Rainy Days

©Kathleen Rietz
Someone's day isn't starting out so good... Mine is, though! I got to do a little sketching before I head off to work at the chiropractic clinic today.. : )

Late Eggs

©Kathleen Rietz (worth clicking for a larger view)
Between getting over the flu, de-skunking my house, and just trying to catch up on ever-changing work deadlines, I was late transferring my Easter Egg photos from my camera. It was hard to choose which photo to post, actually, because I love how they turned out. I tried so many fun techniques this year (building layer upon layer of color, rubbing, buffing, scraping, oil resists, etc...) and was really surprised with the outcome.....many of them were "happy mistakes"! So if you want to dye eggs with me next year, be prepared for something fun and original. I feel like each little egg is a labored masterpiece.

Illustration Friday - "Homage"

©Kathleen Rietz
Paying homage to childhood...
It is said that, as artists, every piece of art we create is a self portrait. I can definitely say this illustration is "me". Regardless of my age on the outside, I am still this girl dancing on my bed with my dog and making lots of noise.
I am still working out some of the details in the bed and overall proportions, but I hope to take this to color in the future.

Tuesday

©Kathleen Rietz
Reminds me of my sister when she was a little kid. So today's image is for Anne.

Illustration Friday - "Pet Peeves" & an Easter I will never forget!

© Kathleen Rietz
One of my biggest pet peeves is gossip. We all know what it feels like to be the target. Makes you not want to go to school.
© Kathleen Rietz (the elusive Easter Skunk)
Just after 10pm on Saturday night, my dog Sunshine had a run-in with - among all things - the Easter Skunk. I let her out into the yard to do her business, but she never even made her way off the patio before she was sprayed in the face by a skunk. For those of you who do not have skunks in your part of the world in which you live and have never smelled the aroma emitted by these creatures of darkness, I cannot even begin to describe the smell to you because nothing compares to it. But it is oily, deep, intense and nauseating. My friend Joan who lives in Hawaii found my story rather amusing because she "thought these things only happened in cartoons"....like Pe Pe Le Pew. Needless to say, I nearly cleared out the drug store as I waited in line to pay for my remedy.....NO ONE would stand next to me. I also did not make it to church today to celebrate Easter. Nor brunch at the country club where my sister works. No one wants to eat an omelet in a room that smells of skunk funk.

Anyhoo - if any of you are interested, here is how you get rid of skunk funk:

On your pet, shampoo the pet with a mixture of:
1 pint hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp Dawn liquid dish soap
Leave on pet for 10 minutes, rinse.

In your house:
In a large pot, boil water, Clorox bleach and salt on your stove on high heat for several hours. I was so pleasantly surprised to find how well this one works! We boiled the pot all day and the smell is actually gone!

I hope you all had a much more relaxing and enjoyable Easter weekend than I did. I am looking forward to hitting a post-Easter candy sale to soothe my psyche with a chocolate marshmallow bunny if I can still find one!

Hoppy Easter!

©Kathleen Rietz (today's image is for Leon)
Any of you who know me well know that Easter has a much deeper meaning to me than bunnies and coloring eggs. But I do enjoy the images of spring this time of year. Here in Chicago there is a winter storm warning today. I could use a little springtime festivities right now! Happy Easter everyone!
By the way, if you have some time this weekend, check out an interview with me An Interview with Kate! and see what else us Picture Bookies have been up to!

Baby brother (color)

©Kathleen Rietz (today's illustration is for Anne)
I thought of my little sister the whole time I was painting this in my sketchbook. You always love your baby sibling.

Fat Cat

©Kathleen Rietz
My entry for last week's Illustration Friday in color...

Check it out!

Read my first attempt at writing for The Prairie Wind, the e-newsletter for the SCBWI-Illinois chapter. I love to draw and paint, but writing was a whole new venture for me! It was actually kind of fun, and I would definitely do it again if asked. The topic and article length were totally up to me. I chose to write about the history of my career as an artist, and why I now blog.

Illustration Friday - "Heavy"

©Kathleen Rietz
This week's illustration is dedicated to my friend Joan, who has a sick kitty. Please send your prayers, happy thoughts, well wishes and positive vibes Joan's way.

