Been a busy couple of weeks, school holidays are always a bit tricky to find time. I have been working on some illustrations for a software product that my husband and I are building so I can't share those at this stage but I was back at the gallery today sketching with my new drawing group, I spent most of my time with a bunch of Mesoamerican statues. I am starting to not get so freaked out by people watching me draw :)
One of my favorite things about being a parent is listening to the stories my daughter makes up and really trying to encourage her imagination. She has named a bunch of the cacti which line our windowsills, while our cacti are very accustomed to their suburban lives they also like a bit of adventure, this is a group of them taking a family vacation to the desert.
Rad experience joining a local drawing group for the first time yesterday although I didn't realise how inconvenient my backpack was going to be, it made me slow to set up / pack up and a few of us had to organise a locker at the gallery as we didn't know backpacks weren't allowed so I spent most of today sewing a bag/sketchbook cover which fits an A4 sketchbook, pencils, id and phone and also has some backing in it so I can easily sketch on my lap without dropping my stuff all over the place. I'm going to do a bit more work on my weird comic book page tonight but in the mean time this is my sea serpent digitally coloured, he lives at Apollo Bay and likes to sleep camouflaged amongst the lifesaver rings.
Here's a portrait of Yuko Shimizu that I'm working on for an IlloStories project (check the group out on Facebook).
I took her pose from one of her photographs, then used colours, patterns and textures that were inspired by her artworks.
This could be a front page for a book about her, or maybe a page for when her story reaches this point!
I took over as organizer of a Ladies Wine & Design group. Recently, I attended a grand opening of a co-working space, alone. I received some “compliments” that I’m not sure were compliments. To quote Chris Griffin: “I’m so awkward!?!”
A recent commission from a patron of mine. They have weekly game #DungeonsAndDragons game nights and wanted all of their original thought up characters in a group shot. I was happy to oblige -- this was both a challenge and so much fun! A total of 13 characters was done, in about 2 1/2 weeks time!
A color pencil drawing of Debbie Harry - singer with the group Blondie. Reference used was from back in the 1970's. Derwent Artists color pencils on thick cartridge paper. Many thanks for looking.
This is a piece I did, based off of a prompt in a daily creating group that I am a member of on Facebook. The theme was Polka Dots (If the title wasn't obvious). Looking forward to trying out DoodleAddicts!
55 mins
“I Never Noticed The House Was On Fire” This is a painting for an upcoming group exhibition about memories. When I was a kid I grew up in a household where my parents were functioning alcoholics. They gave me toys, put me in front of the tv, and sent me outside to play to keep me distracted from what was going on. When I look back almost all of my childhood memories revolve around these things. I became obsessed with these imaginary worlds and I learned to draw by copying my favorite cartoons and characters from children’s books. It was not until I was much older, that the truth could no longer be hidden from me. The imaginary world of cartoons and books kept me shielded from the harsh realities of home. As I grew into an adult that form of coping grew with me as I created my own imaginary places inspired by the ones I loved as a child. A healthy place to escape.
After my high school boyfriend and I broke up, I went to prom with a group of single friends. While I was in the bathroom, I overheard someone saying, "Leah Budin put in no effort at all." Ouch.
This painting is a technique I enjoy mostly because I see figures in the ordinary and draw them out from what I see in abstract backgrounds I paint. In it you see a group of people enjoying time together. I used Acrylics on Aquaboard, a surface especially made for many layers of wet media.
Colorful Goldfish - Another watercolor sketch from my newest sketchbook. I'm using Strathmore Mixed Media 300 Series (5.5 in x 8.5 in). It has 40 sheets of 90 lb. vellum surface paper. They cost under $10 and can be used for most anything including wet media (light washes) without the paper falling apart or warping badly. One of the best all purpose sketchbooks I've found and the size makes it easy to toss in a backpack and carry daily. Anyway, just wanted to share my good experience with the group. What's your favorite sketchbook brand/format?
