Hummingbird...and friends

Here another few quick snaps of this illustration as I'm working on it. The hummingbird is giving a ride to a furry mouse friend and his little buddy is parachuting in above with a napkin. Lately I have had a thing for Echinacea flowers...I've used them in my last 2 plasticine illustrations- they are so, so pretty :)

Can't wait to share more...check back soon. ;)

Hummingbird

Just a quick little post to share a few snaps of what I've been up to...

Here is a quick snapshot of the little hummingbird character I am working on that will be part of my next plasticine illustration. As you can see from the quick sketch above he will be giving a little mouse friend a ride, and will accompany a few other skydiving, and daredevilish little mice.  Bye for now...:)

Butterflies and flowers...

Here is a close-up of one of the illustrations I am currently working on. I don't know how the weather has been where you live, but here in Southern Ontario it has been very, very VERY wet! Enough rain already, and let's bring on the sunshine! The only good thing about the wet weather we've had is that we now have the lushest, greenest grass and an abundance of tree blossoms. So it is rather pretty outside even in this gloomy, damp weather.:)

I thought it would be fitting to share my butterflies and Echinacea blooms today now that the sun is finally  making an appearance- yippeee!

We are off to the cottage this long weekend. It will be the first trip for us this season. Time to crack out my lists and start packing! I hope everyone has a great weekend too!

Must be Spring...

May always brings with it a plethera of activity...this year my second son has his first communion, we have 3x3 hockey for the oldest 2 boys starting up and then soccer season begins for all four of my kiddos. Geesh, it gets tricky to fit it all on my calender-thank goodness for coloured markers! But once they are all tuckered out with some good old fashioned exercise and off to sleep, I get to enjoy a cup of tea and get to work on some plasticine illustrations with the tunes playing on my ipod. Here's a little sneek peak at what I've been working on lately:

They are both still a work-in-progress, so I promise to share the full illustrations once they're completed. Sometimes it's nice to have a few projects on the go at once for variety. I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day!! I hope I get to sleep in! ;)

Some new work- Teepee Granny

Hi Everyone, here is the final illustration of my "Teepee Granny". I ended up re-working the face of the girl in yellow a few times and I am much happier with the giggly, cracking-up expression on her face. Thanks a bunch to my critique group The Creative Cup for all their great feedback(as always :) ). I really can't say how helpful and important it is to have a critique group. There encouragement and thoughtful feedback have been so invaluable. And thanks to my little 3 yr. old for posing for my reference pic.s- she does love the camera! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

I signed up with hai!- Hire an illustrator

I am very excited to share some news. :) I signed up with a fantastic online illustration portfolio site called hire an illustrator.Not only do they serve as a one-stop shop site showcasing illustrators in everything from children's to nature or fashion illustration, but they also put together frequent mail packs full of illustrators promotional materials to send out to  art directors and other industry professionals through there mailing lists. I think I it will increase my  chances of getting my work seen if an art director gets a snazzy mail pack from a reputable name like hai. I'm really excited about this, and hope it attracts some great clients. I haven't tried an online illustrator portfolio site before, but many of my illustrator friends have highly recommended this one.  Darren and Jane Di Lieto, the faces behind hai, are super helpful and they work very hard at promoting their illustrators and providing a platform to showcase their work.

If you get a chance do pop over to check it out here! And if you aren't on it yet, well get over there and see what your are missing silly!!;)



Granny in the teepee Work-in-progress

Hi Everyone, I thought I'd share what I am currently working on. This illustration will have children in it as well, so far I have only completed the grandmother character. But as it was inspired by a special memory I thought it would be fun to share at this point.

As I said, this illustration was inspired by a specific fond memory I have of a grandmother-like family friend that joined my sister and I in our teepee, on one hot summer day. As  little girls my twin sis and I loved to goof around having fun in the backyard in our teepee playing cowboys and indians, or pirates(obviously we were so not girly-girls). My parent's dear friend Mrs. Margaret, as we lovingly called her, had come to visit. And being the proper english lady that she was, she would have a cuppa tea with my mom while they visited. Well one day when she was over, my sister and I asked if she would like to join us in our teepee. To our delight and surprise( and my mom's too) she slipped off her shoes with a smile, and quickly plopped herself down in our teepee, tea still in hand, to enjoy our company and tell us grand stories. According to my mom it what quite a sight to see. Sitting as prim and proper as possible with her tea cup and saucer squeezed into the little kiddie teepee with the two of us. We loved every minute of it, and we were so honoured that she joined us. We  love you and miss you Mrs. Margaret.

What I learned from being hacked!

As some of you know I had the unfortunate experience of being hacked a few weeks ago.  I thought I would share some "lessons learned"  after realizing my brand new wesite had been hacked. If I can save anyone out there from going through  the frustrations and the fear of possibly losing all my hard work, then that would be great! I hope this will help other illustrators/artists who created their own websites( and like me are not IT specialists or programmers by any stretch of the imagination) to protect your  lovely websites and give you  some things to consider, and steps to take to better protect your website.

