Illustration Friday: Intention

Hansel & Gretel's intentions were good, they were only hungry and didn't think they were damaging the old woman's house.

For the past 12 weeks I've been working on the illustrations for the story "Pollyanna". It's not the exact storyline of the Disney classic we all know and love, but a shorter version created for early readers. It is a small chapter book featuring 11 illustrations done by yours truely!


I don't know how much I can really share, but I figured a small sampling wouldn't hurt. It was an exciting project, and though it sucked up every spare minute aside from my 9-5, I really enjoyed it. Thanks to my fabulous models for helping me with photo references! You guys are great!

Painting on a deadline...

I skipped two whole months of blogging! No excuses! Okay, just one.... I've been busy. Though there has been a lack of posting, there has not been a lack of painting. Most exciting of news, I'm now represented by Wendy Lynn & Co. Check out my portfolio on their website.I'll have new posts soon, my deadline is coming up and hopefully I'll be able to share some of what I've been working on. I was very excited to get a illustration job soon after signing with them. I'm excited at the chance to expand my portfolio and share my talent.

My Nephew's Baptism

My lovely sister-in-law asked me to design an invitation/announcement for her son's baptism coming up next month. I'm pleased with how my little illustration turned out. It's got enough likeness of my nephew. He's actually a pretty good little artist himself and he's been asking me while he's in town to do another "art lesson". We're headed to Colorado for the weekend and a Rockies game on Monday - so I'll get these printed for them before we head out. If anyone cares to know, Office Max actually has a good printing department and very inexpensive. I like to print on their white or creme linen paper then stack onto another piece of colored cardstock for simple invitations like this.

Summer Lovin

I love summer! One of my favorite things about summer is Bear Lake. We were able to spend part of the 4th of July weekend at my grandparent's cabin. It's such a great time there! We love the beach and the blue water! This is a couple of paintings that I did to celebrate my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary a few years ago.

I wrote this poem to go along with it - I love my family, grateful for all of them!

Raspberry Love
By Calista Johnson

Love is like a raspberry patch,
It’s planted with great care.
Where and when it’s made or grown
Depends on what is there...

Make sure it’s placed in fertile soil
And watered day by day;
Nourished there by every drop
In all we do and say,

Weeding out the thistles
And looking past the thorns,
If the bush is tended to,
Ne’er we’ll be forlorn.

At times it’s hard and you may fear
It’s just not worth the fight;
Constant care and pruning,
There seems no end in sight.

But it’s worth the pricks, it’s worth the scrapes,
It’s worth the scratches too.
The least of all your worries
Is the mud smeared on your shoes!

For the harvest has come, the fruit is ripe,
Its sweet promise has been kept.
The rewards are greater than the cost
Of trials we’ve overstepped.

And now, as with each passing year,
The branches fall away,
Becoming mulch for new plants to grow
In the moist earth where they lay.

The process never ends you see,
It takes all you’ve got!
But rewardless and unfruitful
Are a couple things it’s not!

Love is like a raspberry patch,
It’s the product of devotion.
So, for you, our family dear,
We hold with fond emotion.

Realistic Style

Here's a look at some of my more realistic style illustrations.

Shadows

Illustration Friday's theme this past week is "Shadows". This was just a quick sketch with a tiny splash of color. Maybe one day it will be a full illustration - but I've been slacking lately with the new excitement of my website & all, so I wanted to get something up, even if it is last minute.