Lisa Congdon and Gemma Correll.  Can you believe it?  So awesome.  Good job, last name.)

And how cute are these pictures from the opening reception??  You can read all about it here.

Illustration in Uppercase Work/Life

I got my copy of Uppercase’s Work/Life Illustration Directory yesterday and it looks amazing!  Truly the book itself is a work of art– all the little details added in, the design.  You can tell the care and hours that went into it.  I’ll try to take some pictures, but here’s my illustration and some close-up detail shots!

Ah it feels good to unveil it– we all made original pieces for the book and then promised not to show them ahead of time.

Anyways, I’m really happy with how it turned out.  Don’t those kids look like they’re having a good time?  I want that pink skirt…

Ella On a Monday Morning

This is what I’m listening to right now.  Isn’t the cover art lovely?

Rad Family Portraits from Jackie Bos

Whaat?  Check out these awesome custom holiday cards illustrator Jacqueline Kari Bos made!

I know they’re supposed to be holiday cards, but they would be pretty awesome ‘every day’ cards too.  I would love to get a birthday card, or thank you note on one of these.  Heck, a family portrait like this would look great up on your wall.

Click here for more information on getting your own!

Portraits in LMNOP magazine!

They’re here!   The portraits I did for the winners of the Christmas Wish contest are in the latest issue of LMNOP!

The rest of the issue is super fun as well!

I am loving these crazy cut out hats, in particular:

Download your free issue of LMNOP right here to see the rest!

If you’d like your own custom portrait, you can get more information on my portfolio site right here.

A Sometimes Animator

Did you know I do a bit of animation here and there?  Here’s my latest reel.  Enjoy!