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More from *LeahJay

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Illustrations for kids

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January 17
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:iconleahjay:
The first painting for my upcoming show. This sets the tone for my series.

I am purposefully breaking many common recommendations that art teachers make. One is, “simplify”. As you can see, I crammed as much detail in there as possible. Art instructors often say that you should “plan ahead”. Although I know intellectually why artistic principles exist and why such practical recommendations are made, I ignored them. Did I plan ahead? No. I drew directly on a primed canvas with a pencil. So there, nyah!!! :P

My aim is to fascinate you and capture you with the details, so I can invite you into this place. And because I was in the process of spontaneous play when I created it, I hope you’ll be able to feel exactly that. These places aren’t a place for planning, worrying, or rules….they are places for freedom and wildness.

More about my show (opens April 5) as the paintings keep stacking up!
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:icondanimorl11:
~danimorl11 Feb 19, 2013  New member Hobbyist Traditional Artist
is amazing!
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:iconleahjay:
*LeahJay Feb 26, 2013  Professional Traditional Artist
Thank you! :rose:
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:iconmadamedezzyb:
~MadameDezzyB Jan 23, 2013
This is entirely too fascinating~!
I hope your show was splendid~!
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:iconleahjay:
*LeahJay Jan 24, 2013  Professional Traditional Artist
Show is upcoming- opening night is April 5. Boy, do I have a lot of work to do....:fear:
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:iconmadamedezzyb:
~MadameDezzyB Jan 24, 2013
Don't fret, I'm sure you'll knock it out of the park~!
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:iconbigcatdesigns:
*bigcatdesigns Jan 19, 2013  Professional Traditional Artist
You certainly achieved your goal!

I too break the rules with planning and less is more. I rarely if ever plan the backgrounds for my bigger pieces. Drives my business partner nuts.

Keep up the exceptional work!
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:iconleahjay:
*LeahJay Jan 24, 2013  Professional Traditional Artist
I was curious so I checked out your gallery - you are living the dream. Surface design has always been fascinating to me but I've never been able to master exactly how to do it! Also your cats are charming, any kidlit in your past or future?

Hahaha, less is not more, it's just less. MORE MORE MORE. :bounce:
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:iconbigcatdesigns:
*bigcatdesigns Jan 24, 2013  Professional Traditional Artist
Thanks so much!

I have been doing this for a lot of years and just got into the licensing in the last eight years or so.. its been an adventure.

I wrote one children's book about my dragon characters several years ago. Shopped it to scholastic who like it a lot, but wanted several more in the series before they would pursue it. They said it would be lost among all of the known writers.

May self publish it one day where there is time. Have about half of the drawings done. Maybe made a visual e-book!
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:iconleahjay:
*LeahJay Feb 26, 2013  Professional Traditional Artist
Congratulations are in order. You wrote a book Scholastic liked. Neat! Now I'm really curious what it was about. I've been trying to wrap my head around doing a children's book but I'm not a good writer. Maybe if I take someone else's story (past or present) then I can do a good job....but for right now I have no idea what companies want.

I did join SCWBI though, are you a member? I'm hoping to get more answers out of their own forum and meetings.
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:iconbigcatdesigns:
*bigcatdesigns Feb 26, 2013  Professional Traditional Artist
The story was about my dragon characters Dwevy and Bryndle and how they met. It was geared toward Kindergarden aged kids. All about how we are different but the same.

I wrote the story one rainy day when I was being driven from Maryland to New York for a trade show. The guy who was driving was going like 90 MPH in the pouring rain with bald tires. I had to do SOMETHING to keep my mind off dying before we got there :)

I wrote the whole thing in about 4 hours.

I am thinking of publishing it as an ebook for kids one day. Just so busy with everything else I dont know when I will get around to finishing the last 15 or so color plates!

I have not joined SCWBI - I will have to check that out.. thanks!
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