Year in Review

It's time again to look back on how far I've come and make plans for where to go next. Aside from my personal goals of finishing off a few quilts I started forever ago, raising brilliant, confident children through the teen years, and finishing off the "pit" we began in our backyard a few years ago I have many, many, many career goals.

It was a year of transition for sure. I began the year working part-time in a job that was mostly unrelated to writing and illustrating for kids (though it was in a school library, so it had books, with pictures, and kids). In return for a small but steady paycheck and the sense of stability that gives, I gave up time that would have been spent doing what I really love. Ehh, who needs stability? Life's a tightrope act.

Some things I accomplished this year:

Got a new rep.

Became accomplished in digital media.

Fell madly in love with ink and brush line work.

Am now able to produce work fast.

Wrote (and produced) a play for teens.

Wrote, revised, revised, revised a picture book.

My goals for this year:

Not to have to get a "real" job.

Diversify my client base (I'll do just about anything for money).

Sell a book.

Push my drawing style.

My survival philosophy these days is to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. I'll be teaching some drawing classes this year as well as a few drama camps. I've got a few school visits scheduled for the spring. I've committed to open studio figure drawing with a friend at an arts community. I'll continue to rely on my fantastic writing group, The Goalies, to inspire and guide me (plus drag me through the rough bits). I'm still coaching my OM team and collaborating with a friend on plays for teens and tweens. I can't wait to see what sticks this year.

Wishing all of you walls covered in sticky stuff for the next decade!

Maquette

the sketch

Here is the baked maquette. I still intend to paint it. I will have movable ears where the wires are coming out of his head.

Overall I think it was a successful project. It's always good to learn, although what I am learning is that I put waaaay more effort into things like this than they need. If I were to change anything I would make his arms less heavy - love the little tail though. I think his ears will help a good bit too.

Making a Maquette

I decided to try something different for the picture book I am currently working on. One of the characters is an imaginary monster named Rex and I felt the best way to create him fully was to make a maquette. I started Saturday afternoon with armature wire and foil (and wine, of course). You can see my sketch laying on the table.

Then I started laying on the sculpey. It's been a long time since I've worked three dimensionally and I forgot how much I love it - and how obsessive I can be. I spent a good six hours on Sunday, woke up this morning and spent another hour or so...Thankfully my equally obsessive husband understands and forgives. This is Rex after about seven hours:


Now seriously I have to finish off a sketch and start my holiday baking (plus I promised myself I would finish painting the bathroom I started exactly one year ago over the holidays) but it is so hard to walk away.