Big Illustration Party Episode 45!

As promised, it looks like the new episode of BIPT is finally up! Check out their new site! I actually was in the room while they were recording... pretty cool. :)

For anyone who doesn't know, my fiance and his co-host/fellow cartoonist/freelance illustrator Kevin Cross, are the two guys giving tips and advice, personal experience, and a lot of humor to what it's reeeeeaaally like freelancing on this Podcast. They talk about their work-week and answer questions from listeners. It's pretty fun to listen to because they also add some funny jokes and have a really unique way of looking at freelance that's kind of "punk rock" and "in your face." Meaning, they don't sugar-coat it... which I think, is why people loved the show so much. I'm not where they are as far as making my living solely on freelance, but living with Josh I get the sense that it truly is a love-hate kind of job. In any case, listening to the show can be pretty inspiring and also just a nice way to know "you're not alone." :)

I also know that there are a number of other shows that talk about similar subjects but I think -aside from the fact that Josh co-hosts- BIPT is unique because I think they are the most candid. So check 'em out and judge for yourself if you like. :) It's all in good fun.

On another sort of related note, Josh and I have been listening to The Adventures of Philip Marlowe on ITunes. We are fans of these stories and just the character himself. When you can't find a lot of time to read, listening to stories is almost as great. The sound effects and voice acting is just so awesome... I love it! :)

I'm sure we'll have to find more like it when we've heard them all... I wonder if they have any Twilight Zones like this... hee hee.

Ok, I'd better try to paint something.

♥

Sketches and Art Prints!

I finally added a Shop section to my site... it's also linked on my blog under Society6. I have most of the images from my portfolio now in different size prints that you can purchase on the site. :) I also created a little poster image for Mai Kemble Illustrations. Thanks for any support! ;)

I also wanted to post some new sketches I worked on the other night. I met up with my sister and some of our co-workers from ASW and drew over at a local coffee shop called Sipology. Its a really lovely coffee shop that overlooks downtown Long Beach- it is a two story building! Our co-worker Rodney Sellars as well as friend Chris Kawagiwa have their artwork up in the gallerie there as well. We all ended up drawing and chatting over coffee... I drew some ideas involving Victorian shoes and tea sets!

Meanwhile, Josh and Kevin Cross have re-kindled their love for podcasting and plan to re-launch the ever-wonderful podcast, Big Illustration Party Time! YAY! They re-vamped their old blog into a site and have posted some pictures and will be posting a new episode soon! It's really great that they got back in-touch... I'm sure we've all missed the BIPT♥.

Valentine

Well most people around me have been saying they don't like Valentines Day... but I love it. And I don't mean that it's a day I expect romance and flowers and crazy dinners but I do think its lovely that people set aside a day to celebrate their loved one. How many days in the year do we set aside time to think about that? Or to just tell them how you feel? I hear too often people saying "they don't need a day" or a "special day" to say these things...but I also know too well that most people don't say it enough! :) So why not?

Besides, we hear so many sad stories that it is nice to hear "Happy whatever Day!" as often as we can.

Makes me happy to think about...

I think that even if there isn't a lover to spend the day with, maybe the point can really be about remembering Love. Maybe it isn't about what you're missing, but what you have already? Or maybe what you had? A time to reflect, to muse over, or to smile a bit and laugh at yourself...

In any case, I am glad that I do have Josh and my family and friends. Despite some overwhelming losses this year I also am glad to set aside a special day for Love.

Sorry to be so cheesey but I just watched Sabrina and it makes me think about Audrey Hepburn and how lovely she was... and about Josh... how young she was! And how childish her crush was at the beginning of the movie! Do you remember your first crush? I am so happy to remember all the crazy childish and funny ways we were and how happy we still are!

I also wish that we still made movies like this... Josh and I agreed that Billy Wilder was amazing. And we love these movies more than any other kind. For some reason we always have. I feel like the stories weren't over the top or needing crazy special effects... just real people and situations.. and wit and a sense of humor mixed with real meaning.

:)

Although I admit I am a bit excited to about the new Red Riding Hood!

Anyway I had better get to bed.

Polka-Dot Saves Kindergarten!

Well, as I was busy trying to set up a banner with all my titles, I saw that Barnes & Noble had images of my latest book with Charlesbridge!

Polka-dot Saves Kindergarten by Catherine Urdahl!

I was very excited to see that... I wonder if that means a copy for me is in the mail???

