Oh, I highly suspect that the glowing fish came from the respective episode of Big Bang Theory.
Some progress shots:
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Golden Fish
Golden Fish is my first truly "personal" piece in ages... I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep one night and this would not leave my head. After fighting it a good hour, I decided to get up and sketch it out....only then did the glowing fish in my head go away! =)
Oh, I highly suspect that the glowing fish came from the respective episode of Big Bang Theory.
Some progress shots:
Oh, I highly suspect that the glowing fish came from the respective episode of Big Bang Theory.
Some progress shots:
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Engagement!
Last night it was snowing. Not a dusting of snow, not a sprinkling, a bona fide blizzard...historic snowfall for the Northern Virginia area.
My boyfriend Chris and I bundled up, preparing to make the trek to our friends Joe & Cassie's apartment for a small gathering of friends and meatcakes. Little did I know or suspect that he had the ring on him...
As we trod out the back and down the stair we marveled at the sheer beauty of the wondrous white fluff. We approached the small grove of trees and I stopped to oogle at the flakes falling through the lantern-style streetlight. "Narnia," I said, pointing.
The next thing I knew (is Chris a ninja too?)... I turned and he was down on one knee.
***About the Ring***
Specs: 18k Yellow Gold, Fine Quality Blue Sapphire, Green Tourmaline, 5 VS1 (.05 carat) diamonds
Symbolism: Two owls: Chris is the bigger blue one, I am the cute lil green one. The band concept is stars caught in tree branches -a way to tie in fantasy and dreams and sci-fi with the owl theme. (I went through numerous ring designs that looked cool, but didn't mean anything... I settled on one that did both.)
I designed the ring... Quest Jewelers of Fairfax, VA made my sketch into a wonderful REAL 3D handcrafted object. It was absolutely amazing to witness. I love the resulting ring...especially because it is so personalized. A huge thank you to Huan for his care and attention to our ring!
My boyfriend Chris and I bundled up, preparing to make the trek to our friends Joe & Cassie's apartment for a small gathering of friends and meatcakes. Little did I know or suspect that he had the ring on him...
As we trod out the back and down the stair we marveled at the sheer beauty of the wondrous white fluff. We approached the small grove of trees and I stopped to oogle at the flakes falling through the lantern-style streetlight. "Narnia," I said, pointing.
The next thing I knew (is Chris a ninja too?)... I turned and he was down on one knee.
***About the Ring***
Specs: 18k Yellow Gold, Fine Quality Blue Sapphire, Green Tourmaline, 5 VS1 (.05 carat) diamonds
Symbolism: Two owls: Chris is the bigger blue one, I am the cute lil green one. The band concept is stars caught in tree branches -a way to tie in fantasy and dreams and sci-fi with the owl theme. (I went through numerous ring designs that looked cool, but didn't mean anything... I settled on one that did both.)
I designed the ring... Quest Jewelers of Fairfax, VA made my sketch into a wonderful REAL 3D handcrafted object. It was absolutely amazing to witness. I love the resulting ring...especially because it is so personalized. A huge thank you to Huan for his care and attention to our ring!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Snow = Magic
Today I awoke to a winter wonderland....
Ask anyone who knows me, I LOVE snow. I get absolutely giddy when I see flakes gliding gently though the lamplight out the window.
I think it is wonderful.
I think it is magical.
I feel sorry for the "grown ups" to whom it is just an inconvenience.... for they have lost their sense of wonder.
And boy I'm glad I look upon snow favorably.... currently our area of Northern VA has a winter weather advisory for up to 20 inches Friday-Saturday! Can you say blizzard?
Ask anyone who knows me, I LOVE snow. I get absolutely giddy when I see flakes gliding gently though the lamplight out the window.
I think it is wonderful.
I think it is magical.
I feel sorry for the "grown ups" to whom it is just an inconvenience.... for they have lost their sense of wonder.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. --Albert Einstein
And boy I'm glad I look upon snow favorably.... currently our area of Northern VA has a winter weather advisory for up to 20 inches Friday-Saturday! Can you say blizzard?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Storystrators Writer-Illustrators Group
So, I've been rather quiet as of late. Both of my "daytime" illustration major projects are under NDA and my personal work has private outlets for sharing and critique (you can't very well post a picture book in progress publicly on the internet -as technically that counts as publishing).
