I Friday- Pioneer

I love the topic this week. It made me think of the Little House book series, a favorite of mine growing up.
A couple of years ago I thought my youngest daughter resembled Laura Ingalls Wilder. I dressed her up in pioneer garb and took a few reference photos. I thought they'd make good sample pictures, but I never got the time to go farther until this week.
My little "Laura" is a teenager now. She will be thrilled when she sees this blog entry, LOL.

Old Work

I found this old image from my University of the Arts days. It is pencil on illustration board, about 7" wide by 6" high.
I was inspired by this illustrator who came to speak to us, Ralph Gigure. He did the most amazing tightly rendered pencil illustrations in the 80's. They were beautifully composed and tiny. I don't know how he achieved the detail he got in his pictures.
I tried to draw like him but I gave up and moved to paint after a few attempts. I guess I am too impatient for pencil.
I still like this tiny picture after all these years. I can't say that for most of my student work.
The cows in the picture are from the family farm. Their names were Annette, Michelle and I can't remember the other one. They were very friendly.

working in watercolor

It probably seems like I am obsessed with the Amish story. I have been spending a lot of time on it lately, but really, I have other interests! I've accepted a portrait commission and thought I'd warm up for it by painting, what else, pictures from my Wonderful Good reference files.
After this project is over, I promise to move on with my life.

working on Wonderful Good...

A couple of color studies.

Wonderful Good!

I officially registered my book with the copyright office yesterday. Here a few cover ideas. This project has been a lot of fun, though I have to take a break this week and get the holiday stuff together.
Here are a few cover ideas.