» Drawing

spring sketchbook snaps

naturesmyfriend — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:18:45 +0000

Last week consisted of a lot of spring cleaning, but it also yielded tons of much needed creativity. Because of this, my sketchbooks saw a lot of love. I’ve been trying to just doodle and sketch more, as I tend to over work a lot of drawings due to my obsession with detail and texture. Simplifying my illustrations has been fun. Although of course, I can’t stay away from meticulously drawing animals, and so a few more excessive renderings have started to emerge. Some new pieces in my ongoing collaborative sketchbooks with Anika Starmer, Patterns & Paws, have started to come together. Stoked to finally have a bit of time to devote to these beauties so I can mail them back to Maryland soon. What have you been drawing in your sketchbook?

Filed under: Birds, Drawing, journal, Journals & Notebooks, Sketchbook Tagged: anika starmer, artist, birds, collaboration, drawing, drawings, illustration, illustrations, journal, mushrooms, patterns and paws, sketchbook, sketchbook drawings, visual journal

a secret something (part 1)

naturesmyfriend — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:15:14 +0000

I started a little project months ago, for one of my fiance’s best friends, Teddy; he wanted to get something meaningful for his daughter Autumn’s second birthday (not just another pile of toys that would eventually get left behind). After seeing my grizzly portrait that hangs in my family’s cabin, he knew he wanted to commission a large graphite drawing from me. The other two points of inspiration, came directly from his daughter: her nickname “squishy squirrel”, and this stern look that she often gives her dad (reminiscent of a very serious owl). We talked a bit about imagery, but Teddy basically left things up to me… Since we were staying with his family for the OOAK show, I decided to double to size of his commissioned drawing, as a thank you for hosting us. Today I am sharing a couple process photos, and tomorrow I will share the finished piece, along with Autumn’s reaction!

Filed under: Adorable, Beasts, Drawing, Human, Inspiration Tagged: art, autumn's owl, baby, birthday present, custom animal illustration, custom graphite drawing, custom pencil illustration, drawing, graphite drawing, owl drawing, pencil drawing, teddy

animal myths

naturesmyfriend — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:45:07 +0000

I’m still awaiting confirmation that my sketchbook project for 2013 has arrived safe and sound at the Brooklyn Art House Library, but I’m hopeful it will make it. I refuse to have another disappear in the post after the 2011 debacle. I hinted at what my project would consist of here; my Art House book was themed “Creatures” and upon its arrival last fall, I was reading a book by Warner Shedd called “Owls Aren’t Wise & Bats Aren’t Blind.” Although a naturalist, Shedd writes a very conversational book, proving wrong many of the fallacies society has created about the animal kingdom. Some of these myths I also had long believed to be true; even an avid animal lover like me was still duped by common misinformation! Naturally this newly acquired knowledge had stuck with me, and it was impossible not to translate some of it to artwork. My sketchbook, titled Animal Myths, is a collection of black and white illustrations that feature some of the favorite fallacies I came across in this fantastic read written by Shedd. I hope you are both surprised by the information, and delighted by the illustrations. I used the original sketchbook pages and a black fine liner pen for the drawings. Covers were hand cut and bound with a grey suede leather. And finally, a video of my sketchbook being read. (music by Grimes). Videos of my previous sketchbooks can be seen here and here. Want to see more of my Art House Co-op submissions?! SBP 2012 here, SBP Limited Edition here, and a zine of my SBP 2011 here. If you are lucky enough to visit one of the official exhibitions on tour soon, do take a picture of you holding my book in your pretty little paws. I’m thinking these new illustrations may be spawned into a zine like my other books, or perhaps even a new screenprint series? Please let me know your thoughts about Animal Myths; your feedback and comments mean a lot!

Filed under: Beasts, Birds, Books, Canadiana, Drawing, Exhibitions, Illustration, Journals & Notebooks, Sketchbook, Sketchbook Project 2013 Tagged: animal drawing, animal myths, animal myths put to rest, animals, art, art house, art house co-op, canadiana, drawing, exhibitions, fun projects, illustrated animal myths, illustration, international project, naturesmyfriend, new york, owls aren't wise & bats aren't blind, projects, sketchbook, sketchbook project, sketchbook project 2013, video, warner shedd

a few of my inspirations

naturesmyfriend — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:23:59 +0000

I wanted to share a little creative list of my inspirations… What inspires you?

