Bucks for Ducks 2013

 

While wrapping up work on the children's book illustrations for Debbie Fike and the Whimsical 3-Panel for Christine Austin, I was also working on 2 donation pieces for the Bucks for Ducks 2013 fundraising event.

 

Being from California, I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to do what I love (artwork) while capturing an area that is close to my heart (home). It's an honor to produce art for any reason and what better reason than for a good cause. I hope that the two pieces I did will bring in a pretty penny during their silent auction.

 

Beyond that, here they are for all of you to enjoy :) Both pieces are 8"x8" acrylic on wood panel. This was the standard for all pieces donated to the event. I can't wait to see what other artists provide for the auction.

 

 

Counting Creatures: Awaiting Publication

The handoff occurred over coffee at a quaint little shop the author and I have made our regular meet up joint, Rayner's Chocolate and Coffee Shop. Amidst the aroma of fresh chocolate croissants and between sips of fresh coffee, I flipped page by page as Debbie and I pictured these illustrations soon becoming the visual counterpart to the story she had written.

I was delighted to hear she had already started the self-publishing process! We spent time chatting about business of course, how we might market the new book while re-marketing the previous (My Sweet Lady Dog), etc. It's always lovely chatting about the potential with Debbie. She has such fun stories to be told. I can only hope to continue this relationship with Debbie so that I can bring these stories to life just a little more with illustrations.

I don't have a publication date, but will keep you all posted on when we expect to have copies and when it might be available to order online! In the meantime, here are the final images:

[This illustration served as the cover and the last page]

 

Beyond sketching, painting, consulting, and fine tuning, an artist has to be somewhat up on technology. I've got a long way to go to be "up on technology", but I understand the importance of having quality images of my work for future reference.

 

I thought you all might enjoy a quick little clip as I work through scanning 9 of the illustrations. Once I have finalized all 11 illustrations I'll post all of these nicely scanned images. Until then, enjoy this short show and the photos of my progress on the last two illustrations and keep an eye out for the blog of final work coming soon!

 

Goodnight my S's ... until tomorrow

I ended the night with final touches on the sorrels and some progress on the background to the snakes. More to come this evening after a day of work :)

 

 

Here is a preview of the images in the order of the book. Those six snakes are almost home...

 

                       

 

 

Snakes and Sorrels

Two of the last three illustrations are coming along nicely. I've started six snakes and seven sorrels. Sorry for the fuzzy pictures ... here are progress shots nonetheless:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counting Creatures Continues



Here are progress shots for each one that I have finished so far, which I'm happy to say is almost all of them!!! I have #6 and #7 left of the individual creature illustrations and then the 11th and final illustration which will be a compilation that has one of each creature around the outside edge of the canvas sheet. Enjoy :)

 

To start we have the pieces at my work station so you can see them progress at that point. Then I have separated them out individually so you can see each one progress on their own.

 



1 red-eared turtle initial images:

and the final image:

2 hippos initial image:

and the final image:

3 little blue birds initial images:

and the final image:

 

4 camels initial images:

and the final image:

5 ferocious fish initial images:

and the final image:

[6 snakes - no photos (yet)]

[7 sorrels - no photos (yet)]

8 eaglets initial image (sorry these are blurry):

and the final image:

9 narwhals final image (the only initial image I have is up in the work station photos):

10 tigers initial images:

and the final image:

[11 - compilation reflecting one of each creature - no photos (yet)]

Final photos will be of higher quality. I'll post them once I've finished all 11 illustrations :)

                        

 

 

 

Soon enough author Deborah Fike's story will be added to these images and published! We are projecting a December publication (sooner if possible) so that this can be a great holiday gift for all the special little ones in your families!

 

This will be Debbie's 2nd publication with me as her illustrator. See her previous book My Sweet Lady Dog on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Lady-Dog-Deborah-Fike/dp/1479351008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376282601&sr=8-1&keywords=my+sweet+lady+dog