First off, thank you so much for the nice emails and comments on my last post. I really appreciate it and feel so much better getting it all out.

Since the past couple of months have been crazy, I'm just now getting a chance to show teacher gifts from December. I didn't get a picture of it all packaged up (I did good just getting them out the door) but this is what we gave:


I took one of our countdown to school projects and made notecards for all the teachers along with their own rubber stamps. The cards were printed at Overnight Prints and the stamps made at Simon Stamps I highly recommend them both. Great prices, quality and fast shipping!

On another note, I've had to switch my comments over since Haloscan move to a new product. I'm still getting used to how it works and looks.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

My new year started off great when I found my work up on Oopsy Daisy's site - even in cute styled shots (see the mermaid on the beach?). I licensed a few Junk A Doodles® with them and can't wait to get my hands on the actual canvases. They have been on my client wish list for quite a while and I'm glad my persistence and follow-up paid off. So excited about this new relationship!

Tomorrow I'll show you a detailed look at the Valentine's placemats I did for them - super cute! I blogged a sneaky peek here.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, licensing

I've been working recently on a ton of licensing and children's illustration projects (guess people are back to spending money again before their budget year is up). So above is a sneaky peek of 2 projects. Yeah, I know you'd love to see the rest, but I think I need to hold off for a while.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, licensing

This is an older Junk A Doodles® piece but thought of it when I saw this week's illustration Friday topic "flying."

Here are other "flying" pieces in this style:

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Labels: junk-a-doodles, pumpkin-junkin

One last piece of art to wrap up the countdown. This has been in my sketchbook for a while and thought it was a perfect piece for this little series.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, kindergarten, school

Still in Sutex catch-up mode but wanted to post this. Candi commissioned this piece for her daughter's graduation Saturday. Her initials are "AND" so her artwork signature is an ampersand (pretty cool huh?). The Dilhoffs now have 3 original Junk A Dooldles™ in their home. Thanks Candi!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

I've made a little video to show my Junk A Doodles™ process (where I recycle junk) in celebration of earth day. The Woog painted the earth blue and helped pick out just and suggested pieces. Can you find her peeking her hands in the shot and my red pj pants? It's around 9 minutes and worth the watch if you have the time. Hope you like it!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, video

The above is a thank you postcard I designed last week to send to clients after I work with them (this is for my licensing clients - I have a different one I use for my children's illustration clients). I am getting them printed through Overnight prints since they did an awesome job with my business cards. I hope to get them early next week and I'll show the final product then (along with my Surtex postcards!).

Exactly one month from today I'll be on my way to NY for Surtex. Things are coming along great and I have yet to freak out (but there's still time). I finally figured out what I will show in my booth and how it will all look. That was the biggest stressor and now I feel like a load has been lifted off. I'll be posting tomorrow or Friday on part 5 of my Surtex Planning.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, licensing, surtex

I can show this now since it's at its new home. This was a way overdue baby gift for my cousin and the picture isn't the greatest because I forgot to photograph it before I framed it. I hate when that happens!

I'll be posting more SURTEX planning updates this week and also be working on a new venture that has been on my to-do list for a couple of years and it kind of all came to fruition this weekend. It's going to be BIG, BIG, BIG!! I'll give you a hint, it has to do with my (abandoned - so sorry!) Living the Creative Dream site. Stay tuned!!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

We didn't have enough snow for a standing snowman today so we made a 2D one. The Woog's is on the left and mine is on the right. Her's is much better!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Thanksgiving is next week!! This is a poster I did over the summer for Scholastic.

***UPDATE: This was pretty cool...My aunt emailed me today and said she got this in her Nov/Dec bundle from Scholastic, so I guess it's hitting teacher's mailboxes now!***

Labels: junk-a-doodles

The above is my full color logo that reflects they type of work I've been getting ready for my licensing portfolio. It's nice to do something a little different from drawing kids :)

I have totally engulfed myself in the licensing world and what I've been finding out is that there are a gazillion companies out there that license work and there is this air of secrecy that surrounds the entire industry from both artist and companies. It's really hard to explain but it's become very evident to me. I understand that some artist have to keep their licensing partners confidential due to specific contract agreements but when you can't see any of a companies or artist's work unless you are a manufacturer, that seems a little weird to me. I totally get why they do it that way, but I'm wondering if people are hurting their business by being so hush-hush (visually and informationally). I'm in no way telling people how to run their business (I still have secrets under my belt) and maybe they've been burned in the past? I think I feel this way because I've always had an "open" portfolio and freely talk about my experiences in the illustration field. It has gotten me thinking if I should be secretive with my work and information. I don't know the answer yet... Anyone else get this vibe about the licensing industry?

