Something special is on its way!
Saturday Night RedTail Ducks Ahoy – Sailor
Timing, timing, timing…anyone who’s a photo shooter knows how important timing is. Years ago, I only shot manual cameras without an auto-winder and my shot timing benefitted from the experience. Fast forward to today, there’s no film advance lever on modern digital SLR cameras. (I’m not so sure the younger generation knows what a film advance lever is.) We have single shot and continuous modes. I find that with continuous shooting, I just start shooting…and miss that fine tuned finesse of catching just the right shot.
Sailor offers reference photo for Making a Splash.
Here’s a reference photo that missed the mark.The water splashed up, right before Sailor locked his gaze in on the retrieve. I was hoping for the lock. The next shot has the lock, but not the dynamic splash.
Solution, an artist interpretation of the not so right shot. Thus was the beginning of the Making a Splash series of Sailor.
Here’s the process to the final piece of Making a Splash part 1.
Sailor’s always ready to go!
Sailor says,
“Let’s go again!”
Sailor on the retrieve in watercolor.
I remember when I first met Dr. Jean. A one-week-old little puppy wriggled his way from his mama’s warmth. When I found him, he was cold and too lethargic to nurse. I tucked him under my shirt, against my warm skin, and drove to the vet’s office.
Dr. Jean was new to the practice and in all truth, she didn’t look old enough to be in college, let alone be through veterinary school. Her youthful appearance was soon shadowed by her knowledge, skill and compassion. Thanks to Dr. Jean, a few months later, the healthy little pup went home with his forever family.
Over the years, we’ve shared joys, laughter, and tears as she has cared for our pets.
I’d like to introduce you to Callie. The faithful companionship Callie gives to Dr. Jean shows in the way Dr. Jean cares for family pets.
When I learned that Dr. Jean was to move from our area, I knew I wanted to give her a painting of Callie. It wasn’t easy to sneak Callie from her office so that I could take reference pictures, as Dr. Jean often checked in on her girl. With the assistance of the office staff, I was able to get the pics.
Although we miss Dr. Jean and Callie, we know her new community is blessed to have her skill, wisdom, and compassion.
The Livingston household and pack wish them much joy and success.
Baby Opossum Hanging On
I wrapped up Kinta stalking butterflies. Try as he might to catch them, the pipevine swallowtails were too quick for him. He is now six months old, a gawky age for a pup. His rabies titer is done and he will be clear to go home in September. We’re going to miss him around here. He’s full of play and snuggles.
Stalking Butterflies
He’s pretty doggone cute if I ignore the fact that this was one of my favorite shoes.
Kandis Lighthall, Mary A Livingston and Patricia Schetter sport their new book award bling. Percy Learns to Fly was awarded Gold in the Motivation and Inspiration category.
I couldn’t have illustrated Percy Learns to Fly without loving support from my wonderful husband, Tim, The Forester Artist.
Patty, author of Percy Learns to Fly (ABTA Publications and Products), Kandis, educational contributor, and I, the illustrator, received our Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award medals. I’ve already expressed how wonderful Kandis and Patty are to work with and how supportive my husband, Tim, the Forester Artist, has been, now I’d like to thank someone very special for his help getting me going with children’s illustrations.
Mark Mitchell of How to Illustrate a Children’s Book and Make Your Splashes – Make Your Marks! online course was instrumental in my progress as a children’s book illustrator.
I started getting braver with art as I participated with the liturgical committee of my parish. During the summer of 2011, I stumbled across Mark’s website while I was looking for some artist resources for an illustrator of one of Red Tail Publishing’s titles. I bookmarked the page, and later, when I was alone, and no one was looking, I gave the site a good going through.
I so wanted to illustrate, but lacked the confidence. Typically, I’m a fairly confident person and don’t shy from a challenge. As the calling to art rose louder and louder, it terrified me. So I lurked and stalked the course website, I check out all the email updates.
I have always hung around, peeking over Tim’s shoulder, admiring the way his brushes danced across his canvas or how he could just sit and draw anywhere, with anyone looking. But I wasn’t brave enough to just jump in.
Then, finally, in the spring of 2012, I signed up for Make Your Splashes – Make Your Marks! Tim was so happy, he bought me my own art table and new brushes for us both.
That May, I had my first critique. Angst swept in and consumed me. I had to listen to the replay because I was so overwhelmed during the live feed I could barely hear the comments. It was okay, it was encouraging. Mark and the critique group of my piers gave me wonderful tips and encouraging pointers to help me grow.
Before this course, I had been brave enough to pick up watercolors five times. This course demystified illustration and made watercolors feel like an extension of my heart.
While I was working on my own book for my company, I was hired to illustrate Percy Learns to Fly.
Percy sports his award bling.
Percy Learns to Fly was the first book I illustrated as I finished it before completing No Place for Ugly Birds. Just image how thrilled I was to learn that Percy won a national award.
I can’t express enough how beneficial taking the Make Your Splashes – Make Your Marks! course has been. I highly recommend it for anyone considering illustrating for children.
Thank you, Mark, for all you do for the children’s illustration community.
Next up a peek into Picture Book Academy.
Sneaking Bliss 