I had only had my site up for about a month or so, when I logged on one day to find that it had been hacked. Well of course I freaked out, and quickly emailed my support techs at my hosting company.  While they tried to restore my website from a backup, the hacker had embedded some nasty code in my site, possibly through my own computer, so going through the repeated process of deleting, reinstalling WP files, then restoring my backup was not fixing the problem. I ended up having my account suspended twice over a 2 week period becuase the hacker had my site linked to some phishing schemes that caused it to be flagged by phishing patrol websites. Luckily my friend Jonathan Woodward at zero2illo suggested  his go-to guy for website and WordPress security issues Neil Matthews. He runs a website for WordPress coaching and technical support called WP DUDE. Great name too don't you think?

Neil quickly diagnosed the problem and offered a security service review to beef up my WordPress security. His rates are very reasonable, and believe me it was the best money I ever spent for the peace of mind of knowing my site is protected properly. (insert big sigh of relief here!)
Then about a week or so later I was hacked again! I know it's not personal but it sure feels that way! I've been joking that some one out in cyberspace must really have a thing against plasticine illustration and all things creative-honestly!
Neil was quick to relay the bad news and look into it for me. The hacker got in this time through my FTP, so he could circumvent all the security Neil had just put in place. Geesh. He is going to share with me some steps to ensure my FTP is more secure.

I honestly am so thankful to Neil, who runs the super amazing website WP DUDE. He was so prompt, patient, and helpful,  like an WordPress knight in shining armour, rescuing me from my hacker nightmare!  Neil, thank-you, thank-you ,thank-you!

I highly recommend Neil's services for any security issues you may have, or wonder about, to ensure your site is secure. I signed up for his WordPress troubleshooting methodology mini course, so that I can learn how to troubleshoot myself and further educate myself should I have WP issues in the future. Knowledge is power people!
Neil also offers a fantastic webinar series( yes my Mom even signed on for his webinar series!) and his WP DUDE blog is jam-packed full of other Wordpress goodness for anyone wanting to educate themselves and make their WP sites as great as they can be.  So go now, and check it out!! You will be glad you did.


So  to break it down here are the things I learned:

1. Always back up your website. and back it up often. You can do this via a plug-in or through your host provider, or both.

2. Aways update your site with the latest versions of your WP platform, theme and plug-ins. Any security holes will hopefully be taken care of in the most recent version.

3.Go to WP DUDE and educate yourself on how to protect your website

4. Make sure to set unique and difficult passwords with upper case, lower case, numbers and symbols for each password. Never use names or the same password for more than one account or email. And if you are hacked go and change every single password to ensure the hacker can't access any other personal info.

5. Scan your computer once a week or so with Malware to rid any nasty viruses you may have inadvertantly picked up.  My kids also have access to our computer, and you know how they can be click-happy, so I scan more often just in case.

6. If you fear you have been hacked or need technical assistance, contact Neil Matthews through his website WP DUDE . Save yourself some frustration and let a friendly, knowledgable professional fix your site right the first time!

I'm on zero2illo!

Ok, I'm bursting with excitement to tell you that Jonathan Woodward, of the fabulous zero2illo website, has just  posted a new article in his Process of Illustration series featuring moi!! This is so, so exciting!  I am so honoured to have been asked by Jonathan to share my process for zero2illo. Zero2illo has been a HUGE part in my journey toward "going for it" and becoming an illustrator. It is such  a great go-to resource, where I feel such support and encouragement  not only by Jonathan and Lea but by the other great illustrators I have met through the z2i forum.

 I documented my process for the "Snow Angel" illustration I did for an Illustration Friday topic. I was so happy with it I ended up using it as a promo piece.

I know how much I love reading how other artists work and seeing their process. I  find them very inspiring and I always take away a little something, either a technique or idea to push my art further.

 I hope you find it interesting and  enjoy the post!

Thanks again Jonathan for the feature!!! :) 

Still trying to fix my website...

HI Everyone,
Sorry I have been absent form my blog lately. As some of you already know, my website was hacked and the hackers linked it to some phishing sites- jerks! So I have been trying for the past 2 weeks to get it all corrected and sorted out. It's been a bit of a nightmare. I hope to have it back up ASAP.
In other news, I have been busy working on a 1st birthday cake for my adorable niece. After having 3 boys before my daughter, I still get giddy when designing anything girly. I will post a picture once it is complete.
Bye for now!

My Moo business cards are here!!