I also would like to announce that I *may* be attending the Children's Book Week (May 2nd to 8th) this year at The Children's Book World store in Los Angeles, CA.

I definitely look forward to this event! What a great idea? A Whole Week to celebrate and basque in Children's Books!

Josh is sitting next to me as I type this looking at pictures he has saved on his computer... There are some of my nephew dressed up as Naruto when he was four. So cute!

And also some of our old pug, Holden. :) We thought we had lost all of those when Josh had his bag stolen and it had his external hard drive in it...

We were searching for some nice pictures to use as a profile pic on my website... but we are finding more silly photos than "nice" ones... I doubt anyone knows but I have a habit of sticking my tongue out in pics...

(At our friend, Chris Kawagiwa's art show this year...)

(Josh's sister, Lavender, and her husband, Nick- who shares my sense of humor)

(Josh's sister, Fawn, and me at Disneyland..)

... but I suppose you gotta have a sense of humor, eh?

:)

More painting to come!

And soon... prints to buy!!!

Obviously...

(Josh & I on the "It's A Small World" ride at Disneyland a few months ago).

Well, obviously I have changed my blog... but I've also redone my website...

It isn't perfect... and there are definitely more things I want to do with it, but I decided to go ahead and publish what I had finished.

Like I posted before, I want to make it possible to sell prints, postcards, and also provide some downloadable things for teachers and parents related to my published books.

But!

I am not quite there yet!

That's the next step.

In the meanwhile, I hope that everyone likes the new changes... it's been a long time coming.

On a totally different note, I got my Valentine's Day gift all set up to give to Josh!! He'll be away this weekend on a Threadless outing up in Solvang, CA. I guess they do some wine-tasting... ;) I encouraged him to go with his BFF because I do not drink alcohol at all.

Hopefully he'll come back happily relaxed with funny tales!

Right now he's pulling consecutive all-nighters week after week... he's been slammed with work!! Which is nice, but it sure does get you a bit sleep-deprived!

Speaking of sleep... zzzZZZZZZ

A Late Night Brings Good Beginnings?

I was up until 1-2am last night working on the *new* website... and it's looking very promising!
I am also going to set up something with Society6 to sell prints of my work as well.

I don't know if anyone is aware, but I also have a ton of originals from books that I would be willing to sell, too! :)
Although, I have promised some already...

It's really nice to get the ball rolling and feel that creative juice flow!
It is also a real benefit to have a designer/illustrator you can turn to and ask for advice- thank you, Josh!
:)

Everyone have their Valentines' Day gifts picked out?? I am thinking of creating some downloadable card images for Holidays as well!
;)

See you soon!

A Good Day

I have mailed out my promo cards today. After work is more work with re-vamping my website... a total re-make! Hee hee.
Looking forward to that!

The benefit show for Lisa Nguyen (Leader of the Pack) was a success!! Looks like everyone raised more than $1200... :) I hope that my piece was purchased... but I still don't know. It was held at our college campus, CSULB, and there were more than 100 people there, easy. All the artwork was very moving and so different. The music was also just perfect for Lisa and made me smile.

In any case, it was a good night.

Anyway, I've got to get to work, but maybe I'll try and post some process pics soon.
:)
Please take care of yourself...

For Lisa

This is a painting for Lisa Nguyen!

She had been wanting to live in London for a very long time so I decided to put her there in the painting.

:)

I will post a picture of her, too.

Miss you girl.

Dustless Baby Powder by BabyMagic

Part of the illustraton I did for BabyMagic© is up on their website...

which is exciting because I hope that the larger part of the image is soon up as well.

That job was really cute... I had some pretty neat sketches (if I may say so myself) before creating the final artwork. I can post a few here... but the product itself is actually really amazing too! Click on the title of this post for a link to the website if you are interested.

I've seen videos that show an artist's technique when painting/drawing but not a whole lot that document the start to finish of an actual hired job. I suppose there is a lot of secrecy to some work when in the preliminary stages... I know with children's books you can't necessarily show anything until the book is actually released. Seeing these sketches makes me wish I had documented it... I still have a folder full of all my notes and thumbnails... my color roughs and scans.... I have these for almost every book I've done as well. It's kind of fun to keep and look through once in a while. :)

Almost as fun as the actual book!

Pink!

I can't wait for spring to come... and I live in California!

I've been feeling bad for the East Coast and their winter storms... :(

But the sun's been out and staying out longer lately which I am totally grateful for... the weather in Portland really affected me badly when I lived there I think. I never thought it would, but particularly November's "Gray Days."

