The Lehman Family

Last month I was asked, "Do you illustrate family portraits?" My initial gut instinct was alarm bells ringing "DANGER! DANGER WILL ROBINSON!" because, let's be honest, my illustration style isn't exactly photo realistic and while I'm capable of doing realistic work, it is not a style I can have fun with. I considered the person asking and felt comfortable enough to answer, "Sure, I'd consider it as long as you are ok with it being in 'my style'? If you want it to look exactly like you all then I am probably not your girl." She answered, "I love your style and that's EXACTLY the reason I want you to do it!" Cool. So here is my first "official" family portrait commission. It's easy not to mess up when the entire family is positively adorable. The entire experience was pleasant enough that I've agreed to do another portrait for another adorable family. Stay tuned.

The Lehman Family Portrait
real portrait in action

Narwhals. Are. Awesome.

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The other day I asked my youngest if there was anything he would like me to sketch. His immediate response: "Narwhals. Narwhals are awesome." And he is right, narwhals ARE awesome. They are strange and unique and mysterious and magnificent and I am newly obsessed.

Did you know, the giant horn sticking out of their heads is really not a horn at all but one gigantic tooth or tusk? And the other tooth in their mouth is regular sized?  People erroneously believe the tusk is used as a spear for defense, but this is not true! Some scientists think the tusk is used to attract mates. Most recently, researchers think the tusk is used to test the salinity and conditions of the water.  

Like I said, FASCINATING. I think they are my new spirit animal.

narwhals

SCBWI Draw This..."Admire"

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Admire

Once again, I've managed to cut it close on the deadline for the SCBWI Illustrator Challenge word prompt. I decided yesterday evening "Oh yeah! It's due tomorrow so I should probably draw something, huh?" And so here it is another month, another word prompt and another sprint to the finish. I'd love to think this mentality is more because I am a runner who loves the thrill of the race and NOT because I am trying to squeeze in too many things or anything else chaotic in nature... :-0

Although if I'm being honest, it goes deeper then me just being rushed/over-scheduled. I have learned this past year (and I credit my great Critique Group for helping guide me in the right direction), that the drawings I do quickly and more spontaneously feel the most genuine to me. Don't get me wrong! I love having the time to work on a big piece...I do. Really. But there is something about doing these random and quick little pieces which just seems natural to me. Maybe it is a result of my old agency days when going 80mph in a 45 mph scheduling zone became second nature? Or maybe it's because the less time I allow myself to fret and overthink a piece, the better the results and the happier it makes me. I'm pretty sure I know the answer.

So behold, my submission to this month's prompt "Admire." This one makes me smile. I hope you enjoy it too. 

Vivian's Dream

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I am teaching summer art camps this year. I LOVE it. There is something so liberating hanging around these wonderfully unencumbered thinkers. They brilliantly and refreshingly refuse to accept limitations to their thinking. To them anything and everything is fair game and I am eating it up. I can only hope they are getting as much inspiration from me as I am from them. 

Yesterday, one of my new little friends grabbed my hand and told me her dream.  "Sometimes, I wish I was a butterfly so I could fly around and see the world they way they do", she smiled. 

So Vivi, this sketch is for you. I hope you continue to dream and imagine all sorts of things and then share them with the world.

Vivi's Dream

Borrow

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Every month the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) has a drawing contest for its illustrators. They give you a word prompt and then you draw something pertaining to the word. It's always a lot of fun to see everyone's interpretation of a word. I used to be pretty good about submitting entries but things have gotten a bit crazy the past few months and I have fallen off the rails. Yesterday I decided I would check out the prompt for this month and submit an entry. Little did I know the entry was due today. So last night and this morning I cranked out an entry. I would loved to have a week to work on it but alas, that is just not going to happen right now.

So here is my quick entry. I had fun with it, even though I didn't have enough time. 

Borrow