I'm so excited. My very first set of business cards from Moo just arrived in the mail!!! Lalalalaaa.! I should be folding laundry but instead I jumped online to share my fun news. I tried Moo's Printfinity option and chose 11 of my favorite images to use on my business cards. I love this idea because it allows you to carry around  a mini portfolio of your work in your purse, that you can take out and show as you offer someone your card: "pick a card any card". Too cool!

I am also waiting on my very first set of postcard mailers from Overnight Prints. I couldn't resist the 30% off winter sale their where offering, on their already amazing prices.  And I liked the selection of postcard sizes and edges (rounded or not)  from which to choose.  Many other illustrators I admire seem to be really happy with their quality. So I thought I'd give them a shot too.

This feels like Christmas! Yippeeee!

Let me know what you think of my shiny new business cards! I even got the cutest pink card holder for my purse.:)

Facebook- finally!

Hi Everyone,

I am pleased to announce that I am finally on Facebook. Hahahah, I know, what the heck took me so long, I've been bugged by family and friends for years now. I wanted to start up a page for my illustration business, so that is really what got the fire lit under me. I am really loving Twitter, so I thought I might as well get my FB page going too.

If you get a change please check out my page, and "like" me if you like ;)

I've got annual check-ups at the Dr.s office today for all 4 kiddos at the same time, .....wish me luck, and lots of patience!



Lunch Box Love-part 4 and 5

Here is the lunch box love note that I sent in my boys lunches yesterday. It's a photo of my little daughter in dress-up army gear. Of course, she has to be like the big brothers, no princess dresses here. My oldest, who is an avid history buff, has created his own army troop, were each sibling has their own special rank. It's too cute to see them marching around the house like ducks in a row, saluting as they march past. 

They adore there little sister, so I thought they'd get a kick out of having a lunch love note from her, to express her love for them as she misses them so much when they are off at school all day long.

Here is today's lunch box love note. I didn't have much time this morning as my oldest was getting organized to head out to his first out of town hockey tournament, so I cheated a bit and used some handy-dandy scrapbooking stickers to make a fishing themed note. The kids are already counting down the days until we will be going back up to the family cottage  in the spring.

This has been a fun week creating lunch box love notes for my kiddies, and now that the week is ending I am busy thinking up ideas for next week. I guess I have reset the precedent now and my usual quick napkin notes will no longer cut it??! ;)

Thanks so much Holli Conger for creating the Lunch Box Love Challenge- we had a lot of FUN!!!

IF "Sweater"

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is sweater. I immediately had this idea to do a little girl (OK it my darling daughter who posed ;)- too cute eh?!) in a cozy cable knit sweater making snow angels gleefully in the snow.
 I also wanted an opportunity to try making knitwear in plasticine. I was recently wowed by some polymer clay knit jewelery work featured on Polymer Clay Daily created by Claire Wallis. I know, amazing isn't it? So I thought it would be cool to try doing it in plasticine. I changed up the process a bit to suit the plasticine as it is much more malleable than polymer clay, but overall I am really happy with the result.
You know me, I love details and  textures, so this close-up illustration provided me with the perfect chance to play and create lots of authentic textures.
You will see it's process documented in another post that I will fill you all in on later on....exciting stuff.
I'd love your feedback as always!!

Lunch Box love- Part 2

YO HO HO!!!!
For today's "Lunch Box love" I made my boys pirate notes. Last night after dinner we had some fun together doing origami and made the hats together, even my 3 yr. old daughter got into the action. I thought it would be fun to surprise them with their own handmade origami hats incorporated into the lunch box notes. I poked around my craft boxes and found some googly eyes, scraps of fabric for the bandana, and some trusty tinfoil to make an earring-"ARRRRR".  ;)

Lunch Box Love

First off, Happy Belated Valentine's Day!!!

I am joining a little challenge suggested by the super talented Holli Conger. Any of you Mommies(and Daddies) out there would love it too! For this week we are doing a "A little Lunch Box Love Challenge", so drop by Holli's blog for all sorts of cute ideas and info.
I have sent little notes in my kiddies lunches every since my oldest, who is now 9 yrs. old, was in JK. Now with 3 in full time and one in half day nursery school 2 days a week, my morning routine in like a whirlwind. Getting 4 munchkins fed, dressed and out the door on time is no small feat, so most of the time my little notes are a quick sketch on an extra napkin, nothing as pretty as Holli's cute creations.
I am amazed at her ability to whip up something so cute and thoughtful so fast with a teeny newborn and daughter to get ready every morning! Way to go Holli!!!

So on Monday, which was Valentine's day, I sent each of my little men a box of 10 homemade love-heart cookies instead of a note. Yes, it is true what they say - the way to a little boy's heart is through his stomach too!! :)
All of my boys have severe anaphylactic food allergies to nuts, eggs and milk, so I baked safe cookies for them to bring to school to celebrate.