Filed under: Canadiana, Collage, Drawing, Inspiration Tagged: inspiration, inspiration list, inspiring, list, things i love

small creature, vast landscape

naturesmyfriend — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:00:21 +0000

Still trying to stick with my resolution of sketchbooking more often… This page came about recently while looking for collage materials and going through a box of collected bits and pieces from old incoming mail art packages. For the life of me I can’t recall who sent me this cute little critter sticker, but I hope they are happy with the natural habitat I’ve given to him. Have you been keeping up with your 2013 goals?

Filed under: Beasts, Drawing, My Sketchbook, Sketchbook Tagged: animal doodles, animal stickers, animals, arctic wildlife, artist sketchbook, global warming, iceburg, My Sketchbook, sea life, seal, seal drawing, sketchbook, sketchbook pages, winter

international hugging day

naturesmyfriend — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:15:40 +0000

Today is super special… Why? It’s international hugging day! How awesome of an occasion is that? Several countries celebrate: Canada, USA, UK, Russia, Australia, Germany, Poland, Iran, and China. As a girl who is known for constantly handing out embraces and spewing forward “I love you’s,” this random holiday is something I can get behind. Couldn’t help but share one of my favourite collected drawings from the incredible illustrator Kelsey Fraser. Happy hugging today, my little nature friends!

Filed under: Adorable, Canadiana, Drawing, Human Tagged: art, drawing, hug, hug drawing, hugs, illustration, kelsey fraser, love, National hugging day

feeling foxy

naturesmyfriend — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:07:12 +0000

I’ve been dreaming up ideas for an adorable commission I’m doing for a cute little company… Because of this, my sketchbook has been feeling foxy. These are just quick little doodles, but I’m trying to sketchbook more often. Hope you like these furry little cuties.

Filed under: Adorable, Beasts, Drawing, moleskine, My Sketchbook, Sketchbook Tagged: animals, art, drawing, fox, My Sketchbook, sketchbook

a special project, published

naturesmyfriend — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 05:20:08 +0000

Being a part of the Limited Edition Sketchbook Project by the Art House Co-op at the start of this year came with many perks: I was inspired to create my most unique sketchbook submission so far, Christopher Jobson of Colossal instagramed my owl (which is now at over 900 likes!), my work was then selected by Jobson to be part of a small collection of 3,000 books for a traveling exhibition called A Landmark & A Mission, and, last but not least, a promised photo in a publication chronicling the project (which arrived yesterday)! I haven’t had the time to search through for any of my fellow sketchbooking friends, so if you are featured in volume 4 let me know! I love that the covers are hand screenprinted, and it is great to be part of such a wonderful collection of creatives, all while adding another publication line onto the CV. Looking forward to having a closer look at this book (along with a few others packed in my suitcase) come my Christmas holidays.

Filed under: Birds, Books, Drawing, Journals & Notebooks, Other Artists, Printmaking, Publication, screenprint, Sketchbook Tagged: art house co-op, limited edition, pictures and descriptions, Publication, sketchbook, sketchbook project

happy holidays – new work

naturesmyfriend — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:42:20 +0000

I gave you a sneak preview of my holiday designs near the end of October, and I am so excited to finally reveal them to you today! And since I’m officially in the holiday mood, I also changed my blog and shop headers for winter. My new holiday inspired creations have been a long time coming… I seriously started thinking about my imagery back in September. Each illustration is a combination of graphite drawing, watercolor painting and digital. A gorgeous red cardinal with a festive bough of holly and the greeting “happy holidays!” A furry grizzly bear with a delicate snowflake and the classic line “let it snow!” A majestic elk with a bundle of pine and the holiday saying “season’s greetings!” I’m also selling these three designs in a 3 pack. Your comments are always welcome, and I’d be thrilled if you were interested in sending any of these holiday cards to your loved ones! They are all listed in my etsy shop in the new holiday section!

Filed under: Beasts, Birds, Digital, Drawing, Etsy, Holiday, Merchandise, Painting Tagged: art, christmas art, christmas designs, christmas letters, elk, etsy, grizzly bear, happy holidays, holiday greeting cards, illustrated cards, red cardinal

the wrong holiday?

naturesmyfriend — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 23:42:14 +0000

I know it’s almost Halloween, but to be honest my brain has been on Christmas. In preparation for the 5 craft shows I’m doing this upcoming holiday season, I have had my paws busy designing some new festive and yule inspired treats. I am mixing up watercolors today and hoping to finish these wonderful hand-drawn designs by the end of the weekend. Although they’re not done yet, I thought I’d be cheeky and give you a sneak peek at what I’ve been working on in the studio lately.

Filed under: Beasts, Birds, Drawing, Painting Tagged: christmas, drawing, holiday cards, sneak peek, work in progress, wrong holiday