Rozzie Land

Friday Five on Saturday

Hello, friends. I'm sorry for the lack of posting. A few of you have been asking where I am and if I'm okay. I am. Summer has just taken over and I feel like I'm trying to play catch up more than anything. =o) When the kids are back in school, I should hopefully be a better blogger. (I do post weekly at the PBJ blog and try to follow friends at facebook and twitter so if you are there, please look me up). 

Here is a "Friday Five" to catch up a little:

1. One main reason I haven't been blogging as much is that I've been making my health goals a priority. Guess what? I have lost 20 pounds so far. If people tell you that losing the weight will not make you happy, they are wrong. I am ecstatic! I am feeling more and more like my authentic self with every passing day.   

 

 

2. Speaking of health and wellness, I am so excited about a project that I was just offered. Dover Publishing asked if I would be interested in doing another book like my "Science Around the House" (coming out in Sept.) .  This one will focus on making healthy eating fun for kids. How serendipitous is that? Deadline is December so I have my hands full. 80 pages.

 

Portion of one of the samples for proposal.

 

3. This summer, gratefully, I did have work come my way. It was mostly educational so a lot of b&w. I did a book for Flying Frog Press which was also in b&w but will be colored digitally in-house. I am anxious to see how it turned out. =o)

 

 

4. Because of that, I have really let my color work go this summer. I haven't done anything new since the Santa pieces I did in the Spring. Here are some sketches I have on my table waiting to be colored. I did these for a friends son who loves all things military. I don't have much geared to boys in my portfolio so I'm anxious to get these in there. 

click to enlarge 

 

5. Summer movies... I haven't been as often as I would have liked. I missed out on Toy Story 3 and Shrek Forever After. I did catch Eclipse and Inception, though, and enjoyed both! 

Speaking of the Twilight series, the sound track to Eclipse is awesome. It is nearly as good as the first one and definitely stronger than the second one. Moody and ethereal quality to it.  One of my favorites...

So that's about it. Summer is nearly over and it has been a good one. Kids start back to school on August 12th ( I know, insanely early) so I'm going to try and savor these last couple of weeks of sleeping in. 

 Happy summer all.

Santa Samples

Happy Friday everyone!  

This week, I worked up some Santa Illustrations for a potential project. This happens quite a lot . There will be a request from a publisher to see samples reflecting a certain theme and your agent sends samples from his/her stable of artists. I wanted to be included in this submission so I had to get these completed quickly. 

They are a bit different from my typical style. I omitted the stitching in hopes that it would help them look a tad older. Plus, it was quicker...and just plain fun. =o) 

(click to enlarge)

 

 

 

   

Dec 5th - Science at home book done!

Break open the bubbly, I officially inked in my last sketch last night! I have been working on this book since the summer and as much as I have enjoyed it, I'm so thrilled to be finished. 

I had to create 75 pages of science projects that kids can do at home. Here is a snippet from one of the pages. It was fun researching and trying to figure out the best way to illustrate, provide directions and the scientific content. I think I spent more time researching which projects to use for the book than creating the actual pages. What a challenge but I think probably the most fun I've ever had on a project.

So now I'll get all the files together and ship out on Monday to the publisher.

Touch n Feel Covers

  

These haven't had the tactile elements added yet but I wanted to show what the touch n' feel books are going to look like. They come out in the Spring.

Shoulder Pain

Just a quickie post to say I'm still working away here. The summer was a blur with the kids starting school the end of last week. When I was in school,  we started after labor day. This just seems way too early to be going back. Aw well.

Illustration work is clicking along.  One job that was only supposed to be a 3 page brochure turned into 9 pages which added to the workload considerably. That along with a tight deadline for 4 board books, I am working around the clock  which is doing a number on my shoulders.  I mean, I am in excruciating pain here.  I'm not sure how to remedy it because I am so focused on getting this work turned in asap. I think I have about another week before I can take a break from the computer.

Anyone else experience this shoulder muscle pain?

The GREAT news ,however, is that my new wacom tablet has been invaluable. I never dreamed that I would be using the pen so much.  I thought it would hurt my wrist but the opposite has happened. I can go for hours and hours vs using a mouse. Thankful for that!

