Instagram - @caliwardart

I'm horrible at updating this blog. I will probably update it more when my kids are in school or I have more computer time to myself in the daylight. I'm a nocturnal illustrator and a diurnal (a word I learned from "Wild Kratts" or "Go Diego Go") mommy of two very active boys.

But - If you would like to see current personal work or just an artistic update from me on the regular, follow my Instagram account. Search "caliwardart"  - @caliwardart. It is my social media of choice and I love to interact with fellow artists and potential clients there. Not too many followers yet... I think I'm going to do a portrait giveaway while I don't have any illustrations jobs on the table... COMING 2016!

ABC's with Jakee

Time again to show what I've been doing during my part time gig.... Mother being my full time occupation that gives me all the joy, love, frustration, irritation, tests of patience, and complete fulfillment all rolled into one. In May I was approached through avenues of Wendy Lynn & Co. to illustrate a book for a young couple and their one year old son. "Jakee" was the star of the book and is featured in this 32 page picture book with every letter of the alphabet doing his favorite thing that coordinates with that letter.  It's a very special book for a very special boy. His parents are going to pursue publishing, and I will be very excited to let people know if and when they can get their copies.

So, it's been a while...

It's been a while, but I've been working hard, mostly as a mother, but as a late night illustrator too. I love the projects that I've been blessed to work on over the past year. Two books, no publishers, a bit of money, but a lot of fun.

This project was seriously fun. It is the product of a lot of work and collaboration with Marty Nemko, the author. It is still in the process of finding the right publisher. Hoping it will see print in the bear future.

This is the current book I'm working on, and this is only a sneak peak of what I'm doing.

This book is nearing completion. I've had the cutest model to work with and love the process of working with the sweet couple from Ohio and painting their little boy.

Fa-la-la! La-la-la, la-la-la!

Merry Christmas!!! 

Tis the season! I have been so very blessed this year, there are many reasons to sing!

Sad...

Sad that my blog has been neglected for over a year now.  The life of a mom is a busy one.  Not spending every spare second I have drawing gives me illustrator-guilt. Not cleaning and meal planning and exercising gives me wife-guilt. And wanting my, now plural, children to take synchronized naps, go to bed early, and play by themselves gives me Mom-Guilt!!!

I have a new exciting job in the works, so hopefully it spures some creativity and beautiful images. I am hoping also that my brand new 27" beauty in front of me encourages me to blog more.  I think I need to delete my family blog... that only adds more stress and guilt.

Story time.... or not

So, I just want to start out by saying that this illustration was inspired by a sweet little story by Jill Miller, of St. Anthony.  She was looking for an illustrator and contacted me, but went another way. Unfortunately, I won't be doing the illustrations for her book, but I was fortunate enough to read the story and I couldn't get this character out of my head.  I'd drawn a rough sketch before finding out that the job was not mine, and I felt like I just needed to get it out of my system.  This was an ink sketch that I through some water color on top of and then messed around on my iPad today in SketchPro. Looking at it now, I'd do more if it was a commissioned piece, but today it was just for fun.

Thanks Jill for inspiring a cute little drawing.  Good luck with your book!  I think the story is adorable! 

This is one of my favorites from my latest job.  It is exciting to be working as a freelance illustrator.  It comes with deadlines, late nights, and plenty of trips to grandmas' houses to help with the muchkin, but so worth the satisfactions once finished.  Tight deadlines can drive a person crazy, some pieces get more time than others, so in turn, some are rushed and you can fuss and fuss over little things, but sometimes you just have to let it be. 

I really need to update my website. Maybe I can do that now that I have finished this job.