Mixing It Up

I've been playing around with a more stylized look lately, using cleaner lines and simpler shapes. I think I'll keep at it for a while to see where it leads.

Paul Williams…At Your Service.

I've always been fascinated with Paul Williams…his acting, that distinct singing voice…and of course, his glorious head of hair. I feel I've missed the mark on getting a solid likeness, but I had a lot of fun with this illustration none-the-less.

All Good Things

My poster exhibit may be over, but the artwork is now being used to promote the San Diego Derby Dolls' 2013 season. I've already reworked one poster into a new flyer design and limited edition prints of another are currently being sold at their bouts.

Poster Series

Here are the finished designs for my Roller Derby Poster Exhibit currently on display at the Pannikin in La Jolla, CA through the month of September. The response has been amazing! Thank you to everyone who has helped make this show possible, with special thanks going out to The San Diego Derby Dolls!

 

 

Roll Model

I can't think of better role models for today's youth than the athletes of competitive Woman's Roller Derby. Their emphasis on fitness, fair play, fun, teamwork and self expression are attributes kids of all ages can aspire to.

Change of Venue

The main reason I'm putting together an exhibit of Roller Derby Posters is to help the San Diego Derby Dolls achieve their goal to create a permanent professional venue in Central San Diego to host their home bouts. This YouTube Video will explain much better than I can why they need to find a new home.

Display of Power

I haven't posted much children's illustration lately. So I thought I'd share this image of Princess Xia. It's a promotional piece for a proposed series of fantasy adventure stories called 'Tales from the Land of Poot.'

Power Jam

Just a few more laps…or Jams, left to go before my September poster exhibit. I'm doing my best to finish strong. Here's the latest poster design. If you're familiar with the San Diego Derby Dolls you might recognize the Jammer. The tattoo is a dead giveaway.

Do Your Part

I'm still gearing up for my poster exhibit in September. Hopefully it will generate some local interest for the San Diego Derby Dolls. Making a few sales in the process wouldn't be so bad, either.

Sketch Mode

I haven't had much time to sketch lately. So I thought I'd share the drawing I created for the header of my blog. I recently used the same image for some promotional postcards as well.

Yay…Presents!

I just received this wonderful illustration from my friend, JK Harney, as a gift for my blog. She's an amazing artist who I'm lucky as a duck to work with on occasion. Please do yourself a favor and check out her work on Twitter and Instagram @jennharknee.

Bodies At Rest

Newton's first law of motion tells us that bodies at rest will stay at rest. But in Roller Derby bodies at rest have no intention of staying that way. They're eager to move and just itching for the next jam to start. Once in motion they will stay in motion until external forces act upon them. In my view it's best to just stay out of their way.

The Big Show

Here's what all these Roller Derby illustrations are leading up to…a series of promotional posters to be shown at the Pannikin Cafe in La Jolla during the month of September. Stay tuned as I continue to post about my progress.

R&D (Roller+Derby)

I've started working on layout and color ideas for my poster series based on Roller Derby. Like the illustrations, I want to keep the designs as simple and clean as possible, using a limited pallet and minimal text.

Too Much Information

Implementing the adage 'Less is More' into my work is trickier than it sounds. I love adding details…the more the merrier. But in the case of this series I'll be doing my best to streamline my approach. What's that other adage? Oh yeah…Keep it Simple Stupid.

Proof of Concept

After traveling down the wrong path on a new project and stumbling though some ill-conceived ideas, I think I finally found the direction I need to take. Remind me in the future not to fight my natural instincts. Always go with the grain.

Kids These Days

It's been my experience that most kids are up to no good.

I should know…I used to be one.

Derby Dolls

Not sure yet what will come from doing all these Roller Derby sketches, but drawing hasn't been this fun in a long time.

 

 

Stormy Weather

I always enjoy combining vector illustration with more rendered painterly backgrounds. Figures really pop and come to life as they do in animation. For this piece I incorporated a few ink washes for the trees and bushes. Nothing fancy, just focusing on overall mood and tone.

Me Again

I'm not sure if this counts as self reflection or self parody, but it never hurts to draw an occasional self portrait.

Silly Old Bear

Another collaboration with JK Harney. This time a quick sketch done by me combined with her inking. I tossed together some simple colors and used the original sketch to add texture to the study.

 

Wildfires vs. Orange County

Just finished my first collaboration with my favorite illustrator, JK Harney, who you can find on Twitter and Instagram @jennharknee. She provided the pencils and inks on these wonderful characters. I did the color work. The art will be used on an upcoming bout poster for the San Diego Derby Dolls, who I am thrilled to be working with.

Good Knight

This is a character design (loosely based on me) for an upcoming project that may or may not happen. But I'm forging ahead as if it will…Fingers Crossed!

Roller Derby

Combining my passion for drawing with my love of Roller Derby.

Forest for the Trees

You can probably tell from my posts that I prefer figure drawing to creating backgrounds. But landscapes can be a lot of fun and are an essential part of storytelling. Just think of all the stories that begin with getting lost in the woods.

Space Cadet

I do random warm up sketches if I haven't been drawing in a while. They help get the kinks out, loosen up my hand and fire up the old imagination.

Ten-Four Rubber Ducky

I thought I'd share this piece of vector art I created for a brochure. If only to show there's another side to my professional work. I love getting lost in all the tiny details.

Sugar & Spice…& Unicorns

Random character study. I particularly like the know-it-all expression on her face. Plus, who doesn't love unicorns?

Bedbug

This is an older piece from my collage days that I'm still very fond of. I thought I'd dust it off and share it with you guys. The illustration was painted with acrylics.