My dear friend, Leeza, invited me to join her in New Jersey last weekend for the first annual Illustrator day. Not only did Leeza arrange the entire shindig from the schedule, the two reviews by two art directors, the awesome name tags and handouts but she also invited me to stay with her at her lovely house in the woods and picked me up from the train station (with the cutest assistant).

It was an awesome event. Laurent Linn and Patrick Collins were the art directors. Both were gracious and kind but also honest. They both said the same thing about my work so I now definitely know what I need to do to improve my portfolio. (Want to know? Ok I'll tell you. The secret seems to be my line work. Sometimes it shines, sometimes it clunks. I need to really make it varied and work in every piece. I also need to only saturate some colors of my paintings.)

Below I have posted the before and after sketches from one of the stories. The passage I chose was about a young bear crossing a frozen frozen pond for the first time. I submitted the first image to Laurent Linn, who suggested a few things; make the bear smaller, change his expression and make the scarf more float-y. I accomplished some of them in my second drawing. (I should have made the fox bigger and not added the tree. )

This conference was the inspiration I needed. Also, just being around Leeza is an inspiration in itself. This lady does everything. She has found her awesome new style and is rocking her career from all angles. I was just in constant awe at her energy level.





(I don't have my final color piece)

I have finally put my etsy shop back online. I have a few new prints up (new border above) but will add some small originals soon.

Have a look at: pippinsart.etsy.com

Happy Halloween!

Now that I'm this close to the 2nd trimester, I am really trying to focus on my illustration. After the twins are here, I don't know if I'll be able to produce anything but googly photos for a few months. So, I want to produce at least a few new illos before then. One definete source of inspiration has been an upcoming deadline. On November the 9th, I will be joining the lovely Leeza at the New Jersey Illustrator's Day. It looks like an awesome event, jam packed with useful info. The best part is that we are creating an actual illo based off a story that is critiqued by a real live art director! I've already received the critique of my sketch and I agree with everything. Now I just have to work on the final painting. The sketch above is a small piece from my drawing. I'll share the final work after the event.

Cool Stuff!

First off, I want to thank all of you for the lovely comments and e-mails I have recieved the past few weeks. I haven't responded because we have been on pins and needles around here. But, I am breathing a little easier and am pleased to anoounce that I am 12 and a half weeks pregnant.

with twins.

Yep, twins. wow. It was a big surprise. My grandfather was a fraternal twin so it does run in the family. The hubby and I are excited and a teeny bit scared but very happy.

I have been laying low lately, but hope to soon re-join the illustration blogging world.

I plan on re-opening my etsy shop too so be on the lookout for that too.

whew.