I had a great, awesome, long-overdue, meet-up with an old professor of mine from college. She was my absolute favorite and I had lost touch with her after graduation. Over the last 8 years I've been periodically googling her seeing what she was up to and couldn't find anything. When I started thinking seriously about licensing, I thought about how great it would be to pick her brain since I remembered she had dealt with licensing and product development for a company. Well, low and behold, while doing my research on licensing, I happened to find her on the staff page of a licensing agency. Serendipity? Serendipitous in deed! So I was able to pick her brain last week and my brain hasn't stopped firing since.

I've also been reading a lot of blogs from licensing artists and since Christy (love her!) tagged me, I'll share some of my recent licensing favorites:

Tara Reed's Art Licensing Information Blog
Heather Bailey's HELLOmynameisHeather
Paula Prass' Show + Tell
Amy Schimler's Red Fish Circle

And here's a fun piece I did this weekend. It's been on my to-do list for a while. Now I'm working on some things to compliment it:

Labels: junk-a-doodles, licensing

Here's a snipet from what I was working on yesterday. I'm please with how the entire piece turned out. I see myself going more and more in this direction for licensing and children's work. There's something so relaxing about making 3-D art :) Now, off to the two, 2-D projects due today...

Labels: junk-a-doodles, licensing

Pumpkin Junkin' starts soon! I'm accepting entries now so get junkin' and send them in. I've added prizes for kids too! I'll be doing a bigger announcement mid-September or so.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, pumpkin-junkin

I did a poster for a client a while back and this is how it looked:


After they sat on it for a while, they ended up not liking it for the age group it was geared towards so they wanted something a little simpler and more straightforward. This is what they went with:


Things like this happen from time-to-time as an illustrator. I can't take it personally. I'm actually happy with both of them and obviously the first one was more fun to make.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Pumpkin pie to go with my turkey from the other day.

RECIPE:

1 vintage milk cap
1 swirly button

Paint center of milk cap orange and paint silver inverted scalloped edge. Top with white painted swirly button.

Serves: Smiles :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Working on turkey today for an educational poster about Thanksgiving. Whenever I sit down to create my junk a doodles pieces, it's instant relaxation for some reason.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Our Woogie Wednesday that turned into a Woogie Weekend (yes, it is Friday but we try to have 3 day weekends every weekend) is finally done!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

This is a piece I made and donated for a Memorial Day Charity Walk that will appear on posters and t-shirts. I'm under the gun with a huge deadline this week but I can't wait to do some more junkadoodles pieces like this. It just puts me in a good and energized mood but my hand sure do get dirty!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

It's Wednesday again and time for Woogie Wednesday. This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodles) pieces.

Here's what we started off with:


I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"Diamonds" she said with a smirk on her face. She was wearing a "diamond" ring and she wanted something to match.

I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do, so it took me a while to figure it out and in the meantime she lost interest but did check on me from time to time and hand me pieces of junk to use.

The best thing I could come up with was a cat with diamond stripes and diamonds on the collar. I also did a few stitch lines and am calling it Illustration Friday this week too.

Here's how it turned out:



I'm still working on the Woogie Wednesday site, but prints should be up for sale over the weekend if not before.

And, now some Link Back Love for today:

doobleh-vay.blogspot.com
gailmakiwilson.blogspot.com
danidraws.com
artgirlatl.blogspot.com
donnadoodles.blogspot.com

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

It's Wednesday again and time for Woogie Wednesday. This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodles) pieces.

Here's what we started off with:


I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"How 'bout a DUCK!"

OK. I guess we both have birds on the mind today.

She starts picking out which parts will be what and paints the head, beak and paper punches random bits, while I paint the background. She them turns her attention to doing one all by herself and confiscates 2 of the pieces. She made a mouse and thought it was hilarious that I took a picture of it:

And here's how it turned out:



And then here's out finished product. more of a chick than a duck. It would make a cute Valentine's Day card I think.



