Miss Arty Smarty: Why do I do what I do? Whats with all the long hou...

Miss Arty Smarty: Why do I do what I do? Whats with all the long hou...: Why do I do what I do? Whats with all the long hours and endless days and nights in my studio…. Okay, today has found me in a reflective...

Why do I do what I do? Whats with all the long hours and endless days and nights in my studio….

Okay, today has found me in a reflective mood. Sitting at my desk, revising a few sketches for an upcoming two book series, I glanced over at a note thats been sitting here from a first grader awaiting my answers.

This isn't an unusual note, I'm asked all the time if I work when my muse hits me or only work on certain days. Art is a tough thing to explain. I can't imagine myself without making art. I guess I can say I do it for very selfish, self fulfilling reasons initially. Alone in my studio, happily creating three dimensional worlds that have never existed yet on my two dimensional pieces of paper. Allowing my mind to joyfully scribble, erase, go back in , add details as they pop in my head, jazz music playing and a snoring dog or two in the background.

With that being said, there is also the part of the equation where this is my lively hood and my purpose to come into my studio everyday. It is a full time job, lucky me! And as a result, I have deadlines and commitments to clients and an agent which means I need  to work even at times when my mind isn't as sharp as I would like or the muse isn't there!

The strange part of this is I never really think of the impact of the art once it enters the word. It seems as though if I make a piece of art that day that fulfills me and all artistic skills are firing, then I am happy. I've created something.

Then I get a letter like the one sitting here next to me as I write this blog. It always catches me a bit off guard.  Someone is looking at what may have been rolling around in my brain that day. They either like it or they don't ( Yes, there are haters-part of the job!) When I get a response, a review, a letter, a picture (like the one posted above, a very cute Katie Woo Book Club) it seems to put it in perspective of the larger picture. I am so very lucky to create for me and to have the emotion and joy tears and angst all represented in my art flowing through to the next person who sees it. Very cool and very deep in a way I will never be able to explain.

Catching up after the Holidays!

Wow it has been so long since I've had a chance to post and so much has been going on. I'll start with my gallery show which took place in October. It was so much fun to get a chance to share my work other than printed in a book. I really wasn't prepared to hang my pieces. They are usually scanned and find their way stored in alphabetical order in my basement.Needless to say, my work was cut out for me!

It started with trying to find enough frames for at least 22 pieces…….

followed by the most tedious part of all, MATTING AND FRAMING! UGH! Felt like I was back in art school!

then laying them out all over my floor to get a great composition for the wall…..

Then the real fun began! With the help of my friend Christie, we packed up the SUV and headed to the gallery. Hammer and nails in hand-oh and a ladder too. Did I mention my friend and I are both 5ft tall??

 And the final result!

Miss Arty Smarty: Another day, another character comes alive!It is ...

Miss Arty Smarty: Another day, another character comes alive!
It is ...: Another day, another character comes alive! It is always amazing to me to see what exactly is stuck in this head of mine. I never quite ...

Another day, another character comes alive!

It is always amazing to me to see what exactly is stuck in this head of mine. I never quite know what the next characters will look like. At times I believe I'm just channeling. Once they are on paper, I feel as though they are real and ready to spring into action!

These images are the lead characters in a new Manuscript I am starting on. I'm obsessed with fashion. I somehow think that's a bit obvious!

Children's Book Illustrators! The Westheimer Gallery announces the upcoming show of "Children's Book Illustrators".  Viki Woodworth, Tammie Lyon, Christina Wald, Jeffrey Ebbeler and Vanessa Sorensen will be displaying their illustrations that have been used in many children's story books.  Each weekend, during the show, there will be special events with the illustrators, including live drawings, crafts, story times, mazes and more!  More information about these events will be posted soon on the SFAC website - http://www.sharonvillefinearts.org The show will run from October 4 through October 27, 2013.  The grand opening reception will be Friday, October 4th from 6 - 8 pm.  Please call (513) 554-1014 for more information.

The first of the Katie Woo book club books

Here it is! The first of the Katie Woo book club books is shipping!

This month starts with Katie Woo Rules The School!! I hope everyone is signing up