Weekly artist update #1

 I'm going to try something--- with only the slight gleam of hope that it might work and I might actually remember to do it each week-- I'm going to start posting a weekly artist update.  It's been hard to stay motivated lately to get anything done with the gorgeous summer sun shining down, but I think knowing that I have to write something each week about what I've done with my artwork and business might help me stay in line a bit.

So, here it goes--

1) I finished up my signature series shoes for June last week, Mother Earth.  She did well for herself; a very fun design to do with the onset of summer.

2) I've been learning about elephants--  mostly the differences between the African and Asian varieties.  African Elephants are some HUGE mother f***ers!  (sorry, I don't normally swear, but honestly, they are quite enormous) --Much much larger than the Asian variety.  Also, Asian elephants seem to have this large bump on their heads, while the African elephants have flat tops.  There are many other differences-- ear shape and size is a big one--

So, why elephants?

I've been in touch with someone from the Uda Walawe Elephant Research Project, and we have talked about putting some sort of book together with field illustrations; sort of throw-back style.  The group is currently with the elephants, and so I'm doing all that I can to learn about elephant anatomy and habits before they return.  The sketches are in their very newborn stages; I'll post some in a week or so :)

3)  I finished my Myna birds, and am moving on to Jungle Babblers.  They were all over the place in Chandigarh.  They are fat little brown birds; one might call them common, but they are tough and fun and loved the orange flowers on our balcony.

4) I bought a mat cutter this week for $25 from a guy on Craig's List.  I've been a bit too intimated to actually try it out yet, but Violet and I are taking a trip to the art store later today to find some mat board to practice on.  If I can get it to work, it will be a great thing!  Most of my work is pretty delicate---  not on canvas, which means for the most part I have to mat and frame it when it's done.  You wouldn't think this would be such a big deal, but it actually has a big impact on my work.  I am constantly weighing having to make every single thing I do fit within the boundaries of a standard 7.5x9.5 mat window, or battle our bank accounts with custom matting and framing.  Having my own mat cutter actually gives me the freedom to size my artwork according to what suits it best artistically.

Bullfrogs, Tree Frogs, Green Frogs... Frogs Frogs Frogs!

5) A friend of mine is working on a children's book, and I am enjoying the pleasure of creating an illustration to go along with it.  The wonderful thing about what I do is how much I get to learn about different animals, plants, trees, birds, etc.... as I work with my brush and pencil.  Her story surrounds a frog and a wren.  Wrens are no problem, but frogs I haven't done much with before.  They are tricky little fellows, with arms than jet out of breast plates, and legs that fold like lasagna noodles.  Their bodies are so slippery and rounded, but finding the right angles, especially to their boxy heads is key in creating that froggy look.

I've been practicing with frogs-- their movements, the way they sit and cling to things; and exploring different varieties.  Sketches.....

That's about it, I think.

Coming up next week:  elephants, wrens, and conquering my fear of the mat cutter.