I'm launching a Woogie Wednesday site next week and we'll be selling prints of our pieces, so stay tuned!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Just a little something I did for this month's Highlights Magazine.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

The past several (SEVERAL!) Woogie Wednesdays have consisted of deadlines for me or the Woog helping me measure, paint and whatnot in the new studio. We didn't do pictures of those days because it really wasn't all that interesting. But now, since the studio is done, this is the first Woogie Wednesday and really the first kind of art (besides those 60 illustrations I had due yesterday) that was done in the studio. And, since we've started late in the day it will continue into a Woogie weekend.

Today, we are working on our Christmas card. We're making a Junk A Doodles snowman:



And the Woog is loving her new studio space. Here she is while the paint is drying:



And I don't like to show a room that's not yet fully decorated (hopefully I'll be able to do that some tomorrow in between projects), but here's a sneak peek at one wall:

Labels: junk-a-doodles, studio, woogie-wednesday

The judges have spoken and the winner of the 2007 Pumpkin Junkin' contest who gets an original Junk A Doodle piece is..... Kris Bordessa! Congratulations Kris!

This is her pumpkin (so cool!):



And the two runners up were Meghan Templehof and Leeza Hernandez!! They both get one signed print of my Junk A Doodles piece. Here's Meghan's pumpkin and here's Leeza's pumpkin. Thanks to all who participated!!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, pumpkin-junkin

A;; the pumpkins are in for the 2007 Pumpkin Junkin' Contest & Exhibit. Thanks to all who took time out to create and enter their pumpkins. I'll announce the winners next week. I plan on doing this annually so keep and eye out next year.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, pumpkin-junkin

It's Wednesday again and time for Woogie Wednesday! I've got a lot of work due tomorrow that I need to try and finish up today so Woogie Wednesday will continue into a Woogie Weekend. Today she'll be helping me start my entry for Monster Mash and help me with a junk a doodles project due tomorrow.

Here's the monster I've had sketched out for a few weeks:


And here's my junk a doodle work that's due tomorrow:



Let the junkin' begin!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Well, I've decided which of my Junk A Doodles pieces I'm giving away for my Pumpkin Junkin' contest. I've thought long and hard and went back and forth if I wanted to part with it or not, but I've finally decided that I'll give this piece away (it's one of my favorites!):

Labels: junk-a-doodles, pumpkin-junkin

The Illustration For Kids group is doing another postcard mailer and this is my piece. Fall is my favorite time of year and I love that I can break out the pumpkins and fall scented candles on October 1st. Since the Woog is getting older I'll start decorating the house more for these fun holidays. Now, if the weather was only more fall like...

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Labels: junk-a-doodles

It's Wednesday again and time for Woogie Wednesday! today I'm also announcing a contest I'm hosting for Halloween. Pumpkin Junkin' I had this idea last year but didn't have the time to execute it. It should be lots of fun so won't you join in? All the details are on the site.

The Pumpkins:



The Junk:



The Final Product:



And Details of Each

Labels: junk-a-doodles, pumpkin-junkin, woogie-wednesday

Well, we finally finished up our pieces from here and here. Hope the little ones like them!!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Well, here it is Wednesday again and we're still working on the dog gifts from last week. I've gotten busy with work so we haven't been able to make much progress until today.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Well, here it is Wednesday again and I think out project for Woogie Wednesday will turn into a Woogie week and weekend for a few reasons. Number one, we aren't home today so I'm working remotely and I can very well bring all my junk with me to create and two, the canvases I want to do these on should be arriving from Dick Blick today so the Woog can't start painting yet.

I decided this morning that our project would be a gift for a little boy and a little girl. You may not be able to tell anything from this messy sketch, but at least "I" know exactly what I'm doing :)



Oh, and last week's start of a giraffe never happened and may have to turn into something else another day. There has been zero interest from the Woog.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

I thought I'd lay my promotion process out to help answer the numerous emails I receive a week asking about it. This post took me several days to write since I only had time to work on it in between saves on projects I'm working on. It's gonna be a long one, but a good one!