Okay, back to it. Happy illustrating everyone.

* Thanks so much everyone for the wonderful suggestions on relieving the pain. I  got some Aleve and it has definitely taken the edge off for now.

Highlights High 5 - August

Sorry I have been so absent. Ever since returning from our trip to Vegas, I've been trying to keep up with a couple of summer deadlines. Getting there. =o)  I'll share more when I can. 

But I do finally have something that I can show! I'm in the August edition of Highlights High Five.  Click to view larger. 

This was a lot of fun to create and I think the busiest piece I've done so far. I hope they hire me again.

Okay back to it. 

Working away...

Sorry to be so absent. I have a quick turnaround on the sketches for these board books. Juggling that with day to day living has left little time for much else. 

Above are the thumbs for book three. I feel comfortable showing them because they will probably change a lot when I go to final sketch phase. This was just the first attempt at potential ideas. Now, it's time for book 4 thumbs and then I'll move on to making them all legible.

I'm working on all four at the same time because I want to make sure that I don't repeat tactile elements. 

Fun stuff!

The Power of the Dummy

If you're slaving away on a dummy book, keep at it, it's worth it. Unfortunately, I'm not writing to celebrate a sale but I do have some good news.  

The illo above is a finish from a dummy book that was recently submitted to a publisher looking for board book ideas. It piqued the interest of an editor but ultimately, the publisher passed. However, they did offer me a series of touch 'n  feel board books to illustrate so I'm pretty thrilled. 

So again, keep working on your dummy books, you just never know what opportunities it may bring your way. And as for this little dummy book...back out it goes to see if it can find a home. =o)

dummy book art revamped

I'm getting ready to re send my little dummy book out into the world. I wanted to revamp the final art samples to reflect my new style. I mentioned this over at Twitter and said I would share it, so here it is. Click to view larger.

Here is the original felt version:

and here is the updated one:

I have given up the desire to make the new style look exactly like the original felt. I was stressing myself out too much with it and realized that it was defeating the purpose of... less stress. 

I'm often asked why I transitioned to digital and there are many reasons. Number one, it's a lot of fun! I have way more freedom now and I look forward to experimenting and exploring. Now, I can try several color or pattern scenarios without having to commit. 

Another major reason is it's much easier to meet deadlines. Over the years, I've noticed more and more that publishers are wanting changes to the final art. This was challenging with my traditional pieces. Often, it meant completely starting over, even if it was a minor (to them) change. 

Artist's starting out that work in textiles ask me if I think they should work digitally. My answer is no. Not if you truly love what you do and it's your form of expression. There is nothing like the look of traditional fabrics and stitching. I still love its natural, organic quality.  

I just particularly enjoy working on the computer.  If you move to digital just because you think you "should", you'll be unhappy.

A year in review

Hi all. Happy New Year!  I hope it brings you all of your hearts desires.

Another post to come on my hopes for 2009 but for now, here is a year in review via illustrations...

January
Educational poster - Denardo Designs

 

 

February
Published in Feb. issue of Highlights Magazine

 

Decide to finally take the plunge and learn Adobe Illustrator. First piece.

 

 

March
Last piece this year created traditionally.

 

 

April
Published in April issue of Highlights Magazine.

May
After much experimenting, I develop a digital style I can call my own.
Created with pen tool in photoshop after learning how to use it in Illustrator.

 

 

June
Postcard created for local scbwi get together.

 

July
More digi-felt experimentation.

 

August
First assignment created with my new style.
EEC International

 

September
Educational Poster - Denardo Designs.

  

October
Mock up covers for my first books that can be found on Amazon or in bookstores!
Pub date June O9.

 

November
First piece created after our move from Las Vegas to Scott AFB, IL.

December
Final assignment for 2008. From a "fold and go" book for, Elements Publishing.

 That was harder to compile than I thought!

 

Highlights- kite puzzle

Here is a puzzle that is included in this month's HIGHLIGHT'S MAGAZINE.
If you go to the back of the magazine, it's with the puzzles and games.

Kids figure out which kite is which depending on the clues given.

Highlights Puzzler -March 08

For the March 08 issue of Highlights Magazine, I was asked to illustrate a "picture puzzler".This was probably the most challenging assignment and the most rewarding.
Before tackling the 3-D elements,  I had several go rounds before I got the sketch right.

