The Artist on The Artist

A small selection of my illustrations from over the years...

... and more on this wall. I also looked at my online work.

Recently I began an online class called Work / Art / Play via an illustration blog I'm a fan of, Pikaland. Discussing my work for the class is right in line with the main subject of my blog, finding inspiration and my artistic process. The first assignment was to look at several examples of my work from over the years and try to find common patterns and then the elements of my art that are the strongest.

So far I've noticed that I mainly use graphic, flat shapes to compose my illustrations; my work often depicts daily life mixed with subtle humor; I like to incorporate words and multimedia (collage, photography, embroidery, watercolor, pencil, and ink).

Another step was see if there are similarities between our work and the artists we admire. I was surprised to find that all of the aspects I mentioned above are present in some way for my list of favorite artists! Roz Chast, Henrí Matisse, Hanoch Piven, Romare Bearden, Maira Kalman, Alexander Calder, and Claes Oldenberg. (To name a few.)

Parts 2 & 3 of last week's module were more challenging. Since I only had about a day to evaluate my work and write out my thoughts and analysis, I know I will need some more time to consider these answers. Part 2 was about considering what matters in our lives, not just our artwork, and what we are good at in addition to our creativity. And Part 3 is about bringing the observations from Parts 1 & 2 together to figure out how to create the strongest and most self-satisfying artwork based on these discoveries.

I think blogging about it helps the process! The first week was a very interesting start to what I feel will be a valuable experience. Some great topics came up in the Q&A session as well... such as one of my questions! I asked if I should make the effort to unearth some of my college work, which I have in slide form in my apartment... the originals are a couple hundred miles away at my parents house... if they haven't sold them. ;)

As it turned out it wasn't completely necessary to include the college work but I was able to notice some interesting similarities between what I was doing then and a new style that I've recently begun working with. I was really into combining watercolors, drawings, and colored pencil back in the day, and after many years of working in a digital style I've decided to experiment with the watercolors, drawings, and colored pencils again. I shouldn't be that surprised, I chose watercolors since I'm familiar with them, but I can see how my skills and sensibilities have matured, while the essence has remained the same.

I will keep working on this and post more discoveries.... meanwhile a new module was released today. I guess I will be a little bit behind on my classwork.

Feeding the body, feeding the soul

I made a deal with myself tonight that I'd write a blog post or do some work related to my illustration business before I ate dinner. This is usually my game plan on the evenings that I come home from my day job in magazine publishing and don't have any set social plans. Luckily tonight I'm making my Mom's classic pasta salad which does not need to be eaten hot, so I made it first and sat down to write this, so it will be ready for me when I'm done writing.

I always love a tasty, healthy and fresh meal to feed my body and this meal will be a soul-feeder too, I was just on a family vacation a couple of weeks ago and a recipe from Mom's collection is a comfort for the times I miss being with my family in person.

Working toward my goals and dreams is the ultimate soul-feeder, of course. I never seem to have as much time as I want for pursuing those goals but my thoughts on that lately have been to make the most of what time I do have.

My current project is the creation of original art to sell in The Nancydraws Shop... I won't give it all away but it has to do with living in New York City as an artist and appreciator of the beauty and unique situations that are part of that experience.

I began some experimental sketches and tests earlier this summer (see the image below), so far I'm happy with the way they are coming along, and feel hopeful that I'll get a good response. But the process of creating something in a new way is also important, and its helping to bring the fun back into my artistic technique. I am looking forward to seeing where that will lead me down the road.

Now, back to feeding my body, be well until my next post!

Industrial Plant

Another one of my word-play sketches.

Plus France #2

Here's another finished illustration from my Plus France, Sil Vous Plait: Ways to be More French book idea.

Accordion-playing street musicians are definitely part of the fabric of Paris. I've heard their music playing at least once on each of my glorious trips to the City of Light. And any cliched or even sincere movie set in Paris just does not feel complete without accordion music played by a street musician wafting through a scene, or even for the entire soundtrack. (ex: Amelié; Midnight in Paris; Paris, Je T'aime; Charade ... I could go on all night ... please comment if you can recommend more!)

In honor of this fact, which I should find out the history of, I decided that if I was to hire a musician to play for me on my way to the market, while I'm eating dinner, or doing mundane tasks, it could bring me back to my fun times in France and it would add a Frenchie feeling to my Americane life. I've depicted this concept with Adele and Henrí in their kitchen and the accordion player that Adele has hired. Unfortunately Henrí doesn't seem to be enjoying it so well since the accordion isn't a very cat-friendly instrument.

Play on Words

I always get a kick out of a good play on words, idioms, and double-meanings.

I saw a Facebook post by a friend on her son's birthday about her memory of the day she found out that she was pregnant with him. My comment was, "Urine Luck!" The phrase got stuck in my head and I came up with this visual to illustrate the word play.

Attention all Artists!: Friday POP Quiz: If MONEY was no object...

I just filled out this survey on the Art-Fix blog, you should, too! Watch the video at the link and see if you are inspired to comment.

Art-Fix: Friday POP Quiz: If MONEY was no object...: What would you do with your life if money was no object? What kind of artist would you be?   What kind of work would you ...

Funny Story

Happy Hanukkah Noodles with Percival

Last week I received a special order for my Hanukkah card, "Percival's Noodles," via The Nancydraws Shop on Etsy. The customer wanted 12 of them, saying that they were perfect for her Chinese-Jewish family!

I definitely hadn't had this scenerio in mind when I created the card, but that's one of the great things about Etsy, there are so many special and unique items for sale, you're likely to find a one-of-a-kind gift (or card!) for someone on your list.