Postcards:
I do postcard promotions every 3 months, and yes, they do work. My latest one hit at the end of July and has yielded 3 jobs so far and lots of looks on my website:

And here's my postcard for my Junk A Doodle work. This is the first separate postcard I've sent out for that style:

My best response postcard to date was this one. I got tons of work from it.

Client List:
Research, research, research!! Know who you are sending to and make sure you want to spend your money promoting to them. Spend days if not weeks doing it. I recently went through my mailing list (over 300 names) and researched every company making sure I had the correct address, seeing if they had new submission guidelines on their site and double checking their style to see if mine would fit with their's. I cleaned out about 20-30 names, so I saved myself a good about of money right there.

I also have 2 list going. One for my overall styles and a separate one for my Junk A Doodles style (since it's not specifically related to the children's market).

Who I use and why I use them:
I get my postcards printed and mailed through USPS/Premium postcards. I will never go back to getting postcards printed 500 at a time. I do this for a few reasons.
The biggest ones being, I don't have to see 500 postcards laying around and then start nit-picking the images used and then hate the postcard thus never sending
it out (this happened to my very first batch). I also don't like to go through and print labels, buy stamps, and sit there and stick them on one at a time. My time could be much better spent.

There has been a lot of talk about USPS postcards and the saturation levels they print out. I sometimes have issues with them and sometimes don't. You need to send a sample to yourself first to see what your potential clients will get. I usually send 4-5 postcards to myself at one time. All with different color adjustments so I can then see which level is the best. That way I can send them right out instead of trying several times to get the color right. This could delay your mailing for weeks depending on how many times you go back and forth. I say test it in one swoop.

Email list:

I try and send out an email monthly. It's usually short and sweet and I send it to people who have signed up on my website or to people I have worked with directly or have shown interest in my work (I have ?? people on my list that grows monthly). I don't spam any one and have a explanation at the bottom of my email that says why I'm sending them the email and how they can be removed from the list. Since I've been sending one out, no one's removed themselves from the list.

I used to send out plain text emails with an image attached but this year have switch over to Your Mailing List Provider That way I can send out an HTML email with no images attached.

Website:
I try to redesign or do a major portfolio update when I send out a new mailer. I try to do it more often but I sometimes get too busy or don't have any new pieces to show yet since they haven't been published. I have 2 websites for my illustration work:

holliconger.com
junkadoodles.com

A lot of people ask me if I design it or if I have someone do it. I design and code it myself. I mostly code by hand since it's easier and quicker for me, but I do use Adobe GoLive for my image maps and anything tricky I might run into.

Website Stats:
I am a stats junkie. I look at my stats probably 20 times a day. I track 8 websites. I see who's visiting, who's linking to me, etc. I make notes and analyze them. Some people choose to track all the pages on their site. I only track the homepage. The stat program I use is Stat Counter.

Domains:
Now I showed my geekiness a while back when I mentioned the number of domains I have. Nearly all of them have to do with my business in one way or another or I'm saving them for a idea I want to execute in the future. Here are a few that are forwarded to my main sites:

hollyconger.com
hollieconger.com
holieconger.com
picturebookartist.com
foundobjectillustration.com
dimensionalillustrator.com
nashvilleillustrator.com

Portfolio Sites:
Yes, spend the money. Even if you can only afford to advertise on one site. Do it to test it.

I have a paid listing on the following sites:

childrenillustrators.com
theispot.com
folioplanet.com

These sites have done really well and have paid for themselves every year I've been listed. I did have a paid portfolio with portfolios.com and although it did pay for itself that year, I didn't get any new job from it about 5 months after being listed (7 months with no activity).

Back Up Plans:
Now a lot of people starting out can't do this, and I understand, but it is something you should think about and budget for. Have more than one workstations. At the moment I have 2 main ones. I have a desktop and a laptop. I have a large wacom tablet and scanner for my desktop and a smaller tablet and scanner for my laptop that are dsmall enough for my laptop bag. I keep all my work on a portable harddrive and switch between the two. I used to use my ipod but I switched over to a smartdisk firelite.

Now, why should you have more than one workstation? Deadlines!! I have had deadlines due and my computer have problems. Software, hardware, harddrive, you name it. If I have a problem on one, I switch to the other workstation, make my deadline and then figure out the problem with the other one when I have time.

Time:
The all important question I get asked is how do you find the time to do all this?

