Icy Icicle Gardens

Eye candy. Clear, sparkling ice encasing everything in our gardens. Gorgeous! Hard to believe that was just a few weeks ago. And then yesterday, temperatures soared to 70 F - something us Pennsylvanians usually don't see until May.

The icy beauty:







The mail person is probably going to be late:





Magnolia buds patiently awaiting the thaw:





So delicate...







Loving the hint of green...



Anyone for a hike?



If you enjoyed this post, you may want to view:
--Serene Blues and Tans at Rehoboth Beach
--Sebastian and Sylvester: Two Cats Play Amid Roses and Cardinals

Thanks for stopping by!

CSI of the Cookie Jar!/Sparkle Magazine Illo

Somebody stole the cookies from the cookie jar! A crime scene investigation is underway. That's the latest illustration I just completed for Sparkle Magazine/GEMS Girls Clubs.

The Final Illustration:



The Sketch:



A thumbprint from the illustration below will be added beside each family member's photo at the bottom of the illustration. The Sparkle graphic designer will then add thumbprints throughout the illustration, and the young reader will have to figure out 'who did it'!



If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy:
--Sebastian and Sylvester/Two Cats Amid Roses
--Lost Gifts/Sparkle Magazine Illustration

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheryl

Sebastian & Sylvester/Two Cats Play Amid Roses and Cardinals

A pure-hearted cat lover's two feline companions playfully interact with a crimson red cardinal in a summer garden of soft-hued roses, while Mrs. Cardinal watches from the bush.

The Final Illustration:



The Stars:

....introducing Sylvester!



....introducing Sebastian (aka Junior)!



A few thumbnails...trying to figure out the composition:



The Sketch:



The Challenge:

I must say, I was a bit intimidated with figuring out how to build depth in the fur of a black cat. Some lavendars and blues did the trick!

Believe it or not, I started this illustration about a year ago. Amid painting, drawing, and photography classes, painting a chair for CHAIRity, a violin for a symphony's Painted Violin project (post to come!), and wonderfully fun children's magazine illustrations....this cat illustration has taken a back seat. It feels great to have it on paper smiling back at me! ;)

If you enjoyed this post, please check out:
* Illustrating a Dog-Gone Cute Christmas Card
* Sparkle Magazine/Hiking in the Dark
* Black and White - You Remember Film?

Thanks for stopping by!

Black and White - You Remember Film?!?

Remember film? You know, the roll of film that you put in a camera? Before digital?

This past semester I decided to take a black and white photography class where we:
* took photos with a completely manual, 35mm, SLR camera using black and white FILM
* developed the film and enlarged the negative
* used various filters, a timer, tools, and developing chemicals to expose, dodge and burn the print into an artful completion.

Assignment 1: Photograms
Process: layout items on the top of photo paper and expose the paper resulting in a negative output of the items.





Assignment 2: Just shoot film and get used to your camera!
Title: Dad



Assigment 3: Take photos from various points of view.
Title: Fluffy Birdhouse



Assignment 4: Up Close and Personal
Title: The Axe Man



Assignment 5: Secret/Special Place
Title: Turning 14



Assignment 6: Portrait
Title: Jonny's On His Rocker!



Assignment 7: Self-Portrait
Title: ??? (Title suggestions welcome!)



The one that made it into the Student Honors Show....

Assignment 8: Your Choice
Title: Instinctive Shooting



An Extra Shot.
Title: My Nieces



If you enjoyed this post, please check out my previous art class posts:
- Influenced by Berthe Morisot: A Series of 4 Oil Stick Paintings
- Gardening Paintings Influenced by Ben Snijders
- Teapots in Subtractive Chalk
- Painting Class/"Prom Dress Awaits"

Thanks for stopping in~

Photo Class Honors Show/ Instinctive Shooting

Participating in a black and white photography class this semester has kept me plenty busy. The class is winding down and I'm happy to report that this photo I took has made it into the Student Honors Show!

Title: Instinctive Shooting



It will be on display at the Rose Lehrman Art Gallery until this Friday along with about 100 other student photos.

"Lost Gifts!"/Sparkle Magazine Illustration

"Lost Gifts"....a super fun illustration that I recently completed for Sparkle Magazine. This is the first opportunity I've had to create an illustration with hidden items. Can you find the 10 lost birthday gifts?



If you enjoyed this post, please check out my last illustration for Sparkle:
--Trapped

Thanks for visiting~

Cheryl

Spiders Web Illo/Sparkle Magazine Story - "Trapped"

I recently finished a new illustration for "Sparkle" magazine for GEMS Girl's Clubs for a story called "Trapped".

Biggest challenge:
Creating a birds-eye view to give the spider's web primary importance

The Final Illustration:


The Sketch:

Previous "Sparkle" magazine illo:
* Hiking in the Dark

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheryl

Kitty in the Window

How much is that kitty in the window?!



This little kitty never ceases to delight us. >^..^<

Like this post? Visit all of the kitties in my gardens: Kitties in the Garden Everywhere!


Thanks for stopping by~

Serene: Blues and Tans at Rehoboth Beach

A serene weekend at Rehoboth Beach soaking in the blues and tans at summers end.

Enjoy a few snapshots of the neutral and blue palette~

A soft and inviting beach practically to ourselves:

These busy little sandpipers were quite entertaining:

Vibrant blue of a roof line:

And one that needs a little TLC:

No singing the blues here. Dinner was delicious:

Hubby with a creamy beach gal, Chelsea:

These chairs are waiting for you....

If you liked this post, here are some more fun ones!
* Hot Diggetty Dogs and More at Rehoboth Beach
* Rejuvenating the Artist's Soul at Myrtle Beach

* Home on the Range...Where the Deer and the Buffalo Play

Thanks for stopping by~

Cheryl

"Hiking in the Dark"/Sparkle Magazine Illustration

A new illustration for Sparkle magazine - now completed!

The challenges:

* Nighttime
* Depth of field

The Final Illustration:



The Thumbnail:



The Sketch:


If you enjoyed this post, please check out previous posts of Sparkle Magazine illustration:
* A Change of Heart
* Watercolor Walls

Thanks for stopping by!