The lollipops saved the day

I did this plasticine series for a friend of mine who has 5 great kids.  I am sure anyone with one or more children close in age, can totally relate to this dilemma. Why is it, that once you focus a camera on a set of otherwise happy-go-lucky children, and yell "ok....everyone say ...stinky cheeeeese", suddenly, as if someone flicked an invisible switch, everyone goes bonkers.... arms and legs are flying in a tangled mess of hollering kids?? I just don't get it?? Thank goodness digital cameras were invented. Now, at least we can delete those 50-100 doozies and keep that one golden gem of a shot that makes you melt.

If you look closely you will see that in the first illo the hubby is waving a hand filled with red lollipops to use as bribery...heehee...haven't we all resorted to this sort of thing at one point?? At least we can all laugh and find comfort in the fact that we are not alone in our sweaty, migraine-inducing, frustrating quest for that perfect family photo.
I know my friend got a good chuckle, and it was a blast to create for her. She writes a hilarious blog that chronicles the daily life of a busy mom. If you get a chance, DO check it out at "Five All Mine".

Spring Sketch

I did this quick little sketch the other night, with the thoughts of spring dancing in my head. I was outside a bunch this weekend playing in the backyard with my "little ones", as the weather was so great. Doesn't the smell of spring, and the teeny chirping birds put everyone is such a good mood? It works for me!! My daughter was the inspiration for this piece as she just loves to clomp around in her pink rubber boots, no matter what she's wearing. And she is a magnet to puddles, so I gladly support her footwear choice!!

 I thought I'd do a "work-in-progress" post to show my process of doing a plasticine illustration. So stay tuned in the days to come for that! I think I may use this as a new header for my blog. My daughter is busy playing with the playdoh, and making me playdoh hamburgers and spagetti...yum! Gotta go, our tea party and yummy imaginary feast is about to begin! ;)

Muskoka Boathouse

Muskoka Boathouse
Originally uploaded by sdelrizzo

OK ...Who ordered this crazy cold weather. Mother nature can be sooooo mean! After giving us that glorious spring-like weather all Easter weekend, my kids and I were very annoyed to have to search for mittins and winter hats again in the rush to get out the door to school. So, as I sit with my cup of hot tea, wishing wistfully for warm sunshine to toast me up a bit, I am thinking about warm summer days lounging on our dock at the cottage.
My mom aways has a count-down of sorts, that begins in late winter of how long it will be 'til we open up the cottage. Because of that I decided to do her a plasticine illustration of our cottage so she can hang it up in her house and have a piece of it with her all winter long.

Doesn't it look sooooo inviting and relaxing.....ahhhhh summer, I can't wait!!

Logo Design

In my journey to cross over from artist-for-fun, to professional artist and illustrator, I thought I'd better get crackin' on a logo to use on my postcard mailers, stationary etc. So, since I am not a graphic designer, I thought I'd download the free trial version of Adobe Illustrator CS4 and give it a try. Wow....I have developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with that programme. What a huge learning curve! But I am proud to have stuck it out and persevered. Yeahhhh!! I now have even more respect and admiration for those of you out there who do digital illustration using Illustrator, or Indesign. :)

I have to say Illustrator is really cool and addictive too! And I just scratched the surface of it's capabilities. It is now on my wish list(my poor hubby just about fell over when he eye-balled the price).

I also had the best time finding funky fonts! I must tell you about a very talented hand lettering artist and font creator, whose fonts really capture a playful side that is truly unique. Crystal Kluge is one talented lady! She does the most exquisite wedding invitations and the most gorgeous hand-drawn maps. She has created some awesome fonts that she sells through Tart Workshop. I think her font really gives my logo the fun, fresh look I was going for. Thanks Crystal!

Hello...

I finally did it! After lots of encouragement and advice from some amazing friends and illustrators that I greatly admire, I decided to be brave, get "out there", and enter the blogging world myself.

My name is Suzanne Del Rizzo, and the mommy to 4 great kiddies. What can I say, my kids are my life, it's amazing how four little sticky-fingered little people can make life feels so much more "full" and now I can't imagine how life was like before they came along:)

Pre-kids, I used to work in a cancer research laboratory. But when I became a mommy my perspective on life changed, and I realized that even though I do have a passion for science, my passion for art and connecting with children was greater. I have decided to follow my dream, leave the science behind, and be an artist and hopefully(fingers crossed) one day become a Children's Book illustrator.

I love all mediums, especially watercolour and acrylic, but lately I have been totally smitten with plasticine, polymer clay, anything that I can squish and mold. I am a very tactile person, as are my kiddies, so the Playdoh gets cracked out in our house almost on a daily basis:)

I decided to try my hand at plasticine illustration after becoming inspired by the amazing plasticine illustrations of Barbara Reid. Her fabulous books really resonate with me and my children and anything that makes them want to read and turn the page is golden.

Pheewww, this is a big leap, but with the support and advice from the few illustrators I have found within the online community of Children's Book illustrators, I am going to GO FOR IT!! It is for this reason I have decided to start this blog. It will chronicle my journey, and hopefully provide a fun outlet for me when all the kids are running in circles around me.

I hope to post some works in progress and completed artwork, and would absolutely be thrilled to bits if any illustrators out there would like to share with me share their thoughts and critiques. Many thanks to Roz Fulcher, for her great advice and encouragement, and to Rachelle Anne Miller for taking the time(with a little one too) for the support and feedback.

Let me know what you think of my blog background. I had a blast, and got a little carried away with all of the funky digital papers out there to chose from- heehee. My header was created using a favorite plasticine illustration I did of the view from my Aunt Sharon's dock in Muskoka. I hope to change it periodically to share new illustrations.

Happy Easter everyone.....now to get that turkey prepped and in the oven...

Suzanne