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Illustration Project

November 25th, 2013

Illustration Project

I am very excited to announce that I am illustrating a series of children's books! Ms Jean Greenwood has asked me to work on her book series for 4-5th grade readers. While I am not at liberty to discuss the stories themselves, I can say the books will be amazing and that I can't wait to see them in print!

So... What IS digital art?

November 12th, 2013

So... What IS digital art?

So, you like a painting but the artist has indicated it is "digital" art. What is it? Is it REAL art? Or is it just a photograph someone painted over or manipulated?

The answer is as varied there are artists, but, in short, yes, it is real art.

Digital art embraces all forms and styles of artistic expression -- with the added dimension of being composed, at least in part, with software. And there are as many expressions and forms of digital art as there are "traditional" media. Photography itself is a form of "digital" art, though most view it as a class by itself. But here, when I speak of digital art, I am referring to a "virtual canvas" that I paint on using Corel Painter, and on occasion, Photoshop, to create my art. My work may start out as a simple gesture sketch done in pencil. But, eventually I will scan it into the computer to paint. While I do frequently use reference photos, as do many traditional artists, my work is never a case of painting over a photo. Everything I do is my creation, I just choose to create on the computer.

Corel Painter is an intuitive program created for artists. With it, I can make my work look like watercolor, or pastels, or oils...but I still have to know how to mix color, apply light, texture, and perspective. In short, the program will not paint for me. I still have to know what I am doing.

So why use it? For some its a matter of necessity. Some artists are allergic or sensitive to the vapors given off by their paints. Others like the portability of a virtual canvas. I can take my laptop and tablet anywhere and paint. There is no mess to clean up, no paints to pack or worry about spilling. . For myself, I like that I can create beautiful art and send my files in to Fine Art America ready to print. I also like that I can create my illustrations and digitally submit them to my clients for approval and easy printing. I still do some traditional work and enjoy it when I do. But the majority of what I do is with the virtual canvas.

Digital Art is not meant to replace traditional media. There will always be room for that. But, there is also beauty to be found in the creations brought to life on a virtual canvas. Art is art, regardless of how it was created. And that is always a good thing.

Welcome

November 12th, 2013

Welcome

Welcome to my site! I think I started drawing before I could read! I have always drawn and always loved art. In 2010, after a happy career as a nurse, I returned to school to major in Game Art and Design. Eventually, I changed my degree plan more toward illustration instead. It has been an exciting time so far! This site is a work in progress so please, feel free to stop by often and leave a comment or two!