Christmas Card 2020 - In the works

What a year so far! Have you heard anybody say that this has been their favorite year ever?                      Me neither! But most would agree that it's been a memorable one, all the same! 

It's because of all the craziness this year that I started working on my card back in September, hoping to get a jump on things. I love everything about Christmas and want to savor it all. This years card was a very 2020 design, with everyone wearing masks of course, and running around a Christmas tree lot - there was plenty of action and lots of fun, and even some hidden windows.

Well, it was almost finished, but for some reason I just couldn't get my heart into it, (not uncommon to me I'm afraid) although I kept plugging away. I finally just scrapped the whole thing, and pulled out some ideas of a card from a few years back that didn't suit me then, but do now. (See the first drafts from last year's post https://elisesartgarden.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-few-projects-ive-been-working-on.html

It's going to be another folded one, with the kids enjoying our Nativity - the big one from my parents that we set up on top of the piano. I'm planning a few hidden windows also. Anyway, we'll see how it goes!

Below are some rough sketches, but you get the idea. I've always loved putting my kids in illustrations, especially when they haven't a clue it's them! They always recognize Lily though - find her on the Friend Junior February 2019 cover, http://elisesartgarden.blogspot.com/2019/02/february-friend-jr-cover.html

Here's Moroni and his beloved, Lil

Em and her little Jeff.

Lel's Tintin.

And even our Oliver who's been gone a long while.

More babies...

Sketching in Photoshop

Best Hug Ever!

The Friend Junior honored me once again!

This time, with "The Best Hug Ever!"

I love it when they hide the CTR ring in my art.

Can you find it??

2019 Christmas Card

Despite my best efforts I was late getting my cards finished (as is witnessed in this post!) In fact, I completely changed the design about a week before Christmas! 

No matter how hard I try or how early I begin, it seems Christmas sails by in a rush, and I don't like it!! 

While sharing these feelings and frustrations with a friend, we came to the conclusion that we need to begin thinking about Christmas much earlier. September isn't even early enough, or even July. 

This year, I'm hoping to completely change the past feelings of "getting it all done," to enjoyment and anticipation of Christmas and Easter and other wonderful celebrations. The plan is to do a little something each month in preparation. That's doable! Life is too short, and it feels as if time is racing me along! I want to enjoy it all! 

Happy New Year 2020, with enough challenges to keep us growing, and blessings in abundance is my wish for one and all!

*note - I added our wee Lily this year, bottom left. We said goodbye to her in September, and are still missing her.

2020 Come Follow Me - Week one

Part of the efforts to 'Light the World" in my little corner is to offer a little something every week. As a Primary teacher, I love to send the children home with a little something to help them share what they learned in class with their family - a wee something to help their growing testimonies of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. I hope this year brings many wonderful opportunities to share my own faith in the Savior in this way. Come again next week, and Happy New Year 2020! (P.S. Thank you Anthony for the inspiration!!)

Week One
Make your own little Book of Mormon

Follow the link for your free download. Enjoy! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RHWCNJrV4qNBtXlxzPMwmjwxGN_qdrNt/view?usp=sharing

Copy, Fold in half, and fold in half again. Easy peasy! 

A few projects I've been working on...

Sometimes I get so busy, I forget to post, and it looks like I've not been doing anything at all!

I have been busy, and here are a few things I've been working on -

Detail of a baby shower invitation for a friend;





My annual Christmas card always begins in the early Autumn, and I still end up rushing to get it out on time! Here are a few roughs - I love making my cards, and focusing on the Savior's birth. This year will feature my kids when little, and as we lost our puppy a few months ago, I'm adding her and our other past pets. My kids have had various hamsters, fish etc. and it may be difficult getting them all in there.



After the fun with last years advent windows, I also plan to add a few hidden ones in each future card. We'll see how it all comes out.

February Friend Jr Cover

It's always lovely to see your work in print, and know it's flying all over the world! The Friend has always been my favorite client!