Dance Partners

©Kathleen Rietz

Illustration Friday - "Garden"

©Kathleen Rietz
I did this one a while ago, but it fits the theme so well and that ladybug was always such a jokester! I thought I might revisit this garden today..

Character Sketches - "Millie"

©Kathleen Rietz
It's been great working in my sketchbook this week and posting what I am doing. Sometimes I think I get caught up in making finished art for my portfolio in between paying jobs, and do not focus enough on the importance of developing my characters and making mistakes in order to learn from them. I struggle with finding my style and sticking with it. But I notice that when I sketch in my sketchbook, my characters are a lot looser and more fun, and actually pretty consistent. So I suppose I learned something this week. So this here is Millie and her Chihuahua, Bo-Bo. Happy Friday.

Preliminary Sketch (work in progress)

©Kathleen Rietz
As you can see from my blog, I have been focusing on my sketchbook a lot lately. I am really trying to develop my style of people and children and animals, and try to convey more emotion in my work. I think really good children's book illustrations are the ones which find a way to adhere you to the characters on an emotional level....maybe it is a scene which jogs a memory from your own childhood, or reminds you of the kids you have now. Or maybe it evokes a memory of a carefree day, a day at the park with your grandparents, your nerves on your first day of school, a childhood crush, winning a spelling bee, or maybe floating on a vacation lake on an innertube on a warm day and looking at shapes in the clouds overhead. This is a sketch I began last night. There is a lot missing, and I want to add more, but wanted to post it before I do. My hope is to fill my sketchbook with lots of these sketches and then work on some finished color illustrations based on some of my sketches.

Sometimes I find that toddlers and infants in my illustrations end up looking like dolls instead of children. Does this look like a person to you, or too much like a doll? I know it is hard to see in this drawing, but the baby is grasping the mother's thumb, as babies like to do. I just don't thnk it reads very well.

I plan on adding an older child to the right side of the composition, and maybe a kitten curled up next to the mother. There is still a lot I want to do and right now I am just doodling and planning.

baby brother

©Kathleen Rietz

Party For A Goldfish

©Kathleen Rietz

In Color?

©Kathleen Rietz
Some of you who commented on my earlier post of this sketch (below) suggested I try adding some color. So I did, digitally. I sort of like the soft sepia tones of the original, though. But then again, the color perks it up and brings your eye right to the puppy, I think... What do you think? Do you like it better in color? Or sepia? Why?

Illustration Friday - "Leap"

©Kathleen Rietz
I am sort of on this little sketching kick lately...sketching boys and their dogs. If you have ever had a new puppy, you know how ready they are to leap up and nip your nose at any moment.
See the color version HERE and let me know which you like better..

New Pattern

©Kathleen Rietz
This new pattern I created makes me think of spring clothes! Check out more designs on my website.

Illustration Friday - "Multiple"

©Kathleen Rietz
"Green Squirmers", one of my newest patterns available for licensing. See more at my website!

Thinking Spring

Longing for carefree days dappled in sunlight and warm breezes...
©Kathleen Rietz
Just a little sketchbook drawing I thought I would share.

Illustration Friday - "Theory"

I actually drew this as a Valentine for my dog Sunshine, but it fits the theme "Theory", and I am not sure I will find time to complete another drawing this week. So I wanted to share it with you all.
Scientific studies have shown the benefits of keeping a pet. They lower your blood pressure, raise your sense of well being, and caring for an animal can give a person a sense of purpose and love. Dogs and cats are used for all kinds of therapy, and there are programs which bring animals into retirement homes for visits.
My dog and I are inseparable. She really does make me laugh everyday...I'd say she has been very good for my sense of well being!
©Kathleen Rietz
For all of you who have pets to hug today.
Happy Valentine's Day. (my original message from the original posting on Valentine's Day)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

©Kathleen Rietz
I save too much "stuff"....such as this pencil doodle I sketched on a Post-It over 13 years ago....and colored in Photoshop today just to say "Happy Valentine's Day"! xxoo -kate :)

Valentine's Day

©Kathleen Rietz
Here is a gift wrap collection I designed for Valentine's Day. Check out more of my "Surface Designs" on my website. I just added this catagory, and already I am negotiating an assignment!
I also added a page called "My Process", where you can see how I worked on my latest mermaid illustration.

