Elise's Art Garden

Tomie dePaola Illustration for 2012

2011-12-16T01:08:00.003-07:00

Just made the deadline sending it as the clock struck 12! Ah well, don't think it has a chance anyway, but was fun to try. Actually I'm quite proud of myself with all this week held, and the extra hours I had to put in at work to even make such an attempt! You know, life is pretty great, and the only regrets you have are when you don't bother at all.

Studies on Mother and Child

2011-11-26T20:21:00.005-07:00

Brooke and the Cake

2011-10-29T20:52:00.006-06:00

IF "Fuel"

2011-10-25T21:15:00.003-06:00

Detail of "He Sleeps..."

2011-10-21T18:55:00.003-06:00

Found a lovely quote many years ago, unattributed as yet to any particular author, and I've been trying to illustrate it.

Doodling

2011-07-30T18:02:00.001-06:00

Design roughs for a client and the value of our art...

2011-07-28T17:39:00.005-06:00

I worked up a few roughs for a client/friend the other day and he was so funny after viewing the sketches, so pleased with them, that I had to remind him they were roughs still, and needed quite a bit of polishing. "Really?!" he asked, "Oh, ok...yeah."
Sometimes I forget that my work is valued so, even admired, when I can just whip things out! It's as I reminded my mechanic the other day to charge me what his time was worth! To him it's no big deal, easy even, but to me, he's an automobile artist! There is no way on earth that I could fix an engine! It's the same with my art I guess!
Just seems wrong somehow, to charge a fee while having a good time!

IF "Stay"

2011-07-11T17:30:00.004-06:00

IF "Remedy"

2011-07-07T19:12:00.007-06:00

A few attempts at the theme...
"No doubt he could remedy this! AND finance his daughter's university education at the same time!!"

IF "Swept"/ "Sketch-a-Day"

2011-06-16T10:41:00.008-06:00

"Indeed, the 'Sweeper 5000' cut Cinderella's work nearly in half!"
(Only a sketch I'm afraid, but I am determined to meet some of my goals at least, so have decided to combine a few things until I can get a bit more organized! Now I can tick those two off!!)

IF "Asleep"

2011-06-04T17:59:00.003-06:00

I keep missing my deadlines here!! Bother!! My sketchbook was filled with sleep however...

IF "Soaked"

2011-05-24T10:20:00.004-06:00

IF "Bottled"

2011-04-14T12:48:00.005-06:00

I've felt like this on occasion - ready to "pop my cork" as it were. Should have added some lines about the cork. Bother!

IF "Duet"

2011-04-07T17:26:00.000-06:00

"Bushy-haired Bald Guy"

2011-03-04T09:59:00.002-07:00

A friend was telling me yesterday her daughter saw my illustration in the Friend... "Oh, yeah, did she draw this bushy-haired bald guy?" Don't know why, but that just tickled me!

IF "Sweater"

2011-02-27T19:22:00.004-07:00

Didn't get this one finished in time, and with just a quick coloring in Photoshop, but couldn't pass up the topic! I LOVE sweaters!!

IF "Swarm"

2011-02-27T18:22:00.003-07:00

Photoshop practice...cont.

2011-02-08T17:56:00.006-07:00

I'm still relatively new to Photoshop, and still favor traditional media, but marvel at the prospects! A color study in seconds, with 100% forgiveness!! Bravo!!!

IF "Reverse"

2011-02-06T20:00:00.002-07:00

"Part of the Family"

2011-01-26T19:02:00.005-07:00

Just published in the February "Friend"

Sketchbook Project

2011-01-18T10:22:00.006-07:00

A few pages from my sketchbook, on it's way to the Brooklyn Art Library! Talk about cutting it close! Was a fun fun project though, and I'll definitely do it again if I can!! Lycka till min lilla bok! Bon Chance!

"When Brush and Pencil fell in love...

2011-01-16T17:49:00.002-07:00

Doing a wee bit of practicing in Photoshop.

IF "Chicken" well, almost.

2011-01-14T08:17:00.007-07:00

Wee Davey

2011-01-13T21:48:00.005-07:00

IF "Resolutions"

2011-01-06T13:32:00.006-07:00

As always, I've many resolutions, but of the one I am most determined, it is to DRAW Elise! DRAW DRAW DRAW!!!

IF "Winter"

2010-12-30T00:07:00.004-07:00

Snow monster!! Augh!!!

2010-12-23T16:17:00.003-07:00

Came home from the library this evening to find this crazy snow monster in our front garden! It's Calvin and Hobbs all over again! Crazy girls!

