mr & mrs frog (yes, mr. frog has braces...)

i confess. This wasn't painted today, but it was at least finished today.

I started this painting last year and it's been sitting (unfinished) on my bookshelf since then.

It took AEDM to get me to finish it - although it may just go right back on the bookshelf. :-)

Funny how different our interests can become in the course of a year. These little critters were created a few years ago, with the intention of eventually making them greeting cards. They did become cards, and were sold locally, along with paintings. Very exciting for me at the time. But then, too much of a good thing is never good. I got tired of them. Quickly. The time i spent painting them was becoming less and less enjoyable for me.

So i stopped.

I think it's important to recognize that most everything has an expiration date. Including little green frogs. When we (as artists) get to the point where we no longer enjoy painting one thing or another, we owe it to ourselves (and the world!) to paint something else. To find whatever else makes our soul sing.

Getting to a point where we need a change doesn't mean that everything prior is worthless. I believe that everything prior is necessary - to become who we are today. It's important to know how to let go when certain things no longer inspire us. So we can be open to new inspiration & feel passionate again! :-)

xoxo

the process of illustrating a children's book

Most of you already know I'm a graphic designer by profession and for the past few years, I've had the privilege of illustrating children's books. It's always so much fun for me to read through the stories & sketch my ideas as i let my imagination run wild. Well - depending on how wild the story is, of course.

I thought it may interest some of you to see the process from initial pencil sketch to final illustration (on the Mac). Most clients expect you to stick to the sketch - especially after they've approved it. :-) The first sketch here was changed after a discussion with the client about making it more fun. 

Maringo is a little mosquito & in this story, he's travelling with his parents to visit his cousin in Italy.

The book is called "Maringo chez Pépinoche".

The illustration I had proposed - travelling first class of course, in an airplane...

...and the final illustration - new & improved - by hot air balloon.

Much more fun, especially for a mosquito.

The illustration proposed when Maringo falls in a river...

and the final...

And a section in the end to help the little children learn to count. i had fun doing this one. For some reason, the client thought the teeth on the frog were scary. I thought they were hilarious, but she was afraid we may scare some children, so it was decided the frogs had to be toothless. Poor frogs... 

a little teaser in the spirt of halloween...

Someday soon, I'll be illustrating & writing my own books.

Hang on to your hats, cowboys & cowgirls. Could be a bumpy ride.