My Little Mermaid - spot illo

©Kathleen Rietz
Here is a spot illustration I painted to accompany the mermaid illustration (BELOW) which I painted yesterday. I have been working on trying to create portfolio pieces that tell a story. These illustrations were based on the Illustration Friday theme "Tales & Legends" from 2 weeks ago. You can see the preliminary sketch for the main illustration if you scroll down the page a bit.

My Little Mermaid

©Kathleen Rietz
A new illustration inspired by the Illustration Friday prompt "Tales & Legends" (scroll down to see the preliminary sketch).

Illustration Friday - "Blanket"

©Kathleen Rietz
Just a boy, his dog, the moonlight and a blanket...
Hey, click the link to my website in the right hand column of this page to see the latest additions to my site, including "sketchbook" art and my latest catagory "surface design".

Let Them Eat Cake!

My daily visits to Diana Evans' blog and her "Yummy Sketch of the Day" daily food postings have brought back fond memories of the home based cake business my friend Melissa and I used to run from her kitchen. The biggest challenge was the wedding cakes because everything had to be made and decorated the night before, and of course wedding cakes call for many tiers and a flawless application of fondant or icing or both. So we are talking about many all-nighters and carefully transporting our cakes to finish decorating on-location the next morning. Our specialty was fresh floral cakes, but the characters were lots of fun, too, such as this lady bug cake with black sour ball eyes and licorice whip legs. I wish I had a better picture of this cake. I also like the way the yellow bridal shower cake turned out, since I had to make this one alone, and it was my first attempt at handling rolled fondant.

Illustration Friday - "Tales & Legends"

© Kathleen Rietz
I am working on this preliminary sketch this week for a new piece that I hope will make it into my portfolio. I am open to suggestions about what you think it "needs". It is in the very preliminary stages. I really want my illustrations to tell a story. Not just be pretty pictures.
Last Friday I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down at a local Starbuck's with children's book illustrator Kristi Valiant, who stopped through town on her way to see family. I had such a nice time with her, and I also learned so much from talking "shop" with her and leafing through our portfolios together. I am hoping that we will catch up with each other again in the not-too-distant future. It was so great to see such an established illustrator with over 20 books to her name! Bonus: she is a very nice person! Thanks Kristi!
Then on Sunday Kathy Weller and I talked on the phone until our ears pretty much turned into soft cauliflower. : ) I have always been such a BIG fan of Kathy's. Funny to find out she is also a big fan of my work. We seem to have similar personalities and I get the feeling we would be a dangerous pair if we lived anywhere within 50 miles of each other! You know you are a dangerous combo when you have talked so long that your phone's battery dies and you have to switch to your cell phone. heehee... Thanks Kathy! You crack me up.
I also want to thank Alicia Padron for our valuable email exchanges about illustration, promotion, and just plain "life".
I am realizing how blessed I am to have "met" so many terrific artists while blogging (some virtually and some in real life!). Rubbing elbows with you all is what makes my day, every day. I have learned so much from your comments about my work. I do not take for granted anyone who stops by to have a look. I always hope you like what you see and will that you return again and again.
O-O-O-Oh!!! By the way, I am going to try to put together a new blog showcasing my art students' work. I hope to work on it this weekend. Stay tuned. I will announce the blog once I have it up and running.