Sketch # 1


Not busy enough and too young.

Sketch # 2

Better but the bugs look too generic. They need to be more recognizable and anatomically correct.
Ants climbing leaf are not proportional to the rest of the design.

Sketch # 3

Ladybugs still don't look enough like ladybugs and composition needs to be busier in the background. Remove the wing-like arms from catepillar.

Sketch # 4

ACCEPTED!  The only change was to remove the spider hanging off the fishing pole and add more flies.

Here is the finished art. I ended up using a lot of fabric to help incorporate all the details.

I hope I get to do another one!

* I have had a heck of a time with typepad lately. All of my images come out disproportioned and when you click on the thumbnail the enlarged version is blurry. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.

Back to school- back to work

Now that the kids and I seem to be settling back into the school routine and Lily is getting into a schedule, it's time to get back to work. Thankfully, an assignment has come along to help get the wheels turning.
It's for Highlights Magazine and I'm super excited about it. I get to draw one of my favorite things...cute BUGS.

Wish I could show you more but I'm afraid it will have to wait until publication which is not until the new year.

Check out my other "back to school" post at the the pbj's.

Babies Finished

I had a lot of fun with these! I'm going to have to rethink bright yellow fabric for backgrounds in future.
To the naked eye it looked fine after a few rollovers with lint tape. But after it was scanned, Vals hair was all over the place! Serves me right for leaving the bags of fabric on the floor for too long, huh.

WIP- babies cont'd

Still working on babies for my portfolio. Since I had several illustrations I wanted to finish, it was easier to do some of the steps together on multiple illos. I don't know if it's quicker or not but it feels like it is. These are all at a place where I need to start adding stitches. Now, I'll finish each one by one.

I hope to have these done by Monday.

WIP- Beach Baby

Working on some baby illustrations to add to the portfolio.

Polka Dots

I'm working on an assignment for High Five Magazine (yay!). These fabrics were bought to experiment with an idea I have. Hopefully it will work but if not I'm sure I'll be able to find a use for them somewhere else. Needless to say 75% of what is pictured here I don't actually need for the assignment. =o)

Commissioned Piece

So often I get caught up with the whole 'being published'  scenario and striving, striving, striving to reach each self imposed benchmark. Whether you're an established illustrator or trying to get your foot in the door, it can be a frustrating journey on many levels. Right?

And then you receive something like this in the mail and it reminds you of why you do what you do.

This is what it's all about. Look at this face, isn't she precious?  This is Emily and her mom recently commissioned me to create three 8 x10 original illustrations for Emily's room.

Emily, I hope you enjoy your pictures , sweetie!

Explore- Cut Paper

Before Christmas an educational publisher that likes my felt style asked if I also did "cut paper".  I told them that I didn't but would be happy to give it a try.

So in keeping with my 2007 theme of "explore" here is my first attempt at a cut paper piece. I'm going to hurry up and show you before I pick it to death and decide I don't like it. =o)

I had a lot of fun with this once I approached it the same way I would felt.

PS
Thank you,Theresa, for recommending "Yes" glue. It's fabulous!!

Months Of The Year

Some time ago I mentioned that I was working on an educational book for Creative Teaching Press. Well, it's now available! This book is one in a series that accompanies a children's music CD (Greg & Steve)
Because I'm impatient, I went ahead and ordered myself one (does anyone else do that?) since I haven't received my complimentary copy yet.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out, especially since it's the first time I have ever sent the original art to be scanned in house. Plus, I was anxious to see how it would look when they added photos of the musicians to it.

This is how the artwork looked before...

And after...

Neat huh!

The only thing I'm bummed about - and forgive me for sounding ungrateful - I thought this series would be available on amazon.com but as far as I can tell, it isn't. Drat.
I'm hoping this will be my year to achieve that goal!

Another High 5 Sighting

I just want to say a big thank you to my buddy, Garth, for sending me these pics that he captured on his cell phone while attending the NAEYC (National Association for the
Education of Young Children) show in Atlanta this weekend.

