Crop of Self-Portrait (in progress)

There comes a point in every protagonist's story where a crucial decision must be made. Where change is option A, and option B is to remain stagnant. I have opted for A and you know, it is scary but not nearly as scary as remaining exactly the same. I was most frightened when I approached the crossroads. Once I chose my A option I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and waited for some kind of self-destruction.

As you can see, that did not happen. I am still here. How crazy is that.

With the choosing came the change. Here are a few examples:
--I have a new workspace with huge floor to ceiling windows that face the Continental Divide.
--I have been painting AND working AND playing, though still trying to perfect the balance. It's been heavy on the "working."
--The nice part of that is that I illustrated a book. I will have my name on a book cover. This may sound kind of obvious but it is honestly the first time that has happened.
--I started teaching an art class 3 weeks ago. I've never taught before. I like... no I love it, much to my surprise.
--I donated two paintings to auction to benefit a local charity. Both sold. I thought it would be painful to part with my babies, but no. I felt liberated by it. Proud even. My art stood side-by-side with some of Colorado's most highly-respected artists. Which in turn made me a peer of such painters. That's really cool.
--Music. After a long hiatus, I have wound some shiny new strings on my guitar and carved a little niche for it in my living space (rather than shoved under the bed). My fingers have been itching thanks to all the new music I've come to love. I'm also going to lots and lots of live shows this summer. I have pledged to myself that I will attend every show in which I have even the most remote interest. This weekend it's the Grand Archives at Hi-Dive.
--This return to music fanhood has affected my wardrobe. It's getting a little funky. :)
--Alone time. I treasure it, I love it, I look forward to it. Especially after art class. :)
--Current reads: "Wreck This Journal" by Keri Smith, "Everyday Matters" and "The Creative License" by Danny Gregory. And Wuthering Heights when I can't sleep.

I do believe the right half of my brain has completely taken over and its having a crazy party and there's nothing I can do about it. Not that I'm complaining. I'm just tickled to be invited.

*exhale*

Labels: fine art, illustration, me, watercolor

I had a dream the other night about a bear opening our kitchen window and sticking his nose inside. It's that time of year when the bears are fattening up for winter and their footprints are everywhere in the woods, and their stories of breaking and entering are all over the news. I'm hoping any bear that comes in my cabin is the friendly sort.... or friendlier than the scary bear in my dream.

In other news, I have been invited by the talented Jeff Andrews to join Sugar Frosted Goodness, a super spiffy illustrator's collective blog. I'm one of many contributors and I hope I can keep up with the fast pace of posting--so far I've been lagging due to other pending deadlines on all sides. Worky worky worky, busy busy bee. That's me. Tis that time of year... while the bears are fattening the ski resorts are preparing for snow in their own way. Result--Kate gets busy. Holy graphic design, Batman.

Labels: illustration, moleskine, sketch, wildlife

Coldilocks and the Three Polar Bears

Originally created for a charity exhibit benefiting First Book Philadelphia. Scroll down for my southern polar edition.

Labels: illustration, illustration friday, watercolor

Click to enlarge

This was a scene from one of my walks with Maggie last week. I stopped when I heard a very noisy squirrel scolding us for walking by his tree. As I usually do when no one's watching, I greeted the squirrel.

"Hello little squirrel, sorry to bother you."

A split second later he had scurried down the tree and approached us, seemingly curious. He moved inch by inch closer so that he was just atop the snowbank in front of us. Maggie didn't notice until I said something.

"Maggie, where's the squirrel?"

Expecting her to lunge for it, I held her leash tighter. But instead of trying to pursue a chase, the two of them just stood there, looking at each other. It was quite comical. After a minute or two of the standoff, the squirrel retreated into the trees.

Labels: illustration, illustration friday, maggie, sketch

Wired, Kate Hamilton

Swallows remind me of penguins. They're just much smaller, lighter, and flightier.

Illustration Friday Blog Opens!

Illustration Friday has a new feature, the IF Blog. Created by co-founders Penelope Dullaghan and Brianna Privett, this new page replaces the "news" page on the site. It features fresh posts from Penny and Brianna, as well as other illustrators such as Rama Hughes, Steve Mack, Josh Sears, Melanie Ford Wilson and Amanda Woodward. Oh yeah, and me. I'm not sure how I was deemed worthy to share the stage with these stars, but I won't complain. For once in my life, was I in the right place at the right time, and prepared even?

The biggest perk in this for me (followed by the inevitable exposure and linkage) is that I am under the gun to produce. To illustrate. Now. Not later. So my lame excuses for not drawing, or not sharing my drawings to the general public now pale in comparison to this new self-inflicted pressure to feel worthy. This should, in theory, kick my arse into gear, as the thought of the general public questioning why I am part of the elite few is far too painful to dismiss. Yeah, so I am an acceptance 'ho. So be it.

Look for great inspiration, the stuff of dreams and maybe a few witty words, hopefully sometimes a few from me. :)

Happy Friday!

Labels: illustration, illustration friday, moleskine, pen and ink, penguins

As usual, it's been a while since I contributed to Illustration Friday. As usual, I do not have time to paint something new. But I do have something in my archives that suits the topic, and that is not against the rules. This illustration is one of four I completed for a book called "Chanda's House" by Katrina Martin Davenport. Sometime after completing the first four Katrina and I decided to pull the title from the publisher that was planning to publish it. Long story short, it was not a mutually beneficial arrangement. I have hope that someday this story will find its' publisher.

The illustration depicts a scene where the main character, Katrina, has a talk with her mother about differences in culture. Specifically, Katrina has a friend, Chanda, who is Indian and after a scary first experience, Katrina is apprehensive about going to play at Chanda's house again. Katrina expresses her fears and her mother assures her that experiencing different cultures can be an adventure, which makes it all a lot less scary.

I haven't painted any children's illos in a long time. Not since this series in 2005. It's on my list of to-do's. Along with painting landscape masterpieces and becoming an expert skier. One thing at a time.

I'll be uploading some new pictures of Butters and Maggie to my flickr page soon. Butters is almost as big as Maggie!

Happy Friday.

Labels: children's books, illustration, illustration friday, watercolor