Library Talk

On Thursday 3rd June I presented my first library talk at Riverton Library to primary school aged children. I shared with them the process of illustrating my first chapter book 'My Arms Your Legs' written by Kim Rackham. I showed them changes I was asked to make and displayed image references, rough sketches and finished illustrations. I explained different jobs they could have as an illustrator and did a live drawing demonstration. Many questions were asked by both children, teenagers and parents! It was a positive experience overall and the library staff were very helpful. Thanks to my friend Sam Hughes a children's librarian and illustrator for giving me some presentation tips :)

Off to Market

I know not a very original title for this post, but the first that came to mind!

I am bursting with creative energy at the moment! I was fortunate to be allocated stalls at both the next Perth Upmarket and Made on the Left Markets.

This will be my first Upmarket and I feel honoured to have been allocated a stall as there is often a waiting list for stall holders. The Winter Upmarket is being held on 27th June at Winthrop Hall, UWA, 10-4pm.

Made on the Left (MOTL) is being held at The Saint Hotel Innaloo on 17th and 18th July from 10-4pm. My stall Lemon Zest Design is 17th July. This will be my 2nd MOTL market. It was such a great atmosphere last year at the Hyde Park Hotel and should be even better at The Saint.

Above is some artwork I will be selling at my stalls. I am aiming to have a lot more original artwork this time but will also have prints to cater for different budgets. Things in progress on my art table include illustrations, paintings, key holders, painted frames, coasters etc.

This is an extremely busy month for me. This weekend I am also going to Rottnest with SCBWI WA Branch for the annual Rottnest Retreat :) Last year we all had a ball! See Frane Lessac's blog post here. There will be activities, pot luck dinners, wine, portfolio critiques and manuscript assessments, games, bike rides, mini golf to name a few.

When I get back I will be full steam ahead I also have 8 samples to prepare for my Canning Arts Group Art Fun Kids School Holiday Program. Theme these July holidays is Myths and Legends. My classes will involve Jabberwockies, Unicorns, Dragons, Fairies, Elves, Aliens, Enchanted Trees and Fantasy Worlds!!!!! It's always fun inspiring the kids to create and seeing what their wonderful imaginations come up with!

Wednesday mornings I am still taking an art class for people with disabilities at Lifeplan in Vic Park. It is nice to go to a non stressful environment every week and create with carers and clients who appreciate me being there.

Illustration Friday Topic - Dip

Zac loved the sour tingly feeling on his tongue from Tangy Sherbet dip :)

This is one of my quicker IF posts. Usually I want to add lots of colour and detail and want it to look perfect. I am okay with this not being coloured i think it speaks for itself in black and white. I also didn't um and ah about this topic it was the first thought that came to my mind a sherbet dip!

Lemon Zest Design is on Facebook

Lemon Zest Design my illustration / graphic design company is on Facebook add me here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lemon-Zest-Design/190537554223?ref=ts

Expired - Illustration Friday topic

The balloon ducked, twisted, twirled, dodged and dived whilst it's air expired and no one could catch him!

It has been several months since I have posted an IF topic, but I felt inspired this week to have a break from my other jobs. Hopefully I will jump back on the bandwagon again and contribute more frequently. It is always good to challenge myself to illustrate new subjects.

Technically this piece is a little rough, some of the ink smudged as it was not properly dry so have done a few quick digital touch ups, but I like the concept.

Cow Parade Margaret River

Books Moo-ve Me

For 3 days in January in 42 C heat a bunch of illustrators from SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) worked in Frané Lessac's lovely studio in Fremantle painting a fibreglass cow. We had a ball sketching, painting, telling stories, patting the friendly pooches, coming up with 'cow' puns and sharing lovely gourmet lunches in Frané 's air conditioned house :)

It was fabulous working with other inspiring talented illustrators such as Karen Blair, Wendy Binks, James Foley, Samantha Hughes, Frané Lessac, Matt Ottley and Briony Stewart.

Our cow along with 76 other cows is now traveling down south for Cow Parade in Busselton on 21st February. They will be cows of leisure residing in wineries, galleries, restaurants, shopping centres, boutiques, businesses, parks and lighthouses from March - June 2010.

We were very grateful to be allocated a cow and given the opportunity to take part in this international art exhibit.

'While CowParade has been held in over 50 cities around the world including ‘udderly’ fabulous destinations such as Paris, Tokyo, London and New York, each event is unique. The cow sculptures do not change from event to event, but local artists are challenged by the works of previous CowParade artists and inspired by their own cultural contexts and personal vision of what a cow should look like'.

Reference: http://www.margaretriver.com/pages/cowparade-2010/

The cows will be auctioned off on the 10th of July 2010, proceeds going to various charities.

Pet portraits

These are some recent pet portraits I have done for clients between November and January.

Usually I work with pastels and coloured pencils but the first two dogs Georgie and Steffi were acrylic painting commissions. I can be emailed at lemonzestdesign AT gmail DOT com if you would like to make an enquiry.