Work in Progress

More images of my current studio space... painting in progress is a fabric print for German Fashion label Fadenrot and the theme is maritime ♥

Maritime Fabric Prints

I was asked to draw some images to be printed on fabric...the theme: maritime wonders!  I will be added a few more elements... but I really had fun with this... I have been kind of interested in prints and licensing... so who knows?
Its pretty rough but I hope it is clear enough to get the idea.

I have another French Country sketched out as well but its still too rough to show.
The story is slowly coming together... ;)

Happy Be-lated Thanksgiving!  I have been busy preparing food, eating, and spending time with family!  Starting tomorrow it's back to work, though.  I feel like my brain is still in quite a daze... too much food and sleep- more than I'm used to!  Of course the coming month of December brings Christmas and so there is still much more to look forward to and be thankful for... :)  I am grateful to have a new project from Fadenrot to start the new month as well.

Society6 Promo - $5 OFF

When you click on this link it re-directs you to my site and you can then use the $5 off.
:)

but it only works from this link.

Just FYI....
I did add some of the newer paintings there to if anyone is interested.
Thanks!

French Country Idea #1

Here is the painting that I did for a series I thought of doing... It is based on French Country Home Interiors that I love.  I just like to bring a narrative into these wonderful backgrounds/settings :) So I used some reference and altered them to make them into an image I liked..... and also thought up a character.

I have a couple planned out so come back to see the next couple of paintings... ;)  The narrative will get more interesting as the paintings are completed.

Tomorrow is Josh's MFA show so I will be busy helping him set up... I am so proud of him!! He's been working on this for SO long... I think it will be awesome!! I hope to post some pictures of that event as well.

Cheers!

More Merchandise Available!

I wanted to wait to post this until I was sure all the images were available, but you can now buy not only adorable lingerie, but totes, jackets, hats, etc as well with the new Marie Antoinette inspired images... ;)  I always try to mention that not all of these are my images- you can see which are mine by referencing my website under my "freelance images" link.

Thanks for checking it all out by clicking here!  Use the left hand sidebar to select other mechandise categories!

:)  I'm so happy to see these all on actual merch!! Never gets old!

PS: if you just love this tote, click on the image to go directly to that item's page.  I might have to get one myself... I'm sorry to be so crazy but I'm just so excited to see my illustrations on bags and jackets :)    I'm so happy!

Fadenrot Adorable Marie Antoinette inspired Lingerie

So Fadenrot has more merchandise available with my images printed on them here!
These are so adorable :)

Please check them out!
Here is another example....

This was one of my most favorite projects with Fadenrot ;)

Enjoy!

French country

One of my loves is home furnishings and decorations.  I really love victorian homes, french country homes, london townhomes, and many others.  So, I decided to use these as themes/starting images for a new series of paintings.  They don't have stories (yet?) but when I see photos of these interiors I can't help but add a little character into the picture in my mind.  I think I have this habit almost in any picture :)

So here is a sketch:

I'm really excited because Fall has definitely and finally come to stay here in southern California as well!  As Josh and I drove home to cast our ballots, there was heavy mist and the crisp cool air had that special Holiday quality to it that only happens once a year... ;)  I've been waiting for it as Fall is my most favorite time of year.  I really can't believe that Thanksgiving is this month!!!  Already!!  Many changes are around the corner for me.... Josh is finishing his MFA program, my best friend is having her first baby girl (Paige is her name- same as one of my most favorite illustrators!), and hopefully, a new Rep and a renewed spirit and drive toward getting to be full-time illustrator and part-time ASW employee (instead of the other way around).  There are other things but a little too personal to post about.... but this month has just felt like the culmination of changes to come!  I'm excited and happy and so very grateful for everything I have... :)

I'm not the greatest writer, but oh well... I hope it all makes sense.
:)

Cheers!

Candy Bear?

Another little painting... :)

Joshua Kemble's Art Show

My husband's poster for his MFA show!

;)

Last in the Series

Well, here is the third painting in the series for "Light at Night."
:)

The work doesn't end with this however!!  I am hoping to do another with Charlotte and Rue before the end of the month as well... so check back!

Light at Night 2

Here is a new painting to go with one I had done some time ago.  I have another planned for this series, too.
:)

Babies and Bunny Girls!!

Sooooo, I've been busy busy busy!

Some new paintings here... I have had these sketches on my site for a long time but I was advised to see them in color and so here they are!  A little changed, a little improved, I think!

I also realized that I have a number of images I should probably add to my Society 6 page too.

Anyway, let me know what you think, if you feel inclined to comment ;)

I've been excited to see new episodes of the Walking Dead finally!  Josh and I are also obsessed with Poirot episodes.  At first I was reluctant as I loved Sherlock Holmes so much and thought that Poirot was supposed to be goofy in comparison, but I fell in love with Poirot's quirky ways and his perfect little mustache.  ;)  So between drawing and working we take some breaks during our dinner hour to watch an episode.

