The end of the beginning of real life, and the beginning of the very beginning of the middle of real life

Or something like that.

I am officially no longer a student, and instead a self-employed freelancer! Kellan and I will be moving into an apartment into Austin, Texas come August, and until then, I am in a little limbo living with family. It's okay though-- gives me a moment to catch my breath and organize myself.

Clearly, no new art to show at the moment, but I do have a few pictures from festivities at the beginning of June.

At the beginning of the weekend, we attended the Communications Arts show, which was organized by the school and consisted of works from Illustration, Graphic Design, Advertising, and Sequential Art. Here are pictures of Kellan and me with our accepted works:

Me
Kellan

Then, the next night, we had our Illustration Senior Show, which for me was an extremely wonderful culmination of all the relationships, experiences, and growth I have experienced over the last four years in the Illustration department. My parents were able to meet my professors, as well, which was really nice, because they had some very kind words to say about my work. I will miss all those lovely folks from Morris Hall! I only wish I had appreciated the community more when it was readily available.

Me and my work!

My dear friend, Casey Crisenbery

My lovely roommate, Catherine Fontenot!

Aaaand my super-talented love, Kellan Stover

The next day, we turned our tassels and were declared graduates! It was a long, hot, emotional, and overwhelming day that I will never forget and will hold dearly to me for the rest of my life. These people have touched me in so many ways over the years, and I owe them so much. Here are a couple pictures:

Procession into the graduation auditorium.

My school!

SCAD's president, Paula Wallace, and our commencement speaker, Whoopi Goldberg.

The Savannah College of Art and Design Class of 2011.

Kellan and I in our caps and gowns

And again in our fancy outfits


Some illustration loves-- Seo Kim and Josh Heinsz

And now I'm back in Texas! Since then, I have mailed out almost 650 postcard mailers and am an established member of the Square Carousel Illustration Collective-- a group created by Josh (seen above) that consists of 10 cohesive illustration students. Check out our site!

That's all for now! More updates soon. =)
adios
caitlin

One last post as a student...

Can you believe it?!! I'm having a hard time realizing that my entire purpose for the last 18 or so years of my life is now coming to an end. School has been my job, and I have to say, as much as I complain about this or that, it really has been very fun, and I know I'll really miss certain parts of it.

Anyway! Avoiding the emotional and now onto some artwork. Last I left you, I still hadn't received any Getting Published jobs. Well, HOORAY, because that curse has lifted, as I was finally chosen!

First a couple other sketches that weren't picked:


This is for an article in Bay State Parent magazine. The story was about a young woman who loses her beloved family dog. The event makes her realize what she has really lost was that innocent, close relationship she once had with her father. I chose to depict this mourning instead of that of the dog, but the magazine had a more specific other image in mind. I still really liked my sketch for this, though.


For this sketch, we were asked by Crayola partnered with Cartoon Network to create a simulation of chalk-board drawings. The image was to be of a child participating in a sport (we were given a short list to chose from), and then the chosen artist would actually draw this onto a chalkboard, which would then be spray-fixed and not erasable. These chalkboards would accompany the companies as they went on a promotional tour, allowing children to also draw on the board, possibly attempting to re-create our illustration. I was really excited about this job, but unfortunately, my professor did not see my email submission (although I was the first to turn it in, ironically), and it did not make it to the client on time. Completely not my fault, and a big bummer, but I suppose I wouldn't have had much time to spare for the project anyway. I usually don't work digitally, so this was a challenge that I'm happy with the result of.

Regardless, I still won a job with What's Up Annapolis? magazine! The article is about house prices/purchasing/browsing. Four people were chosen to complete a piece (this is the feature article, so we will be spread over several pages), but I was the only one to be asked to complete both of my sketches! What a relief and excitement this was! Here are the sketches:



The first is illustrating housing prices, with the addition of digital color just to help a bit, and the second is showing the concept of "full circle." One day the young family will be old as well, passing their house along to the next generation. The circular composition is intended to help this idea along.
And here are the finals!


"House Prices," Gouache and Digital, 2011.

"Full Circle," Gouache, 2011.

I kept with the same color palette intentionally. Hopefully they will be placed near one another in the article, which will be out in September, by the way!

In other news, I've pretty much wrapped up creating all my self-promotional materials. Here are a few pictures of it looking all fancy together:

Mailer list, promo envelopes, postcards, business cards, and portfolio.

Postcards and business cards

Portfolio exterior and case (so pretty!)

Portfolio first page (my prints all look great, for once! Thank you Gulfstream!)

Another portfolio page, showing the design layout.

My little name tag. =)

Now I am officially professional! Also, quick news: I got my "Rabbit" piece back from Hong Kong, safe and sound, and lookin' good in the frame (which I never saw before!). Finally, I am officially in the 100 Sketches From Life Club from last quarter's Portfolio class.

Oh! And how could I forget? My painting for the mural, which seems like it unfortunately won't happen. Or, at least while I'm in Savannah.


"Counting Mural," Gouache, 2011.

