Cheryl's Art Studio

Surrender

2011-01-30T20:41:00.000-06:00

Ink on Paper

Some Changes

2011-01-30T20:25:00.000-06:00

It has been a while since I posted..... so many blogs start out with those words. The reality is, it's been a while since I created and illustration for IF or for anything Children's Lit related.

On the other hand, I have been exploring and creating both to figure stuff out for my students and to figure stuff out for me. I asked my husband if he thought it seemed as if I had quit or given up. He said he didn't think so. I agree. It seems though that I have changed directions.

With that change, I want to come back to the blog and use it a bit differently...

Mandalas

2011-01-30T16:08:00.001-06:00

I've been playing with circles and patterns. I'm not sure if I'm doing this just as preliminary work for students. I get too much out of it myself.

Flight

2010-04-10T21:11:00.001-05:00

Digital

Just experimenting with digital drawing and painting.

Happy creating, all

I.F. Adrift

2010-02-15T18:34:00.001-06:00

Splash!

Watercolor

I think duck can ride dog's wave all the way across the lake.

Happy creating, all.

I.F. Muddy

2010-02-07T16:20:00.000-06:00

Watercolor/Ink

This doggy is one that I've been working on for Watercolor Wednesdays.

Happy Creating, all.

I.F. Focused

2010-02-01T07:45:00.001-06:00

Gouache/Color Pencil

Sometimes we're focused inwardly. This work is in progress for a poem written by J.R. Poulter. For me, my focus on creating,drawing and painting seems renewed.

Happy creating, all!

Just Playing

2010-01-30T10:01:00.001-06:00

Finding time to create this school year is challenging. New school, different grades to prepare for, longer commute to work...

Don't get me wrong. I asked for it and I love it. I know that I won't always feel this swamped.

Anyway, this bit was done while students were working.

Drawn in ink (Pitt pens), rendered in oil pastel.

Happy Creating, all!

I.F. Fast

2009-10-23T17:55:00.000-05:00

Trick or Treat! - Marker/Digital

I decided to be really FAST I would use an image that was already created. Here's to getting lots of treats without the tricks.

Happy Creating, All

Catching up

2009-10-19T22:53:00.000-05:00

It has been way too long since my last post. I took a new High School job which includes teaching an Art History class that I've been creating from scratch.

Anyway, things are starting to level out and I am beginning to work on illustrations again. These pieces were created this summer at a class for teaching AP Art Studio.

I am drawing quite a bit in the classroom. But that's not the same for me. Here's to having some new stuff up soon.

Happy creating all!

I.F. Unfold

2009-06-14T16:17:00.001-05:00

Blacksheep - Watercolor

With this unfounded unfolding, this little guy may not want to be "Infold."

Happy creating, all.

I.F. Craving

2009-06-08T12:13:00.000-05:00

Lunch a la Boys - Watercolor

I'm still revisiting some of my older work. The boys are craving a pb + j. Mom is craving a house keeper.

Happy creating, all.

I.F. Parade

2009-05-11T06:49:00.000-05:00

Promise - Watercolor

The parade of animals from the ark would have been spectacular.

Happy creating, all

I.F. Hierarchy

2009-05-03T08:16:00.000-05:00

Pride: Collage

This was an experiment from 4-5 years ago. I was going through some old art and found it. The scanner I had at the time simply couldn't deal w/greens and yellows. Now the color is more accurate but my style and goals have changed so much. Still, it's got its interesting points.

Happy creating, all.

I Won on Watercolor Wednesdays!

2009-04-30T20:23:00.000-05:00

I am so excited and honored to be chosen April's winner on Watercolor Wednesdays. I'm even more excited about the inspiration and motivation I receive from my new friends there. A gigantic "Thanks" to them.

I.F. Impossibility

2009-04-18T17:09:00.000-05:00

Rainy Day - Watercolor

It's impossible to get out there and play on a day like this. I created this for Watercolor Wednesdays a couple of weeks ago. Hope the sun is shining where ever you are.

Happy creating, all

Happy Easter

2009-04-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

Easter - Marker

I hope everyone has an awesome holiday!