I plan my week out on Sunday night. I write a list of all the deadlines I have, what promotion stuff I need to do and other business things I want to accomplish that week. I plan my day out mentally the night before. I keep a calendar by my desk and with every new assignment I write down when sketches are due and when finals are due. I also have a wonderful daughter who allows me to work. Some days she doesn't and I just know I have to work late that night or get up early in the morning, but most of the time she does. She loves to spend hours digging though all my junk I collect for my junk a doodle pieces while I get some computer work done.

Know your time limits and restrictions and know when to say no to work. I've recently turned down some projects from pretty big clients (one was the Department of Defense if you can believe that?!). I know what I do and don't have the time for and what I can and can't draw well and what jobs in general will stress me out. I'm the only one that controls my business so I want it stress-free as much as possible. I want it to continue to be fun for me:)

Well, that's it but I'm sure not everything to answer the questions out there. Hopefully you've gotten some ideas though.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, promotion

It's Wednesday so that means it's time for Woogie Wednesday and we just can't seem to get back in the groove. I picked everything out and the Woog was a little (well, a lot) indecisive in what she wanted to make but decided on a giraffe. We did some painting and then the whole project stopped. She got fussy and then hungry and then she needed a bath and before we knew it it was bed time. So, I guess we'll try and revisit it tomorrow. Here's what we started with..




to be continued...

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Obviously Woogie Wednesday didn't happen this past week due to deadline and not being home on Wednesday so we did something this weekend instead. The Woog wanted to make a silly face for her project and she was more interested in playing with the pieces rather than painting them so we ran with it. She made 2 faces she really liked. A happy one and a said one that HAD to have a different nose and HAD to have eyebrows. I then attempted to make a face with her objects but "had it all wrong" and it was swept away before by a little hand before I could get a shot of it.



Work has slowed a little for me a now so I can get back to all my blogging. My blogs have been so neglected :(

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Another quick pop-in to share Woogie Wednesday. Not extremely creative but creative none the less. The Woog woke up this morning wanting to make a chocolate chip cookie. She did everything herself on his one. She even placed it on a flower folder I had. If the flower was yellow, it could of doubled for a sunflower too!



I'll be back to blogging soon. I just have had and continue to have deadline after deadline. I have a big post I've been wanting to write for a couple of week about my promotion process. I'll get to it soon. Promise!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Just doing a quick pop-in to share Woogie Wednesday. I've been working non-stop since the week after my surgery and I've got so much more to go. This particular Woogie Wednesday has been a work in progress since last Wednesday. The Woog has painted here and there all week as I met deadline after deadline. We finally finished it up today. Her contribution to it today was trying out her new pair of siccors and cutting every piece of scrap paper in my studio, which is now all over the floor now.

The pieced we worked on was the ornament for Robert's Snow. They were nice enough to let me turn it in a little late due to my surgery. I think it turned out pretty cute! Wish I could keep it :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Here's the completed Woogie Wednesday piece we started on yesterday. The Woog picked out the pieces for the hair and did some painting. During the process of painting and gluing she kept telling me "good job" and "I'm proud of you." Pretty funny.

Here's the final piece. It might be my favorite junk a doodles piece so far. I'll show my postcard when I have it all laid out.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

It's Wednesday so that means it's time for Woogie Wednesday. I'm doing it a little different this time and it will probably be a 2-parter. I'm doing a separate mailer this month for my junk a doodle style, so I'm enlisting the help of the Woog with this one. At the moment she is asleep by her bedroom door covered completely in her blanket and snoring, but I'm sure when she get's up she'll be excited to start digging for junk...or watching Dora.

I pulled an older sketch from my sketchbook to use for my promo. This was actually going to be Illustration Friday's theme "wired" some time back. I've modified it a bit and I've got an old 15" x 21" yard sale cutting board just calling my name.

Hopefully we'll have a final piece or at least a work in progress tomorrow to show. For now, here's the sketch. Oh, and her name is Bertha Mae (of Bertha Mae's hair barn of course!).