And the last announcements for the day: Thursday, June 2nd and Friday, June 3rd are the senior shows I'll be participating in. Thursday is the Communication Arts Senior Show, and Friday is the Illustration Senior Show. If you're in Savannah, ask me for directions and stop by! There will be lots of pretty art to see.

As you may have noticed, this blog is looking a whole lot spiffier lately! Keep an eye for an updated site sometime soon too...

That's all for now!
adios,
caitlin

Sketches, Sketches, and More Sketches

So many sketches and so little time! I've actually completed only one true piece so far this quarter, but I've been very busy drawing, and drawing, and drawing some more, for my Getting Published class. Unfortunately, I haven't been picked for an assignment yet, but I will keep working progressively harder until I do!

First off though-- other news:

I attended an event last week called the Bandwagon Poster and Record Fair, where there were tons of band posters for the taking (er, buying mostly. But inspiring too!). Most of the work was hand screen-printed, which I found especially inspiring. Methane Studios was probably the best booth there. I actually have already posted about them before, because they had a show in Alexander Hall a few quarters ago.

There is a slew of upcoming events in Savannah in the next couple weeks that I am participating in, including the Sidewalk Arts Competition, Sand Arts, and a few things unrelated to art, such as an Iron and Wine concert! It's going to be so, incredibly busy, but it doesn't phase me one bit. And then...

GRADUATION! We are headed into week five after this weekend... which means only five weeks after that. I'm not sure if the shock has hit me just yet.

Anywho, I forgot to mention in my last blog post that I got a little something in the mail a little while ago:

Now I'm all fancy and official and such! I'm not sure why they gave me four, when I only had two pieces, but I'm not going to complain.

Onward! In Self-Promotion, we have written an artist statement, created a logo, and are now preparing postcard mailers and business cards, which will be followed by a new website (hooray!). Here are my logos (one in color and one in black and white):


You'll be seeing a lot more of this little guy in a few weeks, when I revamp my site, and yes, blog too. It's in dire need of a makeover!

Finally, it's time for a big pile of sketches. First off, the class worked on posters for the upcoming SCAD theater production of "Hair." We were all to take the piece to finish, so the director and his creative crew could understand what they were choosing. For our sketch critique, the director came in to see our work. He surprised everyone by disliking most of what he saw, and contradicted his posted requirements as well as our own aesthetics. It was a very much a learning experience: you never know what a client will want from you. He made it pretty clear that he did not like "cartoony" work, so I created my final knowing full well that it wouldn't be selected. I was perfectly alright with this, since it will just become another portfolio piece. Here are my sketches and final:




"Hair" Gouache and Digital, 2011.

Next, we were asked to create an illustration for WNC magazine to accompany an article describing the beautiful scenery of North Carolina, and how the author preferred her own porch to leaving for a vacation. I completed two sketches of the same subject matter, focusing on the symbolism of the suitcase and Hawaiian lei. I think the reason this wasn't chosen was because the scenery was not shown enough. Understandable!



And most recently, we are working on two assignments at once (he said one was optional, but I guess I'm an overachiever). First, another theater poster, this time for the play "Dog Sees God," which is a peculiar parody on the Peanuts characters, grown up and in high school. The plot focuses around teenage problems such as drugs, sexual orientation, bad behavior, bullying, and suicide.


This is the image I'll be taking to final. It is implying the relationship between two characters, as well as the contrast of hope and depression between them.



This sketch is a more narrative representation of the play, as the "Charlie Brown" character is mourning the death of his dog, "Snoopy." (I put these names in quotes because the play doesn't actually use most of the Peanuts names, as agreed between the author and Charles Schulz).


I wasn't sure if I was taking the play as too seriously, so I drew a more lighthearted image of raining peanuts with cuter lettering. My professor said he saw Jesus' face in the imagery... still not sure if I'm on the same page with him there.

Keep an eye out for a post with the "Dog Sees God" final poster!

And last, but not least, my sketch for the Savannah Green Guide: a pamphlet that will be distributed which explains eco-friendly ways to create an event. Kellan actually illustrated their last edition:

©Kellan Stover

You can download the PDF at their website. He also did the little spots on the inside!

Here's my sketch for what will hopefully be the next edition (the pressure is on, since Kellan already got it! If I win, we will be the ultimate illustration power couple! haha, just kidding of course!):



Also, I just sent in four submissions to the SIC Senior Show. Hopefully I'll get all of them in, so I can have a greater presence there. If not though, I'll still be entering more work in the Communication Arts show, which also includes Sequential Art, Graphic Design and Advertising.

That's all for now!
adios
caitlin

A little late...

Well, the second quarter of my senior year is flying by, and I've been so busy, I haven't even found the time to update you all! This is going to be a very long post, so hang in there.

I started off the quarter with some really exciting news. Two of my pieces from last quarter were entered by the SCAD illustration department into the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles Illustration West 49th show, and were accepted! Kellan also got three works in, and we furiously framed, filled out forms, and sent away our pieces at the beginning of the quarter. The show just ended last week, but we will be on the website gallery, with contact information, for two years! This is such a huge honor, I can't even describe to you how thrilled I was to be a part of a Society of Illustrators event. My work is sitting on the same website as illustrators I have looked at countless times for inspiration. And there's even the opportunity of getting clients from being there, too! Here's a link to my work. I am number 21 and 22 from the bottom.

