Saturday, January 19, 2008

Nose to the grindstone, ouch.







I've been at this computer for hours. My website has been brought back from the bowels of hell by my friend, Kelly. What's in a name? Kelly- never met one I didn't like. Although there was that one, Kelli....

Anyway, more new art. I took little lonely Justin and put him on the black top on the first day of school. Each kid is based on one of my daughter's classmates.

The dog was a tiny scribbly sketch in my sketchbook. I colored it up in PS. More to come, more to do....and the cruise is next Sunday. I need every Pina Colada next week to chill out.


Go check out the website. It's not the final version, but it's the best I could do on the first try.

http://kellylight.com/

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Worth a shot..




I'm moving forward, the potty training book is up in the air now. The next goal is Feb 8-9-10th in NYC. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is having their winter conference. I joined the group a few months back in the hopes of making connections and learning more about the world of children's book publishing. I have yet had the time to go to any activity. So, why not dive in head first into the deep end of the talent pool with a portfolio presentation? Uhg. Why do I do these things to myself? I am pumping out some new art. It is becoming clearer to me what I lack in my portfolio, and I am hoping to fill in those holes. More kids. More animals. More interaction between characters, more narrative. I'm working on it. First one is here. It's a vignette, ... I'm working on other illo's with full backgrounds. this was inspired by my friend's daughter, Claire and their Dalmatian Sally. The dog is really a character and the little girl, very funny. So, inspiration all around me. If only time came as freely.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Quote of the day!

If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all.
Anna Quindlen


Now, coming across that quote today.... little freaky.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

If it feels too good to be true..

... then it probably is.





Hmmmm.... Feedback on art: Not ethnic enough. Not African American or Asian enough. So I am forced to exaggerate stereotypes- which I HATE! You can see I have altered the art. I still tried to be subtle. AND the kicker; My art has been compared to Precious Moments.




And Casper;




Which I don't mind as much as the Precious moments comment. PRECIOUS @#$%^ MOMENTS? I'm pretty sure this is an "Art Directing by Commitee" problem., You know what they say about opinions being like a**holes....

I know I'm no master draftswoman.. but I know what I know, and I know cartoons. I think I will now be tempted to break into to nearest hallmark Store and go medieval on the Precious Moments section. I will mutilate all of the chachkes.

Now what? I take back my Woo Hoo.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

2008 Starts with a BOOK!









Altho, not the Holy Grail "Picture Book"; I am going to be a published Illustrator finally! Yea! These are chapter head illustrations for a potty training book due out later this year from Amacom Books. My college roommate, Sara Au is co-author and did me a SOLID!- Did I just write that?
Truly, in an act of great friendship, she suggested (pressured the hell out of) her editor to look at some sketches of mine. I never thought it would go thru, knowing my luck...and it did! Wooo Hooooo! Another post where I can write Woooo Hooo!
Good start to the new year!