Who wants to trade?

So this last weekend we had a fabulous Saturday Short at the museum all about Artist Trading Cards... and naturally I am now totally addicted to ATCs. They are just so much fun. Tiny little canvases with lots of potential. So here are some images of some of the ones I made this weekend. Front and back. I started by making one big collage that I cut up into the 2.5 x 3.5 inch format and then I embellished them further. For the backs I went through my old sketchbooks and pulled out random things I had written down- quotes, bits from books, a few lyrics, recipes, and other notations that I have no idea what or where they came from.

Royce goes to work in my place

On this blustery November morning I was reminded of a drawing I did a while back, well I guess it's really more of a sketch, but at any rate an idea I had for a little book or zine. I was having this moment (this is where I begin to sound like a crazy cat lady) with my cat Royce when he was whining about something and I asked him if he would have rather gone to work and me stay home and sleep all day. He merely walked away. But I liked the idea of Royce going to work for me- riding the train or the bus in the morning with a cup of coffee in paw, sitting at my cubicle responding to emails and typing up contracts. And thus was born this image.



Naturally he is drawn wearing my clothes and carrying a bag like I do. Though he looks a little to serious here. Royce is not really a very serious cat. Now I just need to do a companion drawing of our other cat Orson going to teach my roommate's English classes.

Cloud of Smoke

This is a tracing I did in color pencil of this weird smoke cloud from this old wood block print that features two witches burning salamanders and snakes. Not sure if that means that this then is supposed to be some kind of cloud of evil, or what. But I do know that I have been drawn to this for quite some time and using it in my collage/drawings a lot lately. I love the line quality and the little dots. I think the print is from the 16th century originally and I have found a bunch of other great images with similar cloud-like formations and witches.

Desk buddies

These guys keep me company whilst I work in my cubicle five days a week. They help give my work space a little quirkiness that I need some days to keep me going.

Of pandas and other creatures

Here are some more plushies. The panda I made for a friend of mine who loves pandas. He doesn't quite have razor sharp teeth to use for cutting through fences, or candy or even bone. But he could hide in an oreo factory if need be. And he does have snaggle teeth.

The other plushies are in progress. I need to finish stuffing them properly. Some are stuffed with recycled shredded paper, and some with polyfil stuffing stuff. It has been fun to translate the characters from my doodles into these little guys.

Posters and such

This is a new poster I did for one of my friend Mike's many musical projects. Totally random and silly, but who doesn't love a soldier playing a trumpet whilst riding an anteater! Complete with a chorus of goldfish.

World, I give you Ms. Edith P. Ladypants and her friend Mr. Smooches

Tah Dah! Here she is...

Ahhh yes.... here she is. I admit I was a bit ambitious for my first real attempt at a plushie. She was inspired by the little old lady who was on the bus with me that morning. At first glance she looked normal but then I realized she was quietly talking to herself. Please note her knickers- which are day of the week (Monday) and her rosey tramp stamp. She was quite the wild child in her younger days.

I'm not dead, I promise

So.... this blog has kind of gotten away from me for the last few months. But I am alive and working on lots of artsy goodness. Like this little guy here. This is Zoozoo. I think maybe he had too much coffee today. He is my latest felt creation inspired by the recent participation in the Plushies Saturday Short at the museum. It was a lot of fun. I made another, more complicated one too- inspired by the kooky old lady I saw that day who was talking to herself on the bus. I have been doing lots of drawings and doodles and other fun stuff too. Images of those to come soon. Oh and the other little guy to the left is a creature I fashioned out of a scrap of felt, a pompom, and some random bits of plastic coated wire. He keeps me company at my desk at work. Simple, but he makes me smile.

Under the bag

Here is a sketch I did of what Hem and Haw-the main characters of the book, look like without their bags. We are currently calling them Chris and Emma.

This is Trevor- the neighborhood bully.

The Baghead(s) project!

Here is the latest version of the bagheads. Funny to watch their evolution over time. Also! I am really excited to announce that I am collaborating with a friend of mine and together we are turning the bagheads into a book! The two main characters are bagheads called Hem and Haw and thus far I am really happy with what we are coming up with. Hem and Haw have some fabulous adventures ahead of them and I will try and keep the blog posted with their progress.

The Bag Heads Continue

Return of the Bag Heads

Oh how I love the Bag Heads! So strange, slightly creepy and yet silly too. I really like the way they turned out on the brown paper, it took the color pencil so well. I love how rich and bright the color looks. Hopefully there will be more to come soon.

Michigan Misses You

My friend Kate moved a month ago or so now- leaving Michigan behind for the sunny state of California. She asked me to draw a little image that she could use on her change of address cards. So, here is poor Michigan reading the Dear John letter that Kate and her husband wrote when they left.

Evidence

Even though it has been nearly two months since I posted, I have been making and doodling. I just have been a big slacker when it comes to posting proof of the work I have been doing. Here are some older doodles that I really liked. Working with maps and transparency to create more dynamic layering.

Birthdays and more random fun

It seems that half of my friends were born in the first two weeks of January. Here is a drawing I did for one of them. Hope they don't mind that I am sharing it with everyone- but the bunny was just too cute! So here's to all those with birthdays this month!

Below are two other drawings I recently did for friends. Royce the spaceman now has a rabbit companion... Spacebunny. I need a better name for him, but that will work for now.

New Year, New Work

Just some newer doodles from my current sketchbook.