tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27964238606469996812024-03-13T12:41:42.352-07:00SOMETHING ARTSYR Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-91530476988858370132016-01-12T15:07:00.000-08:002016-01-12T20:11:56.127-08:00Home Grown Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As an artist and generally craftsy person, when the holidays roll around I like to look for ways to make unique gifts. The downside to homemade gifts is that they can sometimes become objects that just take up space, that everyone <i>appreciates</i> but nobody really <i>wants</i>. </div>
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So this year I decided to try to make things that would function as artwork AND be useful at the same time. I thought - what is something that most people like to have around, but isn't usually very pretty? And then it came to me - matchboxes! Just about everyone has a box or book of matches shoved in a drawer somewhere. So I started looking around for some nice, plain wooden boxes that weren't too expensive (it took a while) and finally found the perfect thing - pencil boxes! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KNAZM1E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00" target="_blank">THESE</a> are the ones I bought.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhD5S-gGLNc/VpWD0LwMQUI/AAAAAAAAA0U/fJBPgFUcRIA/s1600/31-fE8p2jSL._SX425_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhD5S-gGLNc/VpWD0LwMQUI/AAAAAAAAA0U/fJBPgFUcRIA/s320/31-fE8p2jSL._SX425_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First I sanded and stained the wood a nice cherry color. Then I taped off sections of the lids and painted them with geometric shapes. Each box had it's own unique colors and shapes. Then I took some little wood shapes that I had on hand (because I'm so craftsy) and painted and stacked them and glued them on as little handles, to make it easier to open the boxes.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2Gixup6cBg/VpWFF4DgKtI/AAAAAAAAA0s/SyTkHqj_1I4/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2Gixup6cBg/VpWFF4DgKtI/AAAAAAAAA0s/SyTkHqj_1I4/s400/IMG_3923.JPG" title="Decorative matchbox" width="400" /></a></div>
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So pretty!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kyOtvLnuV3I/VpWFFzw2FaI/AAAAAAAAA0o/VJvbp11njrQ/s1600/IMG_3925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kyOtvLnuV3I/VpWFFzw2FaI/AAAAAAAAA0o/VJvbp11njrQ/s320/IMG_3925.jpg" width="178" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdgKtJ3o0us/VpWFGX-W7yI/AAAAAAAAA0w/uT36w3fzeVA/s1600/IMG_3933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="173" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdgKtJ3o0us/VpWFGX-W7yI/AAAAAAAAA0w/uT36w3fzeVA/s320/IMG_3933.JPG" title="art matchbox" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xk2nbEMHe8E/VpWFIkPT4zI/AAAAAAAAA1E/cayAXC8SWZk/s1600/IMG_3936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xk2nbEMHe8E/VpWFIkPT4zI/AAAAAAAAA1E/cayAXC8SWZk/s320/IMG_3936.JPG" title="painted box" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myO4frM2weM/VpWFJCKJqlI/AAAAAAAAA1I/gy6sf9zWmwM/s1600/IMG_3940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myO4frM2weM/VpWFJCKJqlI/AAAAAAAAA1I/gy6sf9zWmwM/s320/IMG_3940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used "strike on box" matches because they are safer, and glued the "strike" strip to the bottom of the box. I also added little feet to protect tabletops and other surfaces.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1LdE7mGTHM/VpWFJ0jD3cI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/cMax6jliJPY/s1600/IMG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1LdE7mGTHM/VpWFJ0jD3cI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/cMax6jliJPY/s400/IMG_3943.JPG" title="decorative box" width="237" /></a></div>
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The boxes went over well! ... Unless my relatives were all just being polite...</div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-30255533586557976472015-12-01T15:57:00.000-08:002015-12-01T15:57:24.647-08:00Constellations and Decorative Animals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This year I began working on a set of images which ended up adding a whole new section to my portfolio. It started as just little experiments, playing around with ways to simplify shapes and use flat colors. I find it satisfying to distill an object down to it's most basic, pleasing shape, and these experiments allowed me to fully explore this idea. Eventually it evolved into two separate series.<br />
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The first was a set of 12 animal/creature constellations, which I turned into a big, pretty, calendar poster, available for purchase <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/253746030/2016-calendar-2016-animal-calendar-2016?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The calendar is not a Zodiac calendar, although some of the signs are represented. Rather, the constellations are ones that can be found in the Northern Hemisphere during the month they are displayed with.<br />
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The second series also involves animals, but they are more decorative, with elements from nature creating small landscapes that the animals sit inside of. When folks looked at these, they regularly suggested I turn them into greeting cards. So I did! There are two sets, the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/253634823/animal-greeting-card-set-wild-animal?ref=shop_home_active_3" target="_blank">Wild Animals</a> set, and the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/253739896/animal-greeting-card-set-domestic-animal?ref=listing-shop-header-1" target="_blank">Domestic Animals</a> set, both available on Etsy.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVlUgj7mM5k/Vl4vmjYmiCI/AAAAAAAAAzo/ZqheUqqYRGc/s1600/Blue%2BHound_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVlUgj7mM5k/Vl4vmjYmiCI/AAAAAAAAAzo/ZqheUqqYRGc/s320/Blue%2BHound_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is exciting when something that started as just an experiment, something meant as an exercise to stretch my art-making muscles, ends up as products out in the world. There's a lot to be said for allowing oneself to explore new ideas and methods, without any pressure or clients to worry about. You never know what might come from it!</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Buy local/from artists this holiday season!</span></i></b></div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-79137647923273209312015-08-20T10:16:00.000-07:002015-08-20T10:18:51.640-07:00Children's Book Illustration Course<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am excited to share that I will be teaching two classes and a workshop this coming Fall and Winter at the <a href="http://www.workhousearts.org/" target="_blank">Workhouse Arts Center</a> in Lorton, VA. Housed in what used to be a women's prison, the Workhouse is now home to six huge artist studio buildings, classrooms spaces, galleries, and more. It is really a unique place, and I look forward to contributing to their offerings.<br />
