December Lights

It’s December! I missed a month but that’s not so uncommon these days. ;)

How are you all? It seems like everyone decorated early this year. Perhaps we were ready for some cheer- I know I was. I put the tree out last Sunday, and fluffed the two Christmas pillows for our bed and reading nook. My son also got a Brio train set from a very dear friend, and it feels festive to have the little trains going around while the lights twinkle on the tree.

I got a treadmill for under my desk so I can get some decent exercise. It’s made a big difference already! I feel less stressed after a day of work and I can tell I am digesting my food better. I also painted a little holiday piece for fun, which filled me all the way up. I hope you all make some time for the very simple things that are important to you. Mine are friendship, movement, sweet playtime with my children, and brief time slots for creativity.

Since I am a “glute-o” (gluten free weirdo) I am going to make these sugar cookies this weekend with some neighbors. Wish me luck. The recipe looks promising, but I’ve never baked with cassava flour. It’ll either be a joy to eat or taste like wood. What are you doing to get into the spirit of this time of year? Do you make cookies or watch holiday movies? Do you partake in the Christmas bird count? My Dad does. Shout out to my Dad.

I hope you take time to read that book, to watch that movie with a pal, and/or to sit in a room alone and just be. This is an important time of year to rest and heal, however that looks for you. My warmest wishes to you, and see you in the new year.

Annie

Welcome, Summer!

Happy June, friends. The Sun is no longer shy, the roses are on their way out, and the swimming pool is looking mighty tempting. I’ve always been a Spring and FALL kinda gal but here in Mendocino County is near Summer, and I kinda like it. I feel closer to my 11 year self, who loved playing in sprinklers and eating popsicles. She wants to come out and play now, so I pray it won’t be 100 + degrees all June and July so she can have at least a little fun in the sun.

I’m working away at my newest collection of short stories for children. The working title is B. Tull, Private Eye: All in a Day’s Work. I’m loosening up my line work this time, staying in a 2 color palette, and letting the book be as simple as possible. Some moms wear Mom Jeans, I wear my “KISS” hat (keep it simple, sweetie). This has been crucial to my “getting things done” and staying sane.

Some inspirations for this book are the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel, Dr. Seuss, and Quentin Blake. If you look at these artists, they don’t try too hard. They let it flow. Quentin Blake is known for practicing his line work over and over, so that it’s nearly effortless when he has to use it for real. I’ve always been pretty tight when drawing- I like my lines nicely curved and very strait, shaky lines make me nervous. But now, if I’m too nervous, my lines are MORE shaky, so if I loosen up, I can find a happy middle ground.

I’m also on the hunt for commissions. I’ve been out of the social media game for a while, which means I’ve lost most of my threads to folks who might be interested in projects with me. It’s a struggle to build something back with good boundaries, and I think I’ll have to humble myself and start asking folks to help me spread the word. That’s what people did before computers, right? We talked to each other in person or on the phone.

That said, here are my current offerings while I also work on my kids book:

Custom Storybook Character Artwork (available as a commission through my webstore)

I’m also doing pet portraits! I used to do a lot of these but had to pull back when the baby came. I’m back at it, though, and boy is it fun. My favorite part of the cats and dogs are their eye balls. If you’d like one, just send me an email.

I hope you all have a wonderful Summer. Stay cool, get outside, eat lots of melons, and I’ll see you in July!

-Annie

Copying

...is how you learn something new. In high school art class, we copied the master painters. In English class, we read the great voices of the 20th century and (unknowlingly) copied their phrasing and vocabulary. In Chemistry, we followed specific directions to complete our labs. It can be very powerful to follow a process that works, gain the knowledge that's available there and then play with it on our own.

After the recent SCBWI conference, I was looking at all of the gorgeous portfolios and feeling hungry for some education.

I want to work on color, composition, character design, ALL OF IT! I thought to myself. Maybe I should go back to grad school. Maybe I should do a Summer intensive? Take a college class? But all of that takes a serious financial investment, which requires commitment. I searched for the most convenient and effective way do this, so I could "try it out" before going back to school. That's when I remembered: copying.

How often have I taken the time and copied other illustrators? Ummm....hardly ever. At least, it's been years. But it's a fabulous way to learn!

Some of my favorite illustrators are Lane Smith, Chris Van Allsburg, Lucy Knisley, Quentin Blake. Just thinking about working through their art and spending time really discovering how they did it, makes me gallop with excitment. Like when I was a kid! When I drew Ariel and Belle over and over.

In other news, nature is very inspiring and weird. We think, Ok, earth is, like, normal. We like it here and we know what to expect when we go outside. Then we go somewhere and see how drastically different the plants are, that it's like we're on an alien planet.

That's how I feel at the Huntington Library:

Annie is an author and illustrator with books available on Amazon and local book stores. She is open for commission, too! She lives in California, and loves tea, bike rides, reading, and exploring new places.

Painting, oh how I missed you!

I work digitally most of the time. It makes sense.

1. Revisions are easier.
2. Revisions are easier.
3. Revisions are easier...and I don't have to scan any traditional artwork.

But yesterday I lugged out the paints so I could work on a new dummy book and prepare for the SCBWI conference in Los Angeles. As I mix colors and sketch in the composition, my heart thuds and I want to run and hide in the pantry amongst the cookies.

But as soon as paint hits the gesso, I'm home. I love painting and I miss it so much. It's why I got into art, actually. Painting and drawing feels like a safe place to me, a place where anything can happen, and that "anything" will be magic.

Digital tools be damned! I know it'll get easier. I know I love Kyle Webster's brushes and how easy it is to play with textures and colors in Photoshop, but there's nothing like paint.

Here's the finished piece for a new dummy called, "Moon and Bug":

In other news, my tummy has been off, so I'm takeing time to find the culprit. Sadly, I have hunch it's wheat, and I will cry for at least a few days if it is.

But not much else feels good, when you accidentally ate something that inflames and irritates you. Not even art, not even friends. So I'd rather enjoy friends & art and ditch the allergen.

Hope all is well with you guys! Peace and rock 'n roll,

-Annie

Annie is an author and illustrator with books available on Amazon and local book stores. She is open for commission, too! She lives in California, and loves tea, bike rides, reading, and exploring new places.