More Ripples...

With all the momentum that Kelly Light's Ripple blog has gathered, I thought I'd jump back on the wave and donate another illo. This one is a cropped version of one I did last year, but I thought it was fitting.

And Ripple is featured on Illustration Friday this week! What a great way to bring the Ripple blog to the attention of many more in the online illustration community.

 Kelly has raised $1500 last time I checked- amazing!!!

Way to go illustrators!!!

Ripple!!

The other day I came across this great blog by Kelly Light called Ripple. Kelly is a talented children's book illustrator who was so moved by the plight of the animals effected by the Gulf oil spill that she decided to be proactive, and came up with this creative way to help. She created this blog where illustrators could submit artcards to be purchased for $10 with the proceeds going towards  a variety of  animal rescue organizations. So brilliant!

I made this pelican illustration for Ripple....The digital image of it will be used to create the card.

She has raised hundreds of dollars already!! Way to go Kelly!!
I know we are all so deeply saddened by the horrible images we have witnessed in the media surrounding the oil spill disaster. But we can all help. As Kelly so eloquently said "our small actions together will ripple outward".
I hope you will take a moment to visit her blog. There are many beautiful cards created by some very talented illustrators from all over the world, and they can be yours with a donation of $10 .
It makes me feel a little less helpless to know that my small contribution will hopefully help in some small way.
So if you are an illustrator or artist, or animal lover please pop over to her site...and please pass it on!

Where did May go???

Wow, didn't May just fly by...like at lightening speed?? I feel like I have been in fast forward juggling a million things. There are always end of year permission forms, allergy/asthma forms(my sons have anaphylactic allergies and asthma), school registration forms etc. etc....I've had such a hand cramp!  And that is even before I get started on my artwork- geeeesh!!
Well, the end of year teacher gifts are coming along, but not a quickly as I would like. It took a little longer than anticipated to make all of my alphabet letter blocks. I wanted them to look authentic, so they are made in the correct colours(of my set any way) and to scale. I hope they look OK, trying to get plasticine strips to stay sharp and straight was a technical headache, but I am happy with the result :)
 Now for the really fun part! For each illo. I am going to create a different bunch of characters playing around, assembling and climbing each letter pyramid. (If you are a teacher friend please keep this post our little secret OK-wink wink)
I sure hope they like them!

Featured on... Balance My Life

I have some very exciting news!!! I have been featured  in a great online women's magazine called Balance My Life. This magazine focuses on how to "balance your life" with all that today's multitasking  moms  face in their hectic lives. I know I have fallen into the conundrum of putting everyone and everything before myself. I think as moms we often selflessly put ourselves on the bottom of the priority list. This magazine reminds us that we are also women who deserve to give ourselves some ME time and have fun, and strive to reach important goals for our own personal growth and fulfillment.  It features great advice, inspirational articles, entrepreneurial tips and fun girly events to encourage us to include ourselves in the equation and reclaim our spot in that family balance. After all, a well balanced, happy mommy makes for a better mommy, wife and family unit.

I wrote an article about my journey of self discovery during my years as a stay at home mom and the decision to change careers and go into Children's Book Illustration. It is featured in the WORK section entitled Go For It- Second Career.

I want to send a big "Thank You" to Kenda Blum, the founder of Balance My Life , for the opportunity to write this article for her magazine. She is a creative dynamo to be admired as she also runs the web design and print company Kiwibcreative, and is a busy mom.....wow, now that is multitasking at its finest. :-)

So.... if any of you mommies out there are nodding in agreement as you read this post, and want to get some great ideas about how to achieve more "balance"(don't we all??)....DO pop over to their site and check it out....you'll love it! :)

I've joined a Critique Group!!

Hi everyone, I am soooo excited to announce that I have been invited to join the Creative Cup Illustrators Critique Group. I want to express my thanks to Stacia of Espial Design, the blog's moderator, for the invitation. I have just posted my first post to introduce myself, so if you get a chance please do check it out. I have been a fan of the blog for a while and have aways wanted to join a critique group, so when they posted about wanting to add some new members, I  jumped at the opportunity. I am very honoured to join, as there are some fabulous illustrators in this group and it will be so great to bounce around ideas and get valuable feedback. I can't wait to get involved and get to know the other great artists of the group!

Up to the cottage we go.....

Well, the day is finally here....after hours of packing and organizing, and ticking of my big list, we are finally heading north to the cottage. The above photo is 3 out of my 4 kiddos on the dock last summer. They are so excited that they have been busy packing their "treasures" in their little backpacks since the beginning of the week. So cute. Lets hope the rain in the forcast is only a sprinkle, and they can get out to enjoy. I packed full rain-gear just in case.

I can't even bring any of my plasticine illo.s to work on. I don't want to risk a big smoosh accident during transit. Just have to bring my sketch book I guess.

Wishing my fellow Canucks a Happy Victoria Day Long Weekend!

Now to tackle the dreaded drive north in rush hour traffic.....oh my...car toys -check, snacks -check, extra-strength advil -check, patience -double check. ;)

Long weekend is almost here!!

I don't know about you but if you are "cottagers" like our family, you have a count-down going until the first trip to the cottage each year. Well, it looks like we will be going up for the first time this coming long weekend and I'm sooo excited!! My kids have the cottage life "in their blood" too, and have been squealing with delight knowing that we are going very very soon. They have even started packing and keep asking "how many more sleeps 'til we are at the cottage?" They crack me up!!
To honour this first exciting trip of the season I have posted a favorite cottage portrait of mine that I did for my cousin. This illustration was a memorial piece I did for him as his father had just recently passed away from a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. The Muskoka chairs in the illustration symbolize the good times and quite moments they shared hanging out on the deck together at the cottage. I chose to put a favorite personal item on each chair too, knowing my cousin would really appreciate the reference.  My uncle loved his well-worn Tilley hat, so I put that special hat resting on one chair, and resting against the other, I placed my cousins favorite baritone Saxophone. He was really touched by the piece and I'm glad to know that it brings back a flood of warm memories whenever he looks at it. :)