Run! Run for your lives wee snow men!!

IF "Sneaky"

2010-11-23T09:22:00.003-07:00

IF "Burning"

2010-11-19T12:22:00.003-07:00

A wee bit late! Sorry!!

IF "Racing"

2010-10-27T16:45:00.003-06:00

IF "Spooky"

2010-10-20T21:35:00.002-06:00

IF "Beneath"

2010-10-07T20:42:00.000-06:00

"The Temple is For Everyone"

2010-09-29T20:45:00.006-06:00

Some preliminary sketches for the Friend about two wee girls who visit all the temples in Utah.

IF "Acrobat"

2010-09-20T22:30:00.003-06:00

IF "Dessert"

2010-09-06T21:19:00.001-06:00

IF "Immovable"

2010-08-31T19:54:00.005-06:00

Still learning Photoshop!

IF "Atmosphere"

2010-08-22T19:03:00.002-06:00

He was still trying to figure out what he'd done... the atmosphere was so thick, you could cut it with a knife!!

IF "Star Gazing"

2010-08-18T10:02:00.007-06:00

Just experimenting in Photoshop again... I'll get it, I'll get it!!

IF "Caged"

2010-08-08T21:20:00.002-06:00

IF "Dip"

2010-04-08T00:31:00.001-06:00

IF "Expired"

2010-03-22T21:15:00.002-06:00

IF "Subterranean"

2010-03-14T01:03:00.005-07:00

More practice in Photoshop.

IF "Brave"

2010-03-10T08:25:00.009-07:00

It's hard to be brave when you're a wee girl, and there's something outside your window! This is from a story I illustrated a bit ago, and thought quite fitting, especially during such a busy week!

IF "Adrift"

2010-02-17T23:08:00.004-07:00

I know this is awful, but was just trying a wee bit in photoshop.

IF "Focused"

2010-02-02T21:09:00.001-07:00

IF "Confined" no.2

2010-01-12T23:18:00.002-07:00

After posting the first illustration, I realized the wee guy would more likely have THIS expression!

IF "Confined"

2010-01-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

IF "Renewal"

2010-01-07T23:35:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-17T15:09:00.003-07:00

Such a lovely time of year! I've been too busy to post any IF illustrations, but wanted to send Christmas wishes to all my friends far and near! A very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!!

IF "Infinite"

2009-09-22T16:14:00.002-06:00

IF "Welcome"

2009-09-17T18:57:00.002-06:00

Have missed posting....

2009-07-27T11:51:00.003-06:00

I've been so busy with my work, family and well, all of life really, that I've missed IF and posting! Hope I still have many of my dear friends here! Will be posting again as soon as I can!!

IF "Instinct"

2009-02-26T22:43:00.002-07:00

I saw a news report recently about an abandoned dog and her pups at an animal shelter in Iowa. The puppies were quickly adopted, and shortly after, a litter of newborn kittens were left. The staff worried about how they would care for them all, when someone suggested leaving them with the mother dog. She immediately began to nurse, clean and care for them as if they were her own. It was a remarkable thing.

IF "Celebrate"

2009-02-16T17:02:00.001-07:00

IF "Time"

2009-02-12T22:24:00.001-07:00

"Ah me.....where does it go?"

IF "Flawed"

2009-02-05T22:00:00.004-07:00

"The moment he began, it was obvious that the plan was flawed."

IF "Climbing"

2009-01-29T16:51:00.002-07:00

IF "Pale"

2009-01-22T11:39:00.002-07:00

A quick sketch to meet my goal of all 52 - Among the many wonders this life offers, when one holds a baby, warm and precious, all others pale to compare.

IF "Contained"

2009-01-15T12:11:00.002-07:00

Though it was called "Tuna Surprise", the real surprise was what else it contained!

IF "Resolve"

2009-01-07T17:42:00.002-07:00

"They were both decidedly stubborn! and it seemed that the matter mightn't ever resolve!"

IF "Clandestine"

2008-12-28T19:19:00.005-07:00

"High above the city, they found a way to be together".

Works in progress....

2008-12-14T21:42:00.003-07:00

I've missed illustrating the last few IF topics, and believe me, I would have enjoyed them very much! Happily, however, I have been swamped with work!! No complaining here, mind! Especially as a freelancer!!! I've posted a few sketches for a series I'm working on. It's times like these when I'm really busy, I have to say it's hard to believe I can be paid to have so much fun!!! I've also posted one of my wee gran, Libby. She and I spend Wednesdays together. What a love!!!

