15 Illustrations: Christmas at Bass Pro

Posted on April 22, 2017 by lksukany

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.

“Christmas at Bass Pro” was a memorable time to say the least. It was E’s first carousel ride, first time meeting Santa (which seemed to be more of a traumatic experience than of joy), and first time watching an automatic train set. There was also a very large Christmas tree, which is featured in the drawing and inspired the use of Inktense pencil Leaf Green for the color.

My favorite things about this drawing are the “Santa’s elf” photographer, Santa’s little log cabin set up, and my friend Stashia and her daughter Avi meeting Santa,

the line of families to meet Santa, our family portrait, and our fun patterned pants (I wish we had this many patterned clothes in our real wardrobe),

all of the over-the-top Christmas decorations, the presents under the tree (with the fun wrapping paper patterns), the Christmas trees, and it wouldn’t be a Bass Pro Christmas celebration without the taxidermy reindeer ya’ll.

Inspiration for this drawing

15 Illustrations: Bonfire at Sequiota Bike Shop

Posted on March 27, 2017 by lksukany

“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

15 Illustrations: Watching the Larpers at Phelps Grove Park

Posted on February 22, 2017 by lksukany

“Watching the Larpers at Phelps Grove Park,” was something we did a hand full of times last fall. Larpers are live action role-players “where the participants physically act out their characters’ actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world while interacting with each other in character.” (via Wikipedia) When the weather is nice out the Larpers and their families meet up at Phelps Grove Park on Sunday afternoons and play for a couple of hours. We always think it would be fun to let Ein off leash and yell “Warg attack!” – but of course we do not do this. I used Inktense pencil poppy red for the picnic blanket and one of the Larpers’ teams. I have really been wanting to use red, but it’s such a vivid color that it was hard to find a place for it until this drawing.

My favorite things about this drawing are the Larpers,

the nature (trees and grass) patterns,

our family (dad, mom, baby, and dog),

and the picnic blanket pattern and polka dotted pants.

Inspiration for this drawing

15 Illustrations: First Birthday Buzz

Posted on January 4, 2017 by lksukany

“First Birthday Buzz” was the big first birthday milestone for our daughter. We invited a big group of family and friends for an outdoor party. It was in early October and warm out with a cool breeze – perfect light sweater weather. We had a chili lunch aka “frito pie”, cake, singing, and presents in a short but very sweet hour. I used Inktense Ink Block Mustard because M said it would look the best and I wanted something bright and happy.

firstbirthdaybuzz

My favorite details of this drawing are the birthday singing group and all of their clothing patterns and styles, the little girl holding the balloon with the birthday hat bee stinger,

the decorated cake table,

the fun party pendant, garlands, and decorations, (the garland was also in “Key of G” Drawing”)

the fun family closeups,

and the table cloth pattern.

Inspirations for this drawing – these amazing photos were taken by Nikki fromNikki&Paul Photo/Film.

15 Illustrations: Finding Nemo with Friends

Posted on December 10, 2016 by lksukany

“Finding Nemo with Friends” features some of our friends from Arkansas (and Romania). Our friend Nana and her three kids were so amazing to help me navigate the land of having a kid. We were invited over – an open invitation – for whenever we wanted. Nana’s husband put together a “Finding Nemo” fishtank and E loved watching the fish. I used Inktense pencil Iris Blue for the color and used it on the water in the fish tank, the sky in the Romania painting, and placed a wave pattern on the rug.

Some of my favorite things about this drawing are Nana’s daughter reading to E,

Nana’s son playing cars,

Nana’s dog (and Ein’s friend Jack) watching W play with his cars,

Nana’s oldest daughter reading a good book,

the fireplace,

the painting of Romania that Nana commissioned for Livada orphan sponsorship,

the awesome “Finding Nemo” fish tank,

the fun wallpaper pattern,

and the waves in the carpet, which I put to not only use the color in an interesting way, but to show that our short time together (before we moved to Springfield) was in some ways metaphorically like the “Finding Nemo” dentist fish tank scene.