Garth, the next time you are in town, I'm buying lunch ,okay?  =o)

(Art Director Kelley Cunningham. Isn't she beautiful?)

High Five Spotting

I was absolutely giddy when I saw this today. Thank you so much, Sheri, for the heads up!
This is a picture on the Highlights Magazine website promoting their new magazine coming out in December. (I did the cover)

=o))

Done!

This past week I finished up the last of the work that I was assigned early in the summer. Phew! I feel like a weight has been lifted. But I also feel absolutely drained too. I kept thinking how wonderful it would be to get finished so that I could begin working on some of my own story dummies. I could deep clean the house and declutter the closets. I could even work on some holiday decorating!

But what am I doing? Putt, putt, puttering the days away.

oh well.

=o)

The Gentle Cow

Here is a poem I illustrated for this months edition of "Click!" Magazine (September).

Guess what? I am currently illustrating the very same poem for another publisher. What are the odds! I just hope the author likes my style since she is having to see her cute poem illustrated in felt again.

I'm really enjoying the experience of getting to illustrate this poem twice.The new illustration is pretty different from the first and I will share it once it's published. Here is a portion of the sketch until then.

CWIM 2007

My copy of the CWIM 2007 arrived today and it's wonderful. I was so excited to see an article about board books this year! Very inspiring.

Editor of CWIM , Alice Pope now has a blog of her own, yay!  http://cwim.blogspot.com/

Also, I'm proud to say that I have an article in the cwim 2007 about blogging that I hope readers will enjoy. I want to thank you all again,bloggers, who took the time to answer my survey. It really helped me pull the article together, you're the best!

High Five!

While surfing the web I found  Highlights Magazine has started promoting their new mag,"High Five" for their younger readers.

This is the cover I did. Pinch me! I still can't believe I had this opportunity. What fun!

The magazine will be available in stores, January 2007.

Here's the original:

Keeping busy

I want to thank all my blogging buddies for your encouraging words of support through this difficult time for our family. My father in law will be dearly missed and this is going to be a sad transition without him here.
Hubby and my oldest flew back for the service so while they were away I tried to keep myself busy with some work.

I'm working on two books right now.

One is an educational songbook about the months of the year.I finished the cover over the weekend and now working on interior sketches. They are going to incorporate the musicians(photos)into the picture. I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Here is a snippet of the cover. I'll post the entire page once it's published.

The second book I'm working on is for another educational publisher about a pet hen named Jess. Like I mentioned, I got these assignments on my birthday and guess what my oldest sons first name is? Jesse! I love that.

Sketches are being reviewed at this point so not very far on that one yet.
In celebration of the job,though, I picked up this cute little watering can at a Cracker Barrel on the trip home from Mississippi. I think he works better holding flowers rather than watering them!

June- Ladybug Magazine

My copies of the June edition of Ladybug Magazine arrived in the mail this week.
I'm so relieved at how the print job came out! I sent them a digital file and was anxious to see if the artwork reproduced the same as it did at home. Thankfully it did! I feel much more confident about the files I'm sending now, phew!

Needle Felting

Here is a portion of an illustration I just finished for a client.

Months ago I ordered a needle felt kit to make a duck . Unfortunately, I still haven't made time to make him but the tools from the kit came in really handy! I am so happy with this little chap and he was so fun to make!

If you are interested in learning more about needle felting, check out Marieke's blog Wol En Zo. She makes the cutest little characters and has a couple of tutorials up as well. Very Inspirational!

High Five!

Received a very exciting assignment this week. Highlights Magazine is launching a new magazine for toddlers called, "High Five" and they have asked me to illustrate a cover!! I'm still "gobsmacked" over the opportunity!

I'm really going to explore with this piece. I want to incorporate a lot of embellishments and tactile elements. Time to have fun and play.

Also received an interesting assignment from Girl Guiding, the UK girl scouts. I'll be illustrating a spread for their Brownie annual.

Anyway, that's the scoop....If anyone tells you that you can't be paid doing something you love...well they're wrong. Dreams really do come true.

Click Magazine

HEY! I got an assignment today with Click Magazine (carus publishing)! I'll be illustrating a one page poem.
I am very very excited!!