IF "Balloon"

2008-11-28T17:09:00.003-07:00

IF "Opinion"

2008-11-23T19:25:00.003-07:00

IF "A Packed Pack"

2008-09-27T17:39:00.004-06:00

Whew! The birdhouses completed! Akela can sign off number 5!

IF "Clique"

2008-09-20T15:58:00.002-06:00

IF "Island"

2008-09-13T17:24:00.002-06:00

It was instinctive! As soon as the flooding occurred, they took refuge on the island. Now, all that remained was to wait for rescue...

IF "Clutter"

2008-09-11T17:54:00.003-06:00

IF "Memories"

2008-08-31T19:12:00.002-06:00

IF "Detach"

2008-08-18T13:33:00.001-06:00

IF "Sail"

2008-08-11T10:48:00.002-06:00

IF "Canned"

2008-07-29T17:32:00.001-06:00

Mrs. Kilpatrick's cats unanimously preferred the canned.

IF "Baby"

2008-06-02T13:13:00.001-06:00

I've had babies on my mind for quite a while now......and no wonder, as just last Sunday, my oldest son and his wife gave me my first grandbaby, a beautiful wee girl!! "Liberty" ("Libby" for everyday). She was named for my son's service in Iraq with the Marine Corp. I've included her photo, along with an illustration for a book I am working on about families.

IF "Worry"

2008-05-28T13:21:00.001-06:00

This is the opposite of "worry", and when one is a wee babe, perhaps the only time in life completely worry free.

IF "Wide"

2008-05-17T10:01:00.002-06:00

IF "Electricity"

2008-05-09T15:16:00.005-06:00

IF "Seed"

2008-05-05T14:14:00.003-06:00

grandpa

IF "Wrinkles"

2008-04-29T22:46:00.001-06:00

IF "Primitive"

2008-04-23T22:04:00.001-06:00

A primitive tool with today's digital creations (but still my favorite).

IF "Fail" ?

2008-04-12T00:33:00.001-06:00

This is what happens when I'm in a hurry! I misread this week's topic, and illustrated "Fair" instead of "Fail". Ah well......here it is all the same. Hopefully I'll find time to illustrate the correct one later this week.

IF "Save"

2008-04-09T22:04:00.002-06:00

IF "Homage"

2008-03-31T11:23:00.002-06:00

In homage to "Motherhood", I honor all women who choose to be mothers among all the alluring career choices today. I especially honor those who sacrifice so much to be home with them, not only meeting the demanding physical needs, but the emotional, spiritual and intellectual needs of little ones. It's a daunting career at times, but so very worth it. Now as my children are becoming adults, and parents themselves, I recognize how important my work here has been. I honor my own mother who continues to love all 7 of us!!

This illustration is from a book about families I am currently working on.

IF "Pet Peeve"

2008-03-24T23:16:00.001-06:00

One of my pet peeves is the overindulgence of some parents!

IF "Heavy"

2008-03-17T16:54:00.002-06:00

This is a fast one, but I like to use IF as an exercise in quick thinking.

It's fun to work the brain.

IF "Garden"

2008-03-10T22:32:00.002-06:00

IF "Leap"

2008-03-01T09:51:00.001-07:00

Can't pass up a quick illustration on this theme. I've thought quite a bit lately about the "Leap of Faith" required for a woman to have a child. No parent receives real training on giving birth, and beyond, (which incidentally can be overwhelming). Yet, each of my six children have been a welcomed blessing. There's a wonder that belongs solely to a mother, as the life within her "leaps".

IF "Multiple"

2008-02-27T13:09:00.003-07:00

IF "Choose"

2008-02-08T22:36:00.001-07:00

My youngest daughter has discovered the joy and heartache of having so many admirers. She loves all the attention, but is learning that someone invariably gets hurt. One such admirer sent her a tender note. "What can I do mom?" she asked me one day. "I just want to stay friends, but I think if I say that, he'll be embarrassed and mad." I wish I had an answer for that one. She's right. Love is confusing at times, and Cupid's arrows can be quite painful.

IF "Blanket"

2008-02-04T09:50:00.002-07:00

IF "Tales and Legends"

2008-01-25T23:41:00.001-07:00

"I have many beautiful flowers," he said, "but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all."

(From "The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde)

IF "Plain"

2008-01-24T17:22:00.001-07:00

"Yes.....the flowers were pretty, and Winston did have the nicest birthday parties, but there was something in Daniel's gentle smile, and the way he held that one plain little flower..."