Happy Queen's Day!

Saturday is Queen's Day in the Netherlands. It marks the birthday of the late Queen Juliana, who was forced to live for a time with her children in Canada during the Second World War.

I went to a reception this week to celebrate the unveiling of a new coin: the Tulip and Ladybug coin. Did you know that ladybugs shelter in tulips?

I was a bit nervous as it was a small reception with high-level attendance.

I'm sure I was not alone in being moved by the Dutch ambassador's words about the Netherlands people's gratitude for Canada's help all those years ago.

And here is Ada in a new pair of ladybug and flower pajamas :)

Before realising her folly

Great Expectations, Chapter 44

`And what wind,' said Miss Havisham, `blows you here, Pip?' 

I am just loving this.

Dear Jennifer K, would you like me to develop one of the images into a final (and if so, any adjustments?), or would you rather see a black and white Miss-H-and-cake first?

More Miss Havisham:
Steering for North's Miss Havisham illustration
Miss Havisham dollhouse
Miss Havisham-inspired runway collections, on Dickensblog

What's that, Ada? What sound does it make? Does it go "ba-a-a"?

April 19, 2011

Jeff is checking out the new hatchback Ferrari FF. My parents and Ada must be mostly through their tour of the Animal Barns this morning. Soon I'll put out luncheon meats, vegetables, bread and soup for lunch.

I profited from Ada's absence by rearranging the bathroom closet so that she has less opportunity to drug or impale herself. We've got a large bag of expired medicines for the pharmacy, several pairs of prescription glasses for the needy, and a sack of barely-used body washes of yesteryear for the blue box.

I am allergic to almost everything, so if I can't manage to re-gift my fashionable moisturizers, they languish under dust. I received a fantastic creme brulee-scented body wash once that I did manage to use many times before committing it to a lengthy retirement.

Having the chance to sort out nagging worries like childproofing is very restful. Next up: roofing research. Know anybody good?

Happy Friday

April 12-14, 2011

April 4-11, 2011

Very slowly I'm getting the hang of these brush markers. The colours are somewhat dissonant together since I picked them out of the Wallack's clearance section. I didn't have the luxury of harmonious colours. Instead I have more interesting combinations to enjoy. In Adobe Illustrator, the complementary colour picker must be a constant temptation for AI artists. I used it for the first time for Baby Wisdom. For now I prefer the palettes of PhotoShop and, though I've never used it myself (covet!), Corel Painter.

Is it just me, or does that chick at the top look like a zombie? Wierd greeny gray colour -- note to self: not good on skin...

Miss Havisham and cake

This little mock-up is my second idea for Jennifer Kershaw. I want Miss Havisham's wedding cake to loom over her like a spectral burden. I doodled a couple of other images of the tragic bride holding the key to her own prison, but I couldn't get the right mood.

This one is in colour, which isn't in the brief, but I 'll do another in black and white. My main problem with this comes down to: would you want it on your chest? I'm thinking maybe, maybe not. We'll see what the client thinks.

Havisham Status: Two down, one to go!

Early spring colours

April 18, 2011

Lately I am loving grey, brown, cream, and green. This is completely new for me. Thirty five years, and my favourite colour palette completely shifts. 

Making LÖVE

LÖVE

Just got back from visiting friends and celebrating the wedding of one of my oldest friends. Which means that I finally I get to post the wedding gift painting. I worked on this digital painting over the winter and named it LÖVE, for reasons that will soon be obvious. It took roughly 40 hours, a lot more than usual, largely because of the planning and the printing preparation.

I'd meant to do a traditional, on-canvas painting. I even drew the final design on a canvas. Somehow I just kind of kept never getting around to painting it, was always tinkering on the Adobe Photoshop planning drawings. Eventually I listened to my instincts. GPC Labworks printed it on canvas for me.

Why Ikea? My friend's now-husband proposed there, given it was the site of so many dates. I figured I'd pay homage. In fact, I learned yesterday that they're doing a wedding photo shoot there.

The groom put together a making-of video using my early sketches and earlier versions. It's really fun -- great music, and lots of humour.

They showed it at what they called their Concert Ceremony, where friends played music or performed readings for the couple. Even the bride and groom performed ensemble pieces. I doodled a bit in my hotel room the next evening.