Happy Holidays

This is the image my children chose for the Christmas card this year. I fear what I have done to them. I will be taking a break for the next week or so to enjoy some time with the family. Here is wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas.

And Now for something a little different

Over the summer I was asked to do some branding projects. This is one of them. Branding is another thing I enjoy. I particularly like doing the icon. They are a great company as well.

I still have a few bow ties up my sleeve. I will be posting them soon, I just need a small break to finish my grading for the semester.

100 Bow ties on Parade (IF Highlight)

In looking back over the year, finishing this personal project was definitely a highlight. I learned much about myself and my art in the process. It really helps to set goals and then to stick with them. I have always felt that an artist should work on drawing everyday, but with teaching and other responsibilities it seemed impossible. This last year, I made it a goal and set aside time to do it. It has been rewarding in so many ways. I am less stressed, my drawing improved and I feel I became more creative.

After all that work this is what I did. It is currently being shown in the Quimby Gallery at Lyndon State College as part of the 100 year celebration of the school. It was a fun project.

100 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Hummingbird (ˈhəmi ng ˌbərd)

This is the last of the 100 bow ties in 100 days I actually managed to finish 2 days shy of the actual due date. Tomorrow I will be posting the final illustration I completed for this project. I wanted to end on a simple note. I have fond memories of watching the hummingbirds swarm the feeders my mother set up. They are beautifully fascinating fowl.

My mind is already twirling for the next bow tie project.

99 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Tractor (ˈtraktər)

Over the years I have lived in Vermont I have developed a great love for the beauty of old tractors. This is based on a friend of mine's tractor. I saw it and I had to draw it. He wanted to put the other light on, but I loved it the way it was. They have so much character. Now, when I drive through Vermont, I slow down whenever I see an old tractor. I'm not so sure about his thoughts on my adding the bow tie.

Tomorrow is the last day of the 100 bow ties.

98 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less (Separated)

Brain in a Jar (brān in ā jär)

I came into work on Saturday to get some grading done and thought I would also post for the Illustration Friday word “separated.” A bit of a different take on the word the Brain is separated from the rest of the body.

2 left until the 100 are completed. At some point next week I will post the Illustration I completed for the 100 year celebration for Lyndon State College.

97 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Giraffe (jəˈraf)

The internet access is currently spotty on campus today. I managed in the hectic end of the semester insanity to find a computer that works to post for today. I am not counting the sloth as I have already done one.

3 left.

96 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Zebra (zēbrə)

My oldest daughter loves Zebras. So I drew a dancing one.

4 left

R.I.P. Dugald Stermer 1936 - 2011

I just found out that a wonderful Illustrator Dugald Stermer passed away recently. I don't know that I could add more than what Greg Newbold has said here at his blog “Life Needs Art.”

95 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Walrus (wôlrəs)

It is getting down to the wire. for both this project and the end of the semester.

5 left

94 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Moose (moōs)

Almost drove under one of these in my Geo Metro a few years ago.

6 left

93 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Q (kyoō)

Q is my favorite letter.

7 left

88-92 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less (Brigade)

Tribbles (ˈtribəls)

I thought it would be funny to draw a tribble with a bow tie. When I had completed one I realized you can't have just one tribble, so I drew two thinking that would be enough, but it was not. I don't even think five is adiquate, but it will do for now. Here we have a brigade of deadly tribbles in there conquest of the Klingon Empire for Illustration Friday's word of the week, “Brigade.”

6 left to complete by December 15 (I think this might continue past 100)

LSC Faculty Exhibit 2011

Today at 6 pm is the opening for the Lyndon State College Visual Arts Faculty Art Exhibit. In celebration of the 100 years of Lyndon State College, the theme is 100. The Show will be up until January 20. I received my print today and was overwhelmed with excitement. This has been challenging project in its size and complexity.

The wonderfully fun and well designed poster was created by Owen Fogg.

Any resemblance to any particular Lyndon faculty is purely coincidental.

I hope to see you there.

87 of 100 Bow Ties in 100 Days or Less

Pangolin (ˈpa ng gəlin)

Again a student of mine told me I should draw one of these. My children asked what it was and All I could say was it was a cross between an armadillo and an anteater. They thought it looked like a Pokémon.

13 left