For today, I came up with these pop-out 3D notes with a foam hand cut-out to "High Five" my boys. I'm all about positive praise and reinforcement. It is sometimes tricky to come up with something that all 3 will enjoy as they are into very different things at there ages.  I also changed up the messages so that each one reflects their reading level. Nothing makes me more proud than to hear my little guy say "Mommy I read your note to me all by my 'sewf"', in his little-guy accent.

I hope they didn't get mangled before lunch ;). Now to start thinking up tomorrow's notes. 

Great idea Holli!!

Website retweek

Hi everyone,
If you have been over at my new website, you may notice that did a little retweeking. I rearranged the layout of the "Home" page and changed the way the portfolio images are viewed. At first the portfolio images  opened up in a new window but I changed them to open in the same window for ease of navigation. I took the great advice form my friends in the zero2illo forum, and also moved up my image rotator on this page so that most of it is visible once you land on the page and then you don't have to scroll down to get the full image. I also decreased the height of my header as well, to help create more space for the image rotator. At the top are my favorite 2 of the 9 variations I came up with for a new header design. I know 9, yeah...totally type A of me- hahaha.
 I opted to go with the top header image. If you have a preference I'd love to hear it!:)
Now that the website is live I am looking forward to getting back to messing around with my plasticine and get creating. I have a project I hope to finish in a few weeks so stay tuned for updates.
Bye for now!

New website is LIVE!!!

Hello,
I just launched my new portfolio website suzannedelrizzo.com. I had a few glitches but I think is up and running now.
I was hoping to get it up yesterday but we've had a nasty bout of stomach flu on a rampage thru the house and all the kids have come down with it ON SEPARATE DAYS!!! So this website launch has had to wait.
I hope you will all take a second to read through the content, and check out all of my images and if you notice any typo.s or have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to share!
Thanks hubby for being patient when I was frustrated and tired, you are the best! But I think it was worth all the work!;)
If anyone is thinking of creating their own website I highly recommend the Headway WP theme. It really made it easy once I got the hang of it.
Enjoy! Let me know what you think!!

Fresh new look to match my new website!!

So this is the reason I have been so absent from my dear little blog lately.....I'm finally putting a proper website together.  Here is a sneak peek of my new portfolio website, well a screen shot of the top half of the "Home" page at least. I am so excited to share it with you all, but it isn't quite finished yet. I hope to launch it next week if all goes as planned!
We've had a case of the stomach flu hit the family so fingers crossed it doesn't make the rounds to all of us and slow down my momentum!
I am using the Headway theme from Wordpress and it has been tons of fun playing around with it.

I wanted to have the same look and feel on both my website and this blog. But since it looks a little more complicated  to make the switch from Blogger to WP, I've decided  to stay put and just match it up as best I can for the time being.
So I switched templates, customized it a bit by changing the background to my cool plasticine image, re-sized my cute header, and changed some fonts and colours and voila!
What do ya think?
I hope everyone will please check out my website once it goes live at suzannedelrizzo.com, and give lots of constructive crit.s and comments too.

It looks like Febuary is going to be a busy month with artwork that has been put on the back burner while I've been getting the website put together so I promise to have lots of artwork illustrations to show soon!:)

New Website Header

Well, I am busily working behind the scenes on my website. I know, I know, it is about time. This is something I have been wanting to start for a while as I feel it is imperative to have a portfolio website for clients and AD's to be able to check out your in a more professional setting. I have been wavering between the idea of hiring someone to design it or making it myself.
After much thought, I have decided to make it myself, even though I know it might take me 5 times longer than a designer and potentially take time away from my already squeezed "art time", but I think I have all the right tools to get the job done right (hopefully!).
I am a huge fan of Jonathan and Lea Woodward's  zero2illo website. I purchased their amazingly helpful 12 week challenge kit, which also has some fabulous video tutorials for setting up Wordpress, and the Headway
theme. I have been a very diligent little student studying these tutorials and basically trying to become as familiarized with Wordpress as I can. I admit it felt overwhelming at first as I felt like such a fish out of water, but now that I have been doing my research I feel more prepared and I know that if I have any silly questions or get stumped I have resources to get unstuck.
I am really excited to have full creative control over my website, as I have so many ideas ready to be realized.
I have been working on a new Header for my website. I want one that's not quite as big as the one I currently use on my blog. I plan to have the same header on each page of my site, that way AD's and clients have an easy reminder of who's site they are visiting and my contact info. is right at the top so they can jot it down.
I have incorporated the image of my little mousy into my header as she has become my brand mascot. To be consistent she is also in my Twitter background  and blog header too.
I played around with the background colours in the image above, which do you prefer? Right now I am leaning towards this:

I don't want it to be too dark and compete with the info on each page. I would love any feedback as always :)

Hoping for more snow tomorrow! The kiddies have been having a blast on their new mini-luges they got for Christmas and their zippy toboggans.