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The first course that I am scheduled to teach is called <b>Illustrate a Children's Book.</b> It's for anyone who has ever wondered what is involved in illustrating a children's book, and is geared towards adults and young adults of all skill levels. Students will learn about visual storytelling, the layout/design of children's books, and the process of conceptualizing a book from start to finish. Everyone will choose a story to work with (or write their own), and ultimately create a book dummy and a finished illustration sample (if there is time).<br />
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Students will learn about storyboarding...</div>
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And rough sketching...</div>
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And everyone will create a book dummy for their story!</div>
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We will also discuss how to pitch a book to publishers, agents, and the option of self publishing. A lot of info will be crammed into these six weeks! I hope to make the course really fun and informative.<br />
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If you or someone you know might be interested in this class, <b>please share!</b><br />
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Here are the details:<br />
<b>Illustrate a Children's Book</b><br />
Fall Quarter (6 weeks) - Classes meet on Sundays, 2-4pm<br />
First class meets on Sunday, Sept. 20th. No class on Oct. 25th<br />
Tuition: $165<br />
<b>To Register <a href="https://reservations.workhousearts.org/Info.aspx?EventID=132" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></b><br />
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You can also check out the other course I am teaching in the winter, <b>Drawing Animals</b>, and a December workshop on <b>Basic Pen & Ink Techniques</b>. I will be writing individual descriptions for these as we get closer to the time.<br />
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Thanks for looking (and sharing)! If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to ask.<br />
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I am currently knee-deep in illustrating my second book for Cengage Learning. I can't share images yet, but I can say that it's set in the late 18th century, and it involves a shipwreck and lots of animals, so I am definitely having a lot of fun doing the illustrations!</div>
R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-40327712084723429482015-05-21T12:19:00.000-07:002015-05-21T12:19:37.812-07:00The Most Fabulous T-Shirt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been a while since I last posted! I am back home in Washington, DC, and am currently preparing to move to a new house where I will have a larger studio space! Joy!! I will share some photos once it's all set up. Meanwhile, I want to share this great new t-shirt printer which does all-over printing (not just a square in the middle of the shirt, oh the possibilities!). <a href="http://nuvango.com/">Nuvango.com</a> has a great line-up of artists selling printed work, and you can also upload your own work to get printed on various products. As an experiment, I uploaded one of my paintings and ordered a t-shirt, and I LOVE IT! Check it out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPe0gx4P1pc/VV4uBdDfH0I/AAAAAAAAAxs/WJotznAi2lg/s1600/Bear%2Bshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPe0gx4P1pc/VV4uBdDfH0I/AAAAAAAAAxs/WJotznAi2lg/s400/Bear%2Bshirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me modeling the shirt, and that wall is attached to my new house!</td></tr>
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I may eventually open a shop with them - I'll let you know when it happens. For now, this shirt is one of a kind :)</div>
R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-15580063216549256632015-01-26T14:56:00.001-08:002015-02-02T11:19:19.692-08:002014 Year in Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29_5-fU1oGQ/VM_NlXURsZI/AAAAAAAAAws/lcp7qvFLyw4/s1600/Solow-Fairy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29_5-fU1oGQ/VM_NlXURsZI/AAAAAAAAAws/lcp7qvFLyw4/s1600/Solow-Fairy.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well it's been quite a year. At almost this exact time last year I left my day job to pursue freelance illustration full time. The next day, I moved from NYC to Washington, DC. It was one of the more terrifying and stressful times of my life. Ack! But some really great things happened in 2014, and let's focus on those for now. Here are the highlights:<br />
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I exhibited at my first two conventions ever!</div>
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Here is my table at AwesomeCon DC, which I shared with the glorious <a href="http://www.marcscheff.com/" target="_blank">Marc Scheff</a>.</div>
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Here I am at my Illuxcon Showcase table. <a href="http://www.illuxcon.com/" target="_blank">Illuxcon</a> was inspiring and loads of fun. There was an embarrassment of wonderful art and lovely people there to meet and reconnect with. I was also thrilled to sell a lot of my drawings and even a painting. I will be back in the showcase again this year!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I produced my first Sketchbook, containing sketches from my Russian Fairy Tales series.</span></div>
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I opened an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SolowIllustration" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>, where I sell original art and other products (like my sketchbook!), and an <a href="http://www.inprnt.com/gallery/rebeccasolow/" target="_blank">INPRNT store</a> where I sell a selection of art prints.</div>
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I started a series of drawings based on the animals at the National Zoo, which, lucky for me, is a short walk from my home in DC.</div>
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I dipped my toe back into teaching by leading two art workshops for teenagers, one about book cover illustration and design, and another on mural painting. Here is a shot of the mural my students created, with the theme "Our World". It was awesome and I look forward to doing more teaching.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PT58s2fphVs/VLWj7ft_bpI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Mj7cMHmKMtI/s1600/7%2BDiscovery%2BScene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PT58s2fphVs/VLWj7ft_bpI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Mj7cMHmKMtI/s1600/7%2BDiscovery%2BScene.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did concept art for a film which will be based on an Irish folk tale.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bu1072_zRsQ/VLWf_AK5T5I/AAAAAAAAAvM/pAlQXwn0W3Y/s1600/936645_10100403781640379_5020857501975948504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bu1072_zRsQ/VLWf_AK5T5I/AAAAAAAAAvM/pAlQXwn0W3Y/s1600/936645_10100403781640379_5020857501975948504_n.jpg" height="212" title="Solow Mural" width="320" /></a></div>
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I busted out my big brushes to paint a 40 foot long mural in a children's library.</div>
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I turned 30!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUaKfe9e_9s/VLWkxnmAaRI/AAAAAAAAAv8/bs836VTN9T0/s1600/Crystal-Tower-Online-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUaKfe9e_9s/VLWkxnmAaRI/AAAAAAAAAv8/bs836VTN9T0/s1600/Crystal-Tower-Online-cover.jpg" height="320" title="Crystal Tower cover" width="217" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I illustrated and designed the covers for a Young Adult book series which will come out in 2015. This is Book 1 of the series.</span></div>
