Creative Genius or Madwoman?

I vote for the latter. Here is what the upstairs dining room looks like last night. And the mess is not limited to this table. The living room is overrun with yarn and the kitchen console with various bits and pieces of Creativery.



My friend Stacie instant-messaged me this morning and that means it is a good time to update my blog.

Last night I worked on a design for my husband, for his International Antarctic Film Festival. I had to draw in Illustrator a length of filmstrip that is twisting. I tried freehanding it, and although a good effort it just didn't look right.


So this is what I did...

I cut out a strip of paper and drew all the little frames on it so it looked just like a filmstrip (front and back). Then I taped one end to a mug, and twisted it like I wanted it, and took a photo. I then imported the photo into Illustrator and drew over it.


Better result I think...

I also took the Antarctic continent shape (instantly recognizable by those that go to the 'Ice' on a regular basis) and colored it with my Copic markers. Gives a very nice 3-D effect, I reckon. It would be challenging to get this look on the computer without using a paint program. And even then...

So, speaking of Copics... I am in love. It's a serious crush. I found this blog called "I Like Markers," kept by Marianne who is the product specialist for Copic (what a cool job! Can I have it?). Click here. It is the most amazing blog. She started it in June so it was easy for me to catch up on all the wonderful techniques she shares for working with Copic markers. Why she didn't call her blog, 'I *Love* Markers' instead of 'I *Like* Markers' I'll never know.

I have asked her if she could share some tips on coloring ice. I'm guessing she is inundated with questions, so will be interesting to see if she responds at some point.

Fine print: Just a request to please not copy, reproduce, forward, or in any other way use any of my original artwork on this blog without asking me about it first. Thanks.