I woke up like this

Wacom fun!

Here are a couple of new designs I did using the Wacom tablet. I did a few more but thought I would show these first.

I am having fun using my new tool, but find I am itching to paint again. I always seem to have this problem when it comes to computers. Years ago when I worked in children's wear in NYC I had to work on the computer so at night I would go home and paint up designs that would sell in a print studio. I was finding that I sold so many designs in the print studio that I made the break to quit corporate and go full swing into freelance.

I love to use all kinds of tools when I work and all kinds of mediums. I find I get too bored with one particular tool or medium so I have to let my wings expand into other creative ways. My father is guilty of this as well. He is more of a fine artist than I but also has to work in many different mediums such as acrylic, sculpture using found objects, etchings, etc. I guess we are similar in that respect eventhough our subject matter is so opposite. I am painting up Santa's and Snowmen while he will do a landscape.

Today I am getting my hands dirty again by painting, I need to step away from the Wacom for a little bit and do the kind of work that you only get when you mix those colors and see the brush stroke. There is something so primal about paining that you just do not get from a computer. To me its just like Spring when you want to get out and start digging again in the garden and watch the fruits of your labor grow. I actually planted some seeds on Monday with the little ones that we will grow in the house until it is warm enough to bring outside.

As Spring begins to show herself I too will have to clean out the old and begin a new set of designs that make my hands dirty and my desk a mess( which is all too often!). Its back to basics for me!

ciao for now!

Ellen

IF- Heavy and Easter goodness!

Do you think the chick is too heavy? Hmm, well the bunny is sure holding it up good. I painted this recently for a series of new Easter designs for ceramics or paper. This illustration is one of four coordinates that all have a
different scene.

This week if you live in the Portland, OR area you can see my Easter products for Fred Meyer in their latest ad.

They have a bunch of fun Easter products created from a design I did awhile ago. You might recall this from before.

Here is the ad that was in this weeks paper.

I am having Easter here with the family and I am not sure what I will be making yet but I am hoping it is a nice day out so the kids can have their Easter egg hunt. When I was little my older brother Chris would always manage to get the most eggs in our family hunt. He was a crazed boy who ran like a rabbit to get as many eggs as possible. Still to this day I am sure he would love nothing more than to crush the rest of us on how many eggs he could get.

I have been very busy with work lately so the blog has suffered a bit I am hoping to get to have some more quality time next week but if not well then soon. With this economy in such a mess I cannot complain of all the work and frankly I welcome it. The licensing world has taken a major down turn so if I can get work I will take it. I am hoping to start an Etsy shop soon too with some original paintings, crafts along with prints
and other products. I think it should come together by May the latest so look out for that.

Okay it is late here now and I have to get to bed!!

Ellen

IF-Garden

This is my selection for IF Garden theme, a veggie print I did awhile back. I have many garden theme designs but liked this because I am planning my veggie/flowers to plant this week. If you look back at Aug 2007 in my blog you will see the deck and yard we have and know why gardening is important to us.

For all those years I lived in Brooklyn and looked out the window onto to those who had garden apts, I certainly made up for it. We love our outdoor space and cannot wait to get our hands on it once again. There is something peaceful about digging in the dirt and cultivating something from our bare hands.

This year I am going to up the anti with some lettuce and more salad type veggies. We did really well with peppers and tomatoes and lots of herbs last year so we shall see. I am more the flower gal than veggie but I am going to try and make it work. My neighbor is a Martha Stewart of gardening, well what do you get when yo grow up on a farm in Minnesota!!

Okay back to work on some more big projects that hopefully I can talk about soon!!

Ellen

IF-Leap

Okay I took a leap and here is my first illustration using my new Wacom tablet! So what do you think does it
make the grade? I am not new to computers but new to this little piece of equipment. I am trying to widen my scope of design and also it comes in handy for putting out work faster for clients.

This little chick is leaping out of her shell and beginning her new life, just as I begin my new journey into the digital medium. I have much to learn about this medium but am willing to try it all.

Tonight is the Project Runway final and I cannot wait to see what that crazy little Christian put together, at his age I am very impressed. When I was 21 all I could think about was what party we were going to go to and when was the next vacation. I am glad I spent my 20's just milling about, I probably knew deep down inside it was going to get harder so I filled up those days with lots of fun.

The only thing that I wish I could have back from my 20's is my figure everything else I am glad to say is gone!!

okay gotta get my kiddies to bed and get my but on the treadmill!

Ellen