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!

Almost final – stop tweaking

Noodling and noodling. When to stop? When eyes and hands are too tired, and lines and strokes get sloppy. Progress has been made.

Magazine assignment progress

Amelia is coming to life. Saw the movie last night. Good for color reference as all of the historical photos are black and white. I liked the movie, it was true to the period of time. And, who knew that Eleanor Roosevelt went flying with Amelia (as copilot) at night after an event while the others were in the back of the plane drinking champagne? Is it true or just Hollywood?

Still lots to do on this piece. Leaving for MFA classes in Pasadena on Saturday. Must have this complete for crit on Monday. Better get to work!

Maine and thesis photo reference

In early September I spent a week in Maine at a 100 year-old cottage that I won in a silent auction at a local fundraiser. The area north of Freeport, between Brunswick and Rockland, has many peninsulas reaching south into the cold Atlantic Ocean. South of Damariscotta, straight down on Rt. 129 at a place called Christmas Cove, this cottage sits on a rock facing east to Johns Bay. In the distance, a view of Pemiquid Point and beyond that, the famous Monhegan Island. The sunrise with coffee (and a heavy sweater) on the screened-in porch was both serene and energizing all at once.

On this peninsula of Bristol, at Hatchtown Farm, live Pam and Jim Child. Check out their web site. They came from New Jersey in 1993 to make their hobbies into their livelihood. Sustainability and good husbandry practices are top priorities on their farm. They raise Coopworth sheep, pigs and a variety of heritage breed chickens that lay the most beautiful eggs in tones of light blue and peachy beige. It was here a few years back in their fiber studio that I bought my first sheep fleece to learn how to spin on my new Louet spinning wheel.

On this visit with friends, we toured the farm and learned more about the many hours of hard work and dedication it takes to run a small farm. I took many new pictures to use as reference for my thesis project.