My Posters in Bus Shelters!

In the winter, I was asked to do an illustration of a flapper girl for a poster of an upcoming Shakespeare play. It was a super fun project. Then, a few weeks ago I was told that the poster was going to be displayed in bus stop shelters around the city! I couldn't believe it! Last weekend we drove around town looking for them, which was quite a thrill. :)

IF: Cocoon

Textures

As the daughter of a computer engineer, I grew up around a lot of computers.  I loved drawing on the computer with a mouse as a kid, because it made me feel really cool (in that "budding art geek" sort of way.)  But, as my training as an artist developed, I realized that I also have a strong love of tactile materials in art.  While I admired ultra-polished digital art, I also swooned over canvas paintings that were thick with paint, texture, and collage elements.

I think my current style is starting to reflect both of these two admirations.  I love Painter 11 on my Mac for its versatility as a digital tool, but also for its enormous library of simulated art materials (especially the pastels!).  In my latest work I have been creating textures with traditional paint mediums, then scanning them and incorporating those textures into my digital pieces.

For example, this is the texture I created for the cereal O's for my "IF: Rescue" piece:

  
And this is the earth texture for "IF: Subterranean":

I love painting these textures and have a few that I did "just for fun", like this one:

Happy painting, everyone!

IF: Dip

I thought I'd post the sketch this week. The girl was angrier in the sketch but I decided that realistically, she would be a little envious of her little brother, so I softened her expression in the finished piece.  I doodled the sketch directly in Painter (using a baby blue canvas) and worked directly over the sketch to make the finished painting. 

IF: Rescue

The Ladies of Carousel Theatre

Now that the announcement has been made, I can talk a little bit more about what kept me busy for February and March.  I have been working with Carousel Theatre for Young People here in Vancouver to create the posters and promotional images for their 2010/2011 season.  They are taking on five major mainstage productions beginning this fall.  I have been a fan of their productions over the years and am excited for the upcoming season! 

The above pics were done for the director and managers of the theatre, to be used various brochures.  Artistic and Managing Director Carole Higgins gets a crown, of course! 

It was a delight to work with Carousel and I am so excited to see the shows.  If you're in the area, I highly recommend their productions!

IF: Expired

3 things are expired: an afternoon without a nap, her dad's patience, and her sugar buzz.