Thursday, July 28, 2011

Breathing in Renewal

It has been a whirlwind of deadlines lately which is wonderful! I love having good work to do. Pushing creativity is interesting--I'm used to creating under the pressure of a deadline within reason--but sometimes you have to step back and refill "the well" of inspiration. Sometimes you need space for the mind to still, to relax and release. My painting above, which now hangs in a dear friend's home, reflects what I need a little of at the moment. Just a few deep breaths and some peaceful silence to recharge my energy for the next round. Ahh...that was nice...now I'm ready to dive back in.
"Meditation", gouache, 12 x 9 inches

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Tuesday Tea Time

I have been illustrating a lot of food these past few months and it's showing up in my tea cup series. Today's cup features some cheery cherries. I love eating cherries and am reminded of a delicious three cherry tart I made using dried, fresh and brandied cherries. But they're also just a fresh sweet treat at tea time, plain and simple like my image above.
"Cup Pot & Cherries", digital illustration

Friday, July 22, 2011

Hungry For A Peek?

I can't wait to show you the illustrations I am creating for the cookbook "Cook the Part" coming out this Fall. I thought I'd snap a photo of my computer screen with a detail from one of them (with a couple of the others showing behind it). I am illustrating the chapter openers for the eight chapters and the cover (which I posted on the blog recently). First I sketch my idea, then refine the drawing, after that I scan it into the computer and add the color and texture. Painting digitally is just as gratifying to me as painting with paint. This is the kind of design and illustration project that thoroughly satisfies me!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Tuesday Tea Time

It is midsummer and on morning walks through the neighborhood I see flowers blooming, bees hovering around the lavender going from blossom to blossom, robins with red breasts on green lawns listening intently for worms, and an occasional butterfly airily fluttering by. Today's cup is inspired by all of that, and also the volunteer purple flowers growing next to our driveway...I have turned them into curving vines lyrically uplifting the cup into a summer reverie.
"Flower Vine Cup", digital illustration

Saturday, July 16, 2011

A Birthday Toast

Today is my birthday and I wanted to post something summer-y and festive. Life is good, especially when it is filled with creative work, supportive clients, loving friends and family, delicious food and some nice wine! I feel very fortunate and look forward to what my new year will offer. I painted the above acrylic painting to promote "Great Grapes! Wine, Art and Food Festivals" of Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, who have enjoyed using it for several years. Another happy client makes me feel happy. Cheers to the good life!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tuesday Tea Time

Over the weekend we went to a going away party for an artist friend who is off to graduate school. The party was hosted by two other artist friends who are also musicians. Their other musician friends brought along their good voices and instruments–mainly of the string variety–mandolin, bass and various guitars among them. So, not only was the evening filled with good food and friends but a good jam session of live music, which inspired me to create this week's teacup.
"Guitar Cup", digital illustration

Friday, July 8, 2011

My Part in "Cook the Part"

Here is a sneak peek at what I am working on...drum roll please. Above is my cover illustration and design for an upcoming cookbook authored by Karin Eastham. Besides illustrating and book design, I also love entertaining, cooking and eating with friends. So I was thrilled to be a part of "Cook the Part" a cookbook that is all about cooking together. You'll have to wait a little bit longer to see the other colorful illustrations for each of the chapters and the rest of the design, but I thought this would whet your appetite!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Tuesday Tea Time

This past holiday weekend we traveled to Southern Utah and spent time with friends. I brought along my watercolor travel set, thinking I would have plenty of time to paint, but mostly I relaxed happily with my companions. We enjoyed a charming small town parade, cooked together and ate delicious meals, hiked in the desert and saw Native American petroglyphs on red rock canyon walls. The desert cacti were in bloom and the plants and trees were bright green. I did manage to paint this small watercolor of a leafy teacup on some 4 x 6 inch Arches postcard paper. Isn't it great how getting away from your everyday routine and environment enlivens and refreshes? Even though it was just a few days, it felt so much longer.