Caught Grazing

As I work on the images of sheep, I find it challenging to choose the color palette. I could go realistic and attempt to match the true color of the fleece. Ah, but it's so much more fun to imagine spinning some wool that was produced from technicolor sheep that makes beautiful fiber. No need for hand dyeing here!

Free Range

Just how life should be. Chickens roaming in the yummy grass, naturally fertilizing and eating up parasites that may otherwise cause problems to the sheep. I wanted a sense of free range from this image. Fresh looking grass and a very handsome chicken. Another image for the thesis body of work.

Palette change for Brownie

When I talked about this piece with my thesis adviser, Bill Thompson, he suggested a color shift. So, I'm trying out this cooler palette of greens and blue grays. I think it's an improvement! Thanks Bill!

Pro bono work

I've been working on a poster and invitations for a fund raising event. I love the combination of the graphic design and illustration. Here is a first draft of the poster. My daughter was the photo reference for the fairy, the other reference was shot at the park.

The Pasadena Assignment

While in Fort Worth, Texas for my MFA week we presented our assignment from our trip to Pasadena last November. We had a lecture at the beautiful Castle Green which is a historical venue for filming, weddings and events. Also, there are apartments in the building. I managed to just catch a shot of a Castle Green dweller as she whisked out the door to walk her dog. I thought the contrast of the old Victorian architectural details and the funky manner of dress was especially interesting. And, moving from that darkness to the California light is a breath of fresh air.

A sheep called Brownie

Another image for the thesis project! This is Brownie and she is a Coopworth ewe producing a beautiful brown fleece. Here's a little about the breed from the Hatchtown Farm website:

The Coopworth is a medium size, dual purpose, longwool breed with an alert but quiet disposition. They were developed in the 1950s and 1960s by crossing Border Leicester rams and Romney ewes. Only the best of the resulting progeny were interbred over many years. The goal was to create a highly prolific and easily managed sheep that would excel in the production of both meat and wool for commercial use. It is hardy and adaptable to many farm models.

Winter Scene

I've started to complete some of my thesis illustrations and will begin to post the progress more consistently (I hope). So here is "Winter Sheep" and I think this might make a nice holiday card! Is it too late to send out a happy new year card? Maybe I will get my act together next year... when I will have no more school assignments!