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And here is the cover for Book 2! I love that the main character is a strong young woman. Keep an eye out for these (and a third book in the works!) in the coming year.</div>
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I had the opportunity to move to Oakland, CA for four months, and have been getting lots of inspiration from the art scene and all the twisty trees.</div>
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I got to be a model for the Dazzle Camo clothing line designed by Stephanie Syjuco for <a href="http://workshopresidence.com/blogs/news/15952972-dazzle-opening-for-stephanie-syjuco-saturday-november-29th-2-00-5-00" target="_blank">The Workshop Residence</a> in San Francisco. </div>
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I got to meet sloths and feed them apples!!!</div>
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I designed my first game character - a kick-butt 11 year old girl! Fun!</div>
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And the biggest milestone of all - I got my first full PICTURE BOOK assignment from Cengage Learning in Australia, for which I just wrapped up the last of the 23 illustrations. Phew! I will have some images from this project up once I get the green light from the publisher that I can share them. Thanks to my agent at <a href="http://theillustratorsagency.com/" target="_blank">The Illustrators Agency </a>for bringing me the project!</div>
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Lessons learned - Overall, even though I earned less than in the years when I had a day job, I feel that last year was more valuable than any previous year of my career. I took huge leaps forward in improving my art and gaining a wide variety of freelance experiences. I am also happy to be getting a lot of work that focuses on portraying strong female characters, and also work based on folk tales, as these are two of my major areas of interest. I am still getting used to the ebb and flow of freelance life - weeks can go by without new projects coming along, which is always nerve wracking, but I am learning to make use of those times through personal projects and networking.<br />
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There were moments when the fear of failure loomed so large that I felt frozen, immobilized by uncertainty. I recognize that these moments will come along every so often, and I have found that the best way to deal with them is to just make something. Anything. A drawing, some jewelry, bake some cookies - just do what you can to get up and be productive and then get back to work. I am also working on making and maintaining connections with people - the freelance experience can be a very isolating and lonely one, and it takes some extra effort to stay in touch. This has been a year of learning and challenges and growth and fun projects and frustrating projects. It's been harder than I ever imagined, but also more rewarding and full of wonderful surprises.</div>
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And now for 2015!</div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-12505384374682442162014-08-22T11:49:00.000-07:002014-08-22T11:58:52.035-07:00Blue Fairy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This summer has been filled with a wide variety of freelance projects which have kept me very busy (a mural, 11 illustrations for a film, a YA book cover, and jewelry design, phew!). It's been awesome, but every so often I need to work on something for myself. I've been plugging away at this little series of Blue Fairies, and finally the trio is complete. All three fairies will be traveling with me to <a href="http://www.illuxcon.com/projects/rebecca-solow/" target="_blank">Illuxcon</a> next month. Come meet them (and me!) at the Friday/Saturday Showcase.<br />
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-74954390091575326572014-08-16T12:51:00.000-07:002014-08-16T12:54:03.559-07:00Deer Park Library Mural<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">This summer I was commissioned to do a mural for the library at Deer Park Elementary School in Centreville, VA. Prior to this, I had painted backdrops and murals with students (at summer camps and schools), but never tackled one all on my own. Eep! Exciting! The librarian and principal were very open to my ideas, and after sending sketches back and forth we settled on a design and they placed their giant 250 square foot wall in my hands.</span></div>
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Here is a piece of the wall, all taped off and ready for primer!</div>
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I transferred my sketch by projecting it in sections onto the wall and tracing it in pencil.</div>
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Using regular old interior house paint, I kicked things off by doing a night to day fade across the wall (about 40 ft long) using a big brush and gradually mixing dark blue and light blue paints together.</div>
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Next, I painted in the green landscape - that's me up on top of the ladder, take THAT fear of heights!</div>
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Then came the real fun! I started painting in some details of the Reading Tree.</div>
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Here is a progress pic - things are filling in! Also, big shout-out to my mom who came and helped for a couple of days by painting in and around all of those flowers!!</div>
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The lions are sleeping under the Leo constellation.</div>
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A baby bunny meets a worm! Also, you can see I was using a muffin tin to mix smaller batches of color.</div>
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Dinosaurs arrive to terrorize the non-fiction section! Also, an airplane and a reading monkey.</div>
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I used a lot of paint and destroyed a lot of paint brushes in the making of this mural.</div>
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Finally, after about 3 weeks of painting, it was time to take off the tape and be done! Here are some final shots.</div>
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Non-fiction section</div>
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The Reading Tree in the reading area, plus me! Hi again!</div>
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I managed to quickly get these last shots just as it was getting dark out.</div>
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I'm going to miss climbing that ladder every day.</div>
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In the end, everyone was happy with how the mural turned out and I learned a lot from the experience. It was fun to do something different, and be challenged to simplify my style a bit in order to paint on such a large and rough (cinderblock) surface. </div>