But I drew some in a pink Prismacolor Pencil in hopes that it will encourage some Spring feelings of warmth and new life! .... I like to sketch in colored pencils... :) Especially Prismacolor because of the waxy thickness.

This weekend will be filled with postcards and promotions! I only have to purchase my postcard stamps and then I will be mailing out my "calling card."

This weekend I will also be going to a birthday party as well as painting for a possible entry in an art show in honor of a friend... It will be involving vespas, polka-dot tights, and pugs in... London!!

:)

I put some links on my website that are related to some of the books I've done. I'm So Not Wearing A Dress has a scene where the main character Shelby is making mudpies with her friend, Nate... so I thought to put a link for people to make "mud-like" desserts! Yum!

They also make keychain-size Converse that can be used as a project... Shelby likes to write her name on her "super speedy" sneakers! Seemed like a fun idea.

I recently did some line-work for the characters in an upcoming title for use as paper-puppets... so once that book comes out, I can upload a file that can be downloaded for that as well.

Which reminds me, I was pretty thrilled to see a couple copies of I'm So Not Wearing A Dress at my local Borders. :)

On a totally different note, the previous post is a lovely story... seriously... listen to it! It will make you glad... :)

Ok, back to work!

(Pugs are snoozing away on their little bed we have set up in our studio. I think its almost bed time?)

Finding Emilie... by Radiolab (click here to visit Radiolab.org)

So I am listening to one of the most touching stories I ever heard...

"In this segment, we take an emotional left turn to a story of a very different kind of lost and found. We begin with a college student, Alan Lundgard, who fell in love with a fellow art student, Emilie Gossiaux. Emilie's mom, Susan Gossiaux, describes her daughter, and the terrible phone call she recieved from Alan nine months after he became Emilie's boyfriend. Together, Susan and Alan tell Jad and Robert about the devastating fork in the road that left Emilie lost in a netherworld, and how Alan found her again."

It's very amazing to me that he didn't give up and ended up saving her life.

:)

Pug Shakers!

Yesterday Josh & I came across these pug shakers and had to buy them!

Aren't they sweet?

Apparently there are whole bunch of different types... if you google them and look at the images there are devil/angel, peppers, black and white...etc etc.

Very cute.

They really made my day!

We had gone to Venice Beach to eat lunch with his family for our Brother-in-Law's Birthday and then ended up going further up to 3rd Street Promenade and hanging around there.

They re-did the mall that was at the end of the street and re-designed the entire building/stores, etc. Now there is a beautiful view of the ocean from the top with a fireplace and lounge area next to a very large eatery and courtyard. Nice... ;>

Anyway, back at the ranch I am now seeing that for the first time in a while, waking up at noon can be kind of freaky when you realize half the day is gone!! But the sun is out and there is always something to do.

So, find something small that can make you smile and go out there!

:)

A New Year a Little Late...

The new year started with a bang and I had a slow start... so nevertheless, here I am.

I only have on hand a file of a little pattern I did...

but I did make a few minor changes to my website.

I can't wait for the book to be released so I can put up some interior pages and the storyboards I did.

:)

Maybe even a video on my process??? hee hee.

Today is a mixture of sunlight and trajedy but I hope to keep my chin up.

And while things were a bit hard at first with some personal things going on, I plan on going forward with things with a new appreciation for life and people.

Let's all be a little more nice than we might usually be?

And maybe a bit more pleasant to strangers?

We have to share this space for as long as we can...

make the most of it!

:)

Boxcar Artshow

So I am promoting my threadless design which only has 2 days left to score/vote.
And!
working on a couple 6x6 paintings for an artshow here at Art Supply Warehouse's gallery space Catalyst.
The show is on Dec. 4th.... :)
I will have to post images when I have more to show.
So far, the pencils for at least three are finished.

:)



I am also trying to plan a wedding... its insane... I thought I had my date picked out, but my Pappi is in China and my sister is in Utah... and my Grandpa and Grandma are in New Mexico!

:<

So, trying to work dates in with them all in mind... my nieces and nephews all have school too.

Sigh.

But I think this is where we will have it:

The Harbor View Clubhouse in Huntington Beach...

???

:D

Up for scoring- Hitch cock & my shirt

This is exciting!
My shirt is up for scoring for the next week.
I wonder whether people will like it... If you like this, and you want to vote you can click on the title of this blog for a link or click below.

Here is a link:

Thanks for your time!

