It was all the rage, that hollow hair.  You should try it.  Once your hair is hollow you can put all sorts of things in it.

My first attempt at an illustration done in Photoshop.  It was a nice experience…all 60 minutes of it.  Usually it would take me a couple of nights after the kids go to bed to finish something like this.  I must say it does lack the sort of hand done appeal I love but that is probably due to my lack of Photoshop coloring knowledge!  I am wondering if I should place a background color in there?

I drew her a while ago…probably after looking at Benjamin Lacombe’s amazing and aww inspiring images. She looks frail. She probably doesn’t eat much and she likes to stay up late, in very expensive clothing.

If you know Ava you know- nothing tops a mermaid. They are real and if you find a sea witch to bargain with, you can become one too.

So…idea : )

I wanted to MAKE a special mermaid for her to, of course, love. Out came the fabric and my first mermaid template. We even sat down and designed her together: black hair, shiny green tail, privacy shells and a flower for her hair. Then-

Nothing. The mermaid lost out to a spray bottle and a wash cloth.

I am sure she will be loved soon.

I don’t exactly know where this came from but “unfold” brought on a sketch of a mountain-ish earth woman unfolding the night sky over a valley.  My mind is mysterious.

Well, Tobiah Blaise, on to second grade.  Loose teeth, chapter books and 8 years here we come.  Unbelievable.  I wish I had documented every moment of time with him this school year because all of a sudden he is very big.  Although I realize that the little bundle bean has turned into a pretty incredible young man.  He is full of creative juice, always willing to tell a joke and takes fun VERY seriously.  My kinda guy.

]]> http://brennaillustration.com/2009/05/27/growing-up/feed/ 0 http://brennaillustration.com/2009/03/12/if-intricate/ http://brennaillustration.com/2009/03/12/if-intricate/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:41:57 +0000 brenna http://brennaillustration.com/?p=154

Well, I actually did something for this week’s Illustration Friday. I say that, but I do have an IF graveyard of enormous proportions. This week’s topic was intricate and I immediately thought of illustrations I admire of the huge extravagant hats from the turn of the century. I decided to attempt to make my own but with a spring theme…I really wanted to do a color wash at least but I saved this one from certain death and went ahead and posted it!

Well this is the result of some experimenting I have been doing trying to loosen my work up a bit and let planning go for happy accident’s sake.  I have a thing for wolves…the story book sort and I find myself doodling them all the time.  I love trying to make them as sinister as possible, but remaining lovably evil.

Yeah that’s right kids it’s Mo Willems. The genius author/illustrator of such characters as Pigeon, Elephant and Piggy, Leonardo, Knuffle Bunny, Edwina and the most recent addition: Naked Mole Rat. He was right here in St. Louis for a book signing extravaganza. It was a huge turn out but I made sure I got to him before he was worn out. Then I couldn’t even speak to him:(

anticipating Mo’s arrival with a little sketching.

Let me just say, he was extremely funny.

I could have kicked myself for not bringing all our books- I had no idea you were allowed to bring books not purchased at the event.