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And now the next question is - what to do with all of this leftover paint?</div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-48046195018964898972014-06-16T06:32:00.000-07:002014-06-16T06:32:11.451-07:00A Mouse in Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This year, for the first time, I decided to submit a piece to the <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/awards/tomie-depaola-award/" target="_blank">SCBWI Tomie dePaola award</a>. I have admired author/illustrator Tomie dePaola for pretty much my entire life (his "Strega Nona" was a fixture in my childhood library), and when I read this year's challenge I got so many ideas, I had to go for it! The prompt was to create a six-panel sequence with a clear beginning, middle, and end, showing an original and consistent character. So here it is, a little love story.<br />
(Click to enlarge)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLC3VvVVBPs/U57w6MyPscI/AAAAAAAAApE/vbV_R1BNjkg/s1600/Mouse-in-Love-WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLC3VvVVBPs/U57w6MyPscI/AAAAAAAAApE/vbV_R1BNjkg/s1600/Mouse-in-Love-WEB.jpg" height="640" width="387" /></a></div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-37094922417441136672014-06-13T10:00:00.000-07:002014-06-13T10:10:35.396-07:00Work Selected for Showcase 100<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Exciting news! My "Swans Rescue" piece has been selected for inclusion in the <a href="http://sc100.co.uk/" target="_blank">Showcase 100 </a>project, and will be part of a show in central London in April, 2015, along with a printed publication. This is the first time that the folks over at <a href="http://www.thelittlechimpsociety.com/" target="_blank">LCS</a> and <a href="http://www.hireanillustrator.com/" target="_blank">Hire an Illustrator</a> have put something like this together. I'm thrilled to be a part of it!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZDT4CGvFAc/U5swcBimArI/AAAAAAAAAo0/VqXSrdt8Q9g/s1600/SOLOW_Swans_ILLUXCON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZDT4CGvFAc/U5swcBimArI/AAAAAAAAAo0/VqXSrdt8Q9g/s1600/SOLOW_Swans_ILLUXCON.jpg" height="400" width="336" /></a></div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-88451384684966506632014-06-07T09:59:00.000-07:002014-06-07T10:02:53.014-07:00Fairy Scouts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On sunny Saturdays in spring, the fairies and the hares go scouting for freshly sprouted mushrooms. With their large ears, the hares can actually hear the mushrooms as they pop up through the earth - it is said to sound something like a very quiet belch.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXsDT8cj_l4/U5NEaT2VezI/AAAAAAAAAog/EiF7VETG3hs/s1600/Fairy+Scout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXsDT8cj_l4/U5NEaT2VezI/AAAAAAAAAog/EiF7VETG3hs/s1600/Fairy+Scout.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqvf32QHe6U/U5NEZuUTFBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/65Uo-HRICNc/s1600/Fairy+Scout+-+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqvf32QHe6U/U5NEZuUTFBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/65Uo-HRICNc/s1600/Fairy+Scout+-+crop.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></div>
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Graphite and white chalk on Strathmore toned paper.</div>
R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-53350713574892014952014-06-06T09:00:00.001-07:002014-06-06T09:01:42.684-07:00Friday Fairies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am working on a little series of fairy drawings, which may turn into a little series of fairy paintings. More to come! (Click to enlarge)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ2Ik0jT9pM/U5HlO2Vdx2I/AAAAAAAAAn8/nA4Y_qpsf-s/s1600/Fairy+Girl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ2Ik0jT9pM/U5HlO2Vdx2I/AAAAAAAAAn8/nA4Y_qpsf-s/s1600/Fairy+Girl1.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEQ06oZvxHk/U5HlPPkGXdI/AAAAAAAAAoA/VYe0JE_cntU/s1600/Fairy+Girl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEQ06oZvxHk/U5HlPPkGXdI/AAAAAAAAAoA/VYe0JE_cntU/s1600/Fairy+Girl2.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
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Graphite and white chalk on Strathmore toned paper.</div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-67469686033795757662014-05-27T13:03:00.000-07:002014-09-02T10:52:14.434-07:00Wizard Painting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have recently been re-reading the Harry Potter series (which I seem to do every few years), and I was inspired to do a little wizard painting. He is not any particular character, but I think he could live in the Harry Potter world. In any case, here he is, just for fun. 10.5x7.5 inches, mixed media on bristol paper.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIELY0_yans/U4T4Hyi0-PI/AAAAAAAAAnU/YOOf8yM_CKQ/s1600/Wizard-Web-FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIELY0_yans/U4T4Hyi0-PI/AAAAAAAAAnU/YOOf8yM_CKQ/s1600/Wizard-Web-FINAL.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wEeUf08Hz3o/U4T4Gky45II/AAAAAAAAAnM/YWlWpLc6SLQ/s1600/Wizard-Web-CloseFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wEeUf08Hz3o/U4T4Gky45II/AAAAAAAAAnM/YWlWpLc6SLQ/s1600/Wizard-Web-CloseFINAL.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjDL73qxQe0/VAYDeTbrWcI/AAAAAAAAAuM/NcP4FGtnpMo/s1600/Wizard%2Bdrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjDL73qxQe0/VAYDeTbrWcI/AAAAAAAAAuM/NcP4FGtnpMo/s1600/Wizard%2Bdrawing.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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And here is the drawing that started it all.</div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-11439941846686916612014-04-21T12:21:00.000-07:002014-04-21T12:21:21.103-07:00Awesome Con DC!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This past weekend I exhibited at my very first convention! Up until now, I have only been an attendee at conventions (Comic Con in NYC and San Diego, CTN, Illuxcon, etc). As a recent DC transplant, I was looking around for artsy stuff to do in the area, and saw that my illustrator friend <a href="http://www.marcscheff.com/" target="_blank">Marc Scheff</a> was listed as an Artist Alley exhibitor at <a href="http://awesomecondc.com/" target="_blank">Awesome Con</a>. I wrote him a "Hey dude, I'm excited that you'll be in my town" email, and he wrote back asking if I'd like to share his table, and that's how it all went down!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwMVCO_xqu0/U1VsVmQwCJI/AAAAAAAAAlc/OJoxKgnnI4k/s1600/10258710_10100324695394849_7347139307703743030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwMVCO_xqu0/U1VsVmQwCJI/AAAAAAAAAlc/OJoxKgnnI4k/s1600/10258710_10100324695394849_7347139307703743030_n.jpg" height="240" title="Awesome Con artist table" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Marc at our table. Day 1! My stuff is to the left. He was selling his beautiful art book and some sweet mugs.</td></tr>
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Awesome Con is only in its second year, but it grew exponentially from last year, filling a HUGE hall at the Washington Convention Center. I sold prints from my <a href="http://www.inprnt.com/gallery/rebeccasolow/" target="_blank">Russian Fairy Tale series</a>, my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184053551/firebird-sketchbook-by-rebecca-solow?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=rebecca+solow&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">artist sketchbook</a>, and a few folks even bought original drawings. The convention was definitely focused on comics and pop culture fan stuff (Dr. Who was everywhere!), and by the last day it was pretty clear that it was my cute stuff (bunnies, turkeys wearing hats) that this particular crowd was most interested in. To test my theory, I drew a cuddly hedgehog and put it out front, and immediately started getting more people coming to look at my stuff (and I sold the drawing).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fi2U0E7sukk/U1VsuhYfxJI/AAAAAAAAAlk/NOXjmtFpYlw/s1600/10155381_10100325803723749_6359643591544383533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fi2U0E7sukk/U1VsuhYfxJI/AAAAAAAAAlk/NOXjmtFpYlw/s1600/10155381_10100325803723749_6359643591544383533_n.jpg" height="320" title="cute hedgehog, drawing" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute hedgehog</td></tr>