Inktober 2018 continued...

I've taken a 10 day Social Media fast, and am returning with Inktober 2018 No 17 "Swollen"

Inktober 2018 continued...

No 4 "Spell"

No 5 "Chicken"

No 6 "Drooling"

Inktober 2018 #2 and 3

Forgot to post these next two Inktober illos. The image above is the prompt list for this 2018 Inktober. I'm having fun!

"Roasted" above and "Tranquil" below.

Inktober 2018

Another lovely year has passed, and it is Inktober again! This year I will be following the prompts as listed beginning with No1 "Poisonous" and adding another illo each day through October 31st.
To see some of my past Inktober Illos -
https://www.instagram.com/elisenblack/
https://www.facebook.com/elise.n.black/media_set?set=a.10152526524894830&type=3
Happy Autumn!

 

"Allie's New Class"

Another "Friend" assignment!

I'm absolutely LOVING working in Photoshop!! 

It's a far cry from watercolor, especially when you can change your mind as often as you want!

I'm also enjoying the brushes I purchased from kylebrush.com.  

They are fabulous!! Especially the watercolor sets!

You can check out the other illos here:

https://www.lds.org/friend/2018/07/allies-new-class?lang=eng

More work with The Friend

One of my favorite clients, is "The Friend," a children's publication by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I've been able to illustrate a few stories for them lately.

Here are a few of the illos from one called "Day and Night:"

I like to add a few personal bits to each illo I do, such as the snowman and the chimp doll. It's wonderful when a client lets you have fun with the assignment.

Here are a couple more:

You can see the story entire here:

https://www.lds.org/friend/2018/02/day-and-night?lang=eng

Jennie's Song Is Published!

Jennie was finally published this past July! 

I've been talking about it and sharing bits from time to time, and as I designed it from start to finish, with input from Karen of course, it's taken a while!

But it's finally out!

It's a sweet story about a little girl who learns that all living things have a song in their hearts. 

Here is a peek inside:

Some of the pages are double spreads like these:

and some smaller vignettes: 

The author, Karen Pool self published and it is available here: 

https://www.amazon.com/Jennies-Song-Karen-Wilson-Pool/dp/096729679X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533574556&sr=8-1&keywords=jennie%27s+Song&dpID=61C7Yci1qrL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

Pick up a copy and please leave a review. 

Hope you enjoy it!!

More practicing in Photoshop

Photoshop Fun

Always been a traditionalist using watercolor and ink, but am learning and loving all the wonderful creations Photoshop can add. Here is a practice bit with a bunch of different techniques in one. Very fun!

Off to the Publisher

I have been working on a children's book for the past year, written by a wonderful author, Karen Wilson Pool. It's been a grand experience for me, especially as Karen let me design the entire book from cover to cover, and this past week I handed over the completed project for her approval! 

Yipeeeeee! She LOVED it!! 

I'm hoping it will be a good portfolio piece and open a few doors. We shall see!

When Karen gave me a copy of the story, and I sat down to do some sketching, I fell in love! And I'm hoping you will love it too!!

The story is of a little girl born with a song in her heart, and her discovery that the world is full of unique and beautiful songs, and that every creature on earth has a song to sing! 

It's funny, but one of my favorite aspects of illustrating is the creation of the characters. It's almost God-like, and I relish imagining every little bit - from their clothing and shoes to the way they comb their hair, and even the toys they take to bed. It is such a kick!! 
I can't wait for you to meet this little girl, but until then, here are a few more of the finished illustrations:

Almost Finished!

I'm in love with a project I've been working on! Here is a sample, and when the final work is approved, I will share more!

When Lisa Was Little

This past April I accepted a 100-day challenge illustrating on a theme and chose a series of childhood memories titled #whenlisawaslittle. It turned out to be more fun than I imagined, and brought back many sweet memories. Here are the illustrations all together: