Hey Yourself!

MOVED!!

2010-05-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

Ive moved my blog! To match up with my new portfolio site coming out soon.....

http://blog.heywhitney.com

I hope you will follow me there

I will try to keep them both current for a little bit.

<3

draw draw draw draw

2010-01-26T06:48:00.000-08:00

Why oh why does it seem like there is never enough time to draw the way I would like to draw. Of course the reason is obvious. Paying my bills. Oh how I long for the day when at least a portion of my bills can be paid off by some artistic endeavour. I have all these drawings stored up inside my head. And in there, they are beautiful, charming, and funny. Drawings that took me hours to complete but look effortless. I just need more hours in the day. To let people know I exist. To get all the ideas or real paper. Once again I have a year full of very big plans. Probably bigger than most of the plans before. I think this might just be my year. Or at least the year that kicks this journey off for real.

I wish I had some drawings to accompany this post. It's not that I haven't drawn at all over these past few weeks, because I have. But the drawings are not up to par quite yet.

All I can hope is that soon I will have some time to really sit down and and make them look as beautiful as they do in my head.

Many More Raccoons to Come

2009-12-14T19:05:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday: Hatch

2009-12-13T18:42:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help myself.

John Locke and the famed hatch of LOST

Raccoons..

2009-12-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

I have a major "to do" list to check things off of over the Christmas break. This hopefully involves starting a new website that is ALL MINE. And has nothing to do with Flickr, Yahoo, or the blogosphere (not that those are bad services). But this will be all mine to show off my work to all you lovely people and of course lovely editors, publishers and anyone looking for artists. Enough about THAT. Let's talk about yet another new project:

My newest project involves many raccoon critters. I've been drawing them for days and last night I sat down to hammer out the first full color version of what I think they will look like in my story. She isn't perfect but close enough that I am very excited to see the progression of this project.

Early raccoon ladies.

Early raccoon gents.

And the new lovely finished version of one such violinist raccoon.

I can't wait to show you more!

A Girl Gets Busy Sometimes.

2009-11-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

Bad blogger! Bad Whitney!

Every now and then (let's face it most often than not) I get super super swamped. And with the start of the school year of course that was bound to happen. The key is, though I didn't really tell you about it, I WAS and am drawing through all this madness. I don't think a day goes by any more when I don't draw something. Even if its a doodle of something I ate that day, I draw. And I'm getting better. Which feels great.

But there hasn't been a calm moment really since the school year began. If I'm not drawing, I'm singing or playing ukulele. If I'm not playing, I'm grading papers or writing tests or filling out endless school paperwork.

I've been working less on my kid's books, and more and more on my graphic novel. It isn't really for kids at all. I don't think it would even qualify as YA. But I really like the idea and the writing is starting to come together, so I'm rolling with it. Without text (NO SPOILERS) it looks like this:

I'm really digging the style of it so far. I think in terms of comics, my style has come SO far from only last year.

It feels good to be productive. But crazy trying to figure out my next direction.

My little dumplings...

2009-09-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

I know this is my illustration blog and my last post was SUCH a downer (I'm promptly going to delete it after writing this one) but I think part of my daily journey into the world of illustration is very much intertwined with my "day job" as a school teacher. So I think a post every now and then about my goings on at school is still appropriate.

This year I am teaching 5th grade. Every subject. Very different from what I'm used to but I'm re-learning so much, and loving every minute. Even math. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either.

Don't let my glowing over it confuse you. 5th graders are little friggin nightmares sometimes. It's a grade that I have consistently complained about even when I was the art teacher. I think I even once said "They should just out law fifth grade all together, lock 'em up for a year and release them for sixth grade."

Oh Karma.

Anyhow, on a day where my kids were being particularly chatty in the hall I called them back into the classroom to reprimand their noisiness I found myself asking them If any of them had ever seen ninjas in movies or on TV. Of course they had. I explained to them that I wanted them to act as if they were ninjas. To move silently and sneakily through the halls. So no one even knows how we even got to the cafeteria in the first place! They of course bought this with extreme enthusiasm. I have no idea where the idea came from. Then one student asked me at the start of the week if I considered them to be ninjas yet.

HA! OF COURSE NOT! You aren't ready to be ninjas yet. You are still in training. You guys are like....um......dumplings. I'll let you know when you move up in the ranks.

Enter Chloe. An adorable girl in my class, who also attended my art club last year. Chloe is brilliant. Never gives me a lick of trouble in class, and for some reason has a thing for storm troopers. She hands me a folded up piece of paper. Kids have been doing this all year so far. They dont pass notes to each other. They pass them to me. Why? Beats me.

I unfold the note. And... and.. I can't even begin...

Yes. That's me. In a ninja suit. With my dumplings. Please view it large for all the comic glory.

Who is the happiest teacher ever?

Yucka Mucka

2009-08-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

After a intensely productive summer and just as new ideas are starting to pour in, I get hit over the head with a fever and a nasty sore throat. At least it waited for the bulk of my work to be done. And didn't wait too long, otherwise I'd be sick for the start of the school year.

I will have a more picture filled post for you once I'm feeling better. For now though, it's back to bed for me!

Chapter Books

2009-08-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

Along with my picture book illustrations, I figured I would also add some examples of chapter book illustrations as well. So I took one of my most favorite children's chapter books and started adding my own versions of certain characters. That way I could be considered for any type of illustrator assignment.

Here is the Humbug and Spelling Bee. From Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth.

SO Much Work!

2009-08-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't really lost much momentum in the past two weeks or so. Even in the moments where I feel like I don't want to be working I manage to push myself and keep going. Thankfully everything looks like it's getting done. I think. I would post more photos but I'm being a little protective of my projects at the moment, but I will give you a little teeny peek.

I have mentioned Kingsley here before, and the Grad Vasir is from his story as well. Kingsley's Mom also makes an appearance in the book and she has some nice old photos from King's teenage years on her wall.

I think he looks cute with a soul patch and braces.

Humming Along

2009-07-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have been working very hard these past few weeks and I think I am right on schedule to finish my portfolio on time. In my portfolio I am going to include some sample spreads from three stories I have written myself. And I am almost finished with all the samples from one story I call: There Is No Such Thing As Hair Worms...Right? It's about an older sister who tortures her younger brother. Funny enough these two kids share a striking resemblance to two siblings I just might know.

Surround yourself with like minded people.

2009-07-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

Greg Beise (who I have mentioned before) has been a huge driving force in my creative life lately. He has really been very helpful in pushing my art and encouraging me from afar. I now realize just how important it is to have that sort of support system when you are an artist. If you cut yourself off from everyone, everything, how will you know if you are ever getting better? How will you know if you're laboring over something not worth exploring? Sure our own opinions matter, and are important. But if you don't have people to commiserate with I would imagine getting through the "artist block" periods would be far more excruciating and difficult.

For instance when I get something like this in my inbox:

Hey,
I just read your blog. The place looks fantastic, like a real work space for a creative person to thrive in. Especially with the dog snoozin' on the couch. Every good studio needs one of those. Thank you too for the "shout out". It is always nice to have the hard work I do recognized. Even if that means that I just went to hang out with you and bought you a couple of well deserved beers. Anytime you need a push like that just let me know. Be it food or company over a drink, we artists have to watch out for one another and help each other keep our heads up. Like I keep telling you, I believe in what you are doing and I want to see you make something great out of what you do.

Cheers.

I can't help but feel like everything will turn out for us artsy types as long as we are there to support each other.

So in honor of artists supporting artists, you should check out Greg's new blog.
Artchek is an open space free of institutional allegiances and all the other areas that tie up tongues when talking about the art world, or any world for that matter. The exhibitions that are discussed will be as varied as they can possibly be, hopefully bringing a well rounded look at the arts at a variety of levels.

Also no one uses the word Neo-Wittgensteinianism like Greg.

Here's to us artists, making a go of it in the world.

Illustration Friday: Tango

2009-07-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it doesn't take two.

Remember Her?

2009-07-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

That is the Grad Vasir from my kings story. And while I was very pleased with how this illustration was going I figured I wanted to really try and push it. So off to Lee's Art Shop I went to buy the most random assortment of supplies I have ever gotten. Now she is living somewhere that looks like this.

It's not done but I am so happy with how it is turning out I had to share her with you.

Sometimes

2009-07-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

When you are an artist you will go through (seemingly) vast periods of time when almost every line you draw is infuriatingly ugly. It's very easy to fall into and equally hard to get out of. I don't know what sparked my lull, why everything I touched for the month of June seemed to turn out horribly wrong. But it did.

Recently though I have been really striving to get back into the swing of things for a certain opportunity that might be coming my way next month. Not wanting to waste another month, I turned to one of my other artist friends for advice. Greg sat me down for a few hours and was very helpful. After sitting with him for a few hours I came home and moved all my art supplies, computer, and desk out into my living room and away from my cozy bed.

I had expected the first night out in the living room to be a break through! Here I am all set up in a new workspace ready to go. But every time I touched my pencil to my sketchbook......ugly.

Oh no! Not again! This can't still be happening. I sent Greg a message in a panic. He told me to draw myself frustrated. I did. it was... as you can see. Not so great.

So I went to bed in a huff.

But the next day. Oh the next day! I went through all my drawings from the night before, and while the drawings weren't great the ideas were. I took some plain old printer paper and I was off!

So here is to the month of July being more productive than I hoped it would be. And thank you to my friends who helped me get through yet another slump and move my furniture around my house.

Good News!

2009-05-28T09:19:00.001-07:00

This week I am Editor's Choice over on http://www.amateurillustrator.com/

Isn't that exciting?

I have been working very hard on my Night Warrior story, and have 15 pages of my dummy sketched out. I have found that if I write a story the same way I write songs, it all comes much easier.

When I write a song I come up with a few chords first, then I write the lyrics and the melody at the same time. I can never seem to find lyrics to fit a melody I have written if I write the melody first. And if I write the words first, I never know how to sing them.

So now I'm writing Night Warrior in the same sort of way. I'm coming up with the pictures and the story at the same time. I know the basic outline of the story (like knowing what chords I want first) but for the most part the illustrations and the plot are developing together. And I love it.

Speeeeding along! (a sly attempt at an IF entry)

2009-05-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

You gotta love progress right?

I have decided to also enter this into Illustration Friday this week. Their topic is "contagious" and she is *ahem* catching bugs.
I know it might be a weak attempt, but I would really like some people to see the warrior and get some feedback!

I knew you'd understand.

There she is. The first mock up spread! It isn't final, I need to get my hands on a better camera so I can shoot the diorama I made for this better. Right now all I have is my Dad's old digital camera (thanks Dad).

Here is a little behind the scenes shot for you:

I'm really falling in love with this project.

Oh Mo.

2009-05-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

I just heard Mo Willems on NPR talking about why adults don't draw. Is it sad that I cant seem to get enough of him? I suppose not, he is such a success because of that reason. Well.. not because I personally can't get enough of him. It seems that most are in agreement with me.

Who wouldn't be?

As an art teacher, trying to encourage kids to draw all the time I really understood what he was saying. As soon as my students realize that art could never be their profession, that they aren't going to be the next DaVinci, they switch off. They stop trying. And from then on all they ever say is - I can't draw - Let me tell you how hard it is to break them of this awful word. Can't. I am sure every art teacher out there can sympathize. I try very hard to get each of my students to believe that when they are in my classroom they are an artist. Of course in an ideal situation they would all believe me. Until then I show them Basquiat and hope that one of them realizes that art is what you make of it.

To listen to Mo on NPR go here!

And because this is an illustration blog, here is some student work I am very proud of. And this was from a 4th grader who loved saying can't until I told him to stop worrying and just take it slow.

Night Warrior Progress

2009-05-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

Another character I have been doodling around with. This one is so much better than the first one I drew of her, and the idea is really starting to come together for me. I am excited to see where it goes from here.

What a makeover!

2009-05-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

Can I also add how awesome the new SCBWI website looks!?

It looks...well...awesome. It really has sprung to life and the update is well deserved. It also looks like there is going to be a section for illustrators to show their artwork. Guess who is excited about that.

I have been in contact with an editor over at Harper-Collins who has been an absolute sweetheart to me. She has answered some questions about my new portfolio in such a wonderful thorough way, pointing me in new directions to look, and giving oh so wonderful advice.

I have to say I wouldn't be able to thank her or be proud of any of my progress without the SCBWI and I am very honored to be a member.

It looks beautiful guys, keep up the amazing work that you do. I'll see you in L.A. this summer!!