I've also noticed this week a nice subtle autumn-ish tinge in the air... which is a huge relief as summer has stuck around much too long.  It's become somewhat more crisp and the days slightly shorter.  We thought we were going to see the change last week, but then summer came back for the weekend... :P
Although I love the sun and sunny days, I don't really enjoy heat... so it's kind of sad because it gets dark sooner but it does cool off and reminds me of Christmas which always makes me happy.  I recall a quote from Anne of Green Gables here:

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers...." ;)

Well said, Anne, well said.

More Rue

Hello~  I have uploaded another little painting based on Rue and Charlotte... Any feedback?  I'm not sure about the background, but I also know that it's not really the focus of the painting... maybe I will change it a bit to make it more interesting.

I will say that the desserts look pretty tasty...:)

Here is another version with more background detail etc.
I'm still not totally sure about it.

I have another one that I will be working on as well with the same two characters, so we will see!

New Painting

Here is a painting I did to beef up my portfolio... it is part of a series for the "Rue and Charlotte" series. I hope one day to get a story to go along with these.  :)

Anything that allows me to look at photo reference of shops in France! Yum!  I absolutely LOVE the buildings and all the type for the shops... :)

I'm also printing up prep-work for a baby mural that I am supposed to be painting tomorrow.  Fun fun!  I've never done a mural before and I'm really hoping it goes well.  I have really prepared though so I feel pretty confident.  I will bring the camera and take "work-in-progress" pics while I work ;)

This weekend I managed to also set up a business account so I may just be that much closer to freelancing full time and doing the day job part-time.  That is super exciting and also pretty intimidating.. any advice?  I've been wondering about advertising on childrensillustrators.com or directoryofillustration.com... anyone have any opinions on the matter?  They are expensive- but childrensillustrators is much more affordable for me right now.  Maybe I just need to try it (along with regular promos and hopefully a new rep).

Well, anyway, back to Pandora and painting~

Marie Antoinette Revised

Here are the images with the changes requested... they look better! ;)

I am meanwhile working on new work... so more to come!

Last one for tonight...

Phew.
Here is the last one of the series for Marie Antoinette... unless Anka would like me to do more!  I have tons of sketches...   so if she wants more, I hope she's ready for many many more!

But, meanwhile, there is a chance for modifications and of course, this could be it.

:)

It's been fun!

I think this might be my favorite.

Another...

Here is yet another...

More to come! ;)

Marie Antoinette Series for Fadenrot...

Hello all~

It's hot in here!! Josh and I are listening to the Andrew's Sisters Pandora mix with two fans on high while we slave away.  But it's been fun.  It's always nice when I have the weekend to just work on art.  Anyway, here is the first image for Fadenrot for the new Marie Antoinette series... they are for some adorable lingerie. Anka had asked for some fancy peacock feathers!!

Hope you all like it.  I will now move on to the next... as well as a page of cute little shoes and cakes and jewelry..:* yum yum yum!


(a couple hours later...)

And shoes!!

Work...

... and a bit of a lack of space?

I was about to start painting when I paused... looked at my desk... and realized that it was pretty crazy looking right now.  I really love seeing pictures of other work spaces, especially while in the midst of a project, and so I felt compelled to post these.  :)

On the wall I have taped up roughs for Lou Lou... and beneath my chair you can see a hint of my hair dryer I use to speed up the drying process while painting.

For my Birthday my husband bought me a print from Fabulous Julia Denos and she was kind enough to include a card which I framed because I am a nerd... I also keep a copy of the book she illustrated, I Had A Favorite Dress.

And now to paint!  Voila!

Free Shipping!

Check out the new Society6 promo going on right now!

There is a NEW Artist Promotion available to you now!Click here to generate Promo Links to share with your family, friends and fans and they'll get Free Shipping* when they order one or more of your products from your Society6 Store thru midnight on September 16, 2012.*Offer excludes Framed Art Prints and Stretched Canvases.

Modern Vintage Illustration- features Joshua Kemble!

Josh finally received his copy of Modern Vintage Illustration !

Check him out- he is featured in the Victorian and Comic sections.... :)

More Fadenrot! Marie Antoinette Project Sketches

I have heard from my lovely Anka again to work on some images of Marie Antoinette~
... which means lots of awesome photo reference to look at and drawing hair that can be as tall as I want it to be!

Heard this on K-Jazz the other day and it made me smile... I'm sure all you illustrators can relate to this love for coffe.  I never used to drink it until I started illustration (and when Josh introduced it to me).  I grew up with a Japanese mom and drank tons of green tea, but was not much of a coffee person.  In fact, I don't really think anyone in our family really drank it.
I've been really digging listening to 1940s music on Pandora while working... it just puts me in a good mood.  I also recently re-watched It Happened One Night and was just reminded how much we love this movie.  Josh and I (as well as my twin) now randomly will start singing  "Young people in looooove are very seldom hungreeeee~"

Ah, good times.

Summer!

This summer has been HOT.

So this was all I managed to scan tonight despite many, many, many sketches that I've been meaning to scan and put up.