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Overall I had a great time, I got to meet some really wonderful area artists, I am happy with how much I sold, and Marc and I already signed up for a table at next year's convention! I plan to bring more cuddly animals next time around.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fy80Mwjz-Ys/U1VtdRSbXrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/wMv9duUEjdQ/s1600/10251891_10100325684048579_5002632983612025416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fy80Mwjz-Ys/U1VtdRSbXrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/wMv9duUEjdQ/s1600/10251891_10100325684048579_5002632983612025416_n.jpg" height="320" title="beast drawing, king of the beasts, lion drawing" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I learned that at conventions you may end up doing a lot of sitting around, which can lead to some sweet sketchbook drawings!</td></tr>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-71032306939245238302014-04-04T08:42:00.000-07:002014-04-04T08:42:09.567-07:00Animals of the National Zoo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I currently live just a ten minute walk from the National Zoo in Washington, DC, essentially making the zoo animals my new neighbors. This is, in a word, AWESOME! I have taken to carrying my camera with me every time I visit, and snapping photos of whoever is out and about (it changes every time!). Here are some drawings of my new animal friends - I am excited to keep getting to know them.<br />
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(Click the images to see them nice and BIG)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAmsurDBb0M/Uz7RNDXCGZI/AAAAAAAAAko/pZs50NIWgOA/s1600/Bear+Drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAmsurDBb0M/Uz7RNDXCGZI/AAAAAAAAAko/pZs50NIWgOA/s1600/Bear+Drawing.jpg" height="296" title="andean bear drawing" width="400" /></a></div>
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Andean Bear</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRElwdALGd8/Uz7RMxlEOSI/AAAAAAAAAk0/qnJvXhyEn5Q/s1600/Cheetah+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRElwdALGd8/Uz7RMxlEOSI/AAAAAAAAAk0/qnJvXhyEn5Q/s1600/Cheetah+drawing.jpg" height="400" title="cheetah drawing" width="290" /></a></div>
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Cheetah</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JAZVW08K2Bk/Uz7RM2r8xtI/AAAAAAAAAkk/XRRa6D24MSU/s1600/Gazelle+Drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JAZVW08K2Bk/Uz7RM2r8xtI/AAAAAAAAAkk/XRRa6D24MSU/s1600/Gazelle+Drawing.jpg" height="400" title="dama gazelle drawing" width="308" /></a></div>
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Dama Gazelle</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysD2NOfQfbE/Uz7RPbPiCEI/AAAAAAAAAk8/rHLw_kqvePU/s1600/Monkey+Drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysD2NOfQfbE/Uz7RPbPiCEI/AAAAAAAAAk8/rHLw_kqvePU/s1600/Monkey+Drawing.jpg" height="400" title="goeldi's marmoset monkey drawing" width="290" /></a></div>
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Goeldi's Marmoset Monkey</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9PhayJcxs0/Uz7RPa9_dEI/AAAAAAAAAlA/bWHt4oNXlfo/s1600/Panda+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9PhayJcxs0/Uz7RPa9_dEI/AAAAAAAAAlA/bWHt4oNXlfo/s1600/Panda+drawing.jpg" height="400" title="giant panda drawing" width="310" /></a></div>
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Giant Panda</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZhp7IU2pMo/Uz7RRyGOCcI/AAAAAAAAAlM/fPpTm_Bni8g/s1600/Alpaca+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZhp7IU2pMo/Uz7RRyGOCcI/AAAAAAAAAlM/fPpTm_Bni8g/s1600/Alpaca+drawing.jpg" height="298" title="alpaca drawing" width="400" /></a></div>
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Alpaca</div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-1356889525788031642014-04-01T13:42:00.000-07:002014-04-01T13:44:39.696-07:00The Wolf<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the past year or so I have spent a lot of time drawing wolves, thanks to my Russian Fairy Tales series. Here are a few that came out of that process.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhskC1d_dx8/UovKyUuaDtI/AAAAAAAAAf4/YnGK0DmrlFA/s1600/ivan+and+wolf+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="prince, Ivan and the Wolf, illustration, drawing" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhskC1d_dx8/UovKyUuaDtI/AAAAAAAAAf4/YnGK0DmrlFA/s1600/ivan+and+wolf+sketch.jpg" height="320" title="Wolf" width="255" /></a></div>
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Prince Ivan and the Grey Wolf. This piece made it into my sketchbook, available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184053551/firebird-sketchbook-by-rebecca-solow?ref=listing-shop-header-0" target="_blank">here.</a> It is from the story of Prince Ivan, The Firebird, and the Grey Wolf.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fg0DAUfNrs8/UzsgbECnMmI/AAAAAAAAAkA/Rcb4-qtJKkk/s1600/Wolf+of+the+Seeing+Eyes+-+Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wolf illustration, wolf painting" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fg0DAUfNrs8/UzsgbECnMmI/AAAAAAAAAkA/Rcb4-qtJKkk/s1600/Wolf+of+the+Seeing+Eyes+-+Crop.jpg" height="320" title="dire wolf" width="234" /></a></div>
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Dire Wolf. This piece was done as an exploratory experiment while in a class with C.F. Payne and Gary Kelley. The woods were inspired by a trip I took to The Painted Forest of Oma in Basque Country. The original painting is available for sale <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/182569661/dire-wolf-original-painting-rebecca?ref=shop_home_feat_1" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9rIp_6i_I8/UzsjZqys17I/AAAAAAAAAkM/EKsHpvUF-qE/s1600/wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="grey wolf, drawing" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9rIp_6i_I8/UzsjZqys17I/AAAAAAAAAkM/EKsHpvUF-qE/s1600/wolf.jpg" height="239" title="Wolf sketch" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above is another exploratory wolf sketch, and below is a monotype (also available for<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179708221/dark-hunter-original-monotype-rebecca?ref=shop_home_active_10" target="_blank"> purchase</a>) based on the sketch. Wolves galore!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_h0ToEdBj0/Uzsjcl8hJXI/AAAAAAAAAkU/IBFti4qNssg/s1600/Wolf+Mono+-+Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_h0ToEdBj0/Uzsjcl8hJXI/AAAAAAAAAkU/IBFti4qNssg/s1600/Wolf+Mono+-+Crop.jpg" height="222" title="wolf monotype" width="320" /></a></div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-84023267088342246572014-03-31T07:28:00.000-07:002014-04-01T13:45:12.747-07:00Interview for The Illustrators Agency Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TXKWlrqp1g/Uzl6B4lcdiI/AAAAAAAAAjw/QI572vKixoE/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TXKWlrqp1g/Uzl6B4lcdiI/AAAAAAAAAjw/QI572vKixoE/s1600/logo.png" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was recently asked to do a blog interview with Nick Diggory from the UK & Australia-based The Illustrators Agency. Thanks Nick! If you'd like to know more about my schooling, my first commission, and (very important) what I'd take with me to a desert island, you can read all about it by clicking <a href="http://theillustratorsagency.com/news/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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You can also follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theillustratorsagency" target="_blank">The Illustrators Agency</a> on Facebook for updates about all of their talented artists.</div>
