Bear Ride

.. and here it is, my latest illustration offering.  The girl (based on Boo of course) rides on her beloved bear through the forest of North Vancouver.  It's made with a lino print using oil based ink, coloured with watercolour and mounted on a background painted with acrylic.  I've left the background more painterly than I usually do, and I'm not sure about this.. is it too much?

I showed Boo the picture and she said 'but my bear doesn't walk like that, he walks on two legs like a human'.  There's no pleasing some people!

So Sew

BEFORE my rampant toddler reached into the box containing my sewing machine (which I foolishly left on the floor) and SNAPPED off the plastic reel holder rendering it unusable, I did actually manage to do some sewing.  Here is Boo modelling her 'Doves and Cherries' dress, now with new addition of matching outfit for Kitty Doll.  If you like this stuff, check out clothkits which is where I bought it.

Well, its his own fault (ok its actually me own for being quite so stoopit as to think he wouldn't get his hands into EVERYTHING)that he won't be getting his Kit boy doll which I also purchased from Clothkits.  At least not until I track down a Singer repairer.

Harrummmph.

I promised you some some art in my last post.  It's on its way... soon...

My Illustration Portfolio

I do believe it's time for somewhat of a re-invention of this blog.  With these crazy busy days with two at home and an active boy toddler being one of them, I have found little time for planning and executing arty projects.  I haven't wanted to force it for the sake of 'keeping up the blog' and know that things ebb and flow and no doubt in time we will be back again in that place. 

However, after some years of tinkering around with my illustration work in the 'margins' of my life, things are starting to come together, and its time for me to bring in centre stage.  So I have created a new 'gallery' at the side of this blog where I will be showcasing some of my illustration work as I compile my portfolio to submit to publishers of childrens books.  I'll also be writing some posts about how things are going and my working process.

I've been exploring some different approaches in my work and usually end up working in mixed media.  I make and dye my own paper sometimes, other times using found papers as well as fabric.  Recently I've been making use of some lino and rubber stamping in my work and think there is lots of scope to develop this further.

I'll stop talking now and show you some pictures, hope you enjoy them.

I also have a new page on Facebook which you can go 'like' at CathHughesArt.  In time I will figure out how to put one of those nice little buttons on this blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tooth Fairy Cometh

Boo has been sporting a 'wobbler' for a wee while now.  I have to say it took me by surprise, she only turned 5 in March and none of her preschool chums have lost teeth yet, but wobbling it most definitely was.  And out it most definitely has now come.  She is so proud, especially as it came out at preschool so was quite the 'event' and Boo quite the focus of attention for a few minutes.

Every lost tooth needs a pillow, so here is ours, fashioned from an offcut of a lovely echino fabric I picked up, complete with pockets for the tiny tooth and for the shiny coin.  What is the going rate I wonder?  I have a shiny new loony ($1 Canadian coin) so I'm thinking that will be just right.  No doubt inflation has hit since we used to find a 10p coin under our pillows.

Of course the pillow has to hang on the outside of the door.  The tooth fairy may be welcome, but like Santa she is not allowed to actually enter the bedroom.

Window wonders

Boo received a 'window stickers' kit a while back and we thought we'd give it a go.  The kit came with some templates for designs, which we used, but the really interesting things started happening when we started going 'freestyle'.

We used lots of colours to make this luminescent heart.

Then Boo did this cool little drawing of a man who appears to be jumping.

She followed this up by making some black 'lightning' and I made a little star to go with it.

We were soon out of most colours of window paint (you paint it onto acetate first and allow it to dry I should point out) so I am left wondering if I can make some myself?!  I would imagine it is based on white glue so I am wondering, would ink work to provide the pigment?   I may give it a go when I get a mo.

 

Scratch 'n' Print

Ahhh, printmaking, its been too long.  Now, I have to say, this method of printmaking is not my fave - I much prefer collagraph and monoprinting, but you can't knock foam printing for its simplicity and speed.  Perfect, really for naptimes, especially the short ones my 2nd child seems to delight in!

We used 'Scratch-Foam Board' manufactured by Scratch Art.  You simply draw onto the board using a pencil or ballpoint pen, then ink up with a roller and print.  The foam boards are pretty durable and stand up to multiple printing and washing.  

Here's Boo inking up her first foam board.

And here's the print, a 'man on a mountain with a stick'.  I am interpreting this as a portrait of her Daddy hiking.

And here's her second print, some flowers and grass and, if you look at the top left hand corner, there are 2 little people jumping on the flowers.  Love that.

This is one I did, of the daffs we had sitting on the table.

Boo loved this technique (so easy!) so that's good enough for me.

Fancy trying out some other printmaking techniques with your little one?

See also

leaf printmaking

Marvellous Monoprinting

Bubble wrap printmaking

Collagraph Capers

Playdough prints

Potato printed wrapping paper

Oh I mean't to say, whilst I bought a pack of foam board specifically manufactured for printmaking, if you are of frugal bent, I reckon you could probably fashion some serviceable foam board from those trays that food often comes in.

Papier Mache hearts

I know, I know, Valentine's Day is history, but I'm still a-catchin-up, having been through a bout of flu. I had four of these little beauties in the production line for 'V'day, but I'm afraid only one actually reached being finished in time. For the one most likely to complain if something was not produced for her on the day! In fact, this was originally intended to be a 'Mama n Boo' project, but like so many of my little brainwaves, it turned out (no doubt due to the laboriousness of the papier mache technique), ended up being a Solo Mama project. We started out with heart shapes cut out of card, which were then given some form with scrunched up newspaper and masking tape.

 

Then the papiermache began, using the laminating technique i.e. layering pieces of newspaper coated on both sides with paper paste. Don't forget to factor in drying time as it can take several days to dry, and you need at least 5 layers to make it strong enough.

After the drying, I got stuck into decorating, painting with acrylics and decorating with cut fabric pieces and beads, before putting a hook in the top and attaching a ribbon to hang it from.

Another mama heart for my Boo. Now for the other ones...