Oh well.

Projects ending, new ones starting (?), prep work for promotions... ah, we have come full circle!

So, here is an image of a girl, trudging through hot summer heat and probably a bit of a swampy spot....  The Huntington Beach Central Library duck pond/lake is still around although it will probably be dried up soon, but it made me think of this... :)

Society 6 Offer

Free Shipping until August 12th, 2012!!!

 Family, friends and fans and can get FREE Shipping* when they order one or more products from your Society6 Store. Please note that this promotion is NOT automatically available, the promotion is only available once someone clicks on the link that is shared- please click on this Free Shipping link ;)

Promotion expires August 12, 2012 at midnight Pacific Time.

 *Offer excludes Framed Art Prints and Stretched Canvases.

To Sum Things Up...

I sure did a lot of painting this weekend!!! Two for the Christmas theme... and then a handful of Lou Lou... I will post one here that I especially liked painting... but not all... gotta save some for when its published! ;)

I tried to link my blogs to my Twitter and then my Twitter to my Facebook, but I am totally useless when it comes to these things and gave up.  I hope though that my old website is properly directing traffic to the new one and that these posts are properly updating on that site as well... sheesh.  Well, I am exhausted... I may just have to go to bed.  :) 

Work in Progress...

In between painting, I decided to post some preview paintings...
(still pending approval).

This one is for Christmas-themed book I've been working on... It's actually supposed to cropped a little bit more in.  And another for this book...

and...

This is a close-up of a page for Lou Lou In England (Book 2).

OK! Now back to painting. :)

Website Updated!

My old url www.maikemble.com is supposed to now direct you to www.maiskemble.com but it seems to work and then sometimes doesn't?  In any case, I hope people go check it out and let me know what they think.  :)

This weekend I expect to paint a LOT.
:)
Which is good... so wish me luck!

Interview of Safia Guerras- Author of Lou Lou!

A delightful little interview! :)

Click on the blog title to read....

Back in the Saddle

I managed to catch up quite a bit this weekend... two pages for Lou Lou 2, another illustration for the Xmas story... and then again last night, another page for Lou Lou 2 (just haven't scanned it yet).

I actually want to write and post more pics, but I am too busy!  So here is one image... ;)

I especially liked painting the floor and then adding the detail to the curtains... fun fun!

A Head That Spins

So I had another little spell of "Labyrinthitis" on Monday and just started going back to work yesterday... I'm still a bit dizzy, but luckily, knowing what is going on helps keep me calm.  The only problem- being behind in work!
Now that I can sit up and feel more confident I won't paint sloppy paintings, I can work again... :)
I also realized that IWeb, which is what I use to publish my current website, is going bye-bye end of the month!  So, I've bought a new site on WordPress where I plan to migrate my website images-- and hopefully some new ones!

Tonight it going to be an early bedtime and then ideally an early rising to get going on all these images that have been spinning in my head- har har.

I've been trying Pandora... french cafe music to the Andrews Sisters... it's been kind of fun.  I can't quite pin down the type of music I'm looking for... although I think the soundtrack for Amelie (the movie starring Audrey Tautau -sp?) is closer to what I am looking for... or the little tune "La Vie En Rose" from Sabrina ;)

Aw, enough me me me!!!
Good night world... ;)

Lou Lou in England

Here is a snippet of an interior page for Lou Lou in England... :)
It took me forever!!!

Also, the new cover for Book 2 is revealed on Lou Lou's World website!

Mini Projects

In the midst of book interiors, here are a few other paintings... ;)

More Lou Lou in the works as well as some Christmas pages... gotta keep pumping them out!!

Anne of Green Gables

Gigi

Mary Poppins

Should be exciting!

Next Page

I know its weird... but my favorite thing about this painting is the lamp....   I had a lot of fun drawing the cards ;)
Funny to draw Christmas cards in early June!  Love it!

More News on Lou Lou Site

What Readers Are Saying About Lou Lou

With the launch week for Lou Lou coming to a close, reviews of the children’s book are beginning to stream in.

We here at Lou Lou’s World could not be more pleased with what people are saying. Author Safia Guerras is thrilled with all of the positive feedback she’s received and is hoping that everyone who reads this story of a young girl with a big heart will be inspired to reach for the stars.... Read more by clicking on the title!!

First Book Review of Lou Lou on Amazon

Our first book review on Amazon!

Busy!

Now that Lou Lou is in full swing, as well as the Christmas-themed book, I am super busy.  Here is what I did over the weekend-  I'll have more soon!  The cover for Lou Lou #2 and hopefully a couple interior pages as well.

:)

Hope everyone is staying busy, too!

Lou Lou's World

Here is a link to the Official Website for Lou Lou (written by Safia Guerras).  Please click on the above picture and check it out!  Soon to come will be games, multi-medea, etc.  I'm super excited!!!  The storyboards for Lou Lou in England (book 2) are still in the works, but soon there will be more images as well!  Keep visiting to see more posts of sketches, etc.
;)


Lots of love!