Roots to Grow and Wings to Fly

Playing with paper cutouts, thinking of the fleeting time we have with our children: 

Floating Girl made the 52 Week Challenge picks of the week!

I am thrilled to have my latest illustration "Watching the Clouds go by" included in the fantastic 52 Week Challenge picks for the theme Holiday!

http://illo52weeks.blogspot.com.au/2016/09/joannes-picks-week-37-holiday.html?m=1

Floating Girl: Playing with Photoshop, layers, and paper cut outs, and Illustration

Floating Girl: Playing with Photoshop, layers, and paper cut outs, and illustration

Watercolor, pencil, paper cut out, edited Photoshop

On our last Holiday we went to the gulf of Mexico, floated on our backs with our sunglasses on, and watched the clouds drift by.

Father illustration for the 52 Week Challenge

Father 

For over a year now I have been participating in the 52-week challenge. It is a great way to gain inspiration and it is a fantastic community of illustrators. I was very excited to have my image included in this weeks picks for "Father". 

Living in Southern Alabama I have learned that summers are long and hot, but a nap in the shade with a cool drink make for a relaxing summers afternoon! 

Using iPad and Procreate to Paint

I have been wondering if I should go ahead and buy a professional digital drawing pad like the Wacom Cintiq.

I have been trying out digital illustration on my iPad using Procreate to see if I like the feel of it. I love the ease of making corrections and changing color palettes. Layers are fantastic, and the never ending color choices are so much fun!

My hesitation to buy a Wacom is due to the price, but I think if I go for it, I will be much faster in my illustrations, and can get working on a comic strip that I have been thinking of...and so much more. 

Here is a pencil drawing on a manila envelope that I completed in my four hour wait for a new drivers licence at the DMV. At least I had access to a pen and something to draw on! Isn't it funny how little sketches can inspire! I had to see if I could make something more of it with Procreate. 

Spring is officially here! Painting flowers is so relaxing! Gearing up to finish writing and illustrating a book dummy!

My best friend just completed the Napa Valley Marathon! Made her a little memory painting! I like to use Photoshop for paper layering but sometimes it is fun to do it the old fashioned way!

A little bit of imagination goes a long way!

Deciding which text goes better with the image! 

Playing with different backgrounds.

Boy do different backgrounds make a difference! Using a layered paper cut out style for these:

I think this one is my favorite:

My latest illustrations have been published, and are selling out!

The author says her new children's book that I illustrated is selling out! More are on their way!