The Kindergardener Snake 8.5"x11" watercolor on paper
Here it is! The finished illustration I painted and designed for a guide on the Python computer programming language written by Mike Driscoll.
Since the subject of the project revolved around a vintage school house, mice, and a friendly snake, I titled the finished piece: The Kindergardener Snake. I had so much fun creating this little school house scene for a book on learning and teaching yourself a modern language!
Grandpa Bear's Chair 13"x10" watercolor & gouache on paper
Grandpa Bear and his fox granddaughter love to read in his comfy chair. They have a good source of reading material beside them to keep them entertained for hours of book loving fun.
This is the finished label illustration for Emmeline Wines, an Australian wine company that I have had the honor of working with for their past two vintages. Thank you for letting me join the adventure again Narelle & Tim!
It's no secret that autumn is my favorite time of the year. So even though sweltering summer is upon us, my thoughts are on October...
A little afternoon painting from my sketchbook... I love making new friends.
A drawing from my sketchbook, featuring two friends, an umbrella, and a jolly rain cloud.
More soon!
The characters in my new wine label commission beginning to take form.
These two have a great deal in common and reading is an obvious favorite pastime. Note the impressive stack of books beside their comfy chair.
This photo was taken a bit ago now, and the actual painting will be posted in a day or two. Until then!
A fox and a bear.
The beginnings of something that has two of my favorite animals.
Little watercolor faces singing Happy Birthday & blowing out candles at a party. An early peek at the companion piece for my illustration, The Neighborhood.
It's been a pleasant mixture of sketching, dreaming, and holiday shenanigans this past week...
Here's a small snippet of a stork and a baby.
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse 5"x7" Watercolor & gouache on paper
Oh to be a few inches tall, then you could crawl into the walls of a miniature dollhouse! That is where the town mouse makes his home in the city, within the toy house of the little children who live in the building he takes shelter in. It makes for very lavish mouse-size living quarters, and I am a bit jealous of them!
The country mouse seems to be a bit uneasy and awkward as she stands atop the table holding her china plate. A cup has fallen on the floor and shattered amid the hustle and bustle of city life. This is perhaps my favorite of the two paintings, mostly due to the awkward positions they take while sitting at the miniature toy table.
This Aesop's fable was such a fun thing to interpret, but they were also a present to my Mother for her birthday as we have always called her and her sister "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse". My mother is a country mouse, and I am as well. Although, I could be tempted to take up residence in a local dollhouse if one could be provided or I could find a drink similar to Alice's when she shrunk in Wonderland. Keep me posted if you come across anything of that nature!
Hansel & Gretel: Breadcrumbs 6.5"x10" Watercolor & gouache on paper
Little Hansel consoles a crying Gretel as he fends off the crows that are trying to steal their bread. Of course we all know the importance of those breadcrumbs to Hansel & Gretel, the famous forsaken and tragic fairy tale siblings.
This is my rendition of the beloved Grimm's story.
Rambling Jack Rabbit 7"x7" Watercolor, gouache & ink on paper
Rambling Jack has wanderlust and loves a good adventure. Most rabbits are content to stay in their woods and fields, but Jack is on his way to see the world. Right now he is going to visit his Aunt Hattie and three little cousins, Elliot, Rose, and Buttons.
He's asking directions from a local owl, as Jack had heard they are supposed to be very wise.
A detail of an illustration featuring a rabbit with wanderlust, (as previously promised).
Here's the wise old owl he's asking directions from.
Painting the Great Egg 8"x10" Watercolor, gouache & ink on paper
My last painting, Coloring Eggs Together was so well received, and it definitely found a soft spot in my heart. It was suggested to me to not just leave it at that, but to paint a new interpretation of it. And thus, this sequel was made.
As well as a miniature story to go along with it: Fredrick, George & Harry Bunny will hand you a card for their trade and it will most likely read the following: "...Bunny Bros. Inc., we'll paint your house, walls, fences, and storefronts. Have experience with whitewash, and fine detailed lettering."
Their specialty however, has always lied with eggs (no job is too big or too small). They aim to please and take pride in their craft. During this particular project, the eldest Bunny Brother, Fredrick is consulting the plans to their tried and true architectural plans. They have enlisted the help of their two dear friends, Sadie & Sam. But painting eggs can be a messy business, and some sort of mischief always presents itself. The youngest, Harry Bunny, will definitely have to take a good long bath tonight to remove all of that red paint.
Central Park: Through Wind and Rain 11"x14" watercolor, gouache and ink on paper
Letters are falling from the sky as a New York stork flies over Central Park making his rounds. The following historical poem was the inspiration for titling this feathered postman, but his obstacles are a little different:
"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." - Herodotus, (Inscription, New York City Post Office), adapted from Herodotus Greek historian & traveler (484 BC - 430 BC)
However I did alter his creed, way up there a gust of wind can pose quite a pickle for feathered couriers. Storks would make for fantastic postmen. Here's to hoping one comes on my route sooner rather than later.
Time Flies 16"x20" Watercolor & colored pencils on paper
Most of us have heard of the expression Time Flies, but it is also said to stand still... These are two images I tried to capture and convey within this illustration.
Swallows swoop and alight from an opened pocket watch as if they're escaping a birdcage, while a girl and her deer stand motionless and observe time flying by. (The girl is wearing a Valentino dress from their 2015 Pre-Fall collection.)
I was in my happy place painting all of those beating wings and the blue plumage of the swallows. Birds are dear to my heart, they are my feathered friends.
Hansel and Gretel 22"x17" Watercolor and colored pencils on paper
The famous fairy tale siblings, Hansel and Gretel, must have known happier times in their childhood before they were abandoned in the woods with a loaf of bread. This is my rendition of their story, at that time.
Due to my own Dutch heritage, I altered the story's setting from Germany to the Netherlands. I'm sure that the Brothers Grimm wouldn't begrudge me the opportunity to dress these sweet children in wooden clogs (klompen) and place a windmill in the landscape.
Welkom to my interpretation of Grimm's Hansel and Gretel!
Building soft layers of watercolor. I can't think of a better way to spend the winter days and nights.
The Pollination 9"x11" Watercolor, gouache & colored pencils on paper
Mr. Bombus is off to spend a pleasant morning with his sweetheart Miss Tulip and her relations.
This happy little springtime bumble is as busy as a bee, flying from tulip to tulip, discussing the weather and keeping them current with the latest buzz. He has a busy day ahead of him, but thanks to of his toils, we are all able to enjoy the floral landscape and the beauty of all the Miss Tulips in the world. Our hats off to you Mr. Bombus!
A formal introduction to Miss Tulip and Mr. Bombus: (Latin Names)
Tulipa
Bombus Hortorum
Goldilocks and the Three Bears : Someone's Been Eating My Porridge 11"x14" Watercolor & gouache on paper
The second installment in my version of the classic fairy tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. My take once again depicts a different view of the curious girl and the Bear family, where they are the best of friends and she has been invited over for breakfast. Goldilocks and Papa Bear are sitting down for a steaming bowl of hot porridge. Mama Bear and Baby Bear had better hurry up and join them, before it's all gone!