Still Pretty

2009-05-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

I made this for the SCBWI winter conference edition of my portfolio and I am still so pleased with her. I haven't cut some lino in awhile and I'm thinking it might be time to break out the 'ole cutter once again. I should probably invest in a dustpan first!

Illustration Friday: Hierarchy

2009-05-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

Vitis Vinifera! The scientific name for grapevine of course. This is my drawing for this week's Illustration Friday topic: hierarchy. I had a lot of fun making this one. And it feels really good to be back.

Dear month of April,

2009-05-03T18:05:00.001-07:00

I am so sorry for being so unproductive art wise. You see I had to find and move into a new apartment. The packing and painting seemed endless until now. But now! Oh now we can celebrate for I am settled in here in Washington Heights in my new apartment which I have decided to call The Bird House. Expect art this week. And more often from now on.

Let's get this started again. I can't wait.

My sincerest apologies,
Whitney

Students?

2009-03-31T16:18:00.001-07:00

Are my students Google searching me today?! I can see you! You rascals!

The Grand Vasir (start)

2009-03-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

The first real look at the Grand Vasir from my story. It is (of course) in progress.

Illustration Friday: Legendary

2009-03-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

I asked my friend Matt what he thought I should draw for this week's topic. His response was:

"I'm a boy who plays dungeons and dragons so you could imagine the impossibly epic, dinosaur laden, scantily-clad women saturated, sword weilding picture I see in my head when you say that"

It was also his birthday this week, and considering he is one of the most giving and considerate people I know, I made this for him.

Happy Birthday Matt!!

Oh and bonus geek points to all those who know the LEGENDARY monster to the left.

Another perspective.

2009-03-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

Dan's version of Kingsley. Oh man. How am I supposed to decide!?

A Mighty Scallop

2009-03-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

I miss doing under the sea art. I haven't in a while. After another trip to the Natural History Museum on Saturday I am once again inspired by the many aquatic critters.

I also write silly songs...

2009-03-12T20:21:00.001-07:00

Untitled from Whitney Gardner on Vimeo
And animate silly videos for them!

Edit: Why is it so blurry?!

Illustration Friday: Intricate

2009-03-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

Sixteen singing cicadas, sewing sequins onto cerulean silk.

Don't ask me why this is what I thought of today for that word. Looks like I just snuck this one in under the wire! Tomorrow is Friday after all!

While we're talking about bears....

2009-03-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

I should probably mention this awesome shirt I found whilst shopping with my sister this weekend. Word.

What I do

2009-03-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

During faculty meetings...

Can you blame me? They are so boring.

Kingsley Gets Some Color

2009-03-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

The main character from my book gets some color.
Just a little peek so you can see what I'm up to.

Sneak Peek

2009-03-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

It's starting to come together!

Hey Kings!

2009-02-25T15:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some sketches of kings for a new project I am working on. My students in art club like top left King the best. I do too. What do you think?

Robo-Librarian

2009-02-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

I have this app on my phone that makes the “mario jump” sound every time I jump. I turned it on and jumped around first grade this morning. The kids FREAKED out. The funny thing is they had no clue how I was doing it.

So like any good teacher, I convinced them that I am a cyborg.

This is how it all starts out.

2009-02-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

Everything I make usually starts out as a doodle or a thumbnail in one of my many journals.

Illustration Friday: Instinct

2009-02-22T12:54:00.000-08:00

Here is my entry for this week's illustration friday topic. Let's hope Little Rabbit can trust her instincts around dapper Big Fox!

Hey Everyone!

2009-02-17T15:35:00.000-08:00

After attending the wonderful winter SCBWI conference, I have decided to start my very own illustration blog. I must admit the first post on a blog always seems like a more daunting task than it might actually be. I went and looked at some of my favorite blogs to see how they handled the pressure.

It would seem that both Matt Phelan and Mo Willems effortlessly posted a few lines about the drawings and doodlings they would be showing off. Simple, to the point, I like it!

So with them in mind...

Ahem! Welcome to my Illustration blog! I will be posting all about my adventure to become a known illustrator here. And with that will come drawings, photos, poems, collages, interpretive dance? Maybe I'll even post a ukulele song or two. Who knows!? It's all fun.

That's my desk where I make all my magic.