Also, my "Bunny" piece was finally sent to Hong Kong for SCAD's "Year of the Rabbit" show. I wish I could get a picture of it on the wall there, but I'm not sure how to manage that.

First completed piece for the quarter was in my Photographic and Digital Applications for Printmaking class. We used Solar Plates, which are a much easier, but more expensive, version of Drypoint Etching. Just, instead of scratching the surface with an etching needle, you shoot and develop the plate just as you would in many photo processes. I wanted to create some hand-lettering after my roommate, and fellow illustrator, Cat Fontenot showed me this incredible website called Letter Playground. I think I might actually enter them, and see what happens! Here it is:


"See Eye Tea Why" Solar Plate, 2011

The next work I turned in was for my Portfolio class. I wanted to create a children's book spread that included many images I have been tempted to incorporate into my work lately. This included anthropomorphic characters, buildings, and plants. Peter Brown's "The Curious Garden" was especially inspiring to me for the foliage. I really need to suck it up and just buy that book already! It'll be a great addition to my collection. Some day I'll write a lengthy blog post about my love of books. Anywho, this imaginary book would be about a city frog and a country frog, yes, very much like the story of the mice. I am pretty happy with this piece!


"Urban Frog, Rural Frog," Gouache, 2011.

I decided to create a challenge for myself for my second Portfolio assignment. I was inspired to create a repeat pattern to use in nurseries or children's bedrooms, but I was very unaware of how confusing and challenging creating a pattern in Photoshop can be. I painted each element of my pattern individually in gouache, and then scanned them all into the program. Following a set of specific guidelines of half-drop patterns (they are much more confusing and difficult, but look better because the repetition is less obvious), I worked and re-worked my colors, composition and sizing for my pattern over and over. In the end, I was actually pleasantly surprised with my result, considering I am not exactly the most proficient artist in Photoshop. Creating this was challenging but not frustrating, fun but not lackadaisically so. I even took the time to create mock-ups of this pattern on potential products! Seeing my art this way was very exciting. After our critique, I tweaked a few colors. First is the original:


"Repeat Rabbits" Gouache and Digital, 2011.

And the redo:


"Repeat Rabbits (Redo)" Gouache and Digital, 2011.

Here is my mock-up sheet (which the original pattern was used for). My favourite is the lamp!


"Repeat Rabbit Mock-Ups" Digital, 2011.

Although I thought originally I would talk about my second Printmaking assignment, I might leave that for another day. I do not have the scans for it just yet, and there is quite a lot to say regarding it... Or rather, regarding my Professor's response to it. I think that one deserves a post of its own. Foreshadowing!
That's all for now.
adios,
caitlin

And so we wrap up 2010.

2010 was an interesting year for me. It was straining and stressful, but full of growth and self-discovery. A lot of things I took for granted changed, and those changes made me open my eyes a little bit. I learned to accept people's faults, including my own, but also discovered when walking away from someone is the right choice. I shut down and woke back up again, I cried and laughed, I danced for days and woke up early. My art grew, my heart grew, and my body didn't. People helped me stand on my own feet, and I helped people stand on theirs. "Progress" would be the best word to sum up my year. 2010 was the conclusion to my life's Prologue, filled with love, laughs, pain, development, and a little foreshadowing. The changes most relevant to this blog, however, have to do with my artwork.
Here's a sample of what I made at the end of 2009:


"Big Fish," Digital, 2009.

I didn't even have a style yet! I will always be able to thank 2010 as the year of inspiration and finding an illustration identity.
Anywho, here's what I wrapped up the year with.
A quick piece for my old high school art teacher, Mr. Bates', Art for Life show to raise money with his class.


"Top Hat Cat," Gouache, 2010.

Sorry for the poor quality image-- we don't have a scanner at my parents' house.

The big project, however, was this:
An undertaking of epic proportions (something only I would be silly enough to take on)-- hand-painting each of our family Christmas cards. All 20 of them. In a matter of days. Let's just say, I felt a sense of accomplishment after I finished them. And some are quite cute! I made 4 each of 5 designs, to lessen the blow a little.



"Dove," Gouache and Sequins, 2010.



"Houses," Gouache and Sequins, 2010.



"Presents," Gouache and Sequins, 2010.



"Santa," Gouache and Sequins, 2010.



"Wise Men," Gouache and Sequins, 2010.

So yes, everyone got original art, and yes, I don't plan on doing that again. But I'm pretty pleased with the turnout, and pretty pleased with myself for doing it! And many thanks to my mom, who helped me glue those dang sequins on every card!

That's about all I've got for now. I hope everyone had a nice holiday, like I did. Spending time with my family is probably my number-one joy in life. Illustration is up there, too. :)

See you next year!
adios
caitlin