Oh and thanks to Jannie's post, I'm now addicted to Papermate's Sharpwriters! I will never sharpen a pencil again :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

It's Wednesday so that means it's time for Woogie Wednesday. Since it's Independence Day today we did more of a collage with junk rather than the things we normally do and instead of painting the Woog had the job of "sqiiiiiisshhhhh-ing" the glue and gluing on the fireworks (aka buttons). I decided to stick it in a frame and it's new home is in the kitchen. Happy 4th!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

It's Wednesday so it's time for Woogie Wednesday. This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodle) pieces.

We actually did a little something different this time. We're posting Hickory-Dickory-Dock pieces over at the Illustration For Kids blog this week so I thought we'd work on that.

Here's what we started off with:


She helped me pick out the watches (I came across a huge back of old watch parts last year and had to get them) and painted the background. She announced that she was done painting so she helped me by handing me different paint colors and paint brushes.


Here's how it turned out:



I noticed that the floor and table in the background was a bit camouflage so I decided I could kill 3 birds with one stone and submit it for Illustration Friday this week.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Nap time has resumed and everyone is happy again so it's time for Woogie Wednesday. This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodle) pieces.

Here's what we started off with:


I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"How 'bout a flower? No, a doggy!"
"Which one" I asked.
"A Doggy!"

We work on the background and she would rather stamp some paper instead so she does that. I then start to assemble pieces and she decides to go off an do her own thing. She does come in and check on it from time to time and ask if I'm making her dog, Do-Wop. I tell her it really doesn't look like her dog, so she decides it must be someone else's.

Here's how it turned out:



I made him a yodeling dog since she's been yodeling all day for some reason. Not sure where she picked that up?!

I've had several people sign up for Big and Little Art but no one has confirmed their membership. It's pretty lonely over there with Stacy and I so won't you join us? By participating it helps your search engine results :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Go here to see the details on this piece!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

She woke up in a decent mood so we were able to squeeze Woogie Wednesday in. This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodle) pieces.

Here's what we started off with:


I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"How 'bout daddy?!"

Alright, I guess since she already made mommy, it's daddy's turn.

She paints his goatee and then proceeds to paint herself for the duration of the project. "Hey, look at my tummy mommy!" Humm...whatever, she's having a bath tonight anyway.

And here's how it turned out:



I think anyone who knows him would say it looks like him. And he'd even wear a funky patterned shirt like that, much to my dismay.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Yes, it is Wednesday, but Woogie Wednesday hasn't happened yet due to 2 deadlines today and now a napping Woog. So we'll see how chipper and creative she is when she wakes up. In the meantime, I had a little time the other day while paint was drying on another project, so the Woog wanted to make something. This time she picked out what she wanted to make first.

"You!" she said.
Ok, lets make Mommy. Then she picked out a few items this time and I created everything. Pretty smart girl for picking the "H" but I'm sure it was at the top of the pile! A nice little sculpture of mommy :)



Oh, and feel free to sign up and participate in Big and Little Art!

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for Woogie Wednesday!! This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodle) pieces.

Here's what we started off with:


I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"The circus!!"

So we're off. She paints the frame and then the paper under the frame, then the table, then her hand...ok we're done painting. While she goes on to destroy my studio and toys, dess-up clothes, etc. she checks in on the progress with comments such as "amazing," "beautiful" and "awesome."

And here's how it turned out:




Many people have emailed or commented asking about participating in something like this, so I've come up with a new blog dedicated to it. Check it out here! Here's how it works: Grab a child in your life and let them dictate what you all will do. Work how you work so they can see what you do and how you do it. If it's on the computer, give them the mouse to color something in or if your medium of choice is paint, have them paint. Just be creative!! Participation is open to all.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for Woogie Wednesday!! This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodle) pieces. We started early this morning since we have a busy day ahead of us.

Here's what we started off with:



I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"Hey, there's a B!"
"Yes, that's a B, but what do you want to make?"
"A B!!"
"Like a bumble bee?"
"YEAH!!!!!"

So we're off. She's a little distracted by Dora (again) but she manages to paint the background and tells me she wants a blue bee (like the blue B I guess). She paints a little more and then just wants to watch Dora while she checks on me periodically.

And here's how it turned out:

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

Everyone loves a citrus "tweet" now and then. I prefer oranges :) This is for this week's illustration Friday theme: citrus.

If I have time this week I'm going to set up an Etsy shop. This piece will be for sale. If someone wants it before then, it's $45 US plus shipping.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for Woogie Wednesday!! This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodle) pieces.