I am also in the midst of trying to plan a wedding (finally!) and will be checking out some places this weekend.

OH! and also going to enter some 6x6 paintings at our store's Artspace called Catalyst. :)

More on that later (it's not 'til the end of November or beginning of February)!! I better get brainstorming on ideas.

So far: ideas of hippos, bicycles, monkeys, top hats!

hmmm...

ALSO,

Josh's super fun shirt design:

just click here even just to giggle a bit... although I hope you vote!

;)

cheers, have a good night!!

Threadless Shirt Design by Yours Truly ;)

I made my first submission to Threadless! :)
It was created using watercolor... but I had a lot of fun trying to think of something that is still ME and would be a great shirt.
Let me know what you think? Thanks!



Josh has been submitting to this site for a long time and he loves it. He has been constantly telling me to give it a go... They have a new simulated process printing that I guess is able to capture more painterly designs so I thought the time must be right.

I now have to turn around and help promote my mom and sister's Etsy dolls! ;) ( see previous post).

Iki-Iki Dolls

Well, my sister and my mom finally got their Etsy site up and running! They handmade a ton of soft, plush, adorable sock dolls...

They are simply adorable and hard to resist!!!

Here is one of my favorites:

Please feel free to check them out!

a promise

Well, I did promise to post this painting when I was finished and here it is!

I also finally updated my website with some images from the children's books and my rep did the same. I also managed to visit some sites I haven't in a while ...such as Flickr... I also made a DeviantArt account. Surprisingly, this site seems to get a LOT of traffic.... the only thing is that it is much more fast-paced than I am used to ... and almost impossible to navigate! :/ but I do hope that it will encourage more interaction somehow.

Anyway, how was Halloween? Me? Well, Friday we dressed as zombies at work... which was fun. :) We wore torn up clothes and fake blood and took photos.

Then, Saturday, Josh and I drove up to the Antelope Valley with my twin, Mei, to his mum's annual Hallow's Eve Party. We carved pumpkins, had a costume contest, and ate chili! It was a blast. I felt bad for Mei because she had a cold, but I think on the whole, it was lots of fun. Awesome costumes, too. Josh's sister dressed as Elizabeth Bennett, but Lizzie fighting Zombies-style Elizabeth Bennett. (there is a whole book series about Lizzie and her family fighting zombies). See picture. I've never read the book... but her costume was perfect!

His mum was a rooster. She was so adorable... hehehehe....

Sunday, the actual Halloween Day, we went with my sisters to take Keegan (my 6 year old nephew) to Trick-Or-Treat. :) It was awesome. He met his friend and the two of them (both dressed as Ninjas) ran from house to house screaming "Trick or Treat!" "Charge!" "Happy Halloween!!" and also "I got more candy than you!"

(All of this is reminding me that I need to go to the dentist... I had my wisdom teeth out last year and I was supposed to follow that by having some cavaties filled... crap. I never remember at the right time....)

Anyway, Halloween is over... the week is about half-way over, I have a paycheck coming to me this week from my Day Job and I finished my painting and can move on to the next.

:D YAY!

I better go to bed...

I admit I already have another idea stewing... and I think I need to read 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea because Around the World in 80 Days is one of my favorite novels...and I've never read it.... I am so random... but forgive me... I am a bit tired. :) You know, I am glad to be back in California... I truly am. I think Portland is beautiful... but I am glad to be back with people I know and know me. I love the sunshine. I love the city of Long Beach. I love seeing my family and friends more than once a year. Its almost been a year since I got sick last November...and there was a lot of upheave in my life. I feel like it is slowly becoming the past.

I am so glad to be with Josh, too. He has been a huge comfort.

Anyway, Christmas is around the corner (although I don't suggest we forget Thanksgiving!! YUM)... then New Year. I hope that January brings more work!

:)

Well, goodnight everyone!

thanks for reading ;)

Finally...

I have begun a new painting last night... after having it sitting on my desk for a number of days.
I took a couple of pictures on my cellphone of the work in progress... thought it might be interesting. The first picture here shows the painting with some liquid frisket and an underpainting or wash of red and purples to get the light and dark areas mapped out.

I fill in the background colors (in general washes)...

Then I build up the detail in the background some more...

Last, I keep working in more detail and remove the frisket to put color into the characters.


Still not done, but I will post it when I am finished.
:)

Busy Beaver Buttons

My sister's button for Busy Beaver is featured on their blog!

Check it out!

:)