In consideration of the above, I created a group where I could share my work in progress with other Picture Book Author-Illustrators. The group I made is called Storystrators. The purpose: mutual critique and betterment of our written and visual work. The meeting format online at a private forum...
We number 6 members at the moment (mostly drawn from SCBWI Mid-Atlantic), we just picked the name and are starting to build momentum/activity. The plan is 10 members, so we are looking for a few good men/women to join our ranks.
If you think you might be interested please send me an e-mail at laura@ldiehl.com . I'd love to know more about your area of focus, what you are looking for in a group, and your current PB project... also, be sure to include an art and writing sample. Also, we are especially looking for those who are enthusiastic and can be active on the forum!
Goals:
-To form a small (but not too small, around 10 members) tight-knit group of writer-illustrators for the purpose of mutual critique and betterment of our visual and verbal art.
-An active group that supports the unique one-stop combination of writing & art that we writer-illustrators create (and can critique book dummies as well as manuscripts).
-To provide a private forum for general encouragement and companionship.
Member requirements:
-You write AND illustrate.
-You are willing to receive AND give critique in a useful and positive fashion.
-You are actively striving to improve (no matter what level you are at now).
-You are currently working on a Picture Book manuscript & dummy in some form! (or have an idea for one and just need a good kick in the pants! ie You will have one very soon...)
This offer stands until all positions are filled.
In consideration of the above, I created a group where I could share my work in progress with other Picture Book Author-Illustrators. The group I made is called Storystrators. The purpose: mutual critique and betterment of our written and visual work. The meeting format online at a private forum...
We number 6 members at the moment (mostly drawn from SCBWI Mid-Atlantic), we just picked the name and are starting to build momentum/activity. The plan is 10 members, so we are looking for a few good men/women to join our ranks.
If you think you might be interested please send me an e-mail at laura@ldiehl.com . I'd love to know more about your area of focus, what you are looking for in a group, and your current PB project... also, be sure to include an art and writing sample. Also, we are especially looking for those who are enthusiastic and can be active on the forum!
Goals:
-To form a small (but not too small, around 10 members) tight-knit group of writer-illustrators for the purpose of mutual critique and betterment of our visual and verbal art.
-An active group that supports the unique one-stop combination of writing & art that we writer-illustrators create (and can critique book dummies as well as manuscripts).
-To provide a private forum for general encouragement and companionship.
Member requirements:
-You write AND illustrate.
-You are willing to receive AND give critique in a useful and positive fashion.
-You are actively striving to improve (no matter what level you are at now).
-You are currently working on a Picture Book manuscript & dummy in some form! (or have an idea for one and just need a good kick in the pants! ie You will have one very soon...)
This offer stands until all positions are filled.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
My Working Space / Studio
As promised, refreshed pictures of my working space. I'm absolutely loving the new NEC 30incher ^_______^
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Math Wizard
Just wrapped up an e-book cover today for Vincent Tan in Singapore (his blog here: honeybeech.com). This is an illustration of a D&D "Math Wizard" for a specialized rule book. Accordingly, our hero fights with a divider and casts mathematical spells at his foes... I loved the clever concept and had a blast coming up with the illustration to match.
In the midst of said illustration, I underwent a rather big workstation change: I upgraded from a 24" Gateway LCD to a 30" LCD. And not just any 30incher, a NEC MultiSync LCD3090WQXi which I am really enjoying. I also got a Spyder3 to help with calibration =) (Photos of my updated workstation to follow). As for my 24".... let's just say a certain boyfriend is now enjoying a 3 monitor spread for his internet spaceships.
Oh, and special thanks to my friend Joe for modeling in a wizard's robe.
In the midst of said illustration, I underwent a rather big workstation change: I upgraded from a 24" Gateway LCD to a 30" LCD. And not just any 30incher, a NEC MultiSync LCD3090WQXi which I am really enjoying. I also got a Spyder3 to help with calibration =) (Photos of my updated workstation to follow). As for my 24".... let's just say a certain boyfriend is now enjoying a 3 monitor spread for his internet spaceships.