R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-7538148481616390642014-03-27T11:43:00.000-07:002014-03-27T11:43:53.181-07:00Firebird Sketchbook: They Have Arrived!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
They're heeeere!! My Firebird sketchbook is my first little artist book, filled with drawings and process sketches from my Russian Fairy Tales series. They look lovely all stacked in their box, but I'd love to send them out to new homes. Each one comes signed and numbered, with an optional original drawing on the inside cover. Get yours <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184053551/firebird-sketchbook-by-rebecca-solow?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-6598122918202060102014-03-13T11:20:00.000-07:002014-03-14T20:20:31.996-07:00Firebird Sketchbook: Coming Soon!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here is a little teaser for my sketchbook, which is currently in production and will be in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SolowIllustration" target="_blank">Etsy store</a> very soon! This has been in the works since the summer, when I finished my MFA thesis on Russian fairy tales and had Russian fairy tale drawings coming out of my ears. The book is 32 pages, and contains a mixture of finished drawings and process work, along with bits and bobs of story. Each book will be signed and numbered.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-To7_xGn9dwE/UyHzOzLjTtI/AAAAAAAAAiM/E1flZrcOMeU/s1600/Sketchbook+Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-To7_xGn9dwE/UyHzOzLjTtI/AAAAAAAAAiM/E1flZrcOMeU/s1600/Sketchbook+Front+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
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I must also mention that part of my motivation to get this thing done is that I will have a table at my very first convention in April - <a href="http://awesomecondc.com/" target="_blank">Awesome Con!</a> I'll be sharing said table with the ever awesome <a href="http://www.marcscheff.com/" target="_blank">Marc Scheff</a>, who will be selling his gorgeous new art book.<br />
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-45523777518697795152014-01-24T19:11:00.001-08:002014-01-24T19:12:48.278-08:00Firefly Jar ANIMATION!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey folks! I have lots of news to catch up on, not the least of which is that I just moved to Washington, DC! I am excited to explore the amazing museums here, and get to know the local art scene. Meanwhile, I am without a day job for the first time in about 7 years! Now that I have this extra "free" time to fill, I am picking up some new skills. I've started to learn how to animate using Photoshop, and am totally addicted. I am perhaps overly proud of this rough little animation, but nevertheless here it is!<br />
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-4205708623653088302013-12-07T14:57:00.002-08:002013-12-07T15:01:45.472-08:00Calendar Promotion!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over the summer I put together a calendar showcasing my Russian fairy tale paintings and drawings, with the idea that the calendar could be sent out to folks at various publishing houses as a self-promotion piece. Jump forward a few months and here I am, printed copies in hand, ready to send them out!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJqC0Q69TGo/UqOnji1cHcI/AAAAAAAAAhU/LPyGc_yx0wQ/s1600/il_570xN.529541027_iivi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJqC0Q69TGo/UqOnji1cHcI/AAAAAAAAAhU/LPyGc_yx0wQ/s320/il_570xN.529541027_iivi.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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I ended up selling most of my first print run on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/164892670/2014-calendar-russian-fairy-tale?" target="_blank">Etsy</a> (there are still a few left!). Thanks to my customers, the second print run (which will mostly be given away to publishers) has been paid for entirely by the revenue from my first print run! Thanks guys! Please note if you buy one on Etsy it will come in a protective bubble pack, not in the envelope below.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QZTEFMoQoQ/UqOlMBXrenI/AAAAAAAAAgw/n3dVYoRfjRY/s1600/Letter+envelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QZTEFMoQoQ/UqOlMBXrenI/AAAAAAAAAgw/n3dVYoRfjRY/s320/Letter+envelope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am now prepping to send out a batch of calendars to art directors and editors. I decided not to waste any space, and printed a portion of one of my illustrations directly on the envelope, and added a couple of dabs of white acrylic paint. Magical!<br />
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Here they are all stacked and ready to be stuffed!<br />
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Each person will receive a calendar, personal letter, and business card.<br />
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And a sticker to seal it up tight.<br />
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I hope they survive the mail!<br />
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p.s. The printer I used is <a href="http://www.mgxcopy.com/" target="_blank">MGX Copy</a>, based in San Diego. They were wonderful to work with - highly recommend!</div>
R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-55376227703452227672013-11-19T12:39:00.002-08:002013-11-19T12:50:34.253-08:00Russian Fairy Tales and an MFA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, it is done! As of July I have finished the <a href="http://hartfordillustration.com/">Low Residency MFA in Illustration Program</a> at the Hartford Art School. Although I consider myself a student for life (there's always something new to learn!) it does feel great to have this degree under my belt, and I am thankful for the wealth of knowledge and artistic leaps that I gained through the program.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSeeTNmfIkc/UovL_Y51KRI/AAAAAAAAAgA/qqHtC4QZwcs/s1600/1073774_10100159737591609_334891420_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSeeTNmfIkc/UovL_Y51KRI/AAAAAAAAAgA/qqHtC4QZwcs/s320/1073774_10100159737591609_334891420_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My thesis show hanging in the Joseloff Gallery</div>