Respite

I just completed several batches of textbook illustrations that I have been working on since the end of October. What began as 108 illustrations turned into 143. I had to let 2 picture book assignments pass through my hands during this project - one because the situation was not right, and the other because the deadline was impossible for me. But those are decisions that you have to make sometimes, you know? I hope there is a new offer right around the corner.
My second semester of teaching children's art classes at Wheaton began today. We had lots of fun. I had the younger kids stretch their creativity by blindly reaching into paper bags to choose 5 words or phrases that would complete a sentence that they then had to illustrate. For example: The blue horse juggled omelets while wearing boots on a train in a rainstorm. They loved this assignment! For my older class of kids, we created grey scale models and then I set up 3 eggs on black paper under a spotlight and we rendered studies of the eggs, taking note of shadows and values and reflective light. I was so impressed with these kids. They are only 11 and their drawings were beautiful! I also started my 3rd teaching job today, teaching art to a group of home schooled kids in my community. Next week we will be working on self-portraits in graphite.
It feels good to have completed this huge 3 1/2 month long illustration assignment, and now to invest my time into teaching budding artists! This is what makes me happy about being an artist. Every day is a gift.

Illustration Friday - "Plain"

©Kathleen Rietz
Billy's mom always told him he was plain, but today at recess little freckle-faced Becky Beauregard told him he was handsome.

Illustration Friday - "Stitch"

This is a portion of a painting I did for a giftware company when I was freelancing on a weekly basis for them back in 1992. That was back when P.O.P. was designed and painted by hand, and work was hand delivered to the client. I miss that "human" touch from time to time. Now everything is done electonically.

Illustration Friday - "100%"

©Kathleen Rietz
Mmm-mmm-mm...for me, tea is one of the pleasures of life. 100% enjoyment.

A Tough Decision Rings In The New Year

©Kathleen Rietz
I had to make a decision that was really hard for me as a freelance illustrator: I had to decide to pull out of an assignment. The deadline for the picture book assignment was just too tight. I have worked day and night for the past 2 1/2 months, barely stopping to enjoy the holidays, running myself raw. My "free time" has been filled with creating new sample pieces, adding to my website, creating "give-aways", promoting myself, trying to keep the fiery momentum going. Freelance business can be oh-so volatile. I had wished for projects like this to come in June, July and August. Instead, they all came at once - during the holidays no less! And business rarely ever goes according to the schedule sent to you, especially in November and December when everyone's schedule is up for grabs. So....I realized that taking the job would have meant compromising my other current assignments, and nothing would have received 100% of my effort. By "nothing" I mean my assignments. And my students. And meetings. And the patients at the chiopractic clinic. And more importantly really, my friends, family, and myself. It is so hard to strike a balance at times, isn't it? And it is really hard to say "no" to assignments. Especially good ones - like PUBLISHED BOOKS! But I felt a sense of relief at the thought of not having this deadline hovering over me: a week to research and complete rough sketches, and then a week and a half for FINISHED, full-color art!! So yesterday I did something I have not done in at least 3 months: lie on my sofa with the dog, a wool blanket, a cup of hot cocoa and the television remote.

Happy New Year ATC "tiny tags" giveaway!

©Kathleen Rietz 2007
I'm having another giveaway! I created these "tiny tags" to ring in 2008. The first 5 people who leave me a comment will receive a set of 3 tags which I will choose from this assortment. Tags measure 1 3/4" X 1 1/8" each. Happy New Year!

Random Fact #8: I have a Christmas Eve Birthday

Today is my 40th birthday. You may remember Random Fact #1 from back in August "I Am A Twin". So it is my twin brother's birthday also. For those of you 20-Somethings out there who think that 40 is old, it's not. I still love hip-hop and dance music and I shop in the Junior's dept for most of my clothes and stay up until all hours of the night making my art. I love the stupid "reality" shows on MTV and I text my friends when I don't feel like calling. But I also have to tell you that my 30's were way better than my 20's, and I am looking forward to what my 40's will bring. 40 years has made me wiser, more empathetic, standing firm in who I am and what I believe, but more accepting of others and their differences. My world view is different than it was even 5 years ago, now that I think about it, and it's been shaped by my years on this earth. Am I where I thought I would be at 40? No. But I am my mother's daughter, and I know she would be proud of me if she were here. This is an amazing time we live in. We have so many choices to shape our lives and live our dreams right at our virtual fingertips. We can touch others' lives and share our thoughts and our art right here at our computers. I am grateful for every one of you who has ever stopped by my blog and commented on my posts; I feel like I "know" so many of you and you brighten my days, every day! Thanks for an awesome year of art blogging and I cannot wait to share the next one with you all! Cheers! (Red scarf courtesy of my friend Joan in Hawaii, who began knitting it months ago and sent it this week as a birthday gift, along with some other goodies. Thanks Joan!)