Oh, and special thanks to my friend Joe for modeling in a wizard's robe.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
IlluXcon 2009!
I just got home from IlluXcon in Altoona, PA. Chris and I traveled and roomed with fellow illustrator Cynthia Sheppard and her husband, which was a ton of fun... and very very helpful, as Cynthia went to the first ever IlluXcon last year and was a wonderful guide for this one =)
The Main Show, Altoona Heritage Center
Structurally the convention has a few main "areas" of interest:
1.) The show at the Heritage Center in downtown Altoona. This is the most amazing display of fantasy and science fiction artwork to ever occupy the same space. We're talking originals by Donato Giancola, Michael Whelan, and Brom here. And, even better, 99% of the artists displaying were there behind their tables ready to chat or sign a print.
2.) Networking, ie hanging out. This might actually be the #1 attraction. Freelancing can be a lonely business... one of the biggest highlights of the convention was getting to chill with fellow illustrators. I've never been too keen on bars, but the bar at the Ramada on Friday and Saturday nights when it is jam packed with awesome illustrators is another matter all together.
3.) Portfolio reviews, both formal and informal. There is nothing that beats exchanging portfolios, giving and taking critique with the best in your field. I was absolutely floored by the useful and encouraging comments I received, by the "greats" who took the time to sit down with me and help show me the next steps in my path. A very deep and special thanks to: Ruth Sanderson, Dan Dos Santos, Jeremy Cranford, and Lou Anders.
4.) The convention programming. Here I must admit I didn't go to nearly everything... but things I did attend, such as the Art Director Q&A and the "Art of Self Promotion" were quite helpful. We spent a good deal of the car ride home, brainstorming/daydreaming about how various items on the list could be expanded next year.
5.) The fledgling "Saturday Night Showcase." Where those of us not in the main show were able to show and sell prints from our own tables. -I can't wait to see how this expands next year.
And so much more...
Cynthia and I also started an interesting thing with my Nintendo DSi and the homebrew application Colors! The "game" involves one artist starting a sketch, then passing it to the next participant, who adds to the image and so on. As you can imagine, this is huge fun in a room of illustrators. Below are the collaborative sketches from this year. Cynthia and I worked primarily on the first two, then as part of a group (including Zelda and Christine) on the later two.
What I personally took away from the convention to follow in a later entry.
The Main Show, Altoona Heritage Center
Structurally the convention has a few main "areas" of interest:
1.) The show at the Heritage Center in downtown Altoona. This is the most amazing display of fantasy and science fiction artwork to ever occupy the same space. We're talking originals by Donato Giancola, Michael Whelan, and Brom here. And, even better, 99% of the artists displaying were there behind their tables ready to chat or sign a print.
2.) Networking, ie hanging out. This might actually be the #1 attraction. Freelancing can be a lonely business... one of the biggest highlights of the convention was getting to chill with fellow illustrators. I've never been too keen on bars, but the bar at the Ramada on Friday and Saturday nights when it is jam packed with awesome illustrators is another matter all together.
3.) Portfolio reviews, both formal and informal. There is nothing that beats exchanging portfolios, giving and taking critique with the best in your field. I was absolutely floored by the useful and encouraging comments I received, by the "greats" who took the time to sit down with me and help show me the next steps in my path. A very deep and special thanks to: Ruth Sanderson, Dan Dos Santos, Jeremy Cranford, and Lou Anders.
4.) The convention programming. Here I must admit I didn't go to nearly everything... but things I did attend, such as the Art Director Q&A and the "Art of Self Promotion" were quite helpful. We spent a good deal of the car ride home, brainstorming/daydreaming about how various items on the list could be expanded next year.
5.) The fledgling "Saturday Night Showcase." Where those of us not in the main show were able to show and sell prints from our own tables. -I can't wait to see how this expands next year.
And so much more...
Cynthia and I also started an interesting thing with my Nintendo DSi and the homebrew application Colors! The "game" involves one artist starting a sketch, then passing it to the next participant, who adds to the image and so on. As you can imagine, this is huge fun in a room of illustrators. Below are the collaborative sketches from this year. Cynthia and I worked primarily on the first two, then as part of a group (including Zelda and Christine) on the later two.
What I personally took away from the convention to follow in a later entry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)