Thursday, September 15, 2011

Back to the Drawing Board

I'm doing an illustration for a sewing pattern for a little girl's embellished corduroy jumper this week.
I thought it might be interesting to post photos of the process in progress.
By the time I thought to document the work, my ink-line drawing was complete, and some of the watercolor base applied.  Here is my crazy cluttered desk, with my reference garment and computer printouts of the fabric print I am to use.  This client (Patty Reed for Simplicity Patterns) designs the fabric as well as the garment, but nothing has been manufactured yet, so I just have prototypes to work from.
Watercolor base complete.  Next, I use colored pencils to add the print and make it come to life.

It was fun to go back to familiar territory: illustration for the home-sewing industry, my bread and butter income over the past 25-or-so years.  Except that the last few years have really been s-l-o-w for me.  I used to get hired to do maybe 8 to 10 illustrations a month, sometimes more...now I'm lucky to get a few jobs a year! The industry is changing, relying on quick and cheap photography more and more, plus there is just a decline in home-sewing in general.  But I still love to do the artwork when I get the chance!

Monday, September 12, 2011

To everything, there is a season...

These verses have come up in conversation several times lately, and they come to mind again when reflecting on the events of 9/11.  While we remember with sadness the horrific events on this day 10 years ago and honor those whose lives were lost,  this is also a happy day in our house.  We celebrate the birth of our precious daughter, our only child, who came into our lives seventeen years after we were married.  It was a jolt to our childless lifestyle, that's for sure, but now we can't imagine our lives without her.  And now she turns seventeen (the magic number, I reckon)!  So, yes, September 11 is a date that spurs quite a dichotomy of feelings for me...

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Hot Diggity Dog....I'm done!

WHEW!  Got 'em done.  Signed, sealed, delivered.  Yay!  And wouldn't the above be a great picture if it was actually crisp and in focus??  Arghghgh.
Right after I took this picture, I spent the next half hour untangling all of the chains.  Arghghgh.
Now....back to work!




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Dog days... dog charms

The last few days have been devoted to making a pile of charms for a charity event.  The organization is called "Fences for Fido" and 25 charms depicting their dog hero, Chopper, are being sold at their gala this Saturday night. YIKES!
I always think, "No problem, I can whip those puppies (no pun intended) out in a jiffy", and I am always WRONG!  Invariably, there are snags and interruptions along the way and now I am frantically trying to copper-wrap them all and squeeze in soldering time between a bunch of pressing work commitments.
Wish me luck!