Illustration Friday - "Horizon"

This was an illustration (above) I did for Abbey Press a year and a half ago...but it fits the theme.
And here is an illustration I painted in 1995, for my very first children's picture-book. I almost didn't post this one, but I had to prove to myself that I still have a sense of humor. There is nothing horribly "wrong" with it, I would just do it so differently almost 13 years later.....which is a GOOD thing! It shows I've grown as an illustrator.
Click both images for a closer look.
Meanwhile.....I am still working on the 113 illustrations (the editor added 5 more!) for the textbooks due in January. AND, I found out earlier this week that I have been awarded a new picture-book! I am not even sure about the subject matter yet; all I know is that it is a Spanish language book and that the publisher wants it done in my "whimsical" style (which you can see in the 2 posts immediately below this one). Hmmmm... I also know that delivery of the final art is expected in 3 or 4 weeks....this should make for some abbreviated celebrating during the holidays. But, how cool is that?? I say, pretty darn cool. : )

ATC Holiday Giveaway!

I won an Artist Trading Card in blogger Joan Yoshioka's (Drawing on Nature) contest. Her only request was that I carry on the spirit of holiday giving and give away 3 of my own. So here is your chance to own one of 3 original ATCs by ME! I only ask that you be willing to also carry on the giving spirit and give away 3 items of your own in a contest on your blog. The first 3 people to leave me a comment on this post win one of these ATCs! Happy Holidays!
Each card is 2.5" X 3.5" and is mixed media (dyes, pen, paper and glitter).

Illustration Friday - "Backwards"

©Kathleen Rietz
It's hard to feel any sense of dignity when you're wearing a hospital gown.

I've been Featured on Illustrophile!

© McGraw-Hill
I have been featured on Illustrophile, a blog which showcases illustrators and commercial artists of all kinds and styles! The blog was created and is authored by Charlene Chua, a very talented illustrator herself. Thanks Charlene!

This illustration was commissioned last January for a text book published by McGraw-Hill. I also was commissioned to create this illustration of Martin Luther King, Jr for the same book.

BTW, PLEASE participate in my "Puff The Magic Dragon" post below. I am loving everyone's answers! - kate : )

"Puff, The Magic Dragon"

© Kathleen Rietz, drawn in May 1972, at age 4 1/2
I loved this story when I was a child, and my mother used to sing the song to me. It aways ended so sadly though....Poor Puff.
I love to remember the wholesome entertainment we enjoyed from that era - Sesame Street and The Electric Company with their original casts (Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman still look incredible and have gone on to be such gifted actors!! Who knew??), Burl Ives records for children, the wonderfully animated Christmas specials before everything became so gosh darn p.c., staying up to watch The Wizard of Oz on network t.v. every summer and being frightened by the original Willy Wonka movie (please get those Oompa-Loompas out of my head!).
What television and music did you enjoy as a child? What do you miss most?

Illustration Friday - "Little Things"

© Kathleen Rietz
Sometimes great things come in small packages. This is actually an older illustration I did for a story I had floating around in my head about a boy who is given this beautiful little box, and contained in the box are magical powers. I loved the imagery I had envisioned for the story, and decided to paint the cover illustration as a promo piece last year.

Winter's Garden Snowcone

©Kathleen Rietz
I emailed this photo to my friend and fellow blogger Joan Yoshioka in Hawaii, who commented that it looks like a snowcone. I thought the same thing when I photographed it this morning. This bush reminded me of something from a fairy tale - like the garden Dorothy discoveres in The Wizard of Oz - a shrub sprouting forth sparkly snowcones or sugar covered marshmallows. It is worth clicking on the image to see it full-size. Of course, it was even better in person.

Illustration Friday - "Excess"

©Kathleen Rietz
Little girls are so funny...the more they accessorize, the prettier they feel, even if the rest of the family sees it as excess!