Happy creating, all.

and Happy Easter :)

I.F. Poise

2009-03-27T12:42:00.000-05:00

Dream Mist - Gouache

I think that this piece is appropriate for the theme. I created this to illustrate a poem-poster for Jennifer Poulter. I found out this morning that it is published at Sharing Books. You can check it out at sharing-books.com. Thanks to Jennifer for providing the inspiration w/her wonderful poem.

Happy creating, all!

I.F. Subtract

2009-03-21T15:40:00.001-05:00

Break In / Pastels

This is one way to subtract from the budget funds.

Happy creating, all!

I.F. Legendary

2009-03-16T22:39:00.000-05:00

Pot O'Gold - Marker/C.Pencil/Gel Pens

Is this merely a legend? I'm still hoping to find mine. Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody.

Happy creating, all.

PS. Wow. What a difference the scanner makes. The original upload was this lower, more yellow image. I seem to be having issues w/color quality on it. So, I carried my illo to school to use my old scanner. (Top Image) Much truer. The kicker? The newer one has nearly 3X the resolution capabilities.

I.F. Intricate

2009-03-08T14:01:00.001-05:00

Pliars + Pliars II - Prismacolor Pencils

I was in a wonderful gathering of art teachers from our region yesterday. I was reminded of these during a conversation with them. I worked on these as AP Studio students were working on their concentrations. It was a time when I began to realize that I needed to be creating more than just rich lessons for my students. I began to work on an illustration portfolio as a result. Here's hoping that we all feel inspired this week.

Happy creating, all

I.F. Breezy

2009-03-01T16:46:00.001-06:00

Breezy - Colored Pencil

This is out of my last sketchbook. The greens in the yellow leaf and the blues on the swirls are washed out. Having trouble w/settings on this scanner. (same w/last week's)

I have a couple of ideas for this topic but time is so short these days. We'll see if I can work it out and post again.

Meanwhile - Happy creating, all

I.F. Instinct

2009-02-24T21:01:00.001-06:00

Play? Ink/Goauche

Is it play or instinct? Glad I scanned and saved the drawing. Think I might practice a bit w/photoshop when I get a chance. I have just LOADS of time:)

Happy creating, all

I.F. Flawed/Climb

2009-01-29T19:56:00.000-06:00

Climb - Prismacolor Pencils

I guess it was flawed thinking that I would get this done in time for last week when I started it so late. Lately, I've let school and other commitments crowd out my draw time. The truth is that if I take time to scratch this itch, I perform better at those other tasks. So, here we are again. Never give up. Besides, what would I do with all my art stuff?

Happy creating, all!

I.F. Similar

2008-12-05T19:28:00.001-06:00

Chameleons/Goauche + Prismacolor

I did this piece a couple of years ago with markers. Then last year sometime I reworked it with paint. Not only are the chameleons similar to each other, but the piece is similar to the original as well. Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. Hope everyone here is experiencing peace and joy in SPITE of the economy and other challenges we face. Be like the chameleon and keep an eye out:)

Happy creating all....

I.F. Repair

2008-10-24T17:06:00.000-05:00

Color correction, I attempted w/the scanner. Much better than below, I think.

Cemetery - Prismacolor Pencils

I was working on this already when I saw this week's topic. It appears that a few things are in general disrepair here including fences and tombstones. This was done on BLACK construction paper but the scan seems to have changed that. Looks brown to me on my monitor. Not sure what can be done for that. Feel free to opine. Have a great weekend.

Happy creating, all.

I.F. Late

2008-10-19T22:05:00.001-05:00

Untitled - Gouache/ink

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather changes. I love fall in the air. Not only is it cooler but it's getting dark earlier and we need a jacket in the evenings here. We're trying not to turn on the heat yet. We'd like to get just a few days of running nothing if we could. That's hard in the midsouth where you jump from summer to winter in October.

This is a bit of a change for me in my work as well. I've been wanting to give hot press paper a go and....I think I'm liking it. And I determined to jump right to the paper w/ink..diggin' that, too. Hope everyone else is finding new inspirations.

Happy creating all.

I.F. Packed

2008-09-30T21:45:00.001-05:00

Packrat

Colored Pencils

If these walls could talk.... I guess late is better than not at all. And it's so long since I was able to participate in IF. So I thought,"I'll post - even if it turns out to be on Thursday night!" Anyway, hidden treasures packed away was my theme for this.

Happy creating all,

I.F. Fierce

2008-06-27T15:24:00.000-05:00

Please Lion - Goauche/colorpencil/ink

I've been disappointed not to be able to participate this month (love the prompts, for sure!) This was the first of some paintings I did about Aesop's Lion and the Mouse. Great to be back.

Happy creating, all.

I.F. Worry

2008-05-26T15:52:00.001-05:00

Great Finish - Gouache/colorpencil

Maybe if the hare had worried a little sooner he wouldn't be worried now. I did this illustration for scbwi's Great Race contest. I didn't participate in this last one but can't wait for the next one.

Happy creating all.

I.F. Wide

2008-05-20T21:11:00.000-05:00

Some day, Lion - Goauche/Colorpencil

Open wide! This picture is inspired from Aesop's fable of the Lion and the Mouse. Just a couple weeks of teaching left and I can draw and paint again. Not that I don't during the school year, but these last few weeks are always crowded w/ year-end activities.

Happy creating, all!

I.F. Electricity

2008-05-20T21:00:00.001-05:00

I missed posting for "electricity." So busy at school, this time of year. Then I saw how the 4th graders masks were turning out and thought that they were glowing. Just thought I'd share.

I.F. Primitive

2008-04-20T20:21:00.000-05:00

Overwhelm - Marker

I had decided not to participate this week. I didn't seem to have anything appropriate on hand and not enough time, really. I was cleaning off a shelf today and found this old sketch pad and thought that this might be primitive on at least one level. Hope everyone else has a productive and inspired week.

Happy creating.

I.F. Fail

2008-04-12T20:40:00.001-05:00

Thank You, Mouse - Goauche/colorpencil

You see, the hunters failed to capture the lion because mouse freed him from the net. This is the finished painting from the drawing I submitted last week. Really enjoyed our regional SCBWI conference. Lots o good stuff.

Happy creating, all.

Save II

2008-04-05T20:21:00.000-05:00

Lion and Mouse Graphite

This is a drawing for a painting I'm working on and I realized that I like it for the theme better than the picture below. I'm busy getting it and 2 other paintings ready for a portfolio critique this coming week. I've really been enjoying everyone's ideas these last few weeks.

Happy creating

I.F. Save

2008-04-04T16:11:00.001-05:00

Nice Save! Watercolor

Well, at least, we hope it's a nice save. I believe it will be. Have a great weekend and new week, everybody!

I.F. Homage

2008-03-29T13:51:00.001-05:00

Homage - Collage

Have you ever just piddled with an idea to see where it goes? That's what I've been doing today. Some say that I'm not just a crastinator....I'm a PROcrastinator. There really is no way for me to acknowledge all the great children's illustrators that I admire, but here are a few that came to mind. So many more...

Happy creating, all

I.F. Pet Peeves

2008-03-21T17:16:00.000-05:00

Boys in Kitchen / Watercolor

Going to be busy this week so I decided to upload a picture I did last year. I think it could be appropriate for the topic.

I know that if they leave that mess for me to clean up I'll be..... peeved.

Happy Creating All

I.F. Heavy

2008-03-15T08:33:00.001-05:00

Feeding Time - Ink

Right topic, wrong season. This piece I did a few months ago for the SCBWI's illustrators contest. Another one is up pretty soon. Guess I ought to get started on it.

Happy creating all.

I.F. Garden

2008-03-08T15:48:00.000-06:00

SnapDragons - Watercolor/Ink

Watch where you step! The snapdragons are blooming!

Happy creating, all.

I.F. Leap Again

2008-03-03T19:53:00.000-06:00

LeapFrog II/Graphite

As I worked on the watercolor version, I kept seeing this image in graphite or ink. Soooo, I worked it again. I had to set my scanner on a greyscale and then on a darker setting to feel like it comes close to the original.

Happy creating, all -

I.F. Leap

2008-03-02T23:08:00.001-06:00

LeapFrog - Watercolor/Ink

Take a leap of faith and create something today!

Happy creating, all

I.F. Theory

2008-02-18T10:27:00.001-06:00

Bears - Ink

In theory, I should sit down and develop a clever way to illustrate "theory." But, as usual, I have a few other things to do right now. So my theory is that this drawing I did recently will serve. The theory is that parents that read to their children create a love of reading and ensure success for them. Of course maybe I should reconsider polar bears that read. That might make them considerably more dangerous (in theory).

