Happy Halloween!

I found this mummyboy in my Moleskine sketchbook, and thought sharing him would be an excellent way to wrap up the Halloween season. Hope you've had some spooky fun!

This year I added 3 wonderful Halloween books to my picture book collection. I've been a J. Otto Seibold fan since years ago when he spoke at my college about his gorilla marketing techniques such as putting his promo stickers next to the octane ratings at the gas station. His Vunce Upon a Time is a clever story, and I have a lot to learn from his varying viewpoint page layout compostions.

Both The Halloween Kid by Rhode Montijo and Welcome to Monster Town by Ryan Heshka are 2010 releases, but they each have that classic retro vibe that I love. The Halloween Kid has quickly become one of my all-time favorites with it's limited color palette and fun character designs.

This is a touch of my autumn decor. Interestingly, the colors here are similar to my book purchases.

When the sun comes in and hits this gourd I painted last year the glitter reflects and creates these stars on my wall. For me happiness often is noticing the beauty in the little things.

Illustration Friday: Racing

This week I'm re-posting some previous IF entries because the topic fits so perfectly, and because I have new photos to share.

Atelier acrylic & Acryla Gouache on 8" x 8" wood board

A while back I was commissioned to create this painting as a baby gift for racing legend and Indy 500 champion, Bobby Rahal and his wife, for their daughter's nursery.

You can see some process photos here.

I had presented 2 sketch ideas, and the top image was chosen. Knowing that I had the big LA SCBWI conference coming up, I went ahead, and painted the second one as well as a portfolio piece. I was recently pleasantly surprised when Mrs. Johanna Rahal said they would like to buy the second painting!

 Atelier acrylic & Acryla Gouache on 8" x 8" wood board
Process photos here. 

Just last week I delivered the painting to Bobby Rahal at the amazingly designed Team Rahal offices.

Mr. Rahal was kind enough to pose with my painting.

Illustration Friday: Spooky + Dueling Banjo Pig

  

I've enjoyed following the duel of pigs that has been transpiring between Guy Francis and Stacy Curtis, and have eagerly wanted to join in the fun. This week, with Illustration Friday's topic being 'spooky', and Guy & Stacy calling for spooky banjo pigs a sketch developed out of the most obvious solution, Vampire Banjo Pig!

There is an open call for more dueling banjo pigs, so do check out the main blog, and see the over 450 pigs already submitted!

Illustration Friday: Beneath

It's that time of year again when you'll find friends gathering ripe apples beneath the autumn trees.
This sketch has been in the works on and off for the last couple weeks. I've been attempting to concentrate more on environment, depth of field, and multiple character interaction. Critiques are welcome as this is a work in progress, and I'm trying to improve my scenes. After I get some color on it I plan to send it out as a fall promo piece.
Since this is a light post I'd like to share this video I watched a few weeks ago, and even after countless viewings it continues to fill my soul with inspirtation.

Illustrator Pascal Campion talks about the art making process: http://vimeo.com/13387502

I couldn't agree more with how he views the creative process. I love how he talks about the importance of emotion in art.  Pascal is a special person and a genuine artist.