I'm reminded of how literal editors/AD's are. Be sure to have illustrations in your portfolio that you enjoy drawing because that is what you will be assigned.
Note to self:
Add more puppies and babies to your portfolio.  =o))

kill fee

Well, I have experienced my first "kill fee" situation!

I have been doing some little booklets for an educational publisher and these were the sketches for the most recent one. I just got word today that they accidentally assigned the story to two illustrators. Since I was the second person assigned, they have gone with the first illustrator. You know how it goes..."last one hired, first one fired". What a bummer.

But the good news is I will receive half of what I would have been paid due to the "kill fee" clause in the contract. I like that!
I think I'm going to ink these in anyway. I need some more b&w pieces in my portfolio.

Good news!

I have been trying to keep quiet until I'm officially on her website but I give up, I'm too excited.
I have an illustration rep!

We have been chatting back and forth for the past couple of weeks and I'm thrilled to say we are in the process of signing contracts and planning a marketing strategy.

I can't say enough good things about Janet , she is so warm, professional and encouraging...everything that I have been hoping to find in a rep.  I am really looking forward to working with her and hope it is viable for the both of us!

Back to work

Okay, it's time to get back to work and I'm thrilled to be writing that I'm busy! Busy with illustration work.

Recently, I told you about the "Ladybug Mag" assignment. My sketch has been approved and I'll be finishing it with felt. The only change request was to make the flowers in the grass larger. yay!

I turned in my article about blogging this week and the editor was happy with it. Oh man, what a challenge. The editor had asked for it to be 2500 words. Yikes. I am amazed at my writing buddies who actually write this amount daily!  I want to thank you all again for the time you took answering my questions about your own blogging experiences. It helped so much.

Right before Christmas I received an assignment for a 'pull out' book for an educational publisher where I had to draw bobcats. I turned in the sketches yesterday and just waiting now for the okay to go to finish. But I must have done something right because they've assigned me with another short story and the sketches are due on monday.  This one will be about a duck playing in a mud puddle, how fun is that!
These will be finished in black ink line.

Yes, I am a very happy lady. Tired but happy.  The kids and hubby have been very understanding about the house being in disarray for the past several days. Actually,I think they love it because I haven't had time to pester anyone about picking up behind themselves.   I think "deadline mommy" is much more fun to live with than "anal mommy"!

Update- I'm not afraid of needles

I just wanted to share with you an update on "I'm Not Afraid Of Needles", a book I had the pleasure of illustrating last year.

This book was written by Kelly Tucker who has a child with a rare blood disorder and it is distributed in hospitals to help other children with their fear of needles. (Go here to read more about them on my blog)

Skyler, I am so proud of you! You are making such a big difference in this world and you are such a neat girl. YAY SKYLER!

Here is a link to the tv broadcast that Skyler and her mom did just recently.

For more info on the book, please visit www.kidstalkmag.com

Mooving right along...

Finished!

Now the next step is to have this turned into a postcard with my new contact info on the back. I think I'm going to give vista print a try.  You don't have to order a large bulk to get an affordable rate.  I've had a couple of friends use them with positive results so fingers crossed. 

* If anyone reading this has tried them and had bad results please let me know. Thanks!*

Mooving slowly

ACHOO!  Sleepless nights and felt flying out of place every time I sneeze has slowed me down a wee bit! Oh man, Emily's nasty cold has spread like wildfire in our household so not much to report this week. I am still hopeful that I will have this illustration done by the weekend. I am loving this holland wool felt. Thinner than other felts and not so messy. Wish it wasn't so pricey. But it's worth it.

Actually, I've made major headway on the ol' blog article I'm writing. I think it's pretty much done so I'm going to hide it away for a week and read it with fresh eyes to continue tweaking and editing. I'm a bit scared what I might find when I get back to it,though. I've been writing under the influence of powerful sinus meds so it may read more like a story with elves and faeries than about the blogging experience!

new promo sketch

Rough sketch for my next promotional postcard. Very cliche with the "moooved" but I love cows.

LadyBug Magazine

I just received an illustration assignment from LadyBug Magazine. It will be for the June edition.  I am so excited and can't wait to get started on it. LB Mag was on my dream list of publishers. I think I got my christmas present early this year!

BLOG ARTICLE!!

