create – Paper Opera

I am working with Inktense pencils, Micron ink pens, and Canson Illustration 11×14″ 150lb art pad to create 15 illustrations (that is how many pieces of paper are in the art pad) of my current family life and inspirations.

This work is narrative in content and uses color in a monochromatic way accentuating one part of each drawing. These fun and quirky illustrations are a reflection of the current joy and activities I have been experiencing.

“Bonfire at Sequiota Bike Shop” was a wonderful, cold Fall evening where we were able to sit around a bonfire with our friends at Sequiota Bike Shop and enjoy our time together. This event really stuck in my mind because although it was a “spur of the moment” get together, I just kept thinking about what a really great time we had. Our baby just sat in my lap and relaxed, which is always such a treat. The fire was huge and toasty, and I have enjoyed bonfires since childhood, so it was even a bit nostalgic. I used Inktense pencils Cadmium Orange and Tangerine blended.

My favorite things about this drawing are my group of friends,

guy talk and girl talk,

man portraits, the little girl with her baby doll (our friend’s daughter), and mom and daughter portrait,

the other people there,

the barn bar

the rock wall, the decorative lantern lights, and the fallen leaves.

Inspiration for this drawing

“Costume Parade at the Library Center,” was a fun Halloween costume parade at the Library Center in Springfield. All of the librarians dressed up and set up trick-or-treating stations throughout the library. They had the kids line up and go through the library collecting fun toys and stickers from each of the librarians. This was a super fun event, and because my kid had no intention of staying in the line, we caught the end of the line and wandered through at our own toddler pace. I used Inktense Pencil Saddle Brown to accentuate the library’s architecture and add to the structure of the space in the drawing.