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The major project that I chipped away at for the entire two years of the program was the Master's Thesis. I chose to focus on Russian Fairy Tales, combining my love of fairy tales and folklore with an exploration of my Russian heritage. I spent much of the first year reading stories (and different versions of the same stories), and researching Russian history, politics, clothing, landscape, architecture, etc. I finally settled on a selection of eight stories for which I planned a series of paintings and drawings. The stories vary quite a lot in subject matter, but I generally looked for ones with strong female characters (I'm always a fan of a gal who doesn't need to wait around for a prince to save her), or plucky children who get themselves out of sticky situations. <br />
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I ultimately completed eleven paintings and about sixteen drawings. Here I have posted a few of the pieces from the project. You can find more on my <a href="http://www.rebeccasolow.com/">website</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF6tYtktfBw/UovMFM5mR7I/AAAAAAAAAgI/domY1ECTWgo/s1600/Frog+Princess+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Frog Princess, magic dance, Russian Fairy Tale, Frog Princess Illustration" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF6tYtktfBw/UovMFM5mR7I/AAAAAAAAAgI/domY1ECTWgo/s320/Frog+Princess+crop.jpg" title="The Frog Princess" width="249" /></a></div>
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The Frog Princess</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJkxz2gM1Oo/UovMKWUTFOI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/SU-9otcmIoE/s1600/The+witch+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="The Witch, Russian Fairy Tale, Swans, Russian fairy tale illustration" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJkxz2gM1Oo/UovMKWUTFOI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/SU-9otcmIoE/s320/The+witch+crop.jpg" title="The Witch" width="268" /></a></div>
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Swan's Rescue - from the story The Witch</div>
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Baba Yaga - a character who appears in many stories</div>
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Prince Ivan and the Grey Wolf</div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-46764488973443500142013-06-17T07:19:00.000-07:002013-07-03T08:28:23.261-07:00My Next Big Thing: Brave Julia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_53" id="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_142" style="font-size: small;">My Next Big Thing</span></div>
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<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_56" id="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_138" style="font-size: small;">The Next Big Thing is a global blog tour, started in Australia, to showcase authors and illustrators and their current work. I was tagged by the<span style="font-size: small;"> fabulous <a href="http://lyneartblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-next-big-thing-little-things-arent.html" target="_blank">Alison Davis Lyne</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_60" style="font-size: small;">So now I'll answer some questions about my newest book, then pass the Q & A along to others who'll pick up the tour Ju<span style="font-size: small;">ly</span> <span style="font-size: small;">4</span>th:</span></div>
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<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_64" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_100" style="font-size: small;"><b id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_96">What is the working title of your next book?</b> I am currently working on a book proposal titled <u>Brave Julia.</u></span></div>
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<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_67" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_115" style="font-size: small;"><b id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_120">Where did the idea come from for the book? </b>As an illustrator who also comes up with story ideas from time to tome, my stories often emerge from a visual idea - a funny or sweet image that I want to create - and then I develop a story around it. I had an image in my mind for a long time of a little girl who is unafraid of the monsters who try to scare her at night, and I finally wrote it down!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cyWL6EJHa1c/Ub8ZpMScktI/AAAAAAAAAfI/thXAqtge8pk/s1600/BJ-monsters-paint-WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cyWL6EJHa1c/Ub8ZpMScktI/AAAAAAAAAfI/thXAqtge8pk/s320/BJ-monsters-paint-WEB.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_75" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_139" style="font-size: small;"><b id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_137">What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? </b>Oh boy, that's a tough one, I wouldn't know where to begin! There is a little girl, a rabbit, and a whole host of other characters such as a queen and a horde of monsters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yiv2061673844Apple-style-span yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_79" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_65" style="font-size: small;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_81"><b>What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? </b><span style="color: #262626;"><span id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_142">Julia has a wild imagination, which is loads of fun during the day, but a wild imagination at night can become scary... if you let it.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv2061673844Apple-style-span yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_79" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_65" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_86" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_71" style="font-size: small;"><b>Who is publishing your book?</b> I have just begun looking for a publisher.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_90" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_78" style="font-size: small;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_92" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_150"><b>How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?</b> The story evolved over the course of about a year. The first solid draft took about two weeks to write, but that was after thinking about it and re-working it for a year. Since I am also an illustrator, I have created drawings and paintings to go with the proposal. The initial drawings took about two weeks, and the paintings each took a couple of days. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_90" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_78" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8nWJze8ws4/Ub8ZrUCcnAI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/HONx5zMABkw/s1600/BJ-Bedtime-WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8nWJze8ws4/Ub8ZrUCcnAI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/HONx5zMABkw/s320/BJ-Bedtime-WEB.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_90" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_78" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_90" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_78" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_95" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_84" style="font-size: small;"><b>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</b> As a bedtime book involving monsters, I think it's easy to associate this story with the incomparable Maurice Sendak's <u>Where the Wild Things Are</u> (or at least, I would be thrilled if anyone made that association!). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_99" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_91" style="font-size: small;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_101" id="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_126"><b id="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_130">Who or what inspired you to write this book?</b> As mentioned earlier, the inspiration came from a visual idea - one which just seemed to pop into my head - of a little girl who is not afraid of the monsters in her room. I think part of me just wanted to draw some wacky monsters. After that, I was encouraged to develop the story in a class I took with the wonderful Betsy and Ted Lewin, who have written and illustrated dozens of children's books. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_99" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_91" style="font-size: small;"><span class="yiv2061673844Apple-style-span yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_111"><b>What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?</b></span><span class="yiv2061673844Apple-style-span yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_112" id="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_133"> There is a rabbit character who is also central to the story, and who is based on a real rabbit who lives with me and keeps me company in the studio while I paint<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_99" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_91" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_118">Thank you for stopping by here to help me celebrate my "Next Big Thing." Now on to the next candidates who will post on July 4th:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_99" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_91" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://leewhiteillustration.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_99" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_91" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_118">Lee White</span></span></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_99" id="yiv2061673844yui_3_7_2_31_1371151103082_91" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span class="yui_3_7_2_34_1371473804983_118"><a href="http://monicawellington.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-next-big-thing-colors-for-zena.html" target="_blank">Monica Wellington</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-38226866447046146972013-05-13T11:39:00.000-07:002013-05-13T11:39:28.617-07:00Post-it Tales - Who Poo? - Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A while back, during spare moments at work, I started a story on Post-it Notes. I stuck the notes on the inside of my desk drawer, until it was filled, and the story ended. Here is part two of that story (part one <a href="http://somethingartsy.blogspot.com/2013/04/post-it-tales-who-poo-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>)...<br />
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who poo? you? (Click to see larger)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--b8wEAkokP4/UZEyXzlRijI/AAAAAAAAAeY/SeZ6QjE_grE/s1600/WP7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--b8wEAkokP4/UZEyXzlRijI/AAAAAAAAAeY/SeZ6QjE_grE/s320/WP7.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oShU9aCJoQ4/UZEyYWjTK1I/AAAAAAAAAec/f70peEPnjQY/s1600/WP8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oShU9aCJoQ4/UZEyYWjTK1I/AAAAAAAAAec/f70peEPnjQY/s320/WP8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i> To be continued...</i><br />
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-36639554461419991282013-04-12T14:06:00.000-07:002013-04-12T14:07:39.421-07:00Post-it Tales - Who Poo? - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A while back, during spare moments at work, I started a story on Post-it Notes. I stuck the notes on the inside of my desk drawer, until it was filled, and the story ended. Here is part one of that story...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O7C4KEUtro/UWh0l1ER5TI/AAAAAAAAAdU/V4UJgagdALI/s1600/WP4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O7C4KEUtro/UWh0l1ER5TI/AAAAAAAAAdU/V4UJgagdALI/s320/WP4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O120lRx5oeU/UWh0l6Z5O3I/AAAAAAAAAdY/33fJaWGm4lc/s1600/WP5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O120lRx5oeU/UWh0l6Z5O3I/AAAAAAAAAdY/33fJaWGm4lc/s320/WP5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>To be continued...</i><br />
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R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2796423860646999681.post-30648393126725079292012-12-11T16:36:00.000-08:002012-12-11T16:36:05.227-08:00Holiday Krampus!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Have you heard of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus" target="_blank">Krampus</a>? He's the mythical beast-like creature of Germanic origin who punishes naughty children during the Christmas season. He is Santa's counterpart, like the Grinch but about 50 times scarier. He looks like a demon - horns, hooves, hair and all - and is known to beat and/or abduct children. The above depiction of Krampus genuinely disturbs me on a number of levels.<br />
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Awesome.<br />
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Krampus has been around and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLnl5ZWG4tg" target="_blank">celebrated</a> for ages, but is not so well known here in the U.S. Recently it seems he has been gaining popularity, as evidenced by the artist/author Brom's recent book <a href="http://www.bromart.com/krampus.html" target="_blank">Krampus the Yule Lord</a>, and by the fact that I am invited to a Krampus themed holiday party this year.<br />
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Like any respectable Krampus gathering, the guests have been instructed to arrive in costume (or at least masks). I did some research, weighed my options, and decided to try my hand at making the masks out of felt. Have you ever tried felting? I am now a felting addict. Below I have vaguely documented the process of making a felt Krampus mask:<br />
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1. Cut out the base shape of the mask (it helps to measure from forehead to chin, and ear to ear, and use these measurements to make a paper template).<br />
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2. Start adding some bulk to the mask using roving and a felting needle (there are good online tutorials for this stuff - there is no sewing involved! Hooray!). Roving is basically just loose wool that you can mold and twirl into whatever shape you need.<br />
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3. Add some details. Make teeth.<br />
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4. Done! The horns each have a pipe cleaner inside so they can be twisted and shaped. You can use sturdier wire, but I liked pipe cleaners because the wool really clung to them and made it easier to shape around them.<br />
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Let the devilish good times commence!</div>
R Solowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01578895072074865656noreply@blogger.com0