Happy creating all...

I.F. Tales and Legends

2008-01-26T15:06:00.000-06:00

Earl - Color Pencils

This dragon's name is Earl in honor of the computer-tech man at work. He happened to be in the room one day and after that, it was Earl's dragon - and then simply "Earl." I think dragons are legendary, and he's holding his legendary tail.

Happy creating, all!

I.F.Superstition

2007-11-19T21:06:00.001-06:00

LadderCat - Mixed Media

For not being superstitious I was pretty enthusiastic about it. I've got a little of everything in this one (marker, color pencil, watercolor, even a pink highlighter for the nose!)

Have so much to be thankful for this season: Wonderful husband, kids, job...all needs met (and most of the wants, too) - even a little time for picture-making.....so.....Thanks to my Lord. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Happy creating, all!

I.F. Scales

2007-11-14T22:18:00.001-06:00

Metalfish Markers/Color Pencil

Break out the metalic markers! Oh, and metalic coloring pencils, too! It has taken all week to get this far and I haven't touched a background. I haven't outlined either....may not, afterall. I was so curious as to whether the metalic markers would even come thru online. The verdict is still out on that, I guess.

Oh well, happy creating all!

I.F. Trick or Treat

2007-10-28T16:56:00.000-05:00

Jack - Mixed Media

Who's that knocking at your door? Better give'im a treat!

Happy Creating All!

I.F. Grow

2007-10-20T17:03:00.000-05:00

Daisy - Watercolor

Whew! This the first i.f. I've gotten to do since school started! Busy,busy. The watercolor sketch is the beginning idea for a logo for a women's group at church. I took the opportunity to experiment with a digital creation. Trying to create more -we do what we really want to do, don't we.

I.F. Moon

2007-07-31T16:14:00.000-05:00

Moon

Gouache/Color Pencil

I am so glad to get to participate this week, even if I am running a bit late. So busy right now, but I really wanted to try out some new gouache that I bought a few weeks ago. Sad that I missed out on "poem." I had my purple cow all done up in my mind. I guess she can bake up there a while longer.

Happy creating, all.

I.F. Geeky

2007-07-08T19:02:00.000-05:00

Reading Adventure

Media: Watercolor

I guess "geekiness" is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I think being curled up with a good book is cool. But are geeks ever aware of their geekiness? Probably not because they are escaping into a good book where that doesn't exist.

Anyway, I'm preparing to leave for camp w/about 20 youth and I pulled out this piece. A week from now, I'll be so tired I won't know which way is up!

Happy creating, all!

I.F. Twist

2007-07-04T19:01:00.001-05:00

Title: Come and Get Me

Medium: Ink

If any of the i.f. topics have scrambled my brain, this one did. And everyone has such good and diverse ideas! I'm toying with whether this is finished or if it should be rendered in color. And then I would "flounder" between markers or color pencils- or even watercolor. Happy Creating, all.

I.F. Camouflage

2007-06-25T17:04:00.000-05:00

Chameleons

Prismacolor Markers/Color Pencils

I had so much fun playing with this idea, I may decide to post another. I really wanted to try out some new marker paper that I bought. It works. I was limited on my palette in that I only had one shade of brown and I don't think I would have gone so dark on the brown.

I.F. Rejection

2007-06-16T09:17:00.000-05:00

Wacky Wedding Gouache/Ink

I chose this picture for "Rejections" simply because it was not chosen for the SCBWI's "wacky wedding" contest. I can't say that I felt particularly rejected but I wanted an excuse to put the picture up on my blog. I think the wolf could soon feel rejected.

I.F. Suit

2007-06-10T19:31:00.001-05:00

I almost decided not to try one this week. But then this idea popped in my head. It's a quickie done w/marker and color pencil.

I.F. Pair o dice

2007-06-03T16:54:00.000-05:00

Illustration Friday subject:

Your Paradise

Week June 1-8, 2007

Title: Pair o Dice

I just knocked this out on a whim. I wasn't in the mood to go deep and think about all the different ways to think about paradise.

Last week's topic for Illustration Friday was Cars.

Title: Derby Day

I chose pinewood derby cars because I was thinking in terms of children's toy cars. Both pieces are done with prismacolor markers and color pencils.