Hi all,

I'm very excited to tell you that I was notified this week that a writing proposal of mine was accepted.  I will be writing an article for the 2007 Children's Writers & Illustrators Market Book about BLOGS and how authors and illustrators can benefit from having one.

I have a survey that I would very much appreciate other bloggers filling out. Please email me at [email protected] for the questionaiire if you are interested in participating.

Look forward to hearing from you!

PS Even if you are not an illustrator or author I would love to hear from you and how your blogging experience has been. Thanks!

Emma Felt Update #2

Recently I posted that Emma Felt had found a literary/art agent. I have finally finished the two new finished illustrations to go along with my revamped dummy book and it's ready to go out the door. Wish us luck!

(For more about Dummies, here is a great article on yellapallooza.com)

Here is a shot during the "fiddle phase" of one of the two finals. This is the part of the process I dislike the most because the pieces are SO very fiddly and more often than not I was too ambitious with the detail. 

But after some fiddling and procrastination (ie: hey let's take pictures for the blog!), it starts to come together. I learn something new with each piece I do. This one, I learned that I really enjoy using muslin as a background.

OH! And I wanted to also show you all a new addition to my collection of timers.  Isn't this cute? It actually rings like a phone when time is up.

Update On Emma Felt

With all that has been going on, I haven't made the time to tell you the news! Emma Felt has found a literary agent ! I'm tickled to bits and I'm finishing up some final details.

Emma is going through a little bit of a makeover. She will be sporting braids instead of curls. I've worked on the sketches to reflect that, and I'm really happy with the results.

Wish us luck! I'll keep you posted.

*** "Emma Felt..." is a board book concept that I have written and illustrated. I initially sent a dummy with two finished colors samples from the story. I also sent her samples from my illustration portfolio to get a good feel of my style. My dream may become a reality yet!"***

Boysquest -Baseball Saul

Several weeks ago I shared the sketches for an assignment for "boysquest magazine". My complimentary copy came in the mail this week which means this edition of the magazine is at bookstores now. My art is on the right.( I sent in b&w line art and then their graphic designer colored it in digitally.)

HS/BQ

  I received my copies of "Hopscotch" and "Boysquest" this week. These are produced by the same company and are on newstands now.

Here are the pages I illustrated. I'm usually hired to illustrate one page poems. The one on the right is actually a reprint. I had initially been hired to do it for Hopscotch so the character in the back was a girl the first time around with pigtails. Since they published it for "Boysquest", they removed the hair to make the 'her' look like a 'him'. teehee

Not Afraid Of Needles

I'm nearing the homestretch on a project that I have been working on for the last several weeks.  I've been assigned to illustrate a story about a child dealing with a blood disorder.  This book will be distributed in hospitals here in Texas with the hope that it will encourage other families that are going through a similar situation. 

Have any of you seen or read , " Because of Win Dixie" ?  The mc asks her father to give her 10 facts about her mom that she can memorize and never forget.   I loved that idea and requested something similar from the author to help me bring life to the main character of , "needles". 

So , with the editor and authors permission, here are the statements that were shared with me. I want to introduce you to Skyler, a beautiful little girl that is going to help many families in the future.  Way to go, Skyler!

*Skyler loves to play doctor, play Barbies, sing and dance (she makes up her on moves and her own songs).

*She loves cheese and yogurt. She just lost her first tooth yesterday and was so excited! She almost couldn't sleep in anticipation for the tooth fairy.

*She keeps her own pretend diaries and journals, sometimes with just scribbles and pictures that she has drawn.

*She hates it when her platelet count is down and she can't play outside at recess with her classmates. She has to sit on the sidewalk beside the teacher and watch. Also, when her count is very low, I won't let her stay the night with her best friend who is also her cousin, Chelsey.

*She loves to ride her bicycle (without training wheels) but she must wear her pink helmet in case of a fall and can only ride it if her count is in the safe zone.

*She enjoys playing barbie.com on the computer. She is unusually good at board games and charades (hardly ever cheats!).

*She loves to talk about Jesus and wants everyone to know how great He is.

*She feels very special because she gets so much attention. She is friends with everyone. She laughs a lot and really, under the circumstances, never complains.