IMC Assignment - Rough Sketch

The assignment I've chosen for this year's IMC is Beauty and the Beast. This is a rough idea of the composition and design. I've decided to change up the typical concept of the story and make a cultural shift toward Japanese stylization. I want to incorporate the beautiful silhouettes of wood block prints as well as the fluid lines from the art Nouveau period. That's the plan at least.

Female Artists

Some of my favorite artists/illustrators are the brave women who first ventured into this male-dominated world. I'm just beginning to appreciate the courage of these woman who battled social expectations to follow their passion.

Recently, on Facebook, I followed a link to a 97 year old woman named Sheilah Beckett. What an inspirational woman. After reading about her, I've determined to put my age hang-up's behind me and just go for it. It's only a number.

IMC is coming up in less than 3 weeks and we were given our assignments. I've chosen the one that will fit easily into my portfolio, Beauty and the Beast. I'm trying to come at with a different twist, integrating a different culture portrayal. In all my searching for different references, I've come across some other female artists that I love. I wanted to share a few.

Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale

The Red Rose Girls

Jesse Willcox Smith,

Elizabeth Shippen Green,

and Violet Oakley.

Sarah Stilwell Weber

Mabel Alvarez

Kate Elizabeth Bunce

Bertha Boynton Lum

Florence Harrison

Marianne Stokes

and of course, Trina Schart Hyman

Mr. Lincoln

I've been taking some online lessons and this is one of my assignments. The purpose of this lesson is to think and draw in terms of straight lines and abstract shapes, as well as simplifying the grouping of values by laying down the average of the overall tone and then refining as you finish. For someone who really likes her lines curvy and fluid, this was more difficult than it looks. I learned alot though and will most definitely put this drawing aid in my artistic tool belt.

Surprise 60th Birthday Party

The big 60th birthday bash was successfully accomplished, despite my husband's scheduling changes that moved the "SURPRISE" moment an hour or so later. We had Sarah and Owen in a big box that we had him open. He didn't suspect a thing. We have all lied so much (for the good of all, mind you), he's probably going to have some serious trust issues from now on.

My oldest son organized a beautiful album, put together by his wife. He had come over last week to take photographs of my husband's hands for his non-existent "photography class" (let the fibbing commence).

He then asked each of his siblings to write about their father, especially related to how hard he has worked all these years for his family. That book started the tears flowing.

Next came "The Three Little Pigs" book. He was so surprised. He couldn't even get through the dedication. The illustrations all turned out. So pleased.

The food was wonderful. The cake and cupcakes were perfect (thanks to Rebecca Jensen). Each cupcake had a little pig head poking out of a chocolate icing mud bath. Everyone was there (with the exception of Dr. Jeff, who will arrive next week). I made up a birthday card with various little piggies on it. Here are a few of them.

I hope my husband, realized how much he is appreciated and all the love we have for him.

Happy 60th Vance!

Autumn - Oil WIP

This is a very blurry photo, but it does show I've made some progress on the oil. I decided to go with a more muted palette instead of the beautiful, yet fairly typical hues. Really grayed down all the colors by adding it's complement.

I also felt that the texture of the bodice inlay was too busy and competed with the shawl. So I painted it out, exposing the collarbone and chest. I have much to do and am not too sure what to do with the moon. I'm ignoring it right now. Moon? What moon?