Here's what we started off with:



I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"Mmmmmm...how about me!"
"You?" I said
"YEAH! Hey, where's my nose?!" she yells.
"Umm...I'm not real sure where it's going to go."

Oh boy, how was I going to do this? While she paints the background, I play with the shapes to see how it would work. Ok, I got it! She finished painting the background and then moves on to dancing and singing to Johnny Cash (actually it's Joaquin Phoenix singing as Johnny Cash) never to return to helping me, but she does want to play with her little head I've made.

And here's how it turned out:


Her response: "Mama, how pretty! THREE! I'm three!"

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

I tend to sketch a lot and it's always in my sketchbook. I really hate sketching on random pieces of paper. I like everything all together I guess. Well, I got antsy of the weekend and needed to make something. Does this happen to you? I can't just sit home and do nothing. So, I grabbed the nearest piece of paper (a post-it note) and did a little doodle and took it to my studio. This was the result:



It's entitled "Creative Mind."

And speaking of creative minds, I also did a collage piece for a scrapbook that is being compiled as a gift for another artist. I've blocked out the name to not give it away in case she peeks at my blog. She's a creative mom too!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

I just finished this up when I saw the theme for Illustration Friday. Perfect timing! Here's a mermaid with her neighbor friend the octopus! I've got a couple of spots and some lettering that goes with this. I'll post those when they are finished.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for Woogie Wednesday!! This is where we make one of my found object (Junk A Doodle) pieces. I was out of town last week away from the Woog so we didn't get to do it then. I'm also contributing this to Illustration Friday's theme this week: Remember. Remember to involve your children in your work!

Here's what we started off with:



I then asked her, what should we make out of all this?
"A yiyon" she says (aka "lion).
I ask her what color it should be an she says orange. "OK, let's paint it orange."
She then proceeds to color and paint different pieces. Once assemblage starts, she looses interest in it and moves on to something else but she does check in with me from time to time to see it.

I start having my doubts about picking the light bulb because I have no idea where to put it. Ah, ha! The king of the jungle needs a crown! Perfect! And here's how it turned out:

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

This is another thing I've been wanting to do on my blog for over a year now. The woog (in case there are any new readers out there, this is my 3 year old, daughter's nickname) has gotten to the age where she has a huge imagination and likes to help me "work." So, I'm declaring Wednesdays as "Woogie Wednesday" in the studio. Today she happened to not take a nap so I took advantage of the time. I hope to post one every Wednesday - cooperation permitting :)

Here's how it works:

I pick out several random objects:


I then ask her what we should make.
"Ahhhh, ummmm......a COW!" she says.
"OK. What color cow should it be?"
"wed" (aka "red")
And then we go from there with her choosing colors, painting and coloring and then I take what she's done and put it all together to where it's a cow.



Not bad for our first go at it. She giggled at the balloon :) Oh, and notice there's no blue button like in the first picture? Yeah, "we" lost it during our creative chaos. I wanted to sit down with her and look over the before and after to see if she could pick everything out but she's already onto Dora and snacks, so maybe later.

Labels: junk-a-doodles, woogie-wednesday

This has been hanging on my wall for ages and I thought it would be a good choice for this week's Illustration Friday: sprout. Not my best junk-a-doodle, but it was a quick exercise.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

The above image is from a DVD project I worked on a little while back for Reading Rainbow and I thought it was appropriate for this week's Illustration Friday theme: HELP.

I had Christmas gifts to give Saturday, so I spent most of the morning Friday making a couple of them.





The star themed junkadoodle was for my mother-in-law and the animal puzzles were for my one year old niece. Luckily come Saturday morning, the smell of paint, spray mount and liquid nails wasn't evident :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles

I normally don't enjoy doing line art (I need color!), but these were ok. I did about 200 illustrations total for 2 different activity books. Below are their covers that I did several months back. I thought they weren't going to use my funky title text that goes along with my junkadoodle style, but I'm glad they did!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

I've been zooming along with work, but thought I'd post this while I'm waiting to FTP some files. I don't know what it is, but I have always loved to draw rockets and space theme stuff. Not really sure why.

Also, here's a neat link and this one that will steal hours from your day. Enjoy!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

I've got a stack of work on my desk to do, but had to finish up my entry for the SCBWI contest. This is entitled: Barnyard Crusin' I've also put up a new site (just a splash page right now) for this style. My rep wants me to work on a promo page for her to shop around the style. Hopefully I'll get to that this week! Now...off to sculpting and sketching!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Here's my entry for this week's Illustration Friday: Portrait. This is actually a blind portrait since I don't know exactly what little Vixon looks like except she has wild blonde hair. This is a gift for someone I'm shipping off today. I don't think the recipient looks at my blog, but I know her mom does so hopefully I'm safe showing it before she gets it.

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Here's my creation from yesterday's "challenge." I am really falling in love with doing these found object pieces. I'm toying with the idea of offering it as an illustration style but I just don't know. I'll keep doing some research and see what markets might have an interest in it (I'm figuring mainly editorial).

I'm waiting until I have a few more pieces together to set up an official shop, but this one is for sale as well.

**This one is $20 US + shipping (payment through PayPal). It measures 3.5"x3.5" (includes overhang objects). **

Email me if you're interested.

I've also finished up one piece for a swap. They wanted a jungle theme and I think it turned out pretty cute. To the left is a peek at part of it. Now I'm finishing up another piece for a baby room. It's a pirate theme. I've had a little pirate in my sketchbook for ages so I finally get to use it. Pirates must be pretty big right now, I guess because of the movie and such. I'm working on a client project right now with a pirate theme, and have seen several other illustrators doing pirate-ie things. Arrg!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

I've been working non-stop on some client work the past few days and I've finally finished with it. I really feel the need to do something just for fun so I gave myself 60 seconds to come up with a concept and pick out some stuff for another found object piece. What will it be? You'll have to come back and see - execution will take longer than 60 seconds :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Since I probably won't have time for Illustration Friday next week, I took some time today to make something. This is entitled "Sorry I was such a stinker!" It was cloudy today and I didn't get my lights out so the image isn't as bright as the original.

**This one is for sale as well and is $65 US + shipping (payment through PayPal). It is mounted on .75" thick plywood, ready to hang, and measures 5"x9" (includes overhang objects). **

Email me if you're interested.

Last weeks and the one for 2 week's ago is still available. For know they're hanging out on my studio walls.

Bea & Shena - I took some time today to work on your pieces and hope to finish them up this next week. Thanks for your patience!

Labels: junk-a-doodles

This is my piece for Illustration friday. Another esemblage/found object piece, and you guessed it, this one's for sale too. It's all for the new studio fund!

**The above piece ("Good/Bad Dog") is $125 US + shipping (payment through PayPal). It is mounted on .75" thick plywood, ready to hang, and measures 8"x9.25". **

Email me if you're interested.

Also, this one is still available.

More to come as I create and clear out :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Another found object sculpture for Illustration Friday's theme "Under the Sea." I had some very cute stuff for this theme that I did a few months ago for a publisher, but I can't show it on the web until January 2008!

**I am selling this piece too. In a effort to make some money solely for the purpose of building a separate studio onto my house, I'll be selling some original pieces. This particular piece is $35 US + shipping (payment through PayPal). It is mounted on 1" thick birch plywood, ready to hang, and measures 6"x7.25" (includes length to tentacles). **

Email me if you're interested. SOLD!

Last weeks piece is still available.

I finished up a baby shower gift for a friend and I think it came out pretty good. I tried my best to stay with muted colors, but I had to pop some bright ones in there :)

Labels: junk-a-doodles

Here's my illustration for this weekend theme for Illustration Friday: ROBOT I used an esemblage/found object technique for the sculpture. I haven't done one of these since college and I loved working on it. I think I'm going to make some more!

Here are some neat esemblage/found object artists:
Maria Rendon
Michelle Stitzlein be sure to look here too.
Leo Sewell

**I am selling this piece! In a effort to make some money solely for the purpose of building a separate studio onto my house, I'll be selling some original pieces. This particular piece is $250 US + shipping (payment through PayPal). It is mounted on 1" thick birch plywood, ready to hang, and measures 11"x13" to the top of the antennas. **

Email me if you're interested. SOLD!

Stay tuned for more work for sale. Hopefully I